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Pet Sitting Co-op Saves Hundreds
With the rising costs of kennels and pet sitters and a Weimaraner with separation anxiety and two other dogs Scott and Marcy Anderson started looking for alternatives. They were spending hundreds of dollars a month just to have their dog’s let out during the day, and going on vacation? Forget it, who can afford that? The Andersons found another couple in their hometown of Stratford in the same situation and were able to exchange pet sitting services.
From there Scott started a Yahoo group, currently with nearly 200 members, the group is growing quickly showing. The need for reliable, inexpensive pet services.
Scott modeled the pet sitting co-op after the more common babysitting co-ops. Pet sitting services are exchanged between members, all volunteers.
There is no fee to join the group and no exchange of money between members. The site links members across the state with other pet owners also in need of pet services. You feed and walk my dog and I’ll feed your cat and change the litter box.
"That’s important to us," said Scott. "We don’t allow anybody to charge anything, because then that tells me the person isn’t in it for the money. They’re in it for the pet."
The group is web based, pet owners simply log on to www.NoKennels.com and register with the site. They introduce themselves and their pets and explain their sitting needs. Members able to help respond with their own situation and matches are made. Members are encouraged to get together to meet and meet each other’s pets.
The group has been up for almost a year and a half and is working out wonderfully. "There was clearly a need for it," says Scott who still exchanges services regularly with the other Stratford couple.
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