How do I find a dog walking or pet sitting business for sale?

A walking or sitting business has no shop window. It is a client list, a set of regular routines, a booking system and the trust of people who hand over their house keys. Owners tend to sell it to a person they know, so the public search turns up little. Plan to spend as much time on introductions as on listing sites.

Why so few are listed

Most of these businesses are run by one person with a few helpers. The owner may not think of the business as something that can be sold, and may worry that clients will leave if they hear about it. So a business that would suit you may never be advertised. Search the usual listing sites with several phrases, such as “pet sitting”, “dog walking” and “pet care”, and set alerts.

Approaching owners directly

Make a short list of established local outfits with good reviews and steady service. Write to each owner, say who you are, and ask whether they would ever talk about a future sale. Keep the note brief and respectful. Many will say no, and a few will say “not yet”. Those are worth a follow-up in a few months.

Buying a retiring sitter’s client book

A sitter who is stepping back may want to hand clients to someone they trust. This is often a smaller deal than buying a company, but it still needs care. Ask how the introductions will be made, how long the owner will stay involved and what the clients have been told. A lawyer can explain how to put that in writing.

What to ask before you sign an NDA

• How the business takes bookings and payments, and who holds the client records.
• Whether walkers and sitters are employees or contractors, and how long they have stayed.
• How house keys and access codes are stored and logged.
• Whether the owner does most of the visits personally.