Dogs' day out for Pets and owners

A NEW online service has taken the stress out of finding last-minute accommodation for pets.

Norman Park resident Deb Morrison created website Pet Cloud after her own frustrating experiences sourcing pet sitting services at the drop of a hat.

The website links owners with trusted pet sitters in surrounding suburbs, who care for their animals as if they are their own.

Ms Morrison created the website to fill the growing need in the pet boarding market for affordable and nearby pet accommodation.

“Basically I had the problem myself a couple of years ago. I was flying interstate urgently and put my pets in a kennel and they came back shaken up,” she said.

Ms Morrison said since the website went live earlier this year, its Facebook page received more than 5500 likes ranging from pet sitters to desperate pet owners.

“We have received a lot of interest from busy professionals and people that want to boost their income a little bit,” she said.

“Sitters can take two or three dogs a night and the interesting thing is, if they do grooming and extra walks they can earn extra money.”

She said the website’s rating system allowed pet owners to choose the right sitter for them.

Pet lover Amy Shaw was one of the first to sign up as a sitter after it launched in April.

Ms Shaw is one of many sitters offering her services through the website.

She said she could not commit to owning an animal full time because of work and travel ambitions but she loved the companionship of animals and had some spare time during the week. 

Published online on the South East Advertiser: http://quest.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=6UGHTUEXJZ65&linkid=615331d8-17a2-487c-98ff-b67849ac278d&pdaffid=UkbslQaESlx6RAGbiGNV1g%3d%3d