A fast-growing online service aimed at bringing pet-minding into the digital age has made its way to Christchurch.
Pawshake.co.nz, which started in Belgium, has gained more than 100 pet lovers since launching nationwide six days ago.
The website allows pet owners with verified local addresses to find local minders, walkers and house sitters who are “the right fit” for their pet.
Pawshake co-founder Tanguy Peers said the site was active in over 14 countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and Singapore.
Pam Howard, manager for the dog rescue charity Dog Watch, said the online service would allow pets to avoid the stress of leaving home to be cared for elsewhere.
It could attract pet lovers who were willing to provide a reliable service to others in the community, she said.
“Owners might find more of a one-on-one service for their pet by using Pawshake.’’
Registered users can choose what services they wish to offer and at what cost. Services include pet sitting, pet boarding, house sitting and other walking and grooming services.
Pawshake sitters are encouraged to send through daily photos, and are rated through their online profile based on the quality of their service.
Christchurch users were charging an average of $15 a visit for pet sitting, and $20 a night for pet boarding. The average cost of kennels listed in the yellow pages range from $20-35 per day.
Pawshakes was founded in 2013 by two former eBay alumni, Dries Coucke and Tanguy Peers, who needed to find a new home for a beloved family Labrador.
_Olivia Bascand
