Ashton-in-Makerfield · Wigan
Dog Walking Business Start-Up Guide for Ashton-in-Makerfield
What's actually required before you start walking dogs for clients in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Wigan.
Thinking about starting a dog walking business in Ashton-in-Makerfield? This guide covers dog walking only -- not day care or home boarding, which sit under separate licensing. Walking has a low barrier to entry, but a few local rules are genuinely worth checking before your first booking in Ashton-in-Makerfield and the wider Wigan area.
Ashton-in-Makerfield at a glance
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Vets, pet shops, groomers and dog trainers across Wigan are realistic referral sources for a new dog walking business, beyond direct advertising.
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Dog Walking in Ashton-in-Makerfield
What the rules say
No general licence governs dog walking itself in the UK -- but don't confuse that with day care or overnight home boarding, both of which do require a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and sit outside this guide's scope. The real local variation sits elsewhere: certain councils and parks license professional dog walkers on their land, and any cap on dogs per walker is set locally via Public Spaces Protection Orders where one exists at all -- always confirm with the specific council or park, not a general rule. Every dog walked in public needs a collar with the owner's name and address (Control of Dogs Order 1992), and fouling clean-up is a legal duty. As a sole trader, public liability insurance remains optional in law; employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you employ anyone outside your family.
Questions about starting in Ashton-in-Makerfield
What happens if a dog in my care fouls in public in Ashton-in-Makerfield?
You're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care, every time -- it's an offence not to, enforced through the Public Spaces Protection Order covering Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Can I offer group walks as well as solo walks in Ashton-in-Makerfield?
Yes -- many dog walkers in Ashton-in-Makerfield offer both. Group walks carry a different risk and insurance profile from one-to-one walks, so it's worth confirming your cover reflects whichever model you choose.
Do I need a licence to start a dog walking business in Ashton-in-Makerfield?
No general national licence covers plain dog walking. Some councils and specific parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, so check directly with the council or parks team covering Ashton-in-Makerfield before you start.
Is dog walking the same as dog day care or home boarding for licensing purposes in Ashton-in-Makerfield?
No -- day care and home boarding are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, wherever you're based, including Ashton-in-Makerfield. Plain dog walking with no overnight stay generally isn't, which is why this guide covers walking only.
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