Dog walking safety for winter

Did you know that 62% of women walk their dogs less once the clocks go back because they feel unsafe heading out after dark?

While this shocking figure is understandable, it means hundreds of dogs are missing out on their evening walkies.

YuMOVE NightWalkies is here to change all that! By bringing dog owners together to create local walking groups, NightWalkies means you and your furry friend can get out, meet new people, and enjoy some evening exercise together.

We’ve even put together a helpful toolkit, packed with safety advice and tips on how to start your own NightWalkies group.

Download the toolkit

Why NightWalkies matters in your neighbourhood

  • Nearly two thirds of women in the UK walk their dogs less when the clocks go back and the evenings get darker.

  • 83% said that as a result, their dogs get up to 30 minutes less walking each day, nearly 3.5 hours less walking every week.

  • Personal safety was cited as the biggest concern by 61% of women, followed by concerns around poorly lit streets and lack of safe walking routes (a concern for 57% of women) or worries about drunk or anti-social behaviour (54%).

Join the NightWalkies movement

Becoming a YuMOVE NightWalkies ambassador and organising your own NightWalkies group is easy.

To get started, download our FREE NightWalkies toolkit. It's filled with advice on how to start or find a group, as well as top safety tips from our partners, WalkSafe.

NightWalkies groups are open to anyone who wants to feel safe or would like to support others during dog walks after dark.

Download the toolkit

“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!”

A message from YuMOVE CEO, Fiona Hope

Find us on Facebook

The YuMOVE Pet Parent Collective is our new private Facebook group created for fellow passionate pet parents, just like you.

It’s a friendly space to share stories, swap advice, post adorable pet pics and connect with a community that understands life with pets.

You’ll also get exclusive access to expert tips from our vets, sneak peeks at new YuMOVE products and help us shape what you see on our socials.

Come join the pack – we can’t wait to welcome you (and your furry sidekick)!

Join now

All statistics referenced in this article come from a 2025 survey by Censuswide
of 1000 UK dog owners (self-reported data).