Hot weather policy

At Ginger and Tails, your dog’s safety and welfare always come first. Hot weather can quickly become dangerous for dogs, so walks are planned around conditions rather than the calendar or the booked time.

No walks in unsafe temperatures

Group and solo walks will not take place once conditions are considered unsafe. As a general guide, walks will be cancelled or rearranged at around 22-23°C, although this may be lower depending on factors such as humidity, the walking location, your dog’s age, breed, fitness and any underlying health conditions. Brachycephalic breeds and dogs with certain medical conditions may have walks cancelled at temperatures as low as 17-18°C.

Walks may be brought forward

During periods of hot weather, walks may be brought forward to ensure they take place during the coolest and safest part of the day. Depending on the forecast, walks may start as early as 5.00am, meaning collection may be before this time. This may be because this is the safest time for your dog to be walked, or because I need to complete a number of walks before temperatures become unsafe later in the day.

If someone is at home

If someone will be at home with your dog for the remainder of the day, I will normally offer the option of an earlier walk where it is safe to do so.

If your dog will be left alone all day

If your dog would otherwise be left alone for the day, I generally offer the choice of either an earlier walk, or a house or garden visit instead of the walk.

While I will always do my best to accommodate clients, visit times cannot be guaranteed during periods of hot weather due to schedule changes across multiple bookings. House and garden visits are provided as a safe alternative to walking and may not be the same duration as your usual booked walk. During periods of hot weather, I may need to rearrange multiple walks and accommodate additional visits. I will always do my best to schedule visits around when dogs are likely to be left alone for the longest.

If you choose the earlier walk, I will endeavour to offer an additional short welfare visit later in the day for a toilet break, fresh water and a quick check-in, where my schedule allows. A discretionary supplementary charge of £2 may apply to help cover the additional mileage and associated costs. This additional visit cannot be guaranteed and will depend on my schedule and the needs of other clients.

If an alternative is declined

If a safe alternative (whether an earlier walk or a house/garden visit) is offered but declined, the booking will be treated as a client cancellation. The walk or visit will not be refunded, credited or transferred to another day.

Walking safely

Where walks do go ahead in warmer weather, they will take place in shaded areas, with access to fresh water and regular rest breaks. Walks may also be shortened if conditions require.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during periods of hot weather. Rearranging walks and visits often means reorganising my entire working day at short notice, but every decision is made with the safety and welfare of the dogs in my care as the priority.

“No dog has ever died from missing a walk, but dogs have died from one walk in the heat.”