1. Public Liability cover is a legal requirement for people looking after pets for money

In Australia and by law, pets are considered property and by having your own pet care business, you can be liable for damage and injuries to another person or property. The person who is in control of the animal at the time of an injury or accident is the one responsible and will need to cover the costs.
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Accidents happen, and the costs for damage or injury can quickly add up and leave a pet carer out of pocket. By booking with Floofers, you can remain stress-free, knowing you are covered by Floofers public liability insurance up to $10,000,000. You can read more about our insurance here.

2. Permit & Licensing

All pet carers are solely responsible for gaining any licenses or permits for their area as well as following compliance with state and council regulations.
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Requirements may vary by location, so we advise you to check with your local government to learn about the regulations where you live. For example, in Victoria, you can only have two dogs in your home overnight without a permit.

3. Pet carers may be required to have an ABN

As a pet carer in Australia, you need to be aware of any tax obligations you might have, and you may be required to have an ABN. Having an ABN totally depends on your individual circumstances and whether your pet care income reaches a certain level in the financial year (from 1 July – 30 June). In most cases, being a Floofers pet carer will not require having an ABN unless you are able to make $18,200 a year or more from pet sitting and dog walking.

If you do pass the $18,200 threshold, the Australian government will classify this work as more than a hobby and instead, as a business. We highly recommend referring to the Australian Taxation Office website or calling 132 861 for more information and discussing these queries with an accountant.

4. Pet carers have a legal duty of care toward an animal

According to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, all pet sitters and dog walkers have a legal duty of care to the animal currently in their care, regardless of the circumstances.

The legal duty of care includes:

As well as any legal consequences, any failure of duty of care towards a pet is immediate termination from the Floofers platform.

5. There are fines for breaking local laws

Pet carers can be fined for breaking any local council laws. Some examples include failure to pick up faeces or a dog not being on a leash in an on-leash area. Local council officers are often patrolling dog parks and dog-friendly areas so being aware of the laws and doing the right thing can ensure you avoid a fine.
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We recommend visiting your local city website to find out what fines you may receive for breaking local laws within your suburb. If you are in Melbourne, the City of Melbourne website has a lot of information regarding pet care and fines.

6. The pet carer must ensure the pet owner is also following legal obligations

As well as being a responsible pet carer, it is important to ensure the pet owner has also followed their legal obligations as a responsible pet owner. With Floofers, this information is usually discussed during a meet and greet prior to booking.