Side hustle hero – Danielle’s sideline earns her up to £15k a year. Could her side hustle work for you?

Danielle Holmes (38) runs a website design and IT support company with her husband, Kyle. But on the side, she gets paid to look after other people’s dogs when they go on holiday. While their owners are away, the pooches are treated like part of Danielle’s family. They have the run of the ground floor of her house and all of the garden. Holmes for Paws is often booked up to a year in advance.

Tell me about Holmes for Paws?

I created the business as I saw a need locally for someone to look after dogs. But to be honest, I am a huge dog lover and have had my own dogs my entire life. The kids and my other business keep me very busy, but having dogs around really feeds my soul. They just have so much love to give.

What inspired you to set up Holmes for Paws?

My love for animals, the need to escape from the daily tech and being forced to be outside. I’m an outdoor person at heart. I love dogs, cats, horses – all animals.

How did you set it up?

I knew there was a need, so the first step was to apply to the local council for a licence – this is quite a lengthy process. 

Is it mandatory to have an animal welfare licence? What did you have to do to get it?

Yes, it is mandatory for home boarding. It’s not mandatory if you just want to be a dog sitter or walker, although I think it should be. To keep dogs in your own home, you need to be licensed. This requires policies for walking, daily care, home checks, secure entrance, handover documents and a safe environment.

How hard is it to set up a home boarding service?

Apart from the licence, it’s not too difficult. There are a lot of horror stories of family pets escaping care or not being walked or cared for - I offer a true home-from-home service, so it does require attention to detail.

How much demand is there for your service? 

I am booked up almost a year in advance in many cases, so the demand is high. Many of my clients will not give their dogs to anyone else, so they will even book their holidays around my availability.

Is demand seasonal? 

Summer is certainly more demanding than other times of the year. However, in general, I am booked all year round.

How do people tend to discover your business? 

Facebook recommendation or via my website, as you can book online - a service that many other dog boarding facilities do not offer (joys of running a website business in my other life!)

Is it hard juggling your side hustle with your day job? 

Yes and no. I love it, which helps. The dogs are amazing, and I can take them anywhere with me. It can be tiring; it’s a lot of responsibility, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

What’s the highest number of dogs you’ve had at any one time? 

I am licensed to have three at any one time.

Do you have your own dogs, too? 

Not any more, they were my inspiration for starting the business. I decided I didn’t have enough time for a puppy – ironic really considering how many puppies we often end up caring for now.

Do you ever have any issues with dogs not getting on with each other? 

No, I only have dogs from the same household or dogs that have met outside of my care. I don't mix dogs without prior meetings and consent. We have a very active dog walking group in the village (Lyneham in Wiltshire), so socialisation isn’t an issue.

Tell me about a typical day?  

It starts with early morning walks, feeds and bed cleaning

Then I go off to my day job with the dogs in tow. They get lots of cuddles and enjoy socialising with people at the office.

They'll have a mid-morning or lunchtime walk for an hour.

Then home for more cuddles, treats and sitting with me while I do my emails

Before bedtime, there's a final evening walk.

Does it take a certain sort of person to run a home boarding service?

Yes, I think so. First, you have to love dogs. You also have to know breed traits, be aware of nervous or anxious behaviour and be really on the ball when it comes to puppies too. I personally think canine first aid and lead training courses are particularly beneficial, as dogs are different when it comes to on and off-lead rules.

How much of a boost has this provided to your household income? 

Around £10k - £15k a year, so not an insignificant amount.

Do you think you could make a full-time living from boarding dogs?

Yes, absolutely. Home boarding allows for kennels as well, so many have dogs in kennels and outbuildings as well as in their home. It’s a lot of work but very rewarding. If your licence allowed for up to five dogs a day, for example, at £35 per day, that’s a decent income for anyone in my opinion.

What’s the best part of your side hustle? 

Everything, the dogs make us smile every single day. 

Are there any downsides to your side hustle? 

The smell and the hair! The investment in air fresheners and vacuum cleaners have been extreme over the years, wet dog is just not pleasant!

Have you got any tips for someone looking to start their own pet-related side hustle? 

Do your research! Look at policies and options, and the cost for insurance, licences and the need in your area. Value your time - it’s easy to charge too little for this when it’s a real love.

And finally, do you ever sleep? 

Aha I have even been known to sleep downstairs with the dogs at times. Thankfully, I thrive on minimal sleep. Most dogs sleep very happily in their beds or on the sofa downstairs.