Much like Uber and Lyft offer on-demand car rides, there are apps that connect dog-owners with dog-walkers. But one consumers’ group isn’t convinced they鈥檙e a good idea.
“Are they checking references? Yeah. But, it鈥檚 not as if these services insist that they’re hiring experienced dog walkers; that鈥檚 not happening,鈥� said Kevin Brasler, executive editor at . 鈥淭hey say they carefully screen their workers, but we鈥檙e not sure it鈥檚 true.鈥�
A Checkbook investigative secret shopper applying to work for the apps did offer references that were called, but there was no evidence of further due diligence.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not as if they鈥檝e made sure these workers have a lot of experience walking pets,鈥� Brasler said.
Companies such as Wag!, Rover, PetBacker and others typically charge about $20 an hour. Customers register online, provide a credit card number and might, for example, be given a keypad lock box for their door so the walker can access keys to get inside the home.
Brasler believes it鈥檚 important to have a relationship with your pet鈥檚 supplemental caregiver, but said you never know who the app might send without you first meeting or speaking to them.
鈥淵ou sign on with one of these apps, they supply the workers and you don鈥檛 get any say in who鈥檚 gaining access to your home or walking your pets,鈥� Brasler said.
Instead, Checkbook recommends exploring offers from friends and neighbors, or commercial services.
Washington Consumers鈥� Checkbook ranked more than 250 D.C.-area dog walkers. Through a special arrangement, 草莓传媒 readers can .
Consumers鈥� Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974. It has been an innovator in providing information to help consumers make smarter choices for more than 40 years.
