Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has any plans to introduce mandatory licensing for professional dog walkers.

The Government believes that existing legislation provides suitable protections and therefore has no plans to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for professional dog walkers. Professional dog walkers should comply with all relevant legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which protects animals under the dog walker’s control, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which protects dog walking businesses’ employees and the public, and others. They should also comply with any relevant local authority requirements, not walk more dogs at any one time than their insurance policy allows, and ensure that the dogs are kept under control at all times.

The Canine and Feline Sector Group, which includes in its members the UK’s most significant animal welfare organisations, has published guidance to assist professional dog walkers in ensuring the welfare of animals in their care.