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

According to active signals from Colombia Move (August 2026), the services section gathers 103 active listings, but still has 16 categories with scarce 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-visit, or home-boarding services. However, to stand out in the sector, it is not enough to say that you "love animals"; the key to success lies in providing trust, professionalism, and operational order from the first contact.

If you want to structure your service offerings seriously, set reasonable prices, and ensure a constant flow of clients in your residential 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 in your coverage area:

• Individual or personalized walk: Ideal for senior dogs, puppies in the socialization process, or animals with special handling requirements.
• Small group walks: Controlled routes only with compatible dogs and a limit you can truly manage safely.
• House visits (Cat/Dog Sitting): Feeding, cleaning of the litter box or space, hydration, and play for pets that prefer to stay in their usual environment.
• Hourly or overnight care at home: Continuous companionship when owners travel or have long hours away from home.
• Accompaniment to veterinary appointments: Transportation and management of check-ups or vaccinations when guardians 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 standards of transparency. Just as when offering deep cleaning services at home, initial trust determines if they will hire you once or on a recurring basis.

To build a professional image, prepare a presentation sheet that contains:

• Your official ID and updated background check.
• Exact areas you cover and available service hours.
• Verifiable previous experience or training in canine/feline first aid.
• References from previous clients with contact numbers.
• Communication evidence: commitment to send photos, videos, and real-time location during each service.

3. Safety Protocols and Pet Data Sheet

Avoiding accidents or loss 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 schedule, medical history, temperament towards other dogs or strangers, energy level, primary veterinarian, and emergency contact.

Safe handling rules in public spaces:

• Always use a leash or harness that is adjusted and in good condition. Check buckles and collars before leaving the property.
• Bring bags for excreta collection and proper hydration for long walks.
• Avoid areas with excessive traffic or the presence of unsupervised loose dogs.
• Establish defined geographic boundaries for your routes, just as you do when defining logistics for hauling and local transport services.

4. Legal Compliance and Horizontal Property Regulations

In Colombia, the responsible ownership of domestic animals and citizen coexistence are primarily regulated 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:

• Use of a leash: In public roads, places open to the public, and common areas of co-ownerships, dogs must obligatorily be walked on a leash.
• Special handling breeds or canines: They must wear a muzzle when appropriate and comply with the applicable permit. In Bogota, as of July 2026, there is a free digital platform to register special handling canines, and the registration must be updated annually.
• Coexistence manual: Every residential complex has its own regulations for the transit of pets in elevators, hallways, and lobbies. Always coordinate authorized entry to the co-ownership with the owner.
• Tax formalization: If the service generates tax obligations, the RUT is the identification mechanism before the DIAN and its registration has no cost; confirm with an accountant which obligations apply to your case. When setting your rates, keep in mind 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 home 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 place of residence, combine word-of-mouth in your complex with digital posts where you detail your rates and service rules. Just like 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 as independent pet walkers or sitters in Colombia.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How much to charge for walking dogs or pet sitting at home?

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

❓ What information should I ask for before accepting a pet?

Request the vaccination record, the primary veterinarian's details, 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 conduct handbook, always use a leash in common areas, strictly pick up after the pet, and coordinate entry authorization at the front desk with the owner.

❓ Do dogs requiring special handling require different care?

Yes. According to national regulations consulted on August 11, 2026, they must wear a leash and a muzzle when appropriate, in addition to the applicable 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 zones, and verifiable references. Fast response times and neighbor referrals 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.