How to Offer In-Home Dog Daycare and Walking Services with Confidence

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 dog walkers and sitters, this change represents a huge opportunity to build a solid and profitable business, provided they manage to convey total transparency from the very first contact.

Unlike relying on intermediary apps that retain high commissions from your earnings and limit your direct interaction with clients, providing private services allows you to set your own conditions, 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, it is not enough to just have an affinity for animals: you must master Colombian regulations, establish clear protocols, and structure an impeccable offer.

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

• Legal framework: Know the requirements of the National Code of Security and Coexistence (Law 1801 of 2016) regarding leashes and muzzles for special handling breeds, as well as the welfare guidelines of Law 2480 of 2025 ('Kiara Law').
• Preventive health screening: Require a copy of the current vaccination card (rabies and polyvalent), recent deworming, and the contact information for their primary veterinary clinic before accepting any animal.
• Management in co-ownerships: Agree with the owners on prior written authorization for the building entrance or gated community under Law 675 of 2001.
• Small packs: Limit group walks to controlled groups (maximum 6 to 8 dogs depending on affinity and size) to ensure individual attention and constant hydration.
• Direct client acquisition: Publish your profile detailing experience, areas covered, and real photos without paying commissions for every 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 also becomes your main sales argument against demanding clients.

First, the National Code of Security and Citizen Coexistence (Law 1801 of 2016, articles 124 to 134) establishes mandatory rules for the transit of dogs on public roads and common areas. As a caregiver or walker, you are legally responsible for the animal while it is in your custody. This involves 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 adequate muzzle (basket type that allows panting and drinking water) and extra-contractual civil liability insurance that covers potential damages to third parties.

For its part, Law 2480 of 2025 ('Kiara Law') strengthened national operating standards for daycares, dog schools, and home caregivers. This standard promotes technical training in animal welfare and veterinary first aid, while advising against massive packs. Maintaining a prudent operational limit—usually no more than 8 dogs per walker simultaneously, adapted to the size and temperament of the animals—demonstrates suitability and ethical commitment.

Safety protocols that generate immediate trust

The biggest barrier an owner faces when hiring a caregiver is the fear that their pet might suffer an accident, get lost, or contract diseases. Implementing a checklist before starting the 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 record: Request a physical or digital copy of the up-to-date vaccination card (rabies, sextuple/polyvalent, and kennel cough), current internal and external deworming schedule, and a report on allergies or ongoing treatments.
2. Prior ethological evaluation: Conduct a brief 15-minute assessment session with the guardian to observe reactions with other dogs, attachment, tolerance to urban noise, and energy level.
3. Mandatory identification: Verify that the dog wears a visible metal tag with its name and the guardian's phone number, preferably supplemented with a registered identification microchip.
4. Veterinary roadmap: Register the exact address of the owner's trusted veterinarian and signed authorizations for emergency transfers 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 service and require vehicular transport, use ventilated crates or harnesses with approved seat belts to avoid falls or distractions while driving.

Access to buildings and residential complexes: handling 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 for external personnel.

To avoid friction with administration or security personnel at building entrances, establish an orderly dynamic:

• Ask the owner to register your name, identification document, and service days with the building management or in the security logbook.
• Always use the service stairs or the elevators designated for pets according to the co-ownership's coexistence manual.
• Walk through corridors and reception with the dog held at a short distance to avoid rubbing against neighbors or children circulating through the area.
• For home daycare services within your own property, maintain strict control of noise and cleanliness to preserve community tranquility and avoid warnings.

Price structure and service modalities

There is no fixed official rate decreed by the government for dog walking or daycare in Colombia; the value of your service should correspond to the dedication, geographic area, duration of the walks, 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: advance payments by the fortnight or month via direct bank transfers, providing a written record or receipt to ensure formality.

How to write and publish your ad to attract serious clients

The local pet care service market has 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 immediately visible.

To stand out immediately and receive contacts from responsible pet owners in your area, optimize your ad with the following elements:

• Descriptive and local title: Indicate your specialty and the sector 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 well-taken photographs: Show photos of yourself interacting with dogs of different breeds, walking in clean parks, and holding secure leashes. Avoid generic images from internet stock sites.
• Detail of experience and training: Explain your knowledge in basic ethology, leash handling, first aid courses, or previous experience with complex breeds.
• Clarity in the deal: Specify that contact is direct via WhatsApp, without intermediary commissions, and with availability for an initial meet-and-greet interview.

If you want to refine 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 on special management dogs, pick up waste, and do not overload the pack. The Police Code (articles 124 to 134) makes you responsible in public spaces; confirm local registrations with your sectional secretariat.

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

Publishing the ad is free and without commission, according to the platform's current rate in 2026. The owner writes to you directly and you agree on price, area, and schedules. Update your coverage when your route changes.

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

Show your ID, references, and the current 2026 safety protocol: vaccinations, veterinary records, and walk reports. A short interview and building security authorization 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 rules and the owner's authorization at the reception desk. The co-ownership regulates common areas; ask them to register you with your name, ID document, and service days.

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

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

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

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