Whether you’re going away on holiday or just need someone to walk your dog while you’re at work, if kennels don’t tickle your dog’s sweet spot, myDogBuddy could be the perfect alternative. This new service matches you with local ‘sitters’ in your area who can do anything from walking to boarding your pooch while you’re away. Just plug in your post code and start viewing local sitters.
Just like a travel site, each sitter provides a profile and pictures of their home. Once you find one you like, simply book and pay.
We recently caught up with myDogBuddy to find out more:
When did myDogBuddy launch?
MyDogBuddy launched in July 2013 and has gone from strength to strength. It’s been great to introduce a service into the marketplace that is so well received. We know that family life is a little chaotic at times, so it’s rewarding to be able to help make it just that bit easier by providing loving homes for dogs—be it for added walks mid-week or “holiday homes” when owners are away.
What was your inspiration behind myDogBuddy?
I have always been an avid dog lover and I often had to step in to help my sister look after Luca, her six-year-oldrottweiler, as she was struggling to find a trusted and experienced sitter. Kennels were too stressful for Luca and we wanted to make sure he had minimum disruptions to his routine, that’s just the type of dog he is! I then realised there must be thousands of people in the UK with a similar problem, and so myDogBuddy was born!
How does the service work?
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive service that is incredibly easy to use, saving dog owners time and energy, whilst also providing vetted and reviewed sitters for peace of mind. Just go online and type in your post code or area and dates you need; whether it’s a regular weekly service or for longer one-off holidays, a list of all the available sitters will appear with photos of the house your dog will be staying in and details about the sitter themselves. We also have a team on hand, so if you can’t find what you are looking for, or you are just too busy to do it yourself, we are here to help.
How flexible is the service?
We provide a huge range of services, from overnight boarding, to doggy daycare and walking. It’s also a great way to build up a rapport between owner and sitter, so the price and all the important “doggy details” can be discussed. We aim to make it as flexible and accommodating as possible with all the information you need.
What areas do you cover?
We have sitters all over the UK and we are continually growing to provide an even more extensive range and variety to cater to all your doggy needs!
How do you vet the sitters?
We have a very thorough vetting procedure, in line with the most rigorous in the industry. We personally interview each and every dog sitter to make sure everyone on the site is a true dog lover and is able to undertake the task at hand. This also includes thorough background checks as well as home visits.
We strive to provide as much information as possible so that you can make an informed decision about where your dog stays. With holidays to book and kids to look after, ease is key.
You offer insurance—is it mandatory for sitters? What does it cover?
In order to ensure ultimate peace of mind for our dog owners, sitters and dogs, we provide complimentary insurance covering both sitters and dogs for all services booked through myDogBuddy.co.uk and our support line. Additionally, our sitters have access to over 100 Medivet vet clinics across the country in the case of any emergencies and we are also on hand to make sure your dog gets the best possible care and you can get the most out of your holiday.
Who is your main competition?
There are plenty of dogs to go round, so we don’t see the need to get competitive. Because we have a whole host of people signing up to the site, we’re lucky that we have a range of personalities and skills to successfully match each dog.
What’s next for myDogBuddy?
Our app will be launching very soon! The service will enable you to keep up-to-date on your dog’s care—when they went for their walk, when they were last fed and how happy they are in their new home. You’ll even be able to send and receive photographic updates. It makes for a much more interactive and personalised experience.
To find out more and to book, go to myDogBuddy.
photo credit: Alyssa Behrndt
