Written by Milo Pope
07:03 March 18, 2024, Updated 07:03 March 18, 2024
As veterinary costs continue to rise, more young people in the UK are turning to apps to 'borrow' someone's dog. It has been revealed that one service has over 1 million users.
Following reports of pet owners receiving thousands of pounds in bills for vet surgeries, many dog lovers are faced with the harsh reality that owning a furry friend is simply not practical at the moment. ing.
To address this issue, apps like BorrowMyDoggy are paving the way for animal lovers to make ends meet by renting a dog for a limited time.
By registering in the community, you can first meet and greet the owners and then choose a nearby dog to walk with, play with, or stay overnight.
Rikke Rosenlund, who founded BorrowMyDoggy in 2013, revealed that the majority of pet owners “underestimate the very high cost of pets”.
“Not only do I have to deal with food and groomer care, but I also have to deal with the time spent caring for the dog,” she told MailOnline.
“We encourage dog owners to understand the costs of obtaining insurance. We offer the opportunity to enjoy owning a dog without the full-time commitment.
“After coming up with the idea in 2012 and soft-launching in 2013, we already had 85 members in three days. We now have over 1 million members across England and Ireland.”
Domi Klopek, who uses the service, said she “doesn't have time or money for my dog” because she's attending college and traveling.
“I know some people get dogs to see if owning a dog will work for them, but owning a dog involves a lot of responsibility and money, and people don't want to buy a dog. I think you only understand what care is like when you actually see it.'
Letty, from Lancashire, said she had been 'borrowing' her dog Molly for almost two years as she could not yet afford her own dog.
She told BorrowMyDogs: “For me, dogs are angels on earth. Having only recently moved to the UK, I wasn't in a position to have my own dog again…but it leaves a void in my life.
“Then someone suggested BorrowMyDoggy. It completely changed my life and it's a win-win-win for the dog, the owner and the renter!”
Joanne, from Kent, similarly said she was using the service because owning a dog was “not practical”.
“I love dogs, but it's not realistic to have my own dog yet,” she said.
“BorrowMyDoggy gives you the ability to play and play with your dog without worrying about a long-term commitment yet.
“It changed my life for the better and had a huge impact on my mental health.”
A spokesperson for charity Dogs Trust also added that dog sharing is becoming increasingly popular as a “cost-effective” way to benefit from the joy dogs bring.
“As the cost of caring for a dog continues to rise, sharing a dog with others and family members seems like a cost-effective way to enjoy the joy that dogs bring to our lives. It may seem like.
But it's not as simple as splitting the week down the middle. Dogs benefit from routine, so it's important to feed them at the same time each day, exercise them, and know where their bedding is. ”
In regards to the current veterinary cost crisis, one pet owner last week revealed how she handles her care. Cat She died because she “couldn't even afford” the estimated £3,000 bill for tests and treatment.
Another man said he was awarded more than £5,000 in compensation after his dog injured his leg while on holiday in France.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that pet owners may be paying too much to vets for their animals' medicines, prescriptions and care.
The CMA's investigation found that consumers may not be provided with enough information, including price lists, to choose the best practices and treatments for their pets.
Dominic Bonini, from Newmarket, Suffolk, said he had to pay £6,000 upfront for treatment for his four-year-old dog Shamboo.
This Shiba Inu was diagnosed with a dislocated patella, which can lead to arthritis.
Treatment for the disease cost £3,786 at a specialist referral veterinary hospital and included surgery.
After the surgery, Shambhu broke a tooth, which cost £1,900 to have removed.
“It's an outrageous amount of money,” Bonini said. I also have insurance, so I'm glad I did. I think we are lucky enough to be able to afford it, but not everyone is in the same situation. ”
Animal charities have also revealed that the number of people relying on pet food banks is increasing, with around 70% of pet owners worried about the cost of caring for their animals, new RSPCA research has revealed. This is suggested by research.
