​FOI Reference: FOI/2022/3470

You asked

Can you please provide me with the latest information you hold on the number of people in the UK who identify as being employed (an employee or self-employed) in the following occupations:

(a) Dog walking services

(b) Dog grooming services

If you do not hold information for these specific occupations, can you please provide me with the latest information you hold on the number of people in the UK who are employed within a category of occupation that you might reasonably expect to capture dog walkers and dog groomers.

Can you please provide me with a breakdown of the numbers for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?

We said

Thank you for your request.

The number of people employed in different occupations are estimated using the Annual Population Survey (APS), a survey based on interviews with members of private households in the UK.

Occupations on APS are classified in line with the UK Standard Occupational Classification 2010 (SOC2010).  Under this classification both dog walkers and dog groomers would be classified within occupation group 6139 - Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified. In addition to dog walkers and groomers, this classification would include a variety of animal care functions, including animal services in zoos and stables.

Estimates of the numbers of people employed in each occupation group are available from our Nomis website. Please see the following report on Employment by occupation by sex which gives the latest and historic breakdowns by occupation group and the constituent regions and countries of the UK. By clicking the drop down box titled "Choose an area" you will be able to select each and every of the four Countries you've requested.

In the twelve-month period July 2020 to June 2021, the latest period available, in the UK there were 79,200 people employed in occupation group 6139 - Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified.