Find a professional dog walker in Brighton & Hove, or register your dog walking business with us.
The professional dog walkers scheme promotes the highest standards for Brighton & Hove dog walking companies.
It’s a voluntary scheme. Dog walkers who register with us agree to the professional dog walker's code of conduct.
These businesses are part of our professional dog walkers scheme.
The scheme is free to join.
To sign up:
Read the professional dog walker's code of conduct and the checklist below.
Read our dog walker's scheme application privacy notice.
Complete the dog walker application and insurance forms.
Once completed, send your forms by:
We recognise the importance of promoting responsible dog walking. Dog walking companies must treat the safety and welfare of dogs and people as their top priority.
To follow our standards, we invite you to agree to:
Defra transport requirements state you must also agree to always carry clean, fresh drinking water and clean bowls to offer dogs after exercise.
You must not restrain dogs by leashes or chains within the vehicles. Cages or containment in your vehicle must be suitable for the size and number of dogs, to safely transport them.
Ideally, cage doors should be fitted to the vehicle.
Refer to this checklist to make sure you're ready for your inspection.
Undertake the training needed:
Have an agreement and consent form for all your clients:
Cleaning up after the dogs in your care:
Dog leads and collars for the number of dogs you'll be walking and keeping all dogs in your charge under proper control:
The Animal Welfare Act 2006:
Identification badge with your company name on it:
Dog tags:
Minimising the impact of multiple dogs being exercised and avoiding concern to members of the public:
Indemnity insurance:
Vehicle insurance for business use:
Valid driver’s license:
M.O.T. certificate (if required):
Securely fitted cages in the vehicle for the dogs you will walk:
Ventilation in the vehicle:
Water bowls and an adequate supply of clean water in the vehicle:
First aid kit:
Cleaning equipment:
Written emergency plan:
Register with a local vet:
If we receive information that indicates a registered professional dog walker has breached any particular code of conduct and on the balance of probabilities this is established, we reserve the right to remove said walker from our registered professional dog walker list.
The dog walker will be given the right to respond, but we'll limit the reviews to one other than in exceptional circumstances.