This has happened to all of us at some point. You are out walking with your ARISTODOG and, at some point, you decide or need to enter an establishment where, unfortunately, dogs are not welcome.
It is clear that, as ARISTOPARENTS, we avoid these kinds of situations at all costs. We tend to choose businesses that are pet-friendly, whether we want to have a beer, buy a gift, or even do the weekly grocery shopping. There are more and more pet-friendly places every day. But the fact is that there are still many that are not... and sooner or later, we have to use them. It is inevitable.
And what happens in those cases? We find ourselves in the unpleasant position of having to leave our best friend out on the street. It is true that we keep a close eye on them, but it is a situation no one likes... Especially when we have to leave them on a very busy or excessively narrow street. It is neither pleasant nor safe.
This is how Dog Parker came about, a network of smart, short-term rental dog houses, where New Yorkers can now leave their dogs for as long as they need while running errands or entering establishments that do not allow dogs.
Dog Parker arose from a need—one that was experienced firsthand by Chelsea Brownridge, the company's co-founder, together with her dog Winston, a rescued terrier with whom she shares her life in Brooklyn. As she explains, tired of being unable to enjoy her dog's company, worried about the condition in which she was forced to leave him out on the street and anxious that someone might steal him or that he might get lost or frightened, Chelsea had an idea.
What if she created dog houses based on the sharing economy model? In other words, short-term rental dog houses where New York owners can temporarily leave their dogs while running errands or entering establishments that do not allow dogs. And so she did!
Enjoying the convenience of this temporary accommodation is very simple, since the system works through an app (also called Dog Parker). With it, users can locate the dog houses closest to their current area and reserve one fifteen minutes in advance. The dog house is also opened using the app itself (as is the case with the electric car and scooter networks that are beginning to proliferate in major cities). It also allows users to monitor the internal temperature of the dog house and keep an eye on their dog in real time via a webcam installed inside the dog house.
The cost of staying in this temporary dog house is 20 cents per minute. So, with 1 dollar, you get 5 minutes. An intentionally high price... Because the purpose of the service is simply to provide a temporary solution for owners in a difficult situation. But under no circumstances is it an alternative to the daily, responsible care that ARISTODOGS deserve.
Little by little, the network of smart rental dog houses is expanding across New York, thanks to the local authorities' positive attitude and the agreements the company is reaching with establishments and businesses that, although they do not or cannot allow dogs, show greater concern for their ARISTOPARENT customers.
It is highly significant that this idea has taken shape in a city where thousands of vehicles and millions of pedestrians travel every day. A city where, a few months ago, an exclusive airport terminal for pets was inaugurated in response to the enormous traffic at the airport (more than 70,000 pets per year). Let's take a cue from them!