Borrow my doggy

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Permalink Reply by snoot on October 9, 2014 at 10:09

I paid £1000 for my boxer, he got sick and his insurance covered him for 4k and we had to pay a further 7k (nearly remortgaged the house) but to answer your question I have not used it and never would as if you love your pet as much as we do why would you give him to a total stranger (How well are these sign ups vetted)? I'd check your insurance too, what if something happened to him/her? Would you be covered if you let a total stranger take him out or over to their place? But that's just me, over cautious because what he went through but still if he was healthy all his life then I'd still feel reluctant about signing up to a website that allows people to take him for an hour or a day. 

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on October 9, 2014 at 17:29

I signed up as a walker last year and paid the fee, which was £14 at the time. I started off the vetting process but never got round to completing it as they wanted rather a lot of verification. I think this is only right, I just had other more pressing things I needed to pay attention to at the time. As regards insurance, I would think that Borrow My Doggy would have their own insurance - no? They are probably able to supply this info if you ask them. My understanding is that the walker wouldn't be ragarded as a "total stranger" for insurance purposes as Borrow My Doggy is an agency in this respect, so much like if you employ a nanny or a plumber, driver, secretary etc through an agency.

If anyone does need a dog sitter/walker I am available most Sundays. I also do catsitting local to Pemberton Rd.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on October 9, 2014 at 18:55

Can I give a plug to the rather wonderful Cinnamon Trust (a friend of mine is a volunteer with them). They help older people and people with terminal illnesses look after their pets so they can enjoy their companionship when they are too unwell or frail to do so themselves.
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk

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Permalink Reply by tulips on October 9, 2014 at 21:46

I agree Michael, it's a great charity - I'm a volunteer too. I encourage anyone who likes walking dogs or helping an elderly person with their animals to become a volunteer. You can be as selective as you want on what you are able to do so it needn't be a big time commitment - they just need a nationwide network of volunteers so that if an elderly person needs help with a pet, there is a pool of local people who might be available.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Spicer on October 10, 2014 at 18:49

My husband and I signed up to Borrow My Doggy this summer and have met a gorgeous dog and her owner. We have walked her three times so far and it works really well.  I love the idea of the Cinnamon Trust though, will definitely check it out as we like to feel we are helping the owner by walking their dog, not just for our own benefit.

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Permalink Reply by rosyrose on October 11, 2014 at 15:59

I signed up as a walker in the summer. There seems to be an oversupply though - I was told there were 2000 registered walkers within 3 miles of Stroud Green and only 600 dogs! My experience supports that - I've tried to connect to a number of owners but only heard from one. The rest simply don't respond, so they've probably got more than enough volunteers. I met up with the one owner and we walked her dog together before I took him you on my own. I'm pretty sure we were insured through BMD, but the website will tell you.

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Permalink Reply by Morena Fiore on October 15, 2014 at 18:59

Hi. I'm a dog lender on borrow my doggy (although I actually go on walks together with the borrower) It's fun and I have found somebody local to come and play with my dog and met a new friend :) I would still want to meet the person and their dog properly and a few times before borrowing or lending the dog :) 

Also the dog lender pays a bit more which covers the insurance too.

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Permalink Reply by Philip on October 15, 2014 at 19:57

thanks Morena. I have now met a lovely couple, very local, and am taking one of their giddy, charming dogs out for a spin on Monday

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Permalink Reply by Morena Fiore on October 19, 2014 at 10:03

Great! Enjoy it

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Permalink Reply by Jacqui O'Beirne on October 16, 2014 at 11:10

I work at Dogs Trust and we work with Borrow My Doggy a lot.

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