Voluntary dog walking

[CopperBolt]

Anyone got any experience with volunteer dog walking "things"? Presumably some sort of charity maybe.

Will be retired soon and was thinking I need an excuse to get out and have a stroll regularly but dont want the commitment of a dog full time (and a lawn covered in dogs eggs) so was thinking of volunteering.

Any info welcomed.

Apologies if there's already a long running thread on this very subject

[ARHarh]

I have not tried this as I have a dog. But most rescue centers are crying out for people to walk the dogs they have. Just pop into your local rescue place and ask. You may end up taking a dog home though, apparently it happens a lot.

[DarrenO'D']

Try having a look on here
https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/
A retired couple local to us, lost their jack russell, and have fallen in love with ours. Works well for everyone.

[garythesign]

Great idea. I believe the cinammon trust also has volunteers who take dogs out for people who are not able to walk their own dogs.

Good luck with this. Dog walking is such a great pastime

[DannyScene]

During school holidays as a young one we used to go walk dogs from dogs trust

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/volunteeri...

[JackJones1990]

Yeah, dog walking is pretty cool. Shelters always need peeps to walk their pups, so that's a good place to start. Just pop in and ask, they'll prob be stoked to have ya. BorrowMyDoggy is another option, kinda like a dating app but for doggos, lol. Good luck!

[SlimJim16v]

garythesign said:

Great idea. I believe the cinammon trust also has volunteers who take dogs out for people who are not able to walk their own dogs.

https://cinnamon.org.uk/

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064828447...

[BIGDAI]

Contact your local rescue - they will be thrilled to have you. I've been involved with my local rescue since l retired and find it incredibly rewarding, have met a whole host of great people and animals.

Just one other thought - they may well have other volunteering opportunuties too - from cat care, general maintenance to laundry. We have a small cafe on site too so always looking for help there.

[lancslad58]

BIGDAI said:

Contact your local rescue - they will be thrilled to have you. I've been involved with my local rescue since l retired and find it incredibly rewarding, have met a whole host of great people and animals.

Just one other thought - they may well have other volunteering opportunuties too - from cat care, general maintenance to laundry. We have a small cafe on site too so always looking for help there.

Having read this thread I saw that my local RSPCA centre was looking for receptionists, answer the phone, greet people, know how to use Google, Microsoft office and facebook,

So basically the sort of thing anyone can do. Hours 11 to 4 once a week and it only half an hours drive away.

The job spec however had this in it “A basic knowledge of a variety of animals is desired as we get lots of phone calls asking for advice”.

So that’s one volunteering job I won’t be applying for, there’s no way I’m offering unqualified advice to people on how to look after their loved ones.

Off to try somewhere else.

[MB140]

My wife an I volunteer through borrowmydoggy.com.

You pay a small fee (that provides insurance etc).

We have found it wonderful. One of the dogs we walk allows the owner, a single dad time to visit his daughter in a care facility (severely autistic low functioning) or gives him an afternoon of freedom.

No pressure, ithe website is just an intermediary. We have made some lifelong friends though the activity.

Edited by MB140 on Sunday 21st April 10:43

[Alickadoo]

CopperBolt said:

Anyone got any experience with volunteer dog walking "things"? Presumably some sort of charity maybe.

Will be retired soon and was thinking I need an excuse to get out and have a stroll regularly but dont want the commitment of a dog full time (and a lawn covered in dogs eggs) so was thinking of volunteering.

Any info welcomed.

Apologies if there's already a long running thread on this very subject

Near me in Hersham, Surrey, there is a home for retired greyhounds, they are always looking for dog walkers.

Might be one near you.

[moorx]

Alickadoo said:

CopperBolt said:

Anyone got any experience with volunteer dog walking "things"? Presumably some sort of charity maybe.

Will be retired soon and was thinking I need an excuse to get out and have a stroll regularly but dont want the commitment of a dog full time (and a lawn covered in dogs eggs) so was thinking of volunteering.

Any info welcomed.

Apologies if there's already a long running thread on this very subject

Near me in Hersham, Surrey, there is a home for retired greyhounds, they are always looking for dog walkers.

Might be one near you.

Highly likely, there are greyhound rescues in most areas due to the amount needing homes.

Definitely a good option, and greyhounds are generally extremely easy to handle and walk and well behaved on the lead (just need care around small animals!) Most greyhound rescues would probably insist they are walked with muzzles.

[andburg]

Not just walking but some of the bigger more athletic dogs can really struggle in kennels.

I used to go to a local rescue and take dogs for a run with me back when I was fitter.

Short answer is find a local rescue, they’ll be over the moon to have somebody take some energy out of the dogs.