How to Offer In-Home Pet Walking and Sitting Services in Colombia

According to active Colombia Move signals (August 2026), the services section gathers 103 active ads, yet it still has 16 categories with sparse supply and the largest internal supply gap in the marketplace. For thousands of professionals, students, and animal lovers, this represents an excellent opportunity to generate independent income by providing walking, house-call visits, or in-home daycare services. However, to stand out in the sector, saying that you "love animals" is not enough; the key to success lies in providing trust, professionalism, and operational order from the very first contact.

If you want to structure your service offerings seriously, set reasonable prices, and ensure a constant flow of clients in your complex or neighborhood, this guide shows you the detailed step-by-step process to achieve it.

1. Define Clear and Tailored Service Packages

Many pet owners look for specific solutions based on their work routines or travel plans. Offering flexible options will allow you to cover different needs within your coverage area:

• Individual or personalized walk: Ideal for senior dogs, puppies in the socialization process, or animals with special handling requirements.
• Small group walk: Controlled routes only with compatible dogs and a limit that you can truly manage safely.
• House-call visits (Cat/Dog Sitting): Feeding, cleaning the litter box or space, hydration, and playtime for pets that prefer to stay in their usual environment.
• Hourly or overnight care at home: Continuous companionship when owners travel or have long days away from home.
• Veterinary appointment accompaniment: Transport and management of check-ups or vaccinations when owners do not have the time.

2. Build Trust: What Every Owner Demands Before Hiring

Entering a client's home or taking charge of a family member requires clear transparency standards. Just as when offering deep cleaning home services, initial trust determines whether they will hire you once or on a recurring basis.

To build a professional image, prepare a presentation file containing:

• Your official identification and updated background check.
• Exact zones you cover and available service hours.
• Proven previous experience or canine/feline first aid training.
• References from previous clients with contact numbers.
• Evidence of communication: commitment to send photos, videos, and real-time location during each service.

3. Safety Protocols and Pet Data Sheet

Avoiding accidents or escapes is the absolute priority. Before accepting your first service with a pet, conduct a brief preliminary interview with the owner and complete an individual data sheet:

Pet data sheet: It must include name, age, current vaccination record, medical history, temperament towards other dogs or strangers, energy level, primary veterinarian, and emergency contact.

Safe handling rules on public roads:

• Always use a leash or harness in good condition. Check buckles and collars before leaving the property.
• Carry bags for waste collection and adequate hydration for long walks.
• Avoid areas with excessive traffic or the presence of unsupervised stray dogs.
• Establish defined geographical boundaries for your routes, just as is done when defining logistics for local hauling and transport services.

4. Legal Compliance and Rules in Horizontal Property

In Colombia, responsible ownership of domestic animals and citizen coexistence are regulated mainly by Law 1801 of 2016 (National Police Code) and Law 2054 of 2020, consulted on August 11, 2026. If you work in residential complexes or urban areas, it is essential to know these rules:

• Leash usage: On public roads, places open to the public, and common areas of co-properties, dogs must mandatorily be walked on a leash.
• Breeds or dogs requiring special handling: They must be walked with a muzzle when appropriate and comply with the applicable permit. In Bogotá, since July 2026, there is a free digital platform to register dogs requiring special handling, and the registration must be updated annually.
• Coexistence manual: Each residential complex has its own provisions for the transit of pets in elevators, hallways, and lobby areas. Always coordinate authorized entry into the co-property with the owner.
• Tax formalization: If the service generates tax obligations, the RUT is the identification mechanism before the DIAN and its registration is free of charge; confirm with an accountant what obligations apply to your case. When defining your rates, consider how to structure your operating costs similarly to those who provide technical and independent services.

5. How to Define Transparent Prices Without Falling into Unfair Competition

Instead of setting arbitrary or excessively low prices, structure your rate by analyzing the following factors:

• Service duration: 30, 45, or 60-minute walks; or hourly house-call visits.
• Travel cost: Distance between your location and the client's home.
• Number of pets: Moderate discounts for the second animal from the same household.
• Special requirements: Complexity of the instructions authorized by the owner and health restrictions you must respect.

6. Publish Your Offer and Get Direct Clients

To attract recurring clients near your area of residence, combine word-of-mouth in your complex with digital publications where you detail your rates and service rules. Just as when you learn how to structure ads for personal home services, a transparent description generates immediate and serious contacts.

Below, we answer the most common questions from those starting out as independent dog walkers or pet sitters in Colombia.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How much to charge for dog walking or house-call pet sitting?

The rate depends on the duration of the service, the geographical area, travel, and the number of pets. It is advisable to set clear prices for exact time or prepaid monthly packages.

❓ What information should I request before accepting a pet?

Request the vaccination record, the regular veterinarian's information, an emergency contact, behavioral habits with other animals, and any prescribed health or dietary restrictions.

❓ Can I walk several dogs at the same time?

Yes, provided the dogs are compatible in temperament, size, and energy level, and that you can maintain individual control and the safety of each one with their respective leash.

❓ What should I keep in mind if I provide the service in residential complexes?

You must know the building's code of conduct, always use a leash in common areas, strictly pick up after them, and coordinate entry authorization at the front desk with the owner.

❓ Do dogs requiring special handling need different care?

Yes. According to the national regulations consulted on August 11, 2026, they must wear a leash and a muzzle when applicable, in addition to the required permit. Confirm beforehand that you have the physical capacity and experience for their safe handling.

❓ How do I get my first pet care clients?

Post a detailed ad with real photos, coverage areas, and verifiable references. Prompt attention and recommendations among neighbors are the best tools for growth.

❓ Where can I post my dog walker or pet sitter service?

You can list your offer in the local services section of open classified platforms like Colombia Move, allowing for direct contact without intermediaries.