The Kit
Tested tools and trusted services for UK pet business owners.
Everything on this page is something we'd recommend to a friend starting or running a dog business in the UK. No fluff. No filler.
Software & Booking
My Pet Walker
UK-built booking software designed specifically for pet care businesses.
Built for the UK market — handles UK-style invoicing, recurring bookings, consent forms and vaccine tracking. Clients can book online 24/7. Clean interface that makes small businesses look professional from day one.
Scout for Pets
Modern pet care management software — the one professionals are switching to.
Growing fast in the UK market. Clean mobile app experience, GPS visit tracking built in, automatic client reports and invoicing. Popular with dog walkers who want to look more professional.
Pet Sitter Plus
UK-based software for pet sitters and dog walkers — trusted by thousands.
One of the longest-running pet business software tools in the UK. Feature-rich: scheduling, invoicing, GPS check-ins, client communication. Well suited to businesses managing 20+ clients.
Insurance
Protectivity Insurance
Specialist pet business insurance from £1.47 a week — the most commonly recommended in the industry.
Covers 14 pet business activities including dog walking, grooming, daycare and training. Public liability up to £10 million. Care, custody and control cover up to £50,000 for animals in your care.
Simply Business
Compare and buy pet business insurance in minutes — from £6.62 a month.
A broker rather than a direct insurer — useful for businesses that want to compare options in one place. Well-known brand with strong digital presence. Good fit for starters who want reassurance from a recognisable name.
Pet Business Insurance
Dedicated pet business insurer — from £1.53 per week.
Specialist insurer focused exclusively on pet businesses. Clean, simple quote process. Good for groomers and home boarders who need specific cover types that general business insurers sometimes exclude.
Accounting & Finance
FreeAgent
UK-built accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses — includes Self Assessment filing.
Purpose-built for the UK. Handles invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, Self Assessment and Corporation Tax. MTD-compatible for the April 2026 Making Tax Digital requirement. The sole trader plan is £19/month — affordable and comprehensive.
Tide
Business bank account with built-in bookkeeping — two birds, one stone.
For pet business owners just starting out, a Tide account gives you a business bank account AND basic bookkeeping in one place. Easy to open, no branch visits, free plan available. Great for anyone who hasn't separated their business and personal finances yet.
QuickBooks
The most widely used small business accounting software in the UK.
Better suited to businesses that are scaling — multiple income streams, employees, VAT registration. If you've grown to a team or have multiple chairs, QuickBooks handles the complexity that simpler tools won't.
Hardware & Trackers
Tractive GPS Tracker
Real-time GPS tracking for dogs in your care — live location every 2–3 seconds.
The most trusted name in pet GPS tracking. Live mode updates every 2–3 seconds. Geofencing alerts if a dog leaves a defined area. Waterproof. Works anywhere with mobile coverage. Essential for dog walkers managing pack walks — gives clients peace of mind. Device: ~£59, then from £4.50/month.
PitPat GPS
Designed in Cambridge. GPS + activity tracking with no subscription fee on the base model.
UK-designed and manufactured — a good story for DBH's UK focus. Combines GPS location with activity and health monitoring. The no-subscription base model appeals to cost-conscious starters. Lightweight and easy to attach to most collars.
How we choose what's in the Kit
Tried or tested
Every tool on this page is either used by the Dog Business Hub team or verified by pet business owners in our community.
Referral links
Some tools pay us a small commission if you sign up via our link. This never affects our recommendation — we only feature tools we'd suggest anyway.
Suggest a tool
Know a tool that should be on this page? Email us at hello@dogbusinesshub.co.uk. If it's good, it goes in.
Know a tool that belongs here?
We update the Kit regularly. If there's something that's made a difference to your business, tell us about it.