Robbie and Jennie Rivera are searching for doggy-mates on a social networking site dedicated to man’s best friend.
By Lia Bichel
LONELY canines in Casey can find doggy-mates with a free social networking site dedicated to man’s best friend.
Similar to the popular socialnetworking site Facebook,dogtree.com.au allows dog-owners to post their pooches’ profiles on the internet, detailing their breed, age, and vaccinations.
Owners can use the website as a platform to arrange play dates, a nightly walk or dogsitting with other owners who live nearby.
Endeavour Hills resident Jennie Rivera signed up her five-year-old Golden Labrador Robbie three months ago in an attempt to find him a playmate.
“I work full time in the city, and feel guilty when I have to leave him at home,” she said.
“When I am done work I am so tired, and he’s full of energy.”
Ms Rivera said she was lookingfor a like-minded dog-lover toshare walking and dogsitting duties. Since signing up Robbie on the matchmaking site, Ms Rivera has metwith many like-minded dog-lovers wishing to share walking and dog-sitting duties.
“I emailed a few owners and then met up in dog-parks around the city, but I want to find more dogs closer to home,” she said. “I think it’s a really good forum to initiate contact with other owners.”
The website has attracted morethan 1100 members from acrossAustralia since Kensington resident Britt Smith launched it inFebruary.
“There are about 15 to 20 new members every day,” Ms Smith said. “It’s really taken off.”
Ms Smith realised the need for a social network site for dogs aftershe placed an ad in a local paper looking for a playmate for her Tibetan terrier Bear.
She received 20 phone calls from dog-owners who shared the same interest.
“People told me they were in the same situation as me- they worked long hours, felt guilty leaving their dogs alone, couldn’t afford a second dog, and doggy-daycare was too expensive,” she said.
“So I knew there was a need forthe service. What I didn’t expect to happen was the socialising betweenpeople. People have been forging friendships with other dog-ownersin their neighbourhood, so the website benefits both dogs and theirowners.”
Ms Smith said she encouraged dog owners who were strapped for play-time to sign up on the website and find their pet a companion.
“It’s a solution to a common problem. The website is free, and I am not making any money out of it,” she said. “I started it because I love dogs, and I hope lonely dogs continue to benefit from it.”
