If you’re a parent, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the idea of a baby-sitting co-op, where parents babysit for one another in exchange for being babysat for. Would the same thing work for pets?
Chris Y. wants to find out, and is looking to start a pet-sitting co-op. She writes:
With much holiday and spring travel coming up, and with a desire not to take advantage (too often) of kind friends and neighbors, I am wondering if there are any dog owners out there who would be willing to discuss forming a dog-sitting co-op. I can imagine that it would be very similar to a baby-sitting co-op.
I have two dogs. One is a 10-year-old lab, and the other is a 2-year-old mini-dachshund. They are both very loving and nice dogs (great with kids), although they are not always perfectly behaved.
Shoot me an email if you have any interest in discussing this idea. Given enough responses, I will determine what the next step will be.
Drop her a line at [email protected] if you’re interested.
I don’t know much about dogs, but I’d definitely be interested in a cat-sitting co-op. We have three older cats that require somewhat complicated twice-daily visits when we’re out of town (which isn’t often, fortunately), and cat sitters are so expensive! I volunteered at a cat rescue group shelter for a few years before moving to Seattle last year; I love taking care of them.
I currently do this with two other friends. Sure the backyard isn’t in that good of shape anymore, but it cuts down on pet-sitting costs, the dogs get plenty of play time, and I know that if I go out of town I have a local contact who can watch my dog for me.
It is certainly a great idea. I’d offer to help, but I don’t think the yard can handle any more dogs.
I’d love to do it, but I don’t think my older dog is ready to be nice to visiting friends. The pup would probably welcome anyone with open arms, though. Tiny, corgi arms.
I’d love to start something like this in my area, but I have four dogs, three are large and one small. I have a fenced 2 acre back yard so it can hold a few more, but we always keep our pets in at night…no kenneling. Currently we get friends to come over and spend most of the days and all of the nights with them.
We live just north of the Woodlands Texas and we now find it very limiting when we want to vacation together.