Does anyone use BorrowMyDoggy?

[DIKateFleming]

We didn’t succumb and get a lockdown puppy, as we can’t look after a dog once we’re back in the office. But it would be lovely to walk a dog on the endless flipping walks. I’ve looked at BorrowMyDoggy and there are a few dogs in the area. I was wondering if anyone had signed up (and paid) as a walker or owner. Did people get in touch with you? Does anyone actually let a total stranger walk their dog? What else do i need to think about. I’ll be working at home about 2 days a week long term so ideally I’d love a dog to walk a couple of times a week.

I’ve also thought about just posting something on the village FB page to see if anyone needs a hand.

A friend of mine used to walk dogs from borrow my doggy. It was a few years ago. She wanted a dog but lacked the space and time. This seemed to be a good compromise and she had no issues that I'm aware of.

I signed up as a Walker quite a few years ago. I never met a single dog through it. Everyone in my area was looking for someone who could come in the middle of the day on the same day of the week every week. I had a full time job (which was the reason I didn’t have my own dog) so I could never commit to the lunch time walk on a Wednesday for example.

I looked into it - ended up spotting a family I knew on there so contacted them outside of BMD and they have been looking after my dog one day a week for several years now.

So it’s not quite an official BMD success story, it almost! I have a colleague with a dog who has had great success with the website and found several long-term borrowers. It’s luck of the draw I guess but I would think you’d be in with a good chance, with lots of people returning to the office in the next few months. Good luck!

There's also the Cinnamon Trust, where you help people with health issues by walking their dog.

Lots of rescue centres need dog walkers too.

I joined up about a year ago and found a dog just around the corner from my house.
I walk him every week on roughly the same day but have borrowed him many other times.
He is such an adorable dog, everyone loves him
His owners gave me a key but obviously knew exactly where I live.
Is definitely worked well for me as I can't have a dog at home but love to walk them.

I looked on there - then found that I had to pay the site to walk someone else's dog for them! A neighbour needed a walker and now I get paid to walk a dog rather than having to pay to do it! Why not put up a notice on a local notice board near you or on social media or ask around. I'm sure someone would love you to give them a break every now and then.