How to Confidently Offer In-Home Dog Daycare and Walking Services

The bond between Colombian families and their pets has radically transformed pet care in the country. Today, owners are not just looking for someone to hold a leash for half an hour; they demand professional caregivers who guarantee the physical integrity, emotional well-being, and medical safety of their dogs. For independent walkers and caregivers, this change represents a huge opportunity to build a solid and profitable business, provided they manage to convey total transparency from the first contact.

Unlike relying on intermediary apps that retain high commissions from your income and limit your direct dealings with clients, providing private services allows you to set your own terms, coordinate personalized schedules, and build loyalty with households in your neighborhood. However, to earn the trust of an owner in cities like Bogotá or Medellín, having an affinity for animals is not enough: you must master Colombian regulations, establish clear protocols, and structure an impeccable offer.

Quick answer: What do you need to successfully offer walking and daycare services?

• Legal framework: Know the requirements of the National Security and Coexistence Code (Law 1801 of 2016) regarding leashes and muzzles for special handling breeds, as well as the welfare guidelines of Law 2480 of 2025 ("Kiara's Law").
• Preventive health filter: Require a copy of the valid vaccination card (rabies and polyvalent), recent deworming, and the contact information for the primary veterinary clinic before accepting any animal.
• Coproperty management: Arrange with owners for prior written authorization at the building or gated community front desk under Law 675 of 2001.
• Reduced packs: Limit group walks to controlled groups (maximum 6 to 8 dogs depending on affinity and size) to ensure individualized attention and constant hydration.
• Direct recruitment: Publish your profile detailing experience, areas covered, and real photos without paying commissions for each scheduled walk.

Colombian regulations and animal welfare: what you must comply with

Providing pet care services in public spaces or private homes requires strict compliance with Colombian laws on citizen coexistence and animal protection. Operating with regulatory rigor not only protects you from police sanctions but becomes your main selling point to demanding clients.

First, the National Code of Security and Citizen Coexistence (Law 1801 of 2016, articles 124 to 134) establishes mandatory standards for the movement of dogs on public roads and common areas. As a caregiver or walker, you are legally responsible for the animal while it is under your custody. This implies the immediate collection of excrement and the permanent use of a leash. For dogs classified as special handling, the law strictly requires the use of an appropriate muzzle (basket type that allows panting and drinking water) and a third-party liability insurance policy that covers potential damages to others.

Meanwhile, Law 2480 of 2025 ("Kiara's Law") strengthened national operating standards for daycares, dog schools, and at-home caregivers. This regulation promotes technical training in animal welfare and veterinary first aid, while advising against large packs. Maintaining a prudent operating limit—usually no more than 8 dogs per walker simultaneously, adapted to the build and temperament of the animals—demonstrates competence and ethical commitment.

Security protocols that generate immediate trust

The biggest barrier an owner faces when hiring a caregiver is the fear that their pet will suffer an accident, get lost, or contract diseases. Implementing a checklist before starting service eliminates that uncertainty and positions your service as a top-tier professional alternative.

Before scheduling the first walk or home stay, implement a rigorous admission protocol:

1. Medical and health file: Request a physical or digital copy of the up-to-date vaccination card (rabies, hexavalent/polyvalent, and kennel cough), current internal and external deworming schedule, and a report of allergies or ongoing treatments.
2. Prior ethological evaluation: Conduct a brief 15-minute assessment session with the owner to observe reactions to other dogs, attachment, tolerance to urban noises, and energy level.
3. Mandatory identification: Verify that the dog wears a visible metal tag with its name and the owner's phone number, preferably supplemented with a registered identification microchip.
4. Veterinary roadmap: Record the exact address of the owner's trusted veterinarian and signed authorizations for emergency transport in case of medical contingencies.

During walks in busy urban parks—such as Parque El Virrey in Bogotá or Parque Lineal Ciudad del Río in Medellín—be sure to carry fresh water bottles with a portable bowl, clean towels for rainy days, and a basic first aid kit. If you provide country daycare services and require vehicle transport, use ventilated crates or harnesses with an approved seat belt to avoid falls or distractions while driving.

Access to buildings and residential complexes: management in horizontal property

Many potential clients in major cities reside in buildings or complexes subject to the Horizontal Property Regime (Law 675 of 2001). Although Colombian constitutional jurisprudence protects the right to keep domestic animals in co-ownerships, internal regulations do regulate the use of common areas, elevators, and access by external personnel.

To avoid friction with building management or security personnel, establish an orderly dynamic:

• Ask the owner to register your name, ID document, and service days with the building management or in the front desk logbook.
• Always use the service stairs or the elevators designated for pets according to the building's coexistence manual.
• Travel through hallways and the reception area with the dog held at a short distance to avoid rubbing against neighbors or children passing through.
• In home-based daycare services within your own property, maintain strict control of noise and cleanliness to preserve community peace and avoid complaints.

Price structure and service modalities

There is no fixed official government rate for dog walking or daycare in Colombia; the value of your service should reflect your dedication, the geographic area, the duration of the outings, and whether it is individual attention or in small groups. Charging directly allows you to offer transparent monthly plans without suffering the arbitrary deductions applied by intermediary platforms.

Offer weekly packages of 3 to 5 days with preferential rates and maintain a clear charging policy: prepayments by the fortnight or month via direct bank transfers, providing a written record or receipt to provide formality.

How to write and post your ad to attract serious clients

The local pet care service market has a high unmet demand. According to active ads on Colombia Move (September 2026), the pet services category shows an open supply gap with zero active ads, so a clear profile is still seen immediately.

To stand out immediately and receive inquiries from responsible pet parents in your locality, optimize your ad with the following elements:

• Descriptive and local title: Indicate your specialty and the area you serve. For example: "Professional dog walker in small groups | Routes in Rosales and Chapinero" or "In-home dog daycare with wellness protocols in El Poblado."
• Real and professional photographs: Show photos of yourself interacting with dogs of different breeds, walking in clean parks, and holding secure leashes. Avoid generic stock images from the internet.
• Experience and training details: Explain your knowledge in basic ethology, leash handling, first aid courses, or previous experience with complex breeds.
• Clarity in dealings: Specify that contact is direct via WhatsApp, without intermediary commissions, and with availability for an initial meet-and-greet interview.

If you want to perfect how you present your value proposition and photographs, you can consult our guide on how to publish a free ad step-by-step and maximize the visibility of your service.

To present a profile for home visits with the same level of detail, also review how to publish cleaning or maintenance services.

Frequently asked questions

❓ What legal requirements must I meet in Colombia to work as a dog walker?

You must comply with Law 1801 of 2016 and Law 2480 of 2025, in effect in 2026. Use a leash, a muzzle for special management dogs, pick up waste, and do not overload the pack. The Police Code (articles 124 to 134) makes you responsible on public roads; confirm local registrations with your sectional secretariat.

❓ How much does it cost to post a pet service ad on Colombia Move?

Posting the ad is free and commission-free, according to the platform's current rate in 2026. The owner writes to you directly and you agree on the price, area, and schedule. Update your coverage when your route changes.

❓ How do I prove that my service is safe for owners if I am just starting?

Show your ID, references, and the current safety protocol in 2026: vaccinations, veterinary records, and walk reports. A short interview and authorization from building security reduce risk more than any slogan.

❓ Can I freely enter gated communities to pick up the dogs?

No. Under Law 675 of 2001, in effect in 2026, access is defined by the building bylaws and the owner's authorization at the front desk. The co-ownership regulates common areas; ask them to register you with your name, document, and service days.

❓ Where do I post my ad and what photos should I include for serious clients?

Post it in the pets category of Colombia Move, in effect in 2026, with real photos, visible leashes, neighborhoods, schedules, and capacity. Avoid stock images and make the direct contact for the preliminary interview clear.

❓ What should I do if a pet suffers a medical emergency during the walk or care?

Take it immediately to the clinic agreed upon in the record and notify the owner by phone. The safety protocol in effect in 2026 is not to medicate on your own, carry transport authorization, and keep a written record of costs.