Pet Sharing Safely

Pets are family, and their happiness and safety are paramount, especially when it comes to pet sharing.

We understand that the concept of pet sharing is relatively new in NZ, and it might seem daunting. It is important to remember that the safety and happiness of your pet is the most important aspect. As an owner, you are in total control, at all times, over who you choose to share your pet with. You also know your pet best so the decision to pet share will be based on your pets personality and temperament.

Pet sharing is wonderful for super social pets! If your fur baby loves to meet new people and enjoys lots of companionship they will most likely adore the extra attention pet sharing offers.

High energy dogs and young pups also benefit by being exposed to lots of new experiences and having a second outlet to burn some energy. Pet parents love having someone else in their lives they can trust to spend time with their pet when life gets busy.

As such, the safety of all our animal members is at the heart of Share My Pet.

How to keep pets safe when on a pet sharing date

All member profiles get reviewed and any communication between members via the messenger system is monitored. We are selective about who we let into our close knit community.

Pet sharing requires time and thought. It is not a quick-fix solution to your pet care needs. Rather it is a relationship of trust built up over time. It requires work from both the pet parent and pet borrower to communicate clearly. Spend quality time getting to know each other and the animal(s) involved. Ask questions so you understand care requirements, commands, and each other’s expectations about pet sharing.

The Process of Safe Pet Sharing

1. Initial contact is made via the website’s messenger system. This means that you start your communication with other members in a safe space. We recommend that you don’t give out private information like home address until you have met in person. Your personal details such as home address are always kept private by us.
2. After you have contacted another member and feel they may be a good match, you will be ready to meet in the real world. We highly recommend that you first meet in a public place.
3. Spend time together. This may take multiple meetings. Take time to make sure it feels right. Get to know each other.
4. Once you both decide that you’re a good match, you can exchange phone numbers and personal contact details.
5. Try to be clear with each other about what you would like to get out of the pet sharing relationship.
6. If at any point a meeting or communication doesn’t feel right it is your right to discontinue . Trust your intuition. Trust your pets intuition too.
7. By the time your pet goes on their first pet sharing date they are spending time with a new friend and someone you trust.

For further in-depth information of sharing please see the following blogs:
Carers Manual, How To Be A Top Notch Carer.
Share Manual Of Excellence

Pet sharing- is it always love and first sight?
Children And Dog Safety
Pet First Aid and Training

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Share My Pet aims to promote excellent and safe pet care

To make pet sharing as safe as possible for your pet we highly encourage our members to take the following steps:

Keep pets on lead on pet sharing dates

Share My Pet has an onlead policy for all pet sharing dates. If you are happy for your pet to be off lead you must download our “Lead Contract” and the pet borrower and pet owner each sign it.

Insure your pet

Share My Pet has teamed up with PD Pet Insurance. We offer any person registered with Share My Pet a $100 prezzy card when you take out a full insurance with PD Pet. To get your discount code simply head over to our Premium Members discount Page here

Vet bills can be extremely expensive, and you don’t want to be making a choice between expensive vet fees and your pet’s life. Pet insurance gives you the peace of mind that in the case of an accident or injury your pets health care is in good hands.

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Microchipping

Share My Pet recommends all dogs cats, and other pets where appropriate, be microchipped. Also, it is NZ law to microchip all dogs first registered from 1 July 2006 (except stock working farm dogs, which are exempt).

To make returning a lost pet easier we highly recommend registering your pet with the Animal Companion Register. They are a non-profit organisation whose mission is to return lost pets to their owners. They charge a one-off registration fee for your pet to be put on their database. Also they now have some neat pet facial recognition software to make finding your pet even easier. For more information please follow this link:
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register

For further information and a comprehensive guide on why you should microchip your dog please see the ‘Your Dog Advisor‘ article: “5 Reasons Why You Should Microchip Your Pet“

 

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Pet first aid course

Why not attend a pet first aid course? This is a great thing to do as a pet owner or as a pet borrower. Pet First Aid NZ run a fantastic day course on pet first aid and training. The course is really well-run and could save a pet’s life.
www.petfat.co.nz

Wishing You Happy and Safe Pet Sharing

To read about some of our happy and positive pet sharing stories click here