New app matches pet owners with sitters while they holiday

IT CAN cost a packet to make sure your pets are looked after while you’re away, but one new app wants to change all that.

PetCloud matches pet owners with pet minders to save money on kennel costs.

AUSSIES’ furry friends have joined the share economy, with today’s launch of PetCloud, an app that matches pet owners with carers in their local area.

The platform aims to give owners the peace of mind of knowing their animal is being looked after in the private home of a dedicated pet lover while they are on holiday, but the potential financial benefits will also be significant.

The Australian Companions Animal Report found that Australians spend $474 million each year on boarding their cats and dogs, with kennel stays averaging $38 a day during peak holiday season.

Meanwhile, dog walking can cost around $25 an hour and can involve large groups of dogs being walked at once.

PetCloud aims to give owners peace of mind and also save some money.

PetCloud prices will average $25 a night for pet sitting and $20 per hour for dog walking.

The service has existed in website form since 2015, but the expansion into app form is designed to enable greater booking ease in busy holiday seasons, said founder and CEO Deb Morrison.

“The app will bring convenience to pet owners who lead an active lifestyle by matching their pet with a home and carer who is suitable to their needs,” Ms Morrison said.

Pet minders set their own prices and deal directly with owners, who can browse profiles through the app and post jobs online. All jobs are booked and paid for online and covered by insurance, while a percentage of money earned from each booking is donated to the RSPCA.

So far the website has given more than $25,000 back to the RSPCA, which Ms Morrison said is “raising awareness about the standards of pets in care”.

Originally published as New app matches pet owners with sitters while they holiday