Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
In Malta paying customers for pet care work arrive through a mix of local and online channels. Neighbours and the people in your building are often the easiest first clients because they already see you and trust you. Local workplaces and friends who commute or travel can become repeat customers for weekday visits or last-minute care.
Parents at schools and nurseries may need pet care at specific hours, and people in your neighbourhood Facebook groups or WhatsApp chains are common sources of referrals. Online search and marketplace listings matter too - people who move to Malta or visitors looking for pet care will search the web rather than ask neighbours. Word of mouth remains important in a small island community.
- Neighbours, building residents and local shops
- Workplaces and colleagues who need care while at work
- Parents and school communities with fixed schedules
- Local social media groups and community forums
- Online search and marketplace listings
Setting your first price and talking about money
Your first price should reflect the time, travel and responsibility involved, and be simple enough to explain. For a first price pick a clear per-visit or per-hour structure you can defend when people ask why you charge that amount. When negotiating add explicit notes for extras such as additional pets, medication, or long-distance travel.
When you talk about money, be direct and factual. Tell a potential customer what is included - how long each visit is, whether you feed or administer medication, and whether you send photos or messages - and state the payment method you accept. If you use online booking or card payments, explain when the payment is taken and whether there is a cancellation policy.
- Choose a per-visit or per-hour structure and be consistent
- List common extras and prices so customers know what to expect
- Be clear about payment timing and cancellation terms
What your first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers are typically a small, diverse group rather than a representative sample. Expect a mix of neighbours, friends-of-friends, one or two online enquiries from new residents or visitors, and perhaps a repeat booking from someone at your workplace. Some will book a single trial visit; others may become occasional repeat clients quickly.
Early customers help you refine your service - they test your timing, how you manage keys or access, and what communication they expect. Treat these initial bookings as learning opportunities and ask for feedback after the job so you can adjust your descriptions, timing and what you include in a visit.
- Mostly local - neighbours, acquaintances and colleagues
- A few online or marketplace enquiries from people new to the area
- Early repeat business depends on reliability and clear communication
Handling payments and legal checks in Malta
Payments for card transactions are routed to the provider's own bank account through Stripe on Websta - you keep control of prices and receive payouts to your account. As an independent provider you must keep clear records of income and expenses, and declare the income to Maltese authorities.
For exact registration and tax steps check with the relevant Maltese authorities rather than relying on general advice. Contact the Commissioner for Revenue to ask - do I need to register as self-employed, how do I declare income from independent work, and when do I need to register for VAT? Contact the Malta Business Registry to ask whether you should register a trade name or company. Contact Jobsplus or the relevant social security department to ask how social security contributions apply to self-employed income. Keep the questions simple and focused so you get clear answers for your situation.
- Card payments through Stripe are paid out to your bank account
- Keep detailed records and declare income to the Commissioner for Revenue
- Ask the Commissioner for Revenue, Malta Business Registry and Jobsplus specific registration and contribution questions
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems are underestimating travel time, unclear cancellation rules, inconsistent communication and gaps in record-keeping. You may agree to a time that then proves impractical because of traffic or parking, or forget to charge for an extra pet. Another frequent issue is casual payment expectations - if you do not state when and how you will be paid, customers assume different arrangements.
To reduce risk, set simple rules for arrival windows, cancellations and extras; confirm bookings in writing; and keep an easy spreadsheet or app for income and expenses. Test your messaging - a short standard confirmation and a follow-up after the visit save time and reduce misunderstandings.
- Underestimating travel and time per visit
- Unclear cancellation or refund terms
- Poor record-keeping for income and expenses
- Inconsistent communication about confirmations and updates
How a Websta profile fits into running this work
A Websta profile gives you a single page that looks like a small website - services, photos, a contact form and online booking - which you can send to anyone. It functions as a public listing people can find by service and place on the marketplace, and as a page you can link from social media or community posts.
On Websta you set your own services and prices and receive card payments that are paid out to your bank account through Stripe. Use the profile to clearly list what each service includes, your availability and basic rules about cancellation and extras. For early clients, a profile helps present consistent information and reduces time spent answering the same questions individually.
- A single, shareable page with services, photos and online booking
- You set prices and receive card payouts to your bank account through Stripe
- Use the profile to standardise service descriptions and booking terms
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as a business to offer pet care in Malta?
- Contact the Commissioner for Revenue and the Malta Business Registry to ask whether you need to register as self-employed or form a company for your specific situation. Ask how to declare income and whether any trade registration is required.
- How should I accept payments from customers?
- You can accept card payments through Websta, which routes payouts to your own bank account through Stripe. Also decide whether you will accept cash or bank transfers and state the method and timing when you confirm a booking.
- What should I include on my first service listing?
- Include a concise list of what a visit covers, how long it takes, any limits on distance, rules on extra pets or medication, and your cancellation terms. Clear expectations reduce disputes and save time.
- How can I find my first clients in Malta?
- Start with neighbours, colleagues and local community groups. Post your Websta profile link in neighbourhood forums and share it with friends. Be reliable on early bookings to turn trial customers into repeat clients.
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.
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