Dog Vaycay is an app which allows dog owners to find other dog owners and certified pet sitters to board their dogs while they are away on vacation. This prevents dog owners from having to cage their dog in a kennel, which is often distressing to the owner and the dog alike. It also prevents dog owners from having to burden relatives with dog sitting duties, which is often distressing for the relatives. Owners can book dog lover homes just as if they were booking a hotel room for their dogs after choosing from a list of available options. Dog Vaycay mediates the exchange of money between the two parties to ensure that both parties are happy with the transaction. Sitters are rated, and can earn several awards as they prove themselves to be trustworthy.
Dog Vaycay was born in March of 2012. It was founded by a husband and wife team, Aaron Hirschhorn and Karine Nissin Hirshhorn, a husband and wife team. It has been featured on MSNBC, The Los Angeles Times, TechCrunch, The New York Times, CNN, Mashable, ABC, Forbes, FOX, and The Wall Street Journal.
There do not seem to currently be other pet apps that exactly duplicate what Dog Vaycay does. There are certainly other pet apps on the market, but none of them serve this precise function. Go Pet Friendly is somewhat similar in that it helps travelers take their pets with them, giving them the opportunity to find pet friendly hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and more.
The web app is easy to use and is attractive to look at. The site promotes a quirky, fun atmosphere, but still offers the sensation of dealing with a legitimate, trustworthy business that is taking every step necessary to ensure that the dogs that run through the service enjoy the best possible care.
Users may either enter a username and password or log in with Facebook. Adding a mobile phone number is optional. Users will then need to choose between a dog owner account and a dog sitter account. Users who choose the dog owner account are then asked for other optional information: they are encouraged to upload a photo, upload a dog photo, include their address information and include some basic information about their dogs. Users who just want to skip straight to browsing providers before committing to use the site may do so. Owners may also “Become a Host,” with a blue button located at the top of their account page. Host users must offer much more information: the mobile phone is mandatory, and users are immediately asked if pet sitting is their primary source of income.
The app itself is free to use. There is no charge to sign up, to become a host, to browse providers, or to contact them. Users must provide a credit card to make a reservation with a host, however, and the dog sitting services themselves do cost money. The credit card is charged only after the host accepts the reservation, and hosts set their own rates.
This app is fantastic for any dog owner who loves their dog but who wants to travel. It offers peace of mind and freedom for owners and safety for pets.