There are millions of older and disabled people in England who can’t afford professional dog walking fees, so appreciate organisations and volunteers that give their dogs regular walks, to keep them happy and healthy. And enable dogs to stay with much-loved guardians, rather than be adopted out.
The Cinnamon Trust is the main UK dog-walking charity, where vetted volunteers walk dogs for people over 65 (and those with disabilities). Most volunteers also carry out other duties like pet-taxi services, fostering for hospital stays, or looking after other pets (like changing cat litter trays). This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for people who love walking and dogs, and perhaps are unable to foster or adopt dogs themselves, due to various life circumstances.
Before walking dogs, research local parks & beaches to know which ones are dog-friendly. Read this book to keep dogs safe to learn of toxic foods, plants and other items to avoid (the book also has info on collar safety & a simple illustrated first aid guide).
The Cinnamon Trust was named after the founder’s 17-year Corgi (who sadly died just before the charity was launched). Each pet is carefully matched with volunteers based on location & background, ensuring a safe nurturing environment.
Through the Pet Profiling process, guardians entrust the charity to make thoughtful decisions for their pet’s wellbeing & future, for when they may have to move into a care home or sadly pass away. The Trust gathers information about each pet’s needs, personality, and medical history, supporting the search of finding the perfect forever home.
The Trust oversees all animals in forever foster homes and pays all veterinary bills, and where particular diets are necessary, The Cinnamon Trust also pays for food. The organisation never relies on kennels or catteries, and will always find a home-from-home environment to the pets entrusted in their care. Leave a Codicil in your Will and make arrangements for your companion’s future.
More Dog Walking Volunteer Ideas
- Dogs Trust and Blue Cross are national charities that always need volunteers to walk dogs, and also welcome people with space or experience to groom/foster horses.
- Keep Your Pet (Yorkshire) & Wag and Company (north east) are good examples of regional charities that offer assistance for vulnerable pet guardians (walks, feeding, taxi, foster care etc).
- TimeBanks are an American idea with many local hubs in England. Each member earns an ‘hour of time’ to ‘buy’ services from someone else in the community. So if you do someone’s shopping or mend a creaky gate, you could use the hour earned to have someone else in the TimeBank walk your dog (or of an elderly relative).
..Or Find an Affordable Dog Walker
If you don’t qualify for a volunteer dog walker, there are many affordable dog walkers around. Ensure they are trained with liability insurance and ideally have taken a first aid course and dog-walking course.
