Feeling guilty about not having enough time to take her dog, Duke, on his daily walks, Aussie mum Jessica Thomas created DOGSHARE – a unique web platform that connects like-minded dog owners with one another for the benefit and care of both pets. For example, imagine having someone who is familiar with your pet looking after him or her while you’re on vacation.
“Many people are reluctant to go on holidays, simply because they can’t take their dogs with them and they don’t feel comfortable leaving them in kennels or burdening friends and family with puppy sitting requests,” said Jessica Thomas. “I developed Dogshare so people could rest easy knowing that their dog was in loving, capable hands while they enjoyed a holiday.”
While DOGSHARE is popular with dog owners who are looking for someone to look after their pooch while they’re on vacation, the free matching service can also help you find someone to swap a wide range of dog minding services, including: backyard-sharing, doggy daycare and reciprocal-dog-walking.
Jessica believes the DOGSHARE website also encourages positive interaction between neighbours, helping people to establish closer ties to the community.
Setting up a profile requires completing an online form and uploading an image of your dog with its size, age and temperament. New members can then search other member profiles to find the perfect match for their precious pooch. Through the website, members can contact each other directly and organise to meet up to ensure that both canines and their owners are a good match.
“It has been such a weight off our shoulders to know we can take a family holiday and be assured that Duke is in safe and loving hands while we’re away,” said Jessica. “And that’s precisely why I developed the site, because I know this is a hardship every loving dog owner faces when they decide to go on vacation.”
For more information or to join the community of Dogshare members visit the website www.dogshare.com.au
You can also find Dogshare on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram.