Read the scope, outcomes and full checklist guidance
The outcome:Each dog is accurately identified, assessed and managed under a current plan based on informed client agreement and relevant health, behaviour and handling information.
EW3.1: Identity, ownership and emergency authority
Before service begins, the business must record enough information to identify the dog and the person authorised to make decisions, including current owner and emergency contacts, usual veterinary clinic and authorised collectors where relevant. Written authority must explain what may occur if urgent veterinary care is needed and the owner cannot be reached.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Before service begins, the business must record enough information to identify the dog and the person authorised to make decisions, including current owner and emergency contacts, usual veterinary clinic and authorised collectors where relevant. Written authority must explain what may occur if urgent veterinary care is needed and the owner cannot be reached.
What the Assessor Checks
Sample files for current identity, contacts and emergency authority.
Test how a walker would arrange urgent treatment and verify a person receiving the dog.
Evidence
Dog profile, contacts, veterinary details, emergency consent and authorised-person records.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Delaying urgent care because no basic authority system exists may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW3.2: Transparent service agreement and informed consent
Before the first service, the client must receive clear information about service type, collection window, transport, expected walking time, group or solo arrangement, likely locations, off-lead possibility, price, cancellation, substitutions and material foreseeable risks. Time away from home, vehicle time and active walking time must not be represented as though they are the same. Material changes require renewed agreement.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
Before the first service, the client must receive clear information about service type, collection window, transport, expected walking time, group or solo arrangement, likely locations, off-lead possibility, price, cancellation, substitutions and material foreseeable risks. Time away from home, vehicle time and active walking time must not be represented as though they are the same. Material changes require renewed agreement.
What the Assessor Checks
Compare terms and advertising with bookings and actual delivery.
Check agreement to group, transport, off-lead and substitution arrangements.
Evidence
Service agreement, booking information, consent, advertising, route records and communications.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Deliberately misrepresenting walk duration, group size or service delivery may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW3.3: Health, behaviour and legal-status information
The business must obtain and update relevant information about medical conditions, pain, medication, allergies, infectious disease, parasites, reproductive status, age, fitness, prior injury, bite or aggression history, escape history, recall, triggers, equipment and handling needs. Registration, microchip information and any council classification or condition must be recorded where relevant.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
The business must obtain and update relevant information about medical conditions, pain, medication, allergies, infectious disease, parasites, reproductive status, age, fitness, prior injury, bite or aggression history, escape history, recall, triggers, equipment and handling needs. Registration, microchip information and any council classification or condition must be recorded where relevant.
What the Assessor Checks
Sample intake and repeat-service updates and compare them with walker knowledge.
Check how urgent alerts and legal conditions are made visible before collection.
Evidence
Intake questionnaire, alerts, council information, medication record and staff interviews.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Knowingly ignoring a disclosed serious health, escape or aggression risk may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________
EW3.4: Initial assessment and individual walking plan
A competent person must assess each dog before inclusion in a service. Group or pack placement must include a controlled introduction and sufficient observation to judge compatibility. Each dog must have a proportionate plan covering service type, group suitability, handling, equipment, on- or off-lead status, transport, pace, route risks, monitoring, stopping points and emergency needs.
Assessor checklist
Requirement
A competent person must assess each dog before inclusion in a service. Group or pack placement must include a controlled introduction and sufficient observation to judge compatibility. Each dog must have a proportionate plan covering service type, group suitability, handling, equipment, on- or off-lead status, transport, pace, route risks, monitoring, stopping points and emergency needs.
What the Assessor Checks
Review assessments and observe how plans affect actual group placement and handling.
Sample reassessments after illness, maturation, conflict, absence or other material change.
Evidence
Meet-and-greet notes, trial walk, individual plan, group records and reassessment evidence.
Meets Standard
There is reasonable evidence that the requirement is met consistently in practice and achieves the required welfare, control and integrity outcome.
Action Required
The requirement is not yet demonstrated consistently in practice, or the available evidence is incomplete and requires a proportionate corrective action.
Critical Non-Compliance
Placing a dog into a group despite an obvious serious incompatibility or unmanaged risk may be Critical Non-Compliance.
Result:☐ Meets Standard ☐ Action Required ☐ Critical Non-Compliance
Notes: ____________________________________________________________