Scottie's Dogs' Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dog Walking Service Practices
I know this is a stressful and confusing time as the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) affects daily life and everyone needs to distance themselves from others, or to self-isolate. As per advice from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), and the importance for dogs to still socialise, exercise and maintain their usual routine, I'm still operating my dog walking service in Bishop's Stortford, Stansted and surrounding areas. However, during this current health crisis I have altered the way I operate to comply with strict governmental measures for the safety of all my clients and the local community.
Please read through the precautionary measures I have introduced to limit the potential spread of the virus, to support my clients and the local community and to ensure I maintain my ability to serve you, my customer, for the long term. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I still very much look forward to walking your dogs and making it the highlight of their day!
Please read through the precautionary measures I have introduced to limit the potential spread of the virus, to support my clients and the local community and to ensure I maintain my ability to serve you, my customer, for the long term. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. I still very much look forward to walking your dogs and making it the highlight of their day!
Staying Safe
During this current health crisis I have altered the way I operate and taken extra precautions for the safety of all my clients and the local community. Complying with government instructions, the following practices now apply to ALL clients using my dog walking service in Bishop's Stortford, Stansted and surrounding villages:
1. For new customers, consultations now take place over the phone or in the owner's garden. As a responsible dog walker, I still must meet every client and their pet before agreeing to walk a dog for the first time. During the meeting, social distancing is maintained at all times.
2. I want to reassure my clients that good hygiene has always been my top priority. I always carry hand sanitiser gel and wash my hands regularly. However, I am now washing my hands thoroughly before and after each walk and upon returning home.
3. My own lead(s) are being used for every dog walk.
4. If client is at home, doors are to be opened and closed by somebody in the household (I will give you a call when outside).
5. On walks, social distancing is maintained at all times. Dogs are only allowed off the lead in quiet areas.
6. After each walk my lead(s) are washed with soap and water before visiting my next client.
7. Payments are to be made by bank transfer only. I usually accept cash and banks transfers for my services. However, during this current health crisis I am only accepting banks transfers from all my clients. Virus particles can sit and attach themselves to bank notes and coins, posing a risk to spread of infection. BACs payments are to be made upon receipt of a Scottie's Dogs invoice. Invoicing periods are tailored to suit each client and their individual circumstances.
2. I want to reassure my clients that good hygiene has always been my top priority. I always carry hand sanitiser gel and wash my hands regularly. However, I am now washing my hands thoroughly before and after each walk and upon returning home.
3. My own lead(s) are being used for every dog walk.
4. If client is at home, doors are to be opened and closed by somebody in the household (I will give you a call when outside).
5. On walks, social distancing is maintained at all times. Dogs are only allowed off the lead in quiet areas.
6. After each walk my lead(s) are washed with soap and water before visiting my next client.
7. Payments are to be made by bank transfer only. I usually accept cash and banks transfers for my services. However, during this current health crisis I am only accepting banks transfers from all my clients. Virus particles can sit and attach themselves to bank notes and coins, posing a risk to spread of infection. BACs payments are to be made upon receipt of a Scottie's Dogs invoice. Invoicing periods are tailored to suit each client and their individual circumstances.
Additional Precautionary Measures for Vulnerable Persons
In addition to following my new dog walking practices, I also take extra precautions when walking a vulnerable person's dog to protect their already compromised health. To do so, I conduct the following:
1. All contact with the occupants of the home is avoided – At least two metres distance is maintained at all times.
2. Dog will remain on the lead at all times.
3. Dog is wiped with a clean damp cloth before returning home to reduce any risk of transmission.
2. Dog will remain on the lead at all times.
3. Dog is wiped with a clean damp cloth before returning home to reduce any risk of transmission.
Extra Precautions for Dog Owners Self-Isolating
As per advice from DEFRA, Scottie's Dogs is allowed to take your dog for a walk if you are self-isolating or suffering from coronavirus symptoms. However, extra precautions are taken to protect myself and to protect the local community:
1. All contact with the occupants of the home is avoided – Two metres distance maintained at all times.
2. Dog is wiped with a clean damp cloth before their walk to reduce the risk of transmission.
3. Dog is kept on the lead at all times.
4. Extra care is taken when cleaning up after the dog and is disposed of as soon as possible.
5. Dogs are walked separately and not mixed with dogs from all other households.
2. Dog is wiped with a clean damp cloth before their walk to reduce the risk of transmission.
3. Dog is kept on the lead at all times.
4. Extra care is taken when cleaning up after the dog and is disposed of as soon as possible.
5. Dogs are walked separately and not mixed with dogs from all other households.