Looks like the OMERS-funded Dog Vacay now has competition in Canada. Started in 2012,Dog Vacay is based in Santa Monica and recently received $25 million in funding, which brought its total funding to $47 million.
Making its way onto Canadian soil is Pawshake, a company that was founded in 2013 by Dries Coucke and Tanguy Peers, formerly from eBay and Kijiji. Pawshake offers a similar service to Dog Vacay but is open to all animals, offering a “trusted community of pet lovers”, where they can find a local pet sitter, walkers, or home boarding while away.
Pawshake currently operates in 15 countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, and so far over 1,000 Canadians have started to offer their pet sitting services. Pawshake rates start at $15/night and insurance is included.
“Pawshake’s arrival in Canada marks an exciting moment for us and for pet parents,” Peers said. “People view their pets as family members, and with summer vacations coming up pet owners can be stressed and worried about what they will do with their pet. Pawshake brings together the best of both worlds: animal lovers can offer their services as pet sitters, and pet owners can enjoy their vacation without worrying about their pet. And most importantly, your pet doesn’t have to spend their holiday in a cage or kennel, but will be loved in a family environment.”