IF you are looking to rake some extra cash in the run up to Christmas, a small business owner has shared their easy model – and you don’t need any qualifications.
A dog walker has shared how they easily make £3,400 each month taking pooches out in the morning and evening.
A dog walker shared how they rake in thousands with a few hours of work a day[/caption]
TikTok user @paws.on.time, who operates in Yorkshire, said they walk eight dogs, and do four in each slot.
They explained: “Charge £20 per dog. Daily earnings £160.”
The dog walker says they do this Monday to Friday, and rake in £800 a week, totalling £3,466.67 each month.
They advised: “I started out on Holidog to get my first furry clients and build some experience.
“About a year later, I launched my own social media pages to connect with more pet owners directly.
“Growing our client base has been a slow and steady journey, but it’s allowed me to focus on giving every dog and cat the care and attention they deserve.”
Many people were impressed, with one saying: “Looks like you provide a great service and have some gorgeous animals to look after! I’d have a problem on rainy days”.
Another added: “£20? I charge £15.”
And a third commented: “right…..new career for me then.”
HOW TO START DOG WALKING
Becoming a dog walker or sitter doesn’t require any official qualifications, meaning anyone can do it.
And it’s something that could be picked up as a side-hustle alongside another job.
But you’ll need to like dogs of course, and be able to take care of the animals.
You can find clients on local Facebook pages where you can start advertising your availability.
You can also sign up to websites like pawshake.com, which matches dog owners up with sitters.
Or, you can try borrowmydoggy.com.
Some day rates for dog sitting are around £30, and typically dog walking can be upwards of around £12 an hour.
But there are no hard and fast rules for how much you can earn as you can set your own rates.
WATCH OUT FOR
Becoming a dog walker or sitter doesn’t require any official qualifications[/caption]
You’ll need to make sure you’re getting all the right documentation and checks done before becoming a dog sitter or walker too.
That means having an up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), public liability insurance and a pet first-aid certificate.
The only legal requirement is insurance, but you’ll still want a DBS check and pet first =-aid certificate in place either way to show you’re a reputable sitter.
You can use price comparison sites like Compare the Market or Uswitch to find the best public liability insurance policies.
Public liability insurance means if something goes wrong, like if the dog you’re looking after bites someone, that you won’t be left with a huge bill.
Meanwhile, you can complete pet first-aid courses online or in person through websites like firstaidforpets.net.
Also, bear in mind if you’re taking up a dog sitting or walking side hustle and earn over £1,000 a year, you will have to file a self-assessment tax return.
Depending on your other income, you may also have to pay tax on any earnings over this amount.
This is because you’re classed as self-employed.
Side hustles in numbers
Based on new research from Finder, an estimated 22.8 million Brits are using side hustles to top up their income.
Among those aged 18-23, 68 percent have a side hustle in 2024.
Those aged 24-42 aren’t far behind, with 65 per cent having an additional source of income.
Side hustles are less popular among older generations, with 40 percent of those aged 43-54 having one.
Whereas 23 percent of people aged 55-73 and just 7 per cent of those aged 74 and over are earning extra cash this way.
