Love Dogs But Not the Expense of Ownership? Pet Sharing May be the Answer

Pet ownership has its ups and downs. On the one hand you get companionship, unconditional love and lower blood pressure. On the other, you have vet bills, grooming costs and pet food to buy. The good outweighs the bad for most animal lovers. But what if pet ownership is out of the question for you for one reason or another?

If you love dogs but not the expense of ownership, pet sharing may be the answer. Here's how it works.

Why Dog Share?

Dog share groups have been growing in popularity over the last few years. People who own dogs feel badly about leaving them alone in the house all day while they're at work. But it can cost $33 a day or more to have professionals look after your dog when you can't, so people seek out others who can look after their pets on a part-time basis.

Some owners put ads on social networks like Kijiji to find people who would love to share quality time with a dog. Others find dog share partners through neighbours and word-of-mouth.

Rules of Dog Sharing

On the surface, this may seem a perfect arrangement for both you and the dog but there are a few things that need to be understood before entering into such an arrangement:

• The principal owner continues to pay all expenses relating to the dog.
• A dog share group can be as few as two people or as large as six or more.
• The owner would be responsible for coordinating who gets the dog and when, depending on when each member of the group is available.
• An owner should make sure that those who volunteer to share looking after their dog are on the same page as them regarding, discipline, training and such.

Naturally, pet owners don't want just anybody taking care of their "baby." One dog owner says she assesses each potential member as she would someone on a first date before she invites them into the dog share group. For example, are they well-groomed? That means they can take care of themselves so they can take care of a dog.

Take the Initiative

If you would love to be a part-time dog owner but don't know where to start, it could be as simple as asking a neighbour if they would like some free help looking after their pet while they're away at work. You never know unless you ask.








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Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and Dollar Store Diva. She writes tips and ideas for finding and using the best the dollar store has to offer.