New leads for The Dog Walker as expansion continues

CANINE care business The Dog Walker is striding ahead after announcing further expansion throughout the region to meet owner demand.

Former logistics director Mark Whitaker has launched a new franchise in Queensbury while the existing York and Selby teams are also expanding.

Whitaker 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 home environment while their owners are away.

He 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 said it plans to roll out the successful franchise framework nationally over the next couple of years.