Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
In Denmark most paying pet care clients are local and practical. Early customers usually come from neighbours and people you already know - friends, family, colleagues and parents at your child’s school. Local workplaces and teams at sports clubs can be sources when employees swap recommendations. Online channels also matter: people use search engines, neighbourhood Facebook groups, and local marketplaces to find sitters and dog walkers.
Veterinary clinics, pet shops and dog parks are physical places to meet potential customers and leave a leaflet. Word of mouth tends to scale slowly - a good first client can refer one or two more people, but repeat customers are built through reliability and clear communication rather than fast advertising.
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by calculating your costs and time. Include travel, time with the animal, any equipment or consumables, and the time spent answering messages and admin. Compare what nearby providers advertise online to see the local range, and decide where you fit based on experience and services offered.
When you discuss price, be direct and written. State what is included - length of visit, walks, feeding, litter care - and what is extra. Make cancellation, rescheduling and no-show terms clear before the job. For business customers or longer contracts offer to send an invoice. If the customer wants card payment, explain how you accept it and when the payout reaches your account.
- Calculate travel and time for each job before pricing
- List what your price includes and what costs extra
- Agree cancellation and reschedule terms in writing
- Offer an invoice option for business or repeat clients
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers tend to be a mix of people who already know you and those found locally. Expect friends and family to make up several early bookings, neighbours who need help during short trips, and a handful of clients from local online groups or workplace recommendations. A few will ask for a trial visit to meet you and their pet.
Most early clients book occasional or one-off work rather than daily long-term jobs. Building regular clients requires consistent communication, punctuality and safe handling. Treat each early booking as an opportunity to ask for feedback and a short referral - that slowly expands your local reputation.
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Denmark
Check formal requirements before you start accepting payments. If you are unsure about registration, VAT or tax reporting, contact the Danish Tax Agency (SKAT or the current Danish Tax authority) and the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen). Ask whether you need a CVR number, whether your turnover triggers VAT registration, and how to report income from self-employment.
You will also need a bank account that accepts payouts. Websta uses Stripe to process card payments and pays out to the provider’s own bank account. Confirm with your bank and Stripe what information they require. For liability and content-related questions contact your insurance company and ask about public liability and pet care coverage. If you are employed, read your employment contract and ask your employer or union whether moonlighting is allowed.
- Ask SKAT whether and how to report self-employed income
- Ask Erhvervsstyrelsen whether you must register a business or obtain a CVR
- Confirm banking and Stripe payout details with your bank
- Ask an insurer about liability insurance for pet care
- Check your employment contract or union rules about side work
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early issues are misquoted time or travel, unclear expectations about tasks, and overbooking. Underestimating how long a visit takes and not including travel can turn a profitable job into an unpaid hour. Communication breakdowns - unclear arrival times, forgotten keys or unclear emergency contacts - are frequent sources of conflict.
Other problems include clients who delay or refuse payment, pets with undisclosed behaviour issues, and not having adequate insurance or written agreements. A few providers try to scale too fast and end up with scheduling conflicts. Reduce risk by written confirmations, asking for emergency contacts, and keeping simple records of bookings and payments.
- Underestimating time and travel
- Unclear task or emergency plans
- Late or missing payments
- Scheduling conflicts from rapid growth
- Insufficient insurance or no written terms
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a single page that looks like a small website - services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. Use it as the page you send to prospects, and as a place where local customers can find you when they search by service and town. The marketplace aspect lets people nearby post a task and receive offers from providers.
Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe; you set your prices. A clear profile with service descriptions and booking rules reduces misunderstandings and makes it easier to quote and charge correctly. It does not guarantee clients - earning requires steady work building visibility and good service.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as a business to do pet care in Denmark?
- It depends on your turnover and how you operate. Contact Erhvervsstyrelsen and SKAT to ask whether you must register for a CVR number and whether you need to register for VAT. They will explain the thresholds and reporting requirements that apply to your situation.
- How should I report income and taxes from pet care work?
- Keep clear records of income and expenses and ask SKAT how to report self-employed income. If you are employed elsewhere, check whether you should report extra income in your annual tax return and whether prepayment or A-skat rules apply.
- Can I accept card payments from customers?
- Yes. Websta accepts card payments and pays out to your own bank account through Stripe. Confirm with your bank and Stripe about any requirements and processing times before you advertise card acceptance.
- Do I need insurance for pet care work?
- Liability insurance is recommended. Contact insurance companies and ask specifically about public liability and coverage for pet care work, including damage, injury and third-party claims.
- How quickly will I get clients if I start now?
- There is no guaranteed timeline. Early clients often come from your personal network and local contacts. Growing a steady client base takes consistent service, local visibility and time.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.