New leads for The Dog Walker

Yorkshire households are barking mad with more dogs per household than the UK average and The Dog Walker is expanding throughout the region to meet owner demand.

Former logistics director Mark Whitaker has established a new franchise in Queensbury with the award-winning business, while the existing York and Selby teams are expanding.

Mark, 49, made the decision to pursue a career around his long-standing passions for walking and working with animals to achieve a better life balance. As well as walking dogs, he and his wife Linda offer home boarding to care for animals in a nurturing home environment while their owners are away. 

Mark said: “Having spent the last 20 years working in the monotonous world of logistics, I was very much ready for a change. A franchise with The Dog Walker was the perfect solution – a proven business model that puts the needs of clients and their pets first.”

Selby franchisees Jeff and Angela Bell are expanding their business following an increase in new customers and enquiries. They have been joined by their son Steven, a former assistant manager at retailer Morrisons.

York franchisee Lorraine Airth, who has been with the business for three and a half years, is recruiting to expand her patch and the volume of services she can offer.

Richie Womersley, managing director of The Dog Walker, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark as a new franchisee as we move further across the Yorkshire region.

“The expansion of existing businesses is testament to the work of our teams and the service we offer – keeping the region’s pooches happy while their owners are at work.  We’ve grown steadily through word-of-mouth recommendations and all franchisees are personally trained, fully insured, registered and licensed.”

The Dog Walker plans to roll out the successful franchise framework nationally over the next couple of years.