Commercial Dog Walking Permit
If you want to use Merthyr Mawr Warren NNR for commercial dog walking purposes, you must have a Commercial Dog Walking Permit.
How to apply for a Commercial Dog Walking Permit
Read the Conditions below, which outline the requirements for Commercial Dog Walkers operating on the Reserve. Please note that you cannot walk any dogs until approval has been given.
Once you have a Permit, you must wear the Commercial Dog Walkers' coloured armband, which clearly displays that you are a Permit Holder.
The purpose of the Permit scheme is to:
- Manage and regulate the number of professional dog walkers who operate on the Reserve, ensuring appropriate levels of use.
- Help support the upkeep of the Reserve. We believe that any business which uses Merthyr Mawr Warren as a resource should contribute financially to its care.
- Bring professional dog walking in line with our regulations, which govern the responsible use of the Reserve and its habitats as a facility for commercial dog walking.
- Ensure that professional dog walkers are appropriately and properly insured to operate on the Reserve. This protects dog owners, other users and the dog walkers themselves, in the unlikely event of a negative incident.
Fill in the online application form and provide the following documents:
- Evidence of Public Liability Insurance of at least £2 million.
- A signed and dated risk assessment and method statement to cover your sessions, and a brief written policy on your emergency procedures, including First Aid and Accident Reporting.
- A customer reference.
- A vet reference confirming registration at the practice.
Annual Permit Fee
£200
The Permit period runs from 1st January to 31st December inclusive in any year.
Fields marked with * are required. Incomplete applications may not be processed.
After you apply
Please allow two weeks for processing. Once you have received approval, you need to pay the permit fee.
- You will receive a numbered armband and will be registered on our database.
- You can transfer an armband from one of your employees to another, so long as neither of you is on the Reserve at the same time.
- You cannot transfer your armband or permit to another dog walking organisation.
- There will be an additional charge for replacement armbands that have been lost by the Permit holder.
Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve Conditions
The purpose of the Conditions is:
- To ensure considerate use between those undertaking licensed commercial dog walking activities on the Reserve and other visitors to the Reserve.
- To protect the wildlife and habitats of the Reserve.
- To ensure access to and use of the Reserve is preserved for all visitors.
- To work alongside a license agreement to ensure that operators are complying with current health and safety regulations and best industry practice for the safety and enjoyment of all.
The Permit holder shall:
- Not have exclusive rights over any area of the Reserve, and shall ensure that right of way is given to members of the general public visiting the Reserve.
- Leave the Reserve in a clean and tidy condition and be liable for any loss of or damage to any of Merthyr Mawr Estate's property through their direct improper use.
- Abide by Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve's Regulations.
- Not display, produce or distribute any sign or advertisement. The restriction of advertising applies to all boards, hoardings, flags, posters, etc. displaying any organisation or company or brand name of any goods, including those of the Licensee.
- Wear a Permit holder identification armband in a way that is clearly visible to the public and the Reserve wardens at all times while on the Reserve.
- Advise Merthyr Mawr Estate immediately of armbands that have been lost by contacting the Estate Office.
- Ensure all dogs in your Group wear a collar with identification, your contact details and the dog owner's contact details.
- Ensure you have a lead for each of your dogs.
- Pre-screen your dogs and only bring those with proper social skills. Do not bring dogs that exhibit aggressive behaviour.
- Maintain your professionalism, keeping your dogs under control at all times — any dog whose obedience cannot be guaranteed must be kept on a lead.
- Devote full attention to your Group to the maximum extent that is practicable, and exhibit courteous behaviour with all people and dogs you meet on the Reserve.
- Consider that other visitors to the Reserve may not be as fond of dogs, and that some people — especially small children — can find dogs intimidating. Keep your dogs in sight at all times.
- Be aware that dog waste left on the Reserve is unpleasant for other visitors, unhygienic and causes serious ecological damage to plant and animal communities. You must clean up after your dog. Dog waste should be placed in a tightly sealed bag and taken home or deposited in the waste bins. Anyone failing to clean up after their dog will be in breach of the terms of their Permit.
The following activities are not to be conducted by Licensees:
- Aggressive, intimidating, unruly or unreasonably noisy activities that interfere with the comfort of other visitors.
- Walking groups of more than 6 dogs. It can be difficult to control large numbers of dogs, so no-one should be in charge of more than 6 dogs at any one time. Do not congregate with other Permit holders, or non-commercial dog walkers, where the number of dogs collectively exceeds 8 dogs in total.
- Dogs threatening or interfering with wildlife or the enjoyment of other visitors to the Reserve. Permitting your dog to chase, injure or kill any form of wildlife is an offense and you may face prosecution.
As a Permit holder you agree to abide by these Conditions at all times. Non-compliance with the above Conditions and/or Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 means you are at risk of losing your Permit and being asked to leave the Reserve with immediate effect.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the permit application process or commercial dog walking on the Reserve, please get in touch.