In a fast-paced world, owning a pet can sometimes take more time than you have – especially a high-maintenance pet, like an energetic puppy. But a new dog-walking service called Wag! seeks to remove the stresses of dog ownership while leaving the friendship and fun.
Wag!, an app-based startup, operates under the same business model as ride-hailing services like Uber. Users can download the app, and then call for a dog walker with the touch of a button. The walkers, meanwhile, can see all the user requests in their area, and have the option to pick and choose which ones they want to respond to. Similar to Uber, the walkers are independent contractors rather than full-time employees. Many prefer this, as it gives them the freedom to choose when and where they do their work. One walker, a student, liked that she had the option to decide how far she drove. “If you’re familiar with an area, you can choose based on that,” she said, “so I really appreciate that aspect of it.”
Wag! takes advantage of its technology-based platform. Thanks to GPS mapping, users are able to see the exact route their dog walked, and even to pinpoint where their dog relieved itself. Though these features might seem strange or unnecessary, they make an otherwise blind experience feel more personal. As one user described it, “It makes me feel like I’m aware of what’s going on.”
What also helps is the level of control users have over who’s doing the walking. Though Wag! screens all walkers to ensure they’re friendly and good with animals, many users prefer the more personal experience of meeting the walker beforehand, to make sure the dog is comfortable. Users can also arrange it so that the same person walks their dog every day, giving the dog and the walker a chance to get to know one another. Though the business started small, it’s growing rapidly as news of its success spreads via social media and word-of-mouth. Everyone who’s tried it seems to love its ease-of-use and the personal touch it adds to a rather impersonal experience. “I’ve only heard good things about it,” said one dog-walker. “It just needs to take off.”
Wag! is available in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York City and Austin, Texas. For more information, visit wagwalking.com