How to Choose the
Right Pet Professional
How to Choose the Right Pet Professional
Helping Pet Owners Make Informed, Confident Choices
For many of us, our pets are much-loved family members. So when it comes to choosing someone to care for them, whether that’s a dog walker, groomer, trainer, home boarder, or pet sitter, it’s natural to want reassurance that you’re making the right decision.
The pet care sector is full of dedicated, compassionate professionals. However, it is also a largely unregulated industry, which means that not everyone offering pet services has the same level of training, insurance, or understanding of animal welfare.
Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can help you choose a professional who truly has your pet’s best interests at heart.
This guidance is designed to help pet owners understand professional standards and make informed, confident choices about their pet’s care.
Does your insurance cover veterinary fees if a pet is injured in your care?
Are they insured, licensed,
and safe to work with?
Insurance and licensing are basic safeguards that protect pets, owners, and professionals.
Public liability insurance protects both you and your pet if something unexpected happens — such as an accident on a walk, an injury during grooming, or damage in your home. A responsible professional will be open and confident about the insurance they hold.
HELPFUL QUESTIONS TO ASK INCLUDE:
Are you insured for the specific services you offer?
Are dogs covered when transported for work?
Are you insured for the specific services you offer?
Are dogs covered when transported for work?
Does your insurance cover veterinary fees if a pet is injured in your care?
You may also see the “Properly Insured, Professionally Responsible” logo displayed by some businesses. This logo is designed to encourage transparency and informed conversations, reminding pet owners to ask about insurance and professional responsibility. The logo is not an approval or guarantee, but a prompt for open, responsible conversations.
If you are using services such as dog daycare, kennels, catteries, or home boarding, the business must hold a suitable licence issued by their local authority.
LICENSED BUSINESSES SHOULD BE HAPPY TO:
Share their licence details
Display their licence number on their website or social media
If you are unsure, your local authority can confirm whether a business is licensed.
Are they qualified and committed to learning?
Training, qualifications, and ongoing professional development are strong indicators of a responsible pet professional.
FOR EXAMPLE:
A qualified groomer understands canine anatomy, skin and coat health, and safe handling, not just styling.
A responsible trainer keeps their knowledge up to date and avoids outdated or harmful training methods.
A committed professional continues learning throughout their career through courses, webinars, reading, or mentoring.
If someone will be entering your home or holding keys, it’s also reasonable to ask whether they hold a DBS check.
A professional who takes their role seriously will welcome these questions.
Staying current with best practice and legislation
High standards of animal welfare
Professional
conduct
High standards of
animal welfare
Professional
conduct
Staying current with best practice and legislation
Are they part of a trusted organisation?
Membership of a recognised organisation can be one indicator of professionalism, alongside insurance, training, and transparency.
THE ANIMAL FOCUSED ALLIANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORTS PET PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO:
Alliance members agree to a Code of Conduct, receive ongoing guidance, and are part of a professional community working to raise standards across the pet sector.
Choosing a professional aligned with a trusted organisation can indicate that they are actively investing in doing things properly.
A pet becoming unwell
or injured
Do they have clear emergency plans?
A responsible pet professional should be prepared for the unexpected.
ASK HOW THEY WOULD HANDLE SITUATIONS SUCH AS:
A vehicle
breakdown
A pet becoming
unwell or injured
A vehicle breakdown
A fire or other
emergency
A fire or other
emergency
They should be able to explain their emergency plans, first-aid training, and how they would keep your pet safe if something goes wrong.
Clear emergency planning is often a sign of experience and professional preparedness.
How do they prioritise your pet’s welfare?
Perhaps the most important question of all is how a professional talks about animal welfare.
A GOOD PET PROFESSIONAL WILL:
Ask detailed questions about
your pet’s routine and needs
Ask detailed questions about your pet’s routine and needs
Look for someone who talks about comfort, patience, choice, and wellbeing, not just convenience or speed.
And trust your instincts. If you or your pet feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to look elsewhere.
Adapt their approach to the individual animal, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all method
Want to understand their personality, preferences, and communication cues
Want to understand their personality, preferences, and communication cues
Adapt their approach to the individual animal, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all method
Choosing the right care is worth the time
Taking the time to research, ask questions, and meet a professional before booking can make a huge difference.
When you choose someone who is insured, qualified, accountable, and genuinely committed to animal welfare, you’re not just paying for a service — you’re ensuring your pet is treated with care, respect, and understanding.
At the Animal Focused Alliance, our mission is to support pet professionals in working responsibly, while also giving pet owners the tools to make informed choices. A responsible pet professional will be insured, appropriately licensed where required, open about how they work, prepared for emergencies, and focused on your pet’s welfare as an individual.
The Pet Pro Challenge is one way of encouraging transparency and professionalism, but the real power lies with pet owners. By choosing professionals who are properly insured, well-prepared, and welfare-focused, you help raise standards across the sector for everyone.
When it comes to your pet’s care, don’t settle for less than professional.
Ask the questions. Look for the signs. Choose with confidence.
