Bay Area Pet Owners Get New Alternative To Kennels With AirBnB-Like Service
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- Vacationing pet owners in the Bay Area now have a new alternative to parking their pooch at a kennel with what some are calling an AirBnB for pets.
DogVacay, helps arrange pet stays at private homes for between $25- $30 a night.
Mathilde Karsenti recently opened her home to Jackson, a beagle, while his owner went out of town. A treat for Jackson, and Mathilde.
"It's like having a new addition to our family every few days," the experienced host told Consumerwatch.
DogVacay founder Aaron Hirschorn says hosts undergo an extensive vetting process that includes training, reference checks and community reviews.
All stays are insured by the company, including any vet bills that may come up.
But the biggest selling point for most pet owners is knowing their dog is a home-like environment. "It was a good fit because it's in someone's home," Jackson's pet parent, Tiffany, explained.
About one-third of the hosts are professional pet care providers. The rest are casual dog lovers. DogVacay's founder says the company has arranged half a million pet overnights in the past 15 months.