Uber-Style Dog Walkers vs. Local Pet Care Companies: Find the Perfect Fit

Dog walks are usually the first thing to go when pet parents get busy. Between work, errands, social commitments, etc., fitting in a daily dog walk can feel impossible, even when working from home. That’s where dog walking services come in. Yet, pet parents struggle with the existing options – Uber-style dog walkers vs. local pet care companies. Choosing the right one for you and your pup can be “ruff.” Today, we’re sniffing out the key differences to help you find the perfect dog walker for your family.

Uber-Style Dog Walkers vs. Local Pet Care Companies: Convenience

Convenience: Uber-Style Dog Walkers

When you choose an app-based Uber-style dog walker, you’re choosing a technology company that collaborates with independent contractors to provide a service. These apps are designed for ultimate ease. With only a few taps on your smartphone, you can register and book a dog walker within minutes; ideal for sporadic and last-minute needs.

Similar to ordering lunch from Door Dash or groceries on Instacart, however, worker availability is determined by the workers themselves. For this reason, your dog may be left holding his bladder until someone becomes available or taps in to take on visits later in the day. While onboarding is quick and convenient, it’s hard to say what comes next.

Convenience: Local Pet Care Companies

With a local pet care company like Floofins & Co., you establish an ongoing relationship. For this reason, onboarding takes a bit longer.

At Floofins & Co., we require a meeting prior to a new clients‘ first visit. During this meeting, prospective clients have the opportunity to meet with one of our administrative staff and their primary pet care provider. Prior to the meeting, we set new clients up in our Client Care Portal. Here, clients can manage both their home and pet care instructions. At the meeting, we get to know your family and review pet and home instructions. New Client Meetings are free of charge for new clients (a $25 fee will be attached to any meetings requested with less than 24-hours notice) and there is no obligation to book future visits.

A local pet care company like ours takes time to get to know each of our clients and the pets in our care. While uber-style dog walkers prioritize transactions, we prioritize long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Uber-Style Dog Walkers vs. Local Pet Care Companies: Connection

Connection: Uber-Style Dog Walkers

The walkers you engage via uber-style dog walking apps are independent contractors. They work when they choose to. For this reason, your pet may get a different person each time you request services. With this structure, it can be difficult to establish a connection with the pet care provider. You don’t know them, and they don’t know you. All scheduling and updates are handled via the app and there are usually hurdles to jump through when you need to speak to a person.

Connection: Local Pet Care Companies

At Floofins and Co., we prioritize personal connection. When you work with us, you work with a trained team of pet care professionals that are all held to the highest of standards. Because we hire employees, as opposed to independent contractors, we are able to leverage training and education to prepare our pet care providers for any challenge they may face while on the job. In addition to being trained per our Floofin University program, our employees are trained in pet first aid and CPR every two years.

In addition, at Floofins & Co. you have access to an administrative team that is happy to help with any questions or concerns that may arise before, during, or after services. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your pet care provider is unparalleled, both for humans and for pets.

Uber-Style Dog Walkers vs. Local Pet Care Companies: Cost

Cost: Uber-Style Dog Walkers

Uber-style dog walking apps tend to be more affordable than local pet care companies. Because they offer zero training, do minimal vetting, if any, and focus primarily on the costs of technology, worker wages, and payment processing, they can keep their costs slightly lower than a locally-based business that is covering the costs of liability insurance, bonding, workers compensation, and more.

Cost: Local Pet Care Companies

At Floofins and Co. we hire only the best pet care providers and provide training, benefits, and resources to ensure that they are safe on the job and appropriately rewarded for their efforts. While our rates may be slightly higher than uber-style dog walking apps, we offer much greater value for both our staff and our clients.

Uber-Style Dog Walkers vs. Local Pet Care Companies: Customization

Customization: Uber-Style Dog Walkers

The Uber-style approach to pet care doesn’t leave much room for customization. These apps offer a quick and easy solution for pet parents that are in a bind. Most of the users of these apps are young professionals in big cities. They want their dog(s) to get a walk while they can work late, run errands after work, or enjoy social engagements without the guilt of leaving their dog at home waiting on them.

This structure is a one-size-fits-most approach, which works for some dogs but won’t work for others. It also works for some pet parents but often doesn’t work for the discerning pet parent who expects a consistent standard of care during each visit.

Customization: Local Pet Care Companies

At Floofins & Co., we offer customization above all things. It’s because of our desire to customize our services to each client’s needs that we take the time to get to know you and your pets, prioritize client/provider communication, and work tirelessly to ensure your peace of mind.

It’s our desire for customization that also makes us an ideal match for homes with new puppies that are learning manners, dogs with special needs including separation anxiety, and dogs with medical concerns. Our team knows your pets before we walk in the door, ensuring that we approach and care for them in a way that makes them comfortable and meets their physical, emotional, and mental needs.

Both Uber-style dog walker apps and local pet care companies offer dog walking services. For those seeking a personal touch and tailored care, however, a local company cannot be beat. Plus, choosing a local business over a national technology company is a great way to support the local community, create local jobs, and keep the local economy thriving.

If you are new to Floofins & Co., please fill out our contact form. Once received, we will be in touch to further discuss your interest. You may also give us a call at 630-478-8915 or drop us a line at info@floofinsandco.com. We are happy to discuss our services from Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Learn more about our new client onboarding process here.

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