A simple Google search for pet ownership brings back thousands of results. Owning a pet is a privilege that should be beneficial not only for the humans, but for the pets as well. Responsible pet ownership requires an investment of time, money, and a lifelong commitment to care for the pet. Therefore, selecting a pet that is best suited to your home and lifestyle is a family decision.
Families must ensure that they can provide an appropriate and safe environment for the pet. In addition, pets must be correctly identified with tags or microchip as well as adhering to local ordinances regarding licensing and leash requirements. Preventative care such as vaccinations, parasite control and regular visits to a veterinarian are all part of responsible pet ownership.
According to a Gallop News poll, six in 10 Americans own some type of pet. Forty-four percent of Americans own a dog and 29 percent own a cat. Whether you are a cat or a dog person, our pets are part of the family. Most pet owners are willing to sacrifice or cut back on expenditures to pay for emergency expenses for their pets. Some are willing to give up anything to ensure their pets are taken care of.
The American Pet Products Association estimates we spend $1,641 per year to take care of a dog and $1,125 to take care of a cat. With toys, food, over the counter medicine, grooming and boarding, I found these figures to be on the low end considering the amount of money I personally spend on my furry friend on a strict budget.
Our pets are part of the family. We are increasingly humanizing our pets and treating them as members of the family. We allow them to occupy any space in our home, including often, our bed. We buy them presents on their birthday, feed them top-shelf products, and even baby them as any other child in the home.
Therefore, it is no secret that we love our pets, and in an industry where expenditures totaled over $66 billion last year, companies have taken notice. Wag (stylized as Wag!, so you know it’s something to get excited about) is one of those companies looking to jump in on the continuous growth of the pet care industry. The company launched its walking services in Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2015, and has since expanded into other major cities including New York, Miami, and Atlanta, to name a few.
With adequate exercise being a crucial part of a dogs’ overall health, Wag makes booking a dog walker on-demand, or at your convenience very easy. The company’s mobile app helps connect pet owners and dog walkers. Wag thoroughly vet and test all their walkers on dog-handling experience to ensure customers get top quality people they can trust, who they feel comfortable with walking their dog.
Walkers must pass a background check and all walks, boardings, and sittings are insured and bonded. Customer service around the clock offer additional peace of mind. Their dog walkers are animal lovers within the community who possess dog handling experience and are dedicated to the well-being and safety of all pets in their care.
What sets Wag apart from other dog walking services is that they don’t walk your dog with other dogs. Instead, they are a more personal service dedicated to one dog at a time. Dog owners get live GPS tracking, pee/poo notifications, and photo report cards. The company also offers free lock boxes for when the customer is not home but still wants to allow the walker to safely gain access to their home.
Customers can book a dog walker ASAP, which means walkers arrive in as little as 15 minutes, or they can schedule a walk whenever its convenient for them. Walks are available from as early as 6am and as late as 11pm every day. The company accommodates dogs with special needs and customer can request the same person each day if they set up a recurring schedule.
Payments and optional tips are handled securely via the app. After the walk, customers receive the report card with the write up, photo and any additional information. They can then rate the walker on the app which will then appear on the walkers’ profile.
Owning a dog is a huge commitment but so rewarding. There are so many benefits to owning a dog. They help us relief stress, feel safe, they teach us responsibilities and so much more. We owe them the same. Keeping their minds and bodies healthy is one of the best things we can do for them and a walk does just that. Wag is making dog ownership easier for everyone!
wagwalking.com
