8 Dog Walking Business Success Stories [2024]
Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.
As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.
To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.
With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a dog walking business:
1. Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC ($648K/year)
Melodi Landi started Furry Fellas Pet Service in 2006 after seeing a need for reliable in-home pet care in the Rhode Island community. As a pre-vet student working at a local veterinary hospital, she discovered that many pet owners were unable to travel because they didn't have a trusted person to care for their pets. After receiving recommendations from veterinarians and techs, Melodi started the business, which now employs 42 individuals and has been voted as one of the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the area for 8 years in a row.
How much they make: $648K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 19
Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC is a successful pet sitting and dog walking business that brings in over half a million dollars in sales per year, boasts 3,500-4,000 social media followers, employs 42 individuals and has been voted in the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the RI/MA area for eight years in a row.
2. Hands N Paws ($180K/year)
Benny stumbled upon the idea for his in-home pet sitting and dog walking company when he accidentally signed up as a pet sitter on Rover.com. After realizing the potential in the pet care industry, Benny set out to create the next McDonald's of in-home pet care and has been working tirelessly to systematize and grow his business ever since.
How much they make: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 15
A technician-turned-CEO built an in-home pet care enterprise that generates $8k per month by documenting business operations and empowering employees, inspired by the successes of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc and researcher Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and empathy in the workplace.
So... can you actually make money with a dog walking business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
So... can you actually make money with a dog walking business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
6. Time To Pet
Time To Pet is pet sitting software for pet sitting and dog walking companies. We help pet care businesses start, grow and manage their companies with tools like scheduling, invoicing, payments, mobile apps, GPS, visit report cards and more.
Where they're located: Toledo, Ohio, USA
Website traffic: 840K/month
7. Spotwalk Blog
Where they're located: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
8. Home Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting, Dog Walking App
Pet Service App to instantly book a 5 star pet sitter or dog walker near you for dog boarding, walking, cat sitting or doggy daycare. More affordable than most pet hotel or pet stores.
Where they're located: Debub Region, Eritrea
Website traffic: 290K/month
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings