When choosing a dog walker or pet sitter one thing often over looked is the vehicle they have chosen to use. As the pet industry grows, awareness of the disadvantages in terms of safty and pet welfare that vans cause has become a business desision dog walkers and pet sitters must weigh-up. Unfortunatly, some are still failing to put customers safty above advertising their business and animal welfare above money.
Leading members of the pet service industry are helping to educate service providers and customers to this by the ‘Say No To Vans’ campaign.
Concerns from a Dog Walking Point of View
Your dog is probably not use to travelling in a cage in the back of a Van. Most dog walkers use vans to transport dogs to local parks, this is done to maximise the number of dogs taken on a walk with little regard to the stress being caged in a van can cause to your pet. We have never and will never use caged vans to transport our clients' beloved pets. Unlike police dogs, your dog will probably not have had training from a young age to cope with the experience of being caged in the back of a moving vehicle and as a result of this we could never think of using a van.
Vans have little to no windows, they are noisy, could mean your dog will spend more time in the back of a van than walking due to dropping off other clients, and are only a benefit to the walker and add nothing to the dogs experience or walk. Put simply they can cause stress and anxiety unnecessarily. You may notice that even dog walkers with vans stress that they will aim to have your dog home as quickly as possible. Some will even acknowledge that your dog will probably be in the van, caged in a crate for an extended amount of time because there are other dogs to drop off first. Often, due to the design of dog walking vans, it is hard for the driver to see the dogs onboard, resulting in periods of time when dogs are unsupervised. Its just one more advoidable problem that pet service providers could solve by not using vans.
We believe there is no reason why your dog should be expected to be stuck in a van just because it is more cost effective to collect and walk all dogs at the same time.
Why are dog walking vans still being used?
Franchises: Many dog walkers are franchise owners, more often than not one of the most tangible things that can be offered as part of a fransise sale is a van. Those new to the industry do not consider the negative inpact vans and signage are having. A new van looks appealing, there is a feeling that something of value has been purchased via the franchise fees when a van is part of the deal.
Advertising: Quite simply some service providers find advertising their business on a van benificial to them without considering the security issues caused to customers homes.
Money: A van allows dog walkers to walk as many dogs as possible. Little regard is given to the extra time dogs are kept in the van whailst dropping off other customers pets. Some dogs arn’t lucky to live closest to the park and may be driven around for a period of time longer than the walk itself.
Concerns from a Safty Point of View
A van with signage clearly showing that you are using a pet sitting service is excellent for the dog walker/pet sitter looking to gain new business but does not offer much protection to clients who are on holiday. Having a van turn up outside your house when you are away advertising pet services will be noticed by thieves as a clear reminder that you are on your holidays. This is an unnecessary risk that can be advoided by choosing a pet sitter who has put your safty above advertising.
Dragonfly Pet Concierge Complience
We do not use Vans for Dog Walking. Walking as many dogs as possible in the same space of time is not our concern. We have chosen to specialise in 1-2-1 dog walking to fill a gap in the market for owners who want their dog walking, as they would, on a personal 1-2-1 walk.
We do not have Signage on our Vehicle. We dont need to advertise our business at the expense of our customers home security and never will.
OUR DOG WALKING SERVICE
Care When You’re Not There
We come to you and collect your dog(s), at an agreed time, so that you don't have to be there when they are taken out for a walk. We walk in their local neighbourhood or park so that their surroundings stay familiar.
We can transport your dogs to a park or wooded area if requested, allowing for more fun and exercise.
Dogs will be walked on a lead intially but can be walked off lead if required - a disclaimer must be signed for his.
All dogs are walked on a one-to-one basis unless you specifically request a group walk for socialisation. This allows for more interaction and better observation of your dog(s).
If there is more than one dog in the household and provided they can safely be walked together there is a small £3.50 charge per additional dog, per walk.
We offer a flexible, daily or occasional service to suit your dogs needs.
NO CANCELATION FEES
