Are you trying to determine what to put in that line item on your monthly budget for a dog walker?

It can be a bit confusing or even overwhelming when trying to make the right choice for your furry family member. Being mindful of cost is on all our thoughts as even our grocery prices keep increasing.

There is no need to start shedding over it; we are here to put some of your stress to rest and offer some insight on what goes into the prices and a few tips on making the best choice for you and your pup!

When making any choice concerning a family member, we, as (pet) parents, do so much research to be sure we receive that peace of mind and that the correct and safest choice is made. I am like that, too! I spent months researching cars before I put my kid’s car seats in them and drove off. Making the right vehicle choice for your family parallels choosing who will enter your home and caring for your pet(s). To help cut your research time in half and also gift you some peace of mind is a simple package;

Here are the top questions you should ask your pet professional BEFORE the in-person meet and greet.

1. Are they insured and bonded?

A good pet professional will have specific pet care insurance with a company that specializes in the unique needs of this field, not just a side plan from their homeowner insurance company. Extra bonding coverage adds peace of mind as we are often not the only person to go in and out of our client’s homes. ( think contractors, cleaners, food delivery, or even your children’s friends)

2. What is their experience?

Finding a pet professional who has owned and loved their pets for numerous years is lovely. However, it is a world of difference to care for other people’s animals professionally. There is a heightened sense of awareness a pet pro needs to have that goes above and beyond the snuggles and playtime. These traits are commonly seen in any adult who has professionally done group management work, human daycare work, or a parent of young children. You know, the ones that get asked if they indeed have eyes in the back of their heads. With pets (as well as young children), you need to have eyes everywhere, all the time, and survey even a few feet ahead!

3. What training certifications do they have?

Not only is it imperative to be adequately trained on how to do the routine day-to-day tasks of a dog walk, but your pet pro must also be ready to act in an emergency. A certain level of maturity is needed when taking care of an animal, even more so when taking it out into the world, out of its safe, enclosed environment (i.e., off your property for a walk). Occasionally, unplanned events can occur on a dog walk that requires swift, calm, and steady action. A loose neighborhood dog, a hidden piece of glass in some leaves, or even being attentive to ailments and age on hot weather days can all be supported by excellent PET SPECIFIC first aid/CPR training. Fear can be there; however, will your pet care provider freeze up, or will they go into action to help your best furiend the swiftest and best they can?

A responsible pet care company will train its staff and support continual education and practice so that jumping into action is second nature when an emergency arises.

4. Are your team member’s background checked?

Knowing responsible and honest people are in your home is a priority. Since pet care is such a peace-of-mind business, a trustworthy professional company will do the vetting for you, taking the time and making the investment to run background checks and thoroughly check the references of team members for you before their day one on the job.

5. What other factors go into the cost of my dog walk?

There are several other general costs of doing a door-to-door service type of business. Here is a list of other things to consider when tallying up a fair service rate: website maintenance fees, company emails, phone service, and scheduling systems membership and maintenance. Payment processors, workers comp, and payroll fees. Equipment, such as first aid kits, all-weather gear, treats, poo bags, and extra leashes. Travel costs, vehicle maintenance, insurance to get to and from pet parent’s homes, and much more!

Additionally, there is a high demand for services with a low count of quality pet care providers. With work-from-home dwindling, more clients are asking for dog walkers to be there for their pets while working mid-day. Which in turn creates a supply and demand issue. Because of this, you can expect a range of fees for a Dog Walk to span between $35 and $250, depending on the service packages that are right for you.

When choosing a company, look for one anchored in the career path that is already well established in your community or for one putting in the work to grow a strong, safe, and dependable team properly with many of the abovementioned points. Now it’s time to ask: whom do you depend on?