Memberships explained

Full Membership – Professional Dog Walkers

Full Membership is designed for established professional dog-walking businesses operating within Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

This membership category recognises experienced professionals who demonstrate a strong commitment to canine welfare, public safety, education-based practice, and responsible use of shared public spaces.

Who Full Membership Is For

Full Membership is open to individuals or businesses who:

• Operate a professional dog-walking business in Christchurch or Canterbury
• Have been operating for a minimum of three (3) years
• Demonstrate professional competency, safe public-space management, and welfare-first practices
• Meet any reasonable documentation or conduct requirements set by the Committee

Applications are assessed by the Committee in good faith, with consideration given to experience, professional conduct, and operational systems. Not every application will require the same level of documentation.

What Full Membership Represents

Full Membership:

• Recognises professional experience and accountability
• Provides full voting rights at General Meetings
• Allows eligibility to stand for Officer roles within the Society
• Supports a unified and constructive professional voice

Full Membership does not grant regulatory authority, licensing powers, or permission to exceed any legal or bylaw limits. Any statutory or council requirements continue to apply independently.

Professional Expectations and Conditions

All Full Members are expected to:

• Support the Society’s objects and values
• Comply with the Constitution, Member Code of Conduct, and Safety & Welfare Standards
• Act with professionalism, integrity, and welfare-first decision-making
• Maintain appropriate insurance for their own business activities

As an internal professional benchmark only, Full Members are encouraged not to manage more than twelve (12) dogs at any one time, unless holding a valid council-issued exemption or approval. This benchmark does not override or replace any legal or bylaw requirements.

Use of Society Name and Branding

Any permission to use the Society’s name or logo:

• Must follow approved branding guidelines
• Must not be used for personal, commercial, or financial gain
• Automatically ceases if membership ends

Associate Membership – Industry Supporters

Associate Membership is designed for individuals and organisations who support the professional dog-walking industry and align with the values and objectives of Christchurch Professional Dog Walkers Incorporated.

This membership category recognises the important role played by those working alongside the industry, including canine professionals, animal-welfare organisations, educators, trainers, suppliers, and other allied services.

Who Associate Membership Is For

Associate Membership is open to individuals or organisations who:

• Support the objects and values of CPDW Inc
• Operate within, or contribute to, the wider canine, animal-welfare, or allied service sectors
• Agree to comply with the Society’s Constitution, Member Code of Conduct, and Safety & Welfare Standards

What Associate Membership Represents

Associate Members:

• Are recognised as supporters of professional standards and responsible practice
• May participate in Society activities, meetings, and professional development opportunities
• May publicly identify themselves as Associate Members of CPDW Inc

Associate Membership does not include voting rights and does not provide eligibility to hold Officer roles within the Society.

Professional Expectations and Conditions

All Associate Members are expected to:

• Act in good faith and in alignment with the Society’s purpose
• Engage respectfully with members, councils, and the wider community
• Avoid representing the Society as a regulatory, licensing, or enforcement body

Use of the Society’s name or logo by Associate Members requires prior written approval from the Committee and must comply with branding guidelines.

Trainee / Student Membership – Future Professionals

Trainee / Student Membership is designed for individuals who are actively learning, training, or preparing to enter the professional dog-walking industry within Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

This membership category supports education pathways, skill development, and professional growth, while promoting early understanding of canine welfare, public safety, and responsible practice in shared public spaces.

Who Trainee / Student Membership Is For

Trainee / Student Membership is open to individuals who:

• Are actively training, studying, or preparing to become a professional dog walker
• Intend to operate within Christchurch or the wider Canterbury region
• Agree to comply with the Society’s Constitution, Code of Conduct (CoC), and Safety & Welfare Standards

What Trainee / Student Membership Represents

Trainee / Student Members:

• Are recognised as individuals working toward professional practice
• May participate in Society education, training, and professional development opportunities
• Are supported to build knowledge, experience, and competency over time
• May transition to Full Membership once eligibility requirements are met

Trainee / Student Membership does not include voting rights and does not provide eligibility to hold Officer roles within the Society.

Professional Expectations and Conditions

Trainee / Student Members are expected to:

• Act in a welfare-first, safety-focused manner
• Follow professional guidance and learning pathways
• Continue working toward Full Member competency standards
• Follow and uphold the Society’s Code of Conduct (CoC) at all times

While the current bylaw allows any individual to walk up to four (4) dogs at one time, CPDW Inc recognises that education, experience, and behavioural understanding are critical to effective risk management and public safety.

For those learning about canine education, body language, and behaviour, the Society strongly recommends managing no more than two (2) dogs at a time during the learning phase. This supports safer handling, clearer observation, and better decision-making while professional skills are developing.

As an internal condition of Trainee / Student Membership, members must not manage more than two (2) dogs at any one time, unless participating in a formal transition pathway approved by the Committee and compliant with all legal requirements.

Use of Society Name and Logo

The Society’s name and logo must not be used in connection with any membership in a way that misrepresents the Society, implies endorsement, or is used for personal, commercial, or financial gain. Any permitted use must be expressly approved by the Committee and must comply with the Society’s branding guidelines.

Harmony Membership is a recognition-based membership for individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the professional dog-walking industry, canine welfare, public safety, or the broader objectives of Christchurch Professional Dog Walkers Incorporated.

This membership category exists to acknowledge and value those who support the industry through advocacy, education, experience, service, or leadership, even where they are not actively operating a professional dog-walking business.

Who Harmony Membership Is For

Harmony Membership may be offered to individuals who:

• Have demonstrated significant support for professional dog walking, canine welfare, or public safety
• Have contributed through advocacy, education, volunteering, industry support, or community engagement
• Align with the Society’s values and objects

Harmony Membership is by appointment and is granted at the discretion of the Committee.

What Harmony Membership Represents

Harmony Members:

• Are formally recognised for their contribution or support
• May participate in Society activities and events where appropriate
• Support the Society’s purpose through alignment and advocacy

Harmony Membership does not include voting rights and does not provide eligibility to hold Officer roles within the Society, unless the individual separately qualifies under another membership category.

Professional Expectations and Conditions

Harmony Members are expected to:

• Act in good faith and in alignment with the Society’s values
• Follow the Society’s Code of Conduct (CoC) when engaging with or representing the Society
• Engage respectfully with members, councils, and the wider community

Use of Society Name and Logo

The Society’s name and logo must not be used in connection with Harmony Membership in a way that misrepresents the Society, implies endorsement, or is used for personal, commercial, or financial gain. Any permitted use must be expressly approved by the Committee and must comply with the Society’s branding guidelines.