DogVacay: Airbnb for Dogs Saved My Thanksgiving

This article tells the story of how a family's Thanksgiving trip was saved thanks to DogVacay, a service that connects dog owners with local dog sitters. The author highlights how DogVacay, like Airbnb, is a prime example of the collaborative consumption movement, where individuals share resources and services, benefiting both those seeking and offering them.

The Challenge: A Dog-less Thanksgiving

Every year, the author's family gathers in San Diego for Thanksgiving, renting a house through HomeAway. This year, however, a last-minute crisis threatened to derail the plans: the brother's dog sitter cancelled, leaving him scrambling to find an alternative.

• The author's brother had three dogs and couldn't bring them to San Diego.
• Local dog kennels were full, and the family didn't want to leave their beloved pets in a cold, impersonal environment.

The Solution: DogVacay - An Airbnb for Dogs

The author, a fan of DogVacay, remembered how the service had helped a family member make ends meet during a difficult period. DogVacay, like Airbnb, provides a platform for connecting dog owners with trusted and vetted dog sitters in their local area.

• DogVacay offers a convenient solution for dog owners who want to travel but don't want to burden friends or family with pet care.
• Dog owners can browse through profiles, read reviews, see photos, and even contact the dog sitter directly before making a booking.

How DogVacay Saved Thanksgiving

The author quickly registered on DogVacay and found a dog sitter in his brother's neighborhood. However, there was a waiting period for the sitter to accept the booking, and the author needed a solution immediately. He reached out to DogVacay's concierge team, who contacted the preferred dog sitter directly and secured the booking within hours.

• The concierge team's swift action showcased DogVacay's commitment to customer service and resolving urgent situations.
• The author's sister-in-law, initially hesitant about leaving her dogs with a stranger, was reassured by the sitter's positive reviews and photos, and ultimately felt more comfortable with this option than a kennel.

DogVacay: A Startup Story

The author's personal connection to DogVacay goes beyond a simple user experience. He met the CEO, Aaron Hirshhorn, several years ago and has been following the company's progress closely. He witnessed firsthand Aaron's entrepreneurial spirit and how DogVacay evolved from an idea into a successful startup.

• The author highlights the key role of Science, an accelerator, in providing initial support and resources for DogVacay's development.
• He also praises the company's strong team, including key hires and investors like Bill Gurley from Benchmark.

Airbnb, Uber, DogVacay: The Collaborative Economy

The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative consumption platforms, like Airbnb and DogVacay, which facilitate connections between individuals and offer mutually beneficial solutions. He acknowledges the transformative impact these platforms have on people's lives, allowing them to earn extra income, share resources, and access services that were previously unavailable.

• He mentions several other examples of successful marketplaces in the collaborative economy, including oDesk, Visual.ly, and Fiverr.
• He advocates for the continued growth of platforms that empower individuals and promote shared resources.