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Professional Dog Walkers Association News

Why Join Us?

News Posted by AdminPosted on Wed, January 19, 2022 14:39
  • Founded in 2016, we are the original organisation to produce Best Practice Guidelines to raise the working standard of the professional dog walking industry.
  • Members actively improve the ethical and working standard by following our 22-point Best Practice guideline.
  • We are striving towards getting the industry regulated throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.

What makes us different?

  • We are the first dedicated professional dog walking organisation to implement an application process which requests certain business documentation which helps verify our members’ business integrity and authenticity.
  • We are the only dedicated professional dog walking organisation to advocate the use of ethical and kind methods and equipment.
  • We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited – which means our systems, processes and management are regularly reviewed and audited.
  • We are registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and up to date on General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
  • We are non for profit, committee managed. Our committee is made up of (unpaid) volunteers who are also dog walkers. Any profit is divided into re-investment into our organisation and charitable donations. Charitable donations are usually decided by members’ vote.
  • We have a private and safe platform whereby members have a specialist Affiliate Member Support system in place.
  • We are affordable to join. Our annual fee for first year membership is £60. In addition, we offer manageable payment plans.

From a professional dog walker’s perspective:

  • Membership of a UK wide industry dedicated, professional organisation who are striving to help dog walkers be the best they can be.
  • We actively encourage our members continued professional development and many have added additional skill sets to their businesses.
  • Membership verification process to help demonstrate members’ integrity as a business.
  • Our Best Practice Guidelines help our members create and maintain a good standard of service.
  • We encourage and support members to hold the welfare and safety of clients as priority. This includes ethical and kind methodology and equipment.
  • Provide a setting whereby members can create local networks which may be helpful for the provision of alternative services or provide holiday / sickness cover.

Members benefits include:

  • A member-base of fellow dog walkers and pet sitters which covers the length and breadth of the UK.
  • Membership certificate, digital membership card, verified member logo to display on your website / social media and vehicle decal.
  • Member Profile for our members’ directory so that your clients can find you.
  • Access to information and support in our secure Members Area.
  • Access to discount codes and links for various industry products including business insurance, courses, pet sitter software, degradable poop bags, dog beds, dog robes and footwear.
  • Documentation to support your business (available to verified members only).
  • Best Practice Guidelines and Compliancy Code to help work towards and maintain good standard of working practice.
  • Community – Our exclusive, friendly, non-judgemental private Facebook group for advice, questions, support and some fun; including specialist Affiliate Member support and individual, private support.

For more information on joining, visit our website PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPhttps://professionaldogwalkersassociation.co.uk/join-secure-checkout-1.html

Thanks for reading!



Business Insurance

News Posted by AdminPosted on Fri, July 08, 2022 13:25

What is business insurance and why should we have it?

At time of writing, there are only two types of insurance that are compulsory here in the UK – these being Vehicle and Employer’s Liability if additional people are involved with the business, be they employees or volunteers.

However, even if there is no additional staff involved, we strongly recommend that any business get themselves a good robust, all round, business insurance cover. 

It is important to understand that a professional dog walker is legally responsible and liable for the period a dog is in their care and why we as an organisation request all membership applications are supported with a current pet business insurance cover.

There are many providers on the market, we would recommend you speak with them all to get the best possible cover for you / your business that you can. A standard dog walking business insurance policy would usually cover you for public liability; care, custody and control, non-negligent cover, key cover.

It is worth noting that not all companies automatically provide cover for all pet care related services or small-holding cover, so you would need to discuss with them the services you provide and understand fully what you are covered for.

Dog Walking / Pet Business Insurance

Public Liability

Public liability cover forms a vital part of any Pet Business Insurance policy and can save you and your business from substantial financial problems. If a third-party claims that you have caused them injury or damaged their property, you could find yourself and your business being sued. So, for example, if a dog you were walking was to bite a member of the public and they deem it to be your fault, you could be covered. The same principle would be applied if the damage was caused to a third party’s property. Regardless of whether it was you or a dog you are walking that caused the damage if you are deemed to be blamed in some way, public liability cover may protect you.

Most insurers will provide between £1 million and £10 million worth of public liability cover.

Care, Custody and Control

Provides you with protection should one of your client’s pets get injured, go missing or even die whilst in your care.

Key cover

Many business owners will take charge of a client’s keys to collect dogs for their daily walks. Losing the key to someone’s home has a two-fold effect. Firstly, the cost of a new key and secondly the cost of replacing the locks that would need to be broken to get back into the property. Some policies will cover the replacement of lost keys and damaged locks. Costs involved in setting or resetting intruder alarms. Temporary security protection while the above is arranged.

Group dog walking

Most companies include cover for a maximum of 6 dogs walked together (we as an organisation advocate up to 4, well behaved dogs be walked together).

Additional options

Additional cover options might be available such as, but not limited to Equipment Cover, Personal Accident, Professional Indemnity if you are providing advice, Employers Liability if you intend to take staff on (as noted above, Employers Liability is compulsory in the UK).

Prices may vary depending on what services you provide, your area, how much public liability you need, and of course any add on options.

We are delighted that Protectivity offers our members a 5% discount on pet business insurance (pbi); subject to their terms and conditions. Protectivity already give 10% off their pbi when purchasing online so it will equate to a 15% discount on the current online rates. This 5% discount is exclusive to members of the Professional Dog Walkers Association but is unfortunately not available to current/renewing Protectivity Insurance customers.

Protectivity’s pbi additional 5% discount applies only applies to subscribed PDWA members can only be redeemed online via a link provided in our members area once your account has been created. Protectivity Insurance withholds the right to revoke or change this discount without giving notice, this is out with our control.

Protectivity have supported our members for over 4 years!

Thank you for reading!



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