NightWalkies – Helping women feel safer walking dogs after dark

As the clocks go back and the evenings draw in, many dog owners find themselves heading out in the dark. For women, those walkies can come with extra worries – and it’s no surprise that 62% of women in the UK walk their dogs less once the nights get darker, with personal safety the biggest concern.

At YuMOVE, we don’t think shorter days should mean shorter walks. That’s why we’ve launched NightWalkies – a simple but powerful idea to help women feel safer after dark. By bringing local dog owners together, NightWalkies turns solitary walks into supportive group outings, so you can enjoy your evening stroll with confidence while your dog gets the exercise that keeps tails wagging all winter long.

Why NightWalkies matters

Our research shows something many dog owners will relate to straight away –  once the evenings turn darker, dogs can end up missing out on up to 3.5 hours of walkies every week.

• 61% of women say personal safety is their biggest concern.
• 57% worry about poorly lit streets or lack of safe routes.
• 54% are concerned about encountering antisocial behaviour.

Fiona Hope, YuMOVE CEO, explains:

“When women feel safer, dogs can enjoy more of the exercise that keeps their joints healthy, their tails wagging, and their wellbeing thriving. With NightWalkies, we’d like to help out.”

NightWalkies is more than a campaign – it’s a movement for movement. By walking together, women can feel safer, while dogs get the regular exercise that supports their joint health and overall wellbeing.

Practical tips for dog walking safety in winter

Stay visible

Wear bright or reflective clothing and try a hi-vis jacket or accessories to stay seen. A head torch might feel a bit much, but it really helps. For your dog, reflective collars, fluorescent leads or light-up accessories can make all the difference.

Choose the right footwear

Slippery pavements and muddy fields are all part of winter walkies. Waterproof boots or sturdy shoes with good grip will help you stay steady when things get slick.

Check your glasses

It might sound obvious, but heading out in the dark with the wrong glasses – like sunglasses instead of specs – can make things trickier than they need to be. A quick check before you leave can save a lot of hassle.

Stick to familiar routes

Dark evenings aren’t ideal for trying new routes. Stick to familiar paths so you can walk with confidence, dodge hidden hazards and avoid getting lost.

Keep your dog close

At night, it’s best to keep your dog on a short lead. Extendable leads can be tricky for others to spot and can cause tangles or trips in the dark.

Join the NightWalkies movement

Our NightWalkies initiative helps women feel more confident heading out after dark, while keeping their dogs happy, healthy and active all winter long. It’s all about women’s safety walking at night – turning evening strolls into something social, supportive and fun.
Fiona Hope sums it up:

“NightWalkies is a simple idea based on a confronting fact – that women dog owners walk their dogs less than men, often because they feel unsafe in the dark. We’d all prefer that wasn’t the case so NightWalkies is a way to connect with other women in your community whilst ensuring your dog is happy and healthy all winter long. So, grab your friends, neighbours or start a local group, and join your fellow dog walkers to enjoy walkies all winter long!”

To help you get started, we’ve created a free NightWalkies Toolkit in partnership with the safety app WalkSafe. It’s full of advice on how to set up or join a group, plus practical safety tips for walking at night.

Download the FREE NightWalkies Toolkit here. 

Be part of our community

NightWalkies is just one way we support dog owners across the UK. You can also join our YuMOVE Pet Parent Collective on Facebook – a friendly, private space for passionate pet lovers to share stories, get advice and connect with others who understand life with dogs.

Join the YuMOVE Pet Parent Collective on Facebook.