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Animals are our greatest companions. They provide comfort and friendship. In turn, it’s our job to make sure we’re giving them a high quality of life. In Australia, millions of households cherish the company of pets. However, balancing busy lives with the demands of pet care can be challenging. This is where dog walking services come in – offering a lifeline to pet owners who need help ensuring their furry friends get the exercise and attention they deserve.
When it comes to starting a dog walking business, you need a lot more than a few leashes and clean-up bags. Just like any other business, your dog walking business needs to be properly set up, legally protected and compliant with the law. That way, business can run smoothly while you provide a valuable service to humans best friend.
How Do I Start My Own Dog Walking Business?
First things first – you need to assess whether you’re qualified to walk a dog. This might seem like an odd suggestion, as you don’t need a degree to walk a few dogs, right? While that’s true, dog walking isn’t a task for amateurs. A professional dog walker needs to know how to handle different dog personalities, what to do in case of an emergency, and have a good knowledge of canine behaviour. Every dog is different, and there are bound to be external factors that will impact your daily walks – a good dog walker is prepared to handle everything that comes their way.
It’s a good idea to look into courses that help equip you with the necessary knowledge to work with animals. Consider pet first aid certification or pet training courses to help get you started in the industry. These qualifications not only enhance your skills but also help build trust with potential clients.
Next, you will need to create a business plan. Whether dog walking is a serious business endeavour or an extra side gig, it’s imperative to properly plan out your business. It helps you define your goals, identify your target market and outline your strategies for growth. Having a well-structured plan to refer to can keep you organised and focused on your objectives, ensuring your business stays on track.
How Do I Register My Dog Walking Business In Australia?
Once you’re ready to launch your dog walking business, you can proceed with registering it. When registering your dog walking business, there’s a number of factors you will need to consider so you can make choices that are right for your business – keep reading to learn more.
Select The Right Legal Structure For Your Dog Walking Business
The first step to registering your dog walking business involves picking out the right legal structure. In Australia, the most common types of business structures are: Sole trader, partnership and company.
When starting your dog walking business, it’s crucial to choose the right business structure. Sole trader and partnership structures are easier to set up, however, they don’t offer much legal protection. If you set up your business as a sole trader or partnership, the business is directly connected to you personally and cannot exist separately. As a result, you are personally liable for everything that happens with your business, which can be a significant risk.
On the other hand, setting up a company involves a more complex and costly process. It takes more time and effort compared to setting up as a sole trader or partnership. However, the advantage of establishing a company is the legal protection it provides. A company is a separate legal entity, which means your personal liability is limited. This separation ensures that the company’s liabilities do not directly impact your personal assets, offering greater legal protection.
Complete The Application Process
After determining the right legal structure for your dog walking business, it’s time to complete the application process. For all business structures mentioned, the application can be completed online.
To set up as a sole trader or in a partnership, you simply need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) — partners may want to take the additional step of securing a Partnership Agreement.
To register a company, you need to complete your application with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Navigating ASIC’s various forms and regulations can be a bit complex, so it’s a good idea to have the help of a legal expert when setting up your company. Moreover, registering a company involves making decisions regarding how your company will be governed, the type of company you will be registering, its directors and shareholders – having the help of a legal expert can ensure your company gets set up the right way.
Register A Business Name
Don’t forget to register a business name! If you’re a sole trader or partner business, then you only need to register a business name if you plan on using a name other than your personal one. A similar concept applies for companies. When you register your company, you will receive a company name. However, many companies choose not to operate by their company name, preferring to operate by a business name. If this is you, then you will need to register a business name separately.
Obtain The Relevant Licences And Permits
Ensure you attain the relevant licences and permits to start your dog walking business. Licences and permits might depend on state and locality, so you’ll need to do your due diligence to see what you’ll be needing. Alternatively, chat with a legal expert and they can point you in the right direction.
What Legal Documents Are Necessary For Starting A Dog Walking Business?
To protect your dog walking business, legal documents are essential. Well drafted legal documents that have been adopted to meet the specific needs of your business can help communicate important matters, limit your liabilities and secure revenue streams – they are worth investing in. A few legal documents to consider getting included:
Service Agreement: This is a contract between you and your clients. A service agreement details matters such as scope of work, payment, liabilities, key dates as well as the rights and responsibilities of each party.
Waiver: A waiver is important to limit your liabilities and let your clients know of any potential risks.
Privacy Policy: If you plan on having a business website, then you may need to have a privacy policy visible on it. Australian privacy laws require any business that collects private information from users of their website to have a privacy policy.
Employment Agreement: If you plan on hiring employees to work in your dog walking business, then employment agreements are a necessary contract to highlight the key duties and rights of your employees.
Are There Any Laws And Regulations I Need To Look Out For?
Yes, there are a number of laws your dog walking business will need to comply with. Needless to say, regulations depend on your dog walking businesses specific operations and location. However, we’ve listed a few regulations to keep an eye out for below.
Animal Welfare Laws
Animal welfare laws determine the standard of care for animals. In Australia, animal welfare laws vary from state to state. They key legislation for animal welfare in each state is:
- New South Wales: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
- Victoria: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
- Queensland: Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
- South Australia: Animal Welfare Act 1985
- Western Australia: Animal Welfare Act 2002
- Tasmania: Animal Welfare Act 1993
- Australian Capital Territory: Animal Welfare Act 1992
- Northern Territory: Animal Welfare Act 1999
Local Council Regulations
Local council regulations will also impact your conduct when walking dogs. Make sure you check up on local laws regarding where dogs can be walked, leash requirements and more so you’re not breaking any rules.
Australian Consumer Law
Providing a service to clients means following the regulations set out by Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The ACL determines consumer rights and you’ll need to abide by it when advertising, setting prices, guaranteeing consumer rights and ensuring your business doesn’t engage in deceptive conduct. Getting familiar with the ACL is essential for any business, so it’s a good idea to chat with a legal expert about your duties under it.
Next Steps
A dog walking business is an exciting business venture, however it’s crucial to ensure you’re paying attention to the legal requirements when starting your business. To summarise what we’ve discussed:
- To start a dog walking business in Australia, assess your qualifications to handle different dog personalities, emergencies and have good knowledge of canine behaviour Consider taking pet first aid and training courses.
- Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, target market, financial plans, and growth strategies to keep your business organised and on track
- Decide between sole trader, partnership, or company structure. Sole traders and partnerships are easier to set up but offer less legal protection. A company structure provides greater legal protection by separating personal and business liabilities
- Register your business online. Sole traders need an ABN, partnerships require ABNs for all partners, and companies must register with ASIC, often with legal assistance
- Register a business name if operating under a name different from your personal or company name
- Ensure you have the necessary licences and permits, which vary by state and locality. Consult with a legal expert for guidance
- Draft essential legal documents such as service agreements, waivers, privacy policies, and employment agreements to protect your business and outline responsibilities
If you would like a consultation on starting a dog walking business, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.
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