If you’re a pet owner banking on a last-minute summer getaway, planning your trip is just the start - you also have to think about what to do with your furry friend.
If you’re going abroad and can’t take them with you, who will look after them? How do you find the most trusted sitters, walkers and boarding options in your area? And if you are taking them with you, where are the most pet friendly hotels, beaches and restaurants?
Finding the right fit for your pet quickly and within your budget can be time consuming. Fortunately, there are a number of mobile apps that can help you save time and money, and give you peace of mind that your pampered pooch is in paw-fect hands.
We take a look at the runners and rider in the race to be the ultimate pet app.
Priority Pet - one app to rule them all
From our research, one emerged as the Alpha of the app pack and it’s the newest kid on the block - Priority Pet.
Developed as an all-in-one service, the app styles itself as the ‘Pet app with the Human Touch’ and is a must have for cat and dog owners alike who need that peace of mind when travelling with or without their faithful companion.
It has everything needed to ensure you can enjoy your holiday knowing your pet is in good hands. You simply ask the App to find the service you’re looking for via a chat function and a real person on the other end does the hard work for you by searching Priority Pet’s database, collating results from Google, Facebook and millions of review and ratings sites on the internet.
The three best rated results are then sent to you within a few hours and the human element means everything is sense checked. It’s basically having a personal assistant or ‘concierge’ in your pocket that knows your pet and your budget and will send you the results that are right for you. You can literally ask them anything and they will help you find it, from sitters, walkers and boarding option to arranging pet taxis to ferry your pooch to their own little getaway in comfort. Once you’re happy they can call, book and pay on your behalf.
Taking your pet with you? That’s also no problem for Priority Pet. Using the same process, the concierge service can find dog friendly hotels and accommodation, restaurants and pubs as well as the best walks and beaches anywhere in the world. One of the most important features for people travelling with their pet is the 24/7 online vet helpline. This puts you in touch with a registered vet nurse who is on hand to trouble shoot any health-related issues should they arise, allowing you to travel with peace of mind.
If there is something Priority Pet doesn’t do, we are yet to find it. The unique blend of powerful AI and human interaction saves pet owners time, money and stress. Oh, and for those feeling guilty for jetting off without their pet, it has special members get unique discounts and special offers on treats that can win back your pet’s love - and ease your conscience.
Rover – established and reliable
Rover is the world's largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. Featuring over 65,000 sitters, Rover makes it easy to find someone to look after your pooch in your area. Booking with Rover comes with peace of mind, too: the site offers ongoing education for sitters as well as around-the-clock support. Rover is ideal for pet owners wanting a well-established provider to put them in touch with a sitter whilst they jet off. Their booking process is incredibly simple, a huge plus for owners who may not be tech savvy, and pet lovers will also love the £1 contribution to the RSPCA from Rover on first bookings. **
Pawshake – transparent and well rated
Pawshake puts dog owners in touch with trusted dog sitter and walkers. Rated as ‘excellent’ with over 1000 reviews on Trustpilot, Pawshake is a good option for anyone who doesn’t know where to turn when they need someone to look after their doggo at short notice. Pawshake is also incredibly transparent in its payments, with no hidden fees to either owners or sitters. As added peace of mind all bookings feature free veterinary coverage, ensuring your little friend is well looked after should anything happen whilst you are away.
Petbacker – tracking for peace of mind
Petbacker puts pet owners in touch with the services they need for free, whether that is pet walking, grooming or boarding. The app provides price estimates, user reviews and the best feature, a tracker which tells you how far your dog has been taken for a walk so you know they are getting the exercise they need. Petbacker is great for owners who want to compare multiple quotes before deciding on who they trust with their companion. Petbacker also claims a 100% reservation guarantee, giving peace of mind for anyone looking to book a last-minute getaway, safe in the knowledge they will be able to find a sitter for their pet.
