Find the right Dog Walker/Pet Carer for you

The pet care/dog walking business is still an unregulated sector and pretty much anyone can set themselves up in business and call themselves professional. This means that it’s worth doing your research and asking key questions before you entrust your pets care to a professional. So, where to start? We have put together this handy guide to give you a helping hand through the process of finding the right carer/walker for you.

Are they insured?

Pet carers and dog walkers should have the appropriate insurance in place to cover the services they are offering. This includes public liability insurance for dog walkers and business insurance on any vehicles used to transport pets. It is acceptable to ask to see their certificate of cover, responsible pet carers/dog walkers will not be offended by this request.

Are they police checked?

Any carer or dog walker you choose is likely to have the keys to your house for specific or extended periods of time. To be assured that they are trustworthy, you can ask to see their DBS certificate. The basic disclosure from Disclosure Scotland is enough to show whether they have a criminal record of any kind.

Are they trained in pet first aid?

Your dog walker/pet carer should know what to do in the event of a medical emergency/incident with your pet. They should have the basic skills in place to deal with minor incidents and be able to stabilise/limit any suffering your pet may experience in the event of unforeseen medical circumstances whilst they get your pet to a vet for professional treatment.

How many dogs do they walk in a group and what are the circumstances of the walk?

In Oxford, the council has placed a limit on the amount of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time, that limit is 4. Insurance policies also usually limit the number of dogs that a dog walker is insured to be out with so it’s worth asking the question. You can also make sure that you are happy with the whole process by asking questions about where the walks take place, are the dogs let off the lead (with permission of course), what kind of other dogs your dog will be walked with and what the pick-up and drop off procedures are.

Do your research!

Many dog walkers and pet carers have an online presence, look them up and see what their other clients say about them in testimonials, reviews etc and ask them for references if you would like to talk to somebody directly.

Meet before you decide!

Most responsible pet carers and dog walkers will offer an initial consultation free of charge. This gives you a chance to meet the carer/walker, ask any questions you might have, check whether you like them (more importantly see if your pet likes them…) and see any documentation. It is likely that the carer/walker will also have a lot of questions about the service you require and about your pet(s) and may suggest a short walk together if it is a walker you are looking for. If you are not happy with any aspect of the meeting, don’t be afraid to shop around, they are plenty of pet carers and dog walkers around Oxford. If you are happy to go forward, the carer may ask you to read and sign a contract, this ensures that you are both clear and in agreement on the conditions under which the service is provided.

Other questions you might want to ask during your initial meeting:

What animal experience do they have?

Are they a member of NARPS? (National Association of Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers)

In the case of dogs, what kind of training techniques do they employ, can they provide extra services…feeding etc if needed?

If you would like any more information about the services we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us on tel: 07786053838 or email: lee@pixieleepetservices.co.uk

Find the right Dog Walker/Pet Carer for you

Lee Lalande

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