Enter dog sharing, a growing movement where dog owners share the responsibility of pet care with willing volunteers who are eager for some one-on-one time with a friendly pup.
Spreading the love
There are many variations on dog sharing. Sometimes it’s a matter of shared custody when two pet owners split up and can’t decide who gets to keep the pooch, like in this amusing anecdote from the New York Times, where confused subway passengers watched a harried handoff between station stops.
Other times, it’s a matter of roommates agreeing to pitch in on the work and financial obligation involved in keeping a pet happy and healthy. But these days, busy pet owners are getting in on the action, seeking out friends – or even strangers – who are willing to spend a bit of quality time with Fido.
Take Harrison, a four-year-old Labrador retriever from Toronto, who lives full time with his owner, but is shared among six other dog lovers whenever his owner is busy with work or school. Finding herself short on time to spend with her pup, Harrison’s owner first thought she might need to send the dog home to her native California. Instead, she called upon a network of friends and found six local dog lovers who were more than happy to spend some time with the Lab.
The best of both worlds?
Whether you’re a busy dog owner looking to cut down on pet care costs, or a dog lover who isn’t ready to make the leap to full-time pet ownership, dog sharing could help fill the gap. There are a few dedicated services out there, like Find a Dog Share and CityDogShare.org. Or, like Harrison’s owner, you could always try hitting up Craigslist or calling upon your friends and family.
But there are some caveats to bear in mind if you’re thinking of sharing your four-legged friend, notes the Toronto Star. Dogs need consistency, so sharing the pup – especially amongst a larger network like in Harrison’s case – can result in sending mixed signals. It’s important to make sure all the puppy guardians are on the same page regarding things like discipline, scheduling and even whether the pet is allowed on the furniture.
And since you’re dealing with volunteers, you can’t always be sure someone will be free when you need pet care, so you may still need to shell out for occasional daycare or a professional dog walker. It doesn’t hurt to make sure you have a backup in place, so that you aren’t left hanging if one of your volunteers bows out. Of course, if you recruit strangers into your dog-sharing network, it’s also important to check them out thoroughly before leaving your pooch in their care.
Provided you do your homework, dog sharing can be a great resource for the busy pet owner, and a great chance to get in a little bonding for dog lovers without their own pets. Of course, not only do humans benefit, but the dog gets more attention, playtime and walks – always a good thing!
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