Borrow My Doggy is an app for dog lovers to look after dogs in your area, whether it be borrowing a dog for walks or keeping them company while their owners are away on holiday.

There is a free version of the app where you can browse the dogs in your area but purchasing a borrower’s membership (£12.99 per year) or owners’ membership (£44.99 per year) gives both safety and insurance so that you can focus on the dogs and everything else is covered. Premium members go through security checks, insurance is covered in case anything happens, and a 24/7 vet line is available to offer any support. The premium membership also shows that the people on the app are trusted locals and not a scam, but it is always best to stay vigilant on any online app when it involves meeting other people. You must be 18 or over to have an account.

*Source: Ellie Cooper, Marcie taking a break from her job at the DRAW Art store*

How it works:

Once you’ve gotten through creating your profile and adding a bit about yourself as a borrower, you can then browse the app for dogs near you. Some owners have different needs for their dogs which are stated in their dogs’ profiles, such as: how they are around other dogs, whether they are good off the lead or not, and their availability which is usually very flexible.

After getting in touch with the owner, you can plan a meet-up. Sometimes for safety reasons, the owner will come with you on their first walk to get to know you and give any extra information you’ll need to know when taking their dog out; after all, an owner knows their dog better than anyone.

*Source: Ellie Cooper, Bonnie out for a walk*

Some might wonder, if an owner gets their dog walked daily, what does the borrower get out of it? As someone who has moved down from the Highlands and grown up around a variety of pets, there are times when something has felt missing. To get a sense of home without having the responsibility of owning a pet, Borrow My Doggy has been the best thing. It gets you out of the house, getting a good amount of regular exercise, talking with new people all the time and getting to know many lovely dogs who each have their characteristics. It is worth it if you’re barking mad for dogs.

Borrow my Doggy: Paws-ibly the best app out there