Pet care provider in Belgium: set up your Websta profile

What your profile page should contain

Your Websta profile is your storefront online. Start with a clear description of what you do - for instance, dog walking, cat sitting, pet grooming, or a mix of services. Write in plain language so customers understand exactly what you offer and who you serve (puppies, senior dogs, anxious pets, specific breeds).

Add a profile photo of yourself, and include photos of your work - pets you have cared for (with owner permission), your grooming space, or walks you have taken. These photos build trust and show potential customers what to expect.

List your services with a brief description of each one. For pet care in Belgium, common services include daily dog walking, overnight pet sitting, daycare, grooming, training help, or pet transport. You set your own rates for each service.

Offer customers a way to contact you and book. Websta lets you set up online booking for fixed-time services (a one-hour walk at a set time each week) or accept quote requests (a customer describes what they need, and you reply with a price). Most pet care works well with quote requests, since every job is different - a walk for a small dog in Brussels differs from one for a large dog in a rural area.

Languages for your profile

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (Flemish) in the north, French in the south, and German in the east. Where you work determines which languages matter most. If you work in Flanders (the northern region), Dutch and English are practical. If you work in Wallonia (the south), French and English work well. In Brussels, a mix of Dutch and French is normal, with English also useful.

At minimum, publish your profile in English and the main language of your region. If you speak more than one, a multilingual profile (even just service names and descriptions in two languages) reaches more customers. Many pet owners in Belgium speak English and are comfortable booking in English, but Dutch or French makes you more visible to local search.

How customers find pet care providers in Belgium

Websta has a marketplace where people search by service type and location. A customer in Antwerp who needs a dog walker can search for 'dog walking' and see providers nearby. The platform shows your profile, services, and photos, and lets them contact you or request a quote.

Pet owners in Belgium also search on Google and other search engines for 'pet sitter Brussels', 'dog walker Liège', 'cat care Charleroi', and similar phrases. A Websta profile gives you a web address (your profile page) that can show up in these searches, especially for local queries. The profile page URL path is /marketplace/pets.

What to sort out as an independent provider

Before you take on customers, check your legal status. In Belgium, if you work as a sole trader or self-employed person, you need to register your business with the relevant authority. In Flanders, contact the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen, KBO). In Wallonia and Brussels, similar registration systems exist - check with your local chamber of commerce or business authority for current requirements.

Pet care may be subject to local rules about animal handling, especially if you keep pets overnight or run a group daycare. Some municipalities require insurance or specific conditions for pet care activities. Contact your local authority or your regional chamber of commerce to confirm what applies to your service and location.

Many customers will ask about insurance (in case something happens to a pet while in your care). Professional liability or pet care insurance is worth exploring. Payment in Belgium usually goes through bank transfer or card. Websta handles card payments through Stripe and pays out to your bank account, so you need a Belgian or EU bank account to receive payments.

Keep records of your customers, services provided, and payments for your tax return. If you are self-employed in Belgium, you report your income annually to the tax authorities (SPF Finances or similar, depending on your region).

What to write in your first hour

Start with a headline that says what you do: 'Dog walker and pet sitter in [your town]' or 'Professional cat care and pet sitting'. Add a short paragraph about yourself - how long you have worked with pets, what types of animals you work with, and what matters to you (reliability, gentle handling, safety).

List three to five services you offer, with one or two sentences on each. For instance: 'Daily dog walks - 30 or 60 minutes, flexible times, suitable for all ages and energy levels.' Set up either online booking slots (if you offer fixed-time services) or quote requests (so customers describe what they need and you respond with a price).

Upload at least three photos - a clear profile photo of yourself, and two or three photos showing your work with pets or your care space. If you do not have photos yet, take a few this week. Pet owners want to see who will be handling their animal.

Fill in your location (town or neighborhood in Belgium where you work) so that customers searching nearby can find you. Write your profile in English and at least one other language if you can, so you reach a broader audience.

Publish and share your profile link on social media or with friends. Many of your first customers may come from word-of-mouth and direct referrals, not just platform search.

Building trust and standing out

Pet owners want reassurance. Include details that matter: your experience (years of pet care, any training), the types of pets you work with (small dogs, large dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.), and your approach (gentle, play-based, routine-focused). If you have worked in a vet clinic, dog training, or animal shelter, mention it.

Keep your profile updated. Add new photos regularly, especially after taking on new customers (with permission). Respond to quote requests and customer messages quickly - most pet owners expect a reply within a few hours.