Welcome to Finchley Dog Walker: Your Pet Care Welcome Pack

Updated July 2026

Calm, local and one-to-one pet care

Thank you for considering Finchley Dog Walker.

I am Derek, although most people know me as Del.

I have provided professional dog walking and pet care since 2011.

This welcome pack explains what working with me is actually like.

It covers:

• my approach to pet care
• the services I provide
• what happens after you contact me
• what I need to know about your pet
• meet and greets
• keys and home access
• dog-walking equipment
• medication
• house sitting
• hot weather and extreme conditions
• updates and photographs
• payments and booking confirmation
• what I expect from you
• what you can expect from me

You do not need to read every guide on my website before sending me a message.

But if you are thinking about trusting me with your pet or allowing me into your home, I think you should be able to understand how I work.

That is what this page is for.

View All Pet Care Services

View Pet Care Prices

Check My Service Area

Contact Del

The quick version

If you only read one section of this page, read this one.

I work locally and care for one household at a time.

My dog walks are one-to-one.

I do not collect several dogs in a van.

I do not offer large group walks.

Dog walks start from your dog’s home and take place locally on foot.

I regularly work with:

• rescue dogs
• nervous dogs
• reactive dogs
• senior dogs
• puppies
• cats
• rabbits
• guinea pigs
• multi-pet households
• pets who rely heavily on routine

My approach is calm, force-free and reward-based.

I do not use choke chains, prong collars or electronic shock collars.

I am fully insured and Enhanced DBS-checked.

My training and continued learning include canine first aid, canine body language, reactive dogs and enrichment-based approaches.

I am not a vet.

I am not a clinical behaviourist.

I will be honest when a pet needs support outside my role.

Most importantly, I need you to be honest with me too.

Tell me about:

• bites or attempted bites
• nervousness
• reactivity
• guarding
• escape attempts
• health conditions
• injuries
• medication
• allergies
• difficulty being left alone
• anything else that could affect safe care

You will not put me off by telling me your dog barks.

It is far more difficult to provide calm, safe care if I discover important information after the booking has started.

About me

My name is Derek Chambers.

Most people call me Del.

I started Finchley Dog Walker after my own experience with rescue dogs, particularly my rescue dog Roxy.

Roxy was awkward but awesome.

She was one of the reasons I became so interested in dogs who do not always fit neatly into a standard dog-walking routine.

Over the years, I have worked with dogs who:

• barked at me when I first arrived
• would not walk beyond the corner
• froze outside
• found other dogs overwhelming
• needed more distance from traffic
• needed a much slower introduction to a new person
• simply preferred a quieter walk

I have also cared for cats, puppies, older pets and small animals in their own homes.

The more animals I work with, the more I believe there is no single routine that suits every pet.

One dog may love an hour exploring.

Another may gain more from a slower sniff walk.

One cat may be waiting at the door.

Another may prefer to watch me from under a bed.

A puppy may need a toilet break and then sleep.

A senior dog may need less distance and more time.

My job is to notice the pet in front of me.

Read More About Del

My approach to pet care

I keep things calm.

That does not mean every dog I work with is calm.

It means I do not deliberately add more pressure to an animal who is already struggling.

I use reward-based, welfare-led handling.

For dogs, walks may include:

• sniffing
• decompression
• calm enrichment
• quieter routes
• additional distance from triggers
• slower pacing
• short scent games
• confidence building
• routine and predictability

I am not interested in clocking up miles simply so I can say a dog walked a long way.

I look at whether the walk was useful for that dog.

For home visits, I pay attention to routine.

Has the cat eaten?

Is the water bowl where it normally is?

Has the litter tray been used?

Is a rabbit behaving as expected?

Has the puppy had a toilet break?

Is the dog moving normally?

Has something changed since my last visit?

I cannot diagnose illness.

But I can tell you what I normally see and when something does not look right.

Is Finchley Dog Walker the right fit for you?

I may suit you if you want:

• one-to-one dog walks
• no van collections
• no large group walks
• a calm approach
• someone used to rescue and nervous dogs
• routine-led pet care
• your cat cared for at home
• your dog to stay at home while you are away
• clear communication
• someone prepared to adapt the plan when conditions change

I may not be the right fit if you specifically want:

• large pack walks
• dogs collected in a van
• punishment-based handling
• prong collars
• choke chains
• electronic shock collars
• a dog to be pushed through fear regardless of how they are coping
• guaranteed off-lead exercise on every walk

I would rather be honest about this before care begins.

The right pet carer is not simply the cheapest or closest person.

You need someone whose approach fits you and your pet.

The services I currently provide

This is only a quick overview.

Full details are on my Pet Care Services page, and current charges are listed on the Pet Care Prices page.

House sitting and in-home pet care

I stay in your home so your pets can remain in familiar surroundings.

This can be particularly useful for:

• rescue dogs
• nervous dogs
• senior pets
• dogs who dislike boarding
• multi-pet households
• pets who rely heavily on routine

Standard overnight house-sitting starts at £60 per night.

Full-time house sitting for a dog who cannot be left alone is £100 per night.

Read About House Sitting and In-Home Pet Care

Cat sitting

I provide visits for cats who are staying at home while their owners are away.

Visits can include:

• feeding
• fresh water
• litter care
• agreed medication support
• play or enrichment
• calm company
• general welfare observations
• photographs and updates where appropriate

A single standard visit is £15.

Two standard visits in one day are £25.

Read About Cat Sitting in Finchley

Solo dog walking

All my dog walks are one-to-one unless a different arrangement has been specifically agreed.

There are no large group walks.

There is no van collection route.

I collect your dog from home and walk locally on foot.

A 30-minute solo walk is £18.

A 60-minute solo walk is £25.

Read About Solo Dog Walks

Rescue, nervous and reactive dog support

Some dogs need more time and a more focused approach.

My practical support walks can suit dogs who:

• are newly rescued
• freeze outside
• find dogs or people difficult
• struggle with traffic
• need more distance
• become overwhelmed easily

A focused 60-minute support walk is £30.

This is practical day-to-day support.

It is not a clinical behaviour consultation or formal dog-training session.

Read About Rescue Dog Support

Hot-weather dog comfort visits and adapted care

Sometimes the planned walk is not the safest activity.

If conditions are unsuitable, I may change the time or route, shorten the outdoor part, provide a toilet opportunity or replace strenuous exercise with calm indoor enrichment.

Where I provide meaningful alternative care for an existing booked service, the normal service charge applies.

Standalone hot-weather comfort visits are also available subject to location and availability.

Up to 30 minutes is £18.

Up to 60 minutes is £25.

Read About Hot-Weather Dog Comfort Visits

Read My Extreme Weather Policy

Puppy visits

Puppy visits can include:

• toilet opportunities
• feeding
• water
• calm play
• simple enrichment
• reward-based routine practice
• lead or harness familiarity
• company

These are not formal puppy-training lessons.

A puppy visit or short puppy walk of up to 30 minutes is £15.

Read About Puppy Visits in Finchley

Rabbits and small animals

I provide home visits for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small pets I have experience with.

Visits normally follow my standard home-visit prices.

A single visit is £15.

Two visits in one day are £25.

Read About Small Animal Care

Pet-care add-ons and holiday home help

When I am already visiting your home, a few small, agreed-upon practical tasks may sometimes be included.

This can include things such as:

• bringing in post
• moving a small delivery inside
• putting out or bringing in a household bin
• opening or closing agreed curtains
• switching agreed lights on or off
• watering a few plants

Pet care always comes first.

If extra time is required, it can be booked.

View Pet Care Add-ons and Holiday Home Help

Pet and Home Readiness Visit

This is a separate £75 practical visit for households preparing for a change.

It may be useful if you are:

• bringing home a rescue dog
• preparing for a puppy
• using a pet sitter for the first time
• going away
• caring for an older pet
• managing several pet routines
• worried about doors, gates or escape risks
• trying to organise emergency information

The standard service includes up to 60 minutes in your home and a personalised written checklist.

Read About the Pet and Home Readiness Visit

How to contact me

WhatsApp is usually the easiest way to contact me.

My number is 07707 763344.

You can also email info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk.

In your first message, please include:

• your name
• your postcode
• the service you think you need
• the days or dates involved
• what pets you have
• a short note about their routine
• any medication
• any nervousness or reactivity I need to know about

You do not need to diagnose your pet.

You do not need to decide whether your dog is technically reactive or anxious.

Tell me what you actually see.

For example:

“My dog barks and lunges when another dog gets close.”

“My cat hides from strangers.”

“My dog cannot currently be left alone.”

“My rabbit needs medication twice a day.”

That information is far more useful.

Contact Del

What happens after you contact me?

The process depends on the service.

I do not put every client through exactly the same booking journey.

Step 1: I read your enquiry

The first thing I check is:

• your postcode
• the service you need
• the dates or days involved
• what animals you have
• whether the booking sounds suitable for the type of care I provide

I may ask additional questions.

This does not mean I am trying to make booking difficult.

I need enough information to properly understand the care.

Step 2: I ask about your pet

The questions depend on the animal and the service.

For a dog, I may ask about:

• age
• breed or type
• normal walking routine
• lead walking
• other dogs
• people
• traffic
• recall
• previous escapes
• guarding
• bites or attempted bites
• health
• mobility
• medication
• how long the dog can be left

For a cat, I may ask about:

• feeding
• water
• litter trays
• indoor or outdoor access
• cat flaps
• medication
• hiding behaviour
• normal social behaviour

For a rabbit or small pet, I will want to understand:

• feeding
• water
• enclosure care
• normal routine
• medication
• any specialist husbandry needs

For house-sitting, I will also ask about your home, access, and the normal daily routine.

Step 3: We decide whether a meet and greet is needed

For regular dog walking, house-sitting, and many ongoing pet-care arrangements, I will normally arrange a meet-and-greet before care begins.

This gives us time to discuss:

• your pet’s routine
• behaviour and handling
• feeding
• medication
• equipment
• access to your home
• emergency arrangements
• anything your pet finds difficult

For nervous dogs, the first meeting may not look like a traditional introduction.

I do not expect every dog to greet me happily.

I may deliberately give the dog space.

I may avoid touching them.

I may chat to you while the dog watches.

That is fine.

A meet-and-greet is not a test your pet has to pass.

It is a chance for me to observe, listen, and decide whether I can safely provide the care you need.

Some services have a different process.

A Pet and Home Readiness Visit is itself a booked visit.

A simple standalone home check may require different arrangements.

I will explain the next step for your service.

Step 4: I collect the care information I need

Before care begins, I may ask you to complete client, pet care, medication, emergency, or house-sitting information.

Please complete this accurately.

I need to know about:

• medical conditions
• injuries
• allergies
• medication
• dietary requirements
• infectious illness
• mobility restrictions
• bites
• attempted bites
• guarding
• chasing
• escape risks
• recall concerns
• separation-related behaviour
• reactions to dogs
• reactions to people
• reactions to children
• traffic concerns
• bicycles
• wildlife
• handling sensitivities
• any legal restriction affecting your animal

Please also tell me when something changes.

Information from an old booking may no longer be correct.

A dog who was fine with traffic six months ago may now be struggling.

Medication may have changed.

A cat may now have a curfew.

Your emergency contact may have moved.

Keeping me updated helps me provide safer care.

Step 5: I confirm the booking in writing

An enquiry does not confirm a booking.

A conversation does not confirm a booking.

A meet-and-greet on its own does not confirm a booking.

Your booking is confirmed when I have accepted it in writing by email, WhatsApp or text and any required reservation payment has been received.

The confirmation will normally include the service, dates, approximate times, price and relevant care arrangements.

Please check the information.

Tell me if something is wrong.

What I need before pet care begins

The exact list depends on your pet.

However, I will normally need:

• your current contact details
• an agreed emergency contact
• your vet’s details
• feeding instructions
• medication information where relevant
• enough food for the booking
• enough medication for the booking
• enough litter, bedding or other essential supplies
• safe access to your property
• working keys where required
• current alarm instructions
• current access codes
• clear information about other people entering your property
• suitable equipment for any dog I am walking

For longer bookings, please leave a reasonable allowance of essential pet supplies in case your return is unexpectedly delayed.

If your return is delayed, tell me as soon as possible.

I will take reasonable steps to continue essential care where I am available.

You should also have a local emergency contact who has agreed to help and can access the property if needed.

Please be honest about behaviour

This deserves its own section.

Please tell me if your pet has:

• bitten
• attempted to bite
• snapped
• guarded food
• guarded toys
• guarded a bed or doorway
• chased animals
• escaped
• slipped a collar or harness
• pulled out of a lead
• reacted to children
• reacted to bikes
• reacted to traffic
• become distressed when left
• objected to medication
• become difficult when handled

I am not asking so I can judge your pet.

I am asking because I need to make sensible decisions.

A dog who has previously backed out of a harness needs a different equipment check.

A dog who guards food needs a different feeding routine.

A cat who bites when tablets are attempted may need a medication discussion before the booking.

A rabbit who is difficult to handle may require different arrangements.

Please tell me before care begins.

A surprise is rarely helpful when I am alone with the animal.

Dog-walking equipment

You must provide safe, secure and properly fitting walking equipment.

I will carry out a reasonable visual and handling check before using it.

I may refuse to use equipment that appears damaged, insecure or unsuitable.

My approach is welfare-led.

I do not use:

• choke chains
• prong collars
• electronic shock collars

I prefer secure, well-fitted equipment appropriate for the individual dog.

I do not use retractable leads for my normal walking work.

Where suitable, I may use a fixed lead or long line.

Dogs will normally remain on lead.

Off-lead exercise is only considered where:

• you have given written permission
• I have assessed the dog’s recall and behaviour
• the location is suitable
• conditions are suitable
• there is no legal restriction requiring the dog to remain on lead
• I believe it is safe on that particular occasion

Written permission does not guarantee that I will let your dog off lead on every walk.

My decision can change depending on the dog, location, and conditions.

Read My Policies and Standards

Identification and microchips

Please make sure your pet’s identification and microchip information meet current legal requirements.

Microchip contact details should be kept up to date.

Dogs in public places should have the legally required identification.

Cats must also be microchipped and registered where the legal requirement applies.

Please let me know if there are any known issues with your pet’s identification or microchip details before care begins.

Medication

I can provide medication support for some pets where this has been agreed in advance.

Medication must be:

• clearly labelled
• within its expiry date
• supplied with complete written instructions
• within my competence
• within my insurance conditions

Instructions should explain:

• the dose
• the time
• how the medication is given
• how it should be stored
• known side effects
• what you normally do if a dose is refused, missed or vomited

Please do not leave me a handwritten note saying simply “one tablet daily” if there are other important instructions.

I cannot guarantee that an animal will swallow or tolerate medication.

I may decline injections, invasive procedures or specialist treatment outside my experience, competence or insurance.

Tell me about medication in your first enquiry.

Veterinary emergencies

I hope I never need to deal with a veterinary emergency involving your pet.

But I need the information before something goes wrong.

Please provide:

• your normal veterinary practice
• a current emergency contact
• relevant medical information
• current medication details
• any known allergies
• any arrangements your vet requires when someone else is caring for your pet

Where I reasonably believe veterinary advice or treatment is needed to protect your pet, I may seek veterinary assistance.

I will try to contact you and your emergency contact first unless waiting could place the animal at greater risk.

Where possible, I will use your nominated vet.

In an urgent situation, another suitable veterinary or emergency provider may be needed.

Please read the full policy before booking.

Keys, access and your home

Being trusted with someone’s keys and home is a big part of pet care.

Keys and access devices are stored securely.

They are not labelled with your full name or address.

We will agree key collection, holding and return arrangements.

Please make sure I have:

• working keys
• correct alarm instructions
• current access codes
• relevant entry information

A secure backup access arrangement or local emergency keyholder is strongly recommended.

Please tell me about:

• cleaners
• relatives
• friends
• gardeners
• tradespeople
• another animal-care provider

who may enter the property while I am caring for your pets.

Unexpected people entering a home can affect:

• pet welfare
• privacy
• security
• insurance
• my ability to provide the agreed service

For house-sitting and unaccompanied home visits, please also let me know about any active cameras or recording devices.

This includes indoor cameras, audio devices, outdoor cameras and video doorbells.

I understand that many homes have security cameras.

I simply need to know what is operating.

No camera or recording device should operate in a bedroom, bathroom, changing area, or any other place where I would reasonably expect personal privacy while house-sitting.

Read My Keys, Home Security and CCTV Policy

House sitting: please be honest about how long your dog can be left

This is one of the most important house-sitting questions I ask.

Standard house sitting does not automatically mean I remain inside your home continuously for 24 hours.

Unless a different arrangement has been agreed, standard house sitting may include me leaving for periods of up to four continuous hours for other work, essential errands or personal commitments.

Many dogs are completely comfortable with this.

Some are not.

Please tell me honestly how long your dog can normally be left.

A dog who cannot be left alone requires a different care arrangement.

My full-time house-sitting service is £100 per night.

This is different from the standard £60 overnight house-sitting.

Do not tell me your dog can be left for four hours because you are worried I will refuse the booking.

I need the truth so I can decide whether I can realistically provide the care.

Read About House Sitting and In-Home Pet Care

House-sitting reservation payments

A £50 reservation payment is required to secure a house-sitting booking.

The £50 forms part of the total booking price.

It is not an additional fee.

The booking is not confirmed until the payment has been received and I have issued written confirmation.

The remaining balance is normally due seven calendar days before the house sit begins unless a different deadline has been agreed in writing.

Cancellation terms still apply.

Please read my current Policies and Standards and Cancellation and Refunds Policy before booking.

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

An additional £10 charge applies to services provided on:

• Christmas Day, 25 December
• New Year’s Day, 1 January

For house-sitting, this applies once per relevant calendar day included in the booking.

The surcharge will be shown in your quote and booking confirmation before you accept the booking.

View Current Pet Care Prices

Hot weather and extreme conditions

I do not use one fixed temperature and pretend it is suitable for every dog.

I look at the individual animal and the conditions.

That can include:

• age
• health
• mobility
• breathing
• coat
• fitness
• heat
• humidity
• direct sun
• ground conditions
• wind
• ice
• snow
• flooding
• storms
• air quality
• official weather warnings

If I believe the planned activity is unsafe, I may change it.

That may mean:

• changing the route
• changing the time where practical
• shortening the outdoor part
• providing a toilet break
• replacing strenuous exercise with calm indoor enrichment
• stopping an activity
• cancelling where no safe alternative is available

A hot day does not automatically mean I abandon your pet.

Where I can provide meaningful alternative care, I will use the booked time appropriately.

That might include a short toilet opportunity followed by fresh water, scent work, enrichment and calm company.

Where meaningful alternative care is provided, the normal booked service charge applies.

If I cannot provide the service and no suitable alternative is agreed, the unprovided service will be refunded or credited.

Read My Extreme Weather Policy

Read About Hot-Weather Dog Comfort Visits

Cats with outdoor access

Please tell me clearly whether your cat:

• is indoor only
• uses a cat flap
• is normally allowed outside
• has set times for outdoor access
• has a curfew
• has any other restriction

Do not assume I will know your normal routine.

If you have specific instructions about your cat going outside, these need to be agreed before the booking.

Read About Cat Sitting in Finchley

Photographs and updates

I know how reassuring an update can be when you are away.

Where appropriate, I can send photographs or short updates during walks, visits and house-sitting bookings.

The exact frequency may depend on the service and what has been agreed.

An update is there to tell you how care is going.

It may be a photograph of your dog on a walk.

It may be a cat who has finally appeared from behind the sofa.

It may simply be confirmation that food, water and litter have been dealt with and everything looks normal.

If something concerns me, I will not hide it because I want to send a cheerful update.

I will tell you.

Photography and social media

I sometimes share photographs and stories from my work on the Finchley Dog Walker website or social media.

I will follow the permissions and arrangements agreed for your pet.

I do not deliberately publish private client information such as:

• your address
• access codes
• keys
• private care paperwork
• security arrangements

Please tell me if you do not want your pet featured.

Your decision will not affect the care your pet receives.

Read My Policies and Standards

Cancellations and changes

Please let me know as soon as possible if a booking needs to be changed.

My current cancellation terms are explained in my Cancellation and Refunds Policy and Policies and Standards.

Dog walks and individual visits normally require at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel.

House sitting and multi-day pet care normally require at least seven clear calendar days’ notice.

Where less notice is given, a cancellation charge may apply.

Any cancellation charge is assessed under my current policy and will not exceed the direct loss caused by the cancellation.

Please read the current policy rather than relying on an old message or previous booking arrangement.

What you can expect from me

You can expect me to:

• treat your pet calmly
• follow agreed care instructions
• ask questions when something is unclear
• use welfare-led handling
• provide one-to-one dog walks unless another arrangement has been specifically agreed
• use reasonable care with your home and keys
• store access information securely
• tell you if I notice a concern
• adapt care where safety or welfare requires it
• be honest when something is outside my competence
• communicate changes that affect your booking
• respect your pet’s routine as closely as reasonably possible
• keep learning

I cannot promise that every pet will instantly like me.

I cannot promise that a nervous dog will become confident in a certain number of walks.

I cannot promise a cat will pose for a photograph.

I cannot promise that the weather will follow the forecast.

What I can promise is a calm, practical and honest approach.

What I need from you

In return, I need you to:

• provide complete and accurate information
• tell me about behaviour concerns
• disclose previous bites or attempted bites
• keep me updated about health changes
• tell me about medication
• provide clear care instructions
• leave enough essential supplies
• provide safe walking equipment
• provide working keys and accurate access information
• tell me about cameras and recording devices
• tell me about other people entering your home
• provide an agreed emergency contact
• tell me if your return is delayed
• pay by the agreed deadline
• read the relevant policies before booking

The best pet-care relationships work when information goes both ways.

Your pet does not need to be perfect

I want to make this clear.

Your dog does not have to walk beautifully beside me from the first minute.

Your cat does not need to greet me.

Your puppy does not need to have mastered toilet training.

Your rescue dog does not need to trust me immediately.

Your senior pet does not need to keep up with a younger animal.

I work with the pet in front of me.

One of the dogs I walk, Rudy, barked at me and would not come near me when we first met.

Our first walk only reached the corner.

Over time, he built confidence and trust.

Now he gets excited when I arrive and enjoys exploring Coldfall Wood, including his favourite treat-searching game at the Magic Tree.

That did not happen because I forced him to walk further.

It happened because he was given time.

Read Rudy’s Success Story

Preparing for your first booking

A little preparation makes pet care much easier.

Before the first booking, check that I have the information and supplies relevant to your pet.

For dogs

Consider preparing:

• safe walking equipment
• current feeding information
• treats if you want me to use specific treats
• towels where useful
• medication instructions
• vet details
• emergency contact details

For cats

Consider preparing:

• enough food
• feeding instructions
• fresh water arrangements
• enough litter
• litter tray instructions
• medication
• cat-flap or outdoor-access instructions
• carrier location
• vet details
• emergency contact details

For rabbits and small pets

Please prepare:

• enough food
• hay or bedding where relevant
• water instructions
• enclosure-care instructions
• medication
• normal routine information
• emergency contact details

For house sitting

Please make sure I have:

• working keys
• alarm information
• current access codes
• Wi-Fi information where needed
• pet-care instructions
• medication instructions
• emergency contacts
• vet information
• information about anyone else entering the property
• camera and recording-device information
• your expected return arrangements

If your pet’s routine is complicated or you are worried the handover is becoming unclear, you may find my Pet and Home Readiness Visit useful.

Where I provide pet care

I mainly provide care across Finchley, North Finchley, Finchley Central, East Finchley, Muswell Hill and nearby areas.

The exact service area depends on what you need.

Dog walks are kept very local because I work on foot.

House sitting and some home-based services may be available across a slightly wider area.

House-sitting may also be available in Whetstone and Highgate, depending on the booking.

Hot-weather comfort visits and standalone home checks need to fit safely and practically around my local route.

The easiest way to check is to send me your postcode and tell me which service you need.

Check My Service Area

Useful pages before you book

You do not need to read my entire website.

These are the pages I recommend starting with.

What care do you need?

View All Pet Care Services

What does it cost?

View Pet Care Prices

Do I cover your area?

Check My Service Area

How do I work?

Read My Policies and Standards

What are the detailed booking terms?

Read My Terms and Conditions

Ready to ask about care?

Contact Del

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer group dog walks?

No.

My dog walks are one-to-one unless a different arrangement has been specifically agreed in writing.

Do you use a van?

No.

I work locally and on foot. Find out why no vans

Dog walks start and finish at your dog’s home.

Can you help a rescue or nervous dog?

Yes, where I believe I can safely meet the dog’s needs.

Rescue and nervous, sensitive dogs are a major part of my work.

I take things slowly and do not expect immediate trust.

Do you work with reactive dogs?

Yes, where the situation is within my experience and can be managed safely.

I provide practical, day-to-day support.

I am not a clinical behaviourist.

Do you provide cat sitting?

Yes.

I provide home visits for cats, including feeding, watering, litter care, agreed-upon medication support, companionship, and general welfare observations.

Do you look after rabbits and guinea pigs?

Yes.

I provide home visits for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets, provided the required care is within my experience and can be agreed in advance.

Can you give medication?

Sometimes.

Medication must be agreed in advance, clearly labelled, within its expiry date and supplied with complete written instructions.

It must also be within my competence and covered by my insurance.

Do you provide updates?

Yes.

Where appropriate, I provide photographs and updates during walks, visits and house-sitting bookings.

Do you let dogs off lead?

Dogs will normally remain on lead.

Off-lead exercise is only considered with written permission and where I believe the dog, location and conditions make it safe.

Permission does not guarantee off-lead exercise on every walk.

What happens if it is too hot to walk my dog?

I assess the individual dog and the conditions.

The outdoor activity may be changed, shortened or replaced with calm alternative care.

Where meaningful alternative care is provided, the normal service charge applies.

Is house sitting 24-hour continuous care?

Not automatically.

Standard house-sitting may include my leaving the property for agreed-upon periods.

Unless another arrangement is made, this may include absences of up to four continuous hours.

Dogs who cannot be left alone need a different full-time care arrangement.

Is the £50 house-sitting reservation payment an extra fee?

No.

It forms part of your total booking price and is deducted from the final balance.

Do you offer instant online booking?

No.

I need some basic information about your pet, your location, and the care you need before I can confirm a booking.

Does a meet-and-greet confirm my booking?

No.

A booking is confirmed after I accept it in writing and any required reservation payment has been received.

What is the quickest way to contact you?

WhatsApp is usually easiest.

My number is 07707 763344.

Please include your postcode, service, dates and a little about your pet.

Ready to get in touch?

Thank you for taking the time to read my welcome pack.

I know choosing someone to care for your pet or enter your home involves trust.

My business is deliberately small, local and personal.

There are no packed vans.

No large group walks.

No one-size-fits-all routine.

I get to know the animals I care for.

I learn what they enjoy.

I notice what they find difficult.

And when the plan needs to change, I am prepared to change it.

Tell me your postcode, which service you need and a little about your pet.

We can start from there.

Contact Del

WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

Important information

This welcome pack is a plain-English overview of how I work.

It does not replace my Terms and Conditions, detailed policies, written booking confirmation or service-specific care arrangements.

If information on this page conflicts with my current Terms and Conditions, the Terms and Conditions apply.

All services are subject to location, availability, the individual pet’s needs and my current insurance and service conditions.

I am not a vet or clinical behaviourist.

Medical concerns should be discussed with your vet.

More complex behavioural concerns may require an appropriately qualified reward-based behaviour professional.