Pooch-U

I was walking around in my neighborhood 2 days ago with my dog and heard a dog barking. I looked over a noticed a small dog in a prius. The windows were up. There was NO ONE around. The dog was barking uncontrollably (I don’t know how long he had been in there. However, I was standing there for about 10 minutes watching this poor dog in the car. I can understand if you got in your car, forgot something inside, ran up to get it and come back. not the case here.
THEN, I noticed on the side of the car was a sticker or car magnet advertising «Pooch-​U: Dog walking, Pet sitting, Pet Taxi and Store» I was baffled. THIS car with a dog locked inside with the windows up (I dont think animals should be left in the car at all… but with the windows up nonetheless?!)
Anyway, I then got on Unilocal to see what the reviews were for this business. Maybe this was a fluke. Then I read the 1 other review and it was not good. That helped me make my mind up to post about my experience with this business. Even though I have not personally used it, I have seen enough to not ever use it.
To the owner: Please be more cautious of how you are caring for animals (your own and others of whom are PAYING you to take extreme care of their animals). People see things. People are always watching. It is careless to leave an animal in a car with an obvious way to identify you. (or EVER leave an animal in the car).
Hopefully you can figure it out.

I hate writing bad reviews, but this experience is concerning enough for me to want to prevent these types of issues for other pet-​loving people.
I found Iwona of Pooch-​U through
. I met with her and was excited that she made it so easy to plan for being gone for 7 days. I told her my budget of $ 250 and she said she was happy to work with that. I have a Border Collie-​Jack Russel, two of the highest-​energy breeds. When we spoke, I told her he would need two very long walks – at least 45 minutes in the morning and one 30 – 45 at night. She agreed and said she is often in the area so she will also pick him up for a few hours when she is around in the middle of the day and take him on other outtings. Draining his energy and having several hours of company during the day is the only way I would ever leave my dog for a week’s time. The vet said she thought he’d be most comfortable in his own environment as long as those needs were being met. I emphasized to Iwona that my dog would especially need the extra company towards the middle and end of the week.
It so happened that my roommate, who was supposed to be out of town, was in town, THANK GOD! She noticed the walks seemed awfully short and consequently started to time them. As it turns out, he was never walked for more than 15 minutes at a time!!! Not only that, but I specifically asked if she knew how to use the Gentle Leader leash. She said ‘yes’. I even left instructions just in case. It was never used. She didn’t give him his anxiety drops at night as asked. She didn’t give him the chew toys I left, as I had asked. And she didn’t fill up his treat dispenser to give him front-​brain stimulation necessary for smart breeds.
I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if my roommate was out of town, as planned. Only giving 15 minute walks to a high-​energy (or any) breed while the owner is gone for 7 days is so ignorant it borders on animal abuse! Thankfully my roommate was able to step in and take him for several hours in the middle of each day, a huge inconvenience to her, but something that any competent animal –lover would recognize as necessary!
When I asked Iwona about her understanding of the arrangement we had, she said she understood she was to give him two long walks a day and said she took him out for 30 minute walks each time. When I told her my roommate had been timing her, she said that they were short walks but that they ran the whole time so he was out of breath. This situation is totally disheartening to me. The lack of following directions shows a lack of care. The lack of exercise shows a lack of competence and integrity. What exactly was I paying for??? Trust is so crucial when we give people access to our pets and our homes. I am so disappointed and I hope to prevent this experience for anyone else.
BTW, I did call her references beforehand. What do people REALLY know about what goes on when they are not home??? Iwona was quick to back down and tell me I didn’t have to pay the remainder of the invoice.
I would go with a more credible service, an actual business that can ensure that the job will actually be done as it was agreed upon. So disappointed.