Getting started as a walker or carer

1. Create your account or sign in

Use the Walker sign in page whether you offer dog walks, pet visits or other care. Walker, carer and provider refer to the same provider area in the app.

Already have a Paws & Claws customer account? Sign in with that account on the Walker sign in page. You do not need a second email address or a separate account to offer care.

1. If you are new, choose Create an account. Enter your full name, email address and a password, then choose Create account. You can also use Continue with Google.
2. Check your email, including your spam or junk folder. Follow the confirmation instructions, or enter the eight-digit code in the app and choose Verify code. Use Resend confirmation email or Send a new code if needed.
3. For later visits, enter your email and password and choose Sign in. Alternatively, enter your email and choose Email me a sign-in code, then enter the latest eight-digit code and choose Verify code. If you registered with Google, use Continue with Google with the same Google account.
4. If you cannot remember your password, choose Forgot password? and follow the email instructions. If you are still stuck, contact the team.

2. Tell customers about yourself

After signing in, open Profile. On a phone, the bottom menu shows Avail, Jobs and Profile; these mean Availability, Schedule and Profile. If you are in the customer area, use Provider when it is shown in the account menu, or open the provider link below.

1. Check your Full name and Phone. Your email is linked to your login and is not edited here.
2. Enter your Base location, Home postcode and Work radius in miles. Use the postcode you work from and a realistic distance you can travel to care for pets.
3. Write a short About you introduction. Explain your experience, the animals you care for and what customers can expect. Add a clear profile photo and, if you wish, suitable gallery photos. These help customers get to know you, so do not include private customer information.
4. Choose Save profile and wait for Saved. If an error appears, correct it and save again before leaving the page.

3. Complete your checks

Your profile shows your approval status and verification badges. A new account is not automatically approved to take bookings. The profile asks for an enhanced DBS check and public-liability insurance; contact Paws & Claws to arrange how to provide your documents. The team verifies checks and updates your status.

You can prepare your profile, services and availability while waiting. If your status is Pending or Suspended, contact the team about the next step. Do not assume that saving your profile makes you available to customers.

4. Choose the services you offer

In Profile, scroll to Your services. This is the list of active services supplied by Paws & Claws. Each service shows its name, what the price covers and the Family rate. Paws & Claws sets the customer prices; you cannot change those prices here.

1. Find a service you are equipped and approved to provide. Select Off to switch it to I offer this. Select I offer this to switch it off again. Review the whole list rather than assuming the starting selections are right for you.
2. For a Shared group slot service, set Maximum dogs to the number you can safely take together within your agreed limits and insurance cover.
3. If customers need extra information, open Customer booking notice. Enter Your popup message and switch your notice on. Keep it short and specific, such as what a customer should prepare. Your message is added after any Business notice; it does not replace it.
4. Choose Save services and wait for Saved. This is separate from Save profile. Read and resolve any error before leaving.

5. Set the days you can work

Switching a service on tells us what you offer. Availability tells us when you can work. You need both, along with approval and the right service area, to be considered for suitable bookings.

1. Open Availability, or Avail on a phone, and select a date on the calendar.
2. Read the times shown for each period, such as Early, Morning or Afternoon. Choose Open period for each part of that day you can work. Wait for Saving… to finish and check the period is open. These changes save automatically; there is no separate Save button.
3. Repeat for each date you want to offer. Opening a period applies to the selected date, so check each day you plan to work.
4. If Flexible and overnight care appears, use its service switches to mark the relevant service available on the selected date. This is separate from opening a daytime period.
5. Use Close period when you are no longer available for new bookings. A period with an existing booking cannot be closed here; contact the team if you cannot fulfil a booking.

6. Check your jobs and payment setup

Open Schedule, or Jobs on a phone, to see your assigned bookings. Check Upcoming for the service, date, customer contact details, collection address, booking status and payment status. Read any key-collection instructions and meet-and-greet request before the visit. Keep customer details private.

For bookings made in a broad period, arrange the exact visit time with the customer afterwards. Do not assume the appointment time shown in the schedule is already agreed with them. Contact the team if a job needs changing or anything is unclear.

In Profile, check Provider payments. If it says payroll is managed by Paws & Claws, there is nothing to set up in the app. If Set up bank payouts is available, follow it to Stripe and complete the requested details there. Do not send bank details in a service notice or contact message.

7. Get help or request another service

If a service you want to offer is missing, send the team a note or contact us on WhatsApp. Describe the care you can provide, the animals you work with, your area and any special requirements. The team manages the catalogue and can discuss whether a service should be added or arranged separately.

If you are not appearing for bookings, check your approval status, postcode, work radius, saved service switches and availability for the correct date. If everything looks right, contact us. Available work depends on customer demand and a suitable match.

Before you finish, make sure your profile and services are saved and your available dates are correct. Use Sign out when using a shared device, and never share your password or email sign-in code.