For Immediate Release

July 3, 2007

The City of Toronto’s Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy is unreasonable, say professional Dog Walkers.

The Parks and Environment Committee will meet tomorrow at City Hall to discuss the proposed Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy, a topic that has some City of Toronto Dog Walkers concerned about their professional future.

In a meeting of professional Dog Walkers on this past Saturday, discussion focused on the pitfalls of the proposed plan, which would see Dog Walkers held legally liable for the licensing requirement of their client’s dogs. Many of the walkers present, as well as the majority of members of the All Canadian Pet Services Network who responded to our survey, welcome the new policy as a means to further enhance their professionalism and accountability but feel that the responses provided to the city during the consultation process were disregarded. "What we said at meetings and what's in the policy are very different things," said Dagmar Siilats, one of the Dog Walkers who participated in the City's subcommittee.

Most walkers agree that the proposed limit of six dogs per walker is reasonable and enforceable. Some provisions, however, have been met with staunch criticism by Dog Walkers, citing safety and liability concerns. One such provision requires that the walker display their permit at all times while using city parks – a concern to many walkers in a statistically female dominated profession who fear that their safety may be compromised. Other provisions, such as providing a home address (as opposed to a legal business address) for registration with the city leave many concerned about their privacy.

The most troublesome issue to Dog Walkers contained in the policy, however, surrounds the city of Toronto requirement that all dogs in the care of the permit holder be licensed. Bylaw officers, who are currently unable to seize an unlicensed dog, will have the authority to issue fines to the Dog Walker if a client’s dog is not licensed, or if the license has expired. While the Dog Walkers concur that owners should be licensing their pets, and are willing to participate in the education initiatives recently conducted by the city, they do not want to be job of the bylaw officers to be offloaded to them. Many cite a potential loss of income as well as the threat of high legal expenses as a deterrent to successfully operating their businesses, and are concerned about the precedent this policy will set for fellow Dog Walkers in other municipalities.

A newly formed Dog Walkers Coalition plan a legal challenge and public awareness campaign if the Permit Policy is passed by City Council in mid-July. "Most Dog Walkers don't yet know about the specifics of the Policy. Of the estimated 1,200 Professional Dog Walkers, only 35 signed in at the City's public consultation. When Dog Walkers realize what's going on, the City will face concerted opposition," said Gillian Morton. "We want Dog Walkers to get in touch with us and join the coalition."

For further information contact the All Canadian Pet Services Network at lara.willis@acpsn.com or Gillian Morton at 416 964-1915.

The All Canadian Pet Services Network is a professional organization for pet sitters and Dog Walkers across Canada. Through our unique programs, and focus on professionalism, education and advocacy within the pet care industry, ACPSN offers pet parents the opportunity to benefit from excellence in pet care. Our interactive web site gives the pet parent the control they deserve in choosing a companion for their beloved animals.

For more information about the All Canadian Pet Services Network, our mission, and our members, please visit www.acpsn.com, or contact Lara Willis, President and Founder, at lara.willis@acpsn.com