Scots dog lovers swiping right on 'dating-style' app to 'borrow' a puppy
More than 100,000 Scots dog lovers are swiping right on a canine dating-style app to 'borrow' a pup without the long-term commitment of owning a pet.
Dog-lending service BorrowMyDoggy, where people are matched up with four-legged-friends, say they've now hit six figures across Scotland, with more than 20,000 borrowers in Edinburgh, 15,000 in Glasgow and 9000 in Aberdeen.
Dog ownership doesn't suit everyone as the rush to buy pups during the pandemic showed, with thousands of pets later abandoned or given up, leaving Scotland's rescue centres inundated.
The website has over a million members, with borrowers spanning all age groups and members ranging from people working, students and retirees to families with young children.
Rikke Rosenlund, who founded BorrowMyDoggy in 2012 after taking care of a neighbour's dog, said: 'We now have more than 100,000 borrowers sign up in Scotland since we launched the app, which is an absolutely fantastic number.
'The app allows dog lovers to sign up to borrow a four-legged friend for a few hours a week as a stress reliever, combat loneliness or to try-before-they buy a pet themselves.
'If you are feeling isolated, borrowing a dog can help you feel less alone. Taking care of a dog requires a certain level of responsibility, from feeding them to walking them -- making sure they stay healthy to keeping them safe.'
Retired marine engineer Iain Bell, 79, from Lenzie in East Dunbartonshire, has one of the longest-running pairings since the service was founded.
He has walked over 5000 miles with borrowed sidekick Nero, 11, over the last decade.
Iain said: 'My daughter in law signed me up for the app because she thought I was lonely when I was going out walking to get some exercise after I had a heart attack 10 years ago.
'It has been very beneficial for me in terms of my physical health and mental wellbeing. The retired engineer in me set a target of walking six miles a day after the heart attack and that's what we aim for during our walks.'
Iain, who collects Nero from his home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, up to three times a week, said he had become very attached to Nero over a decade of walkies.
He added: 'Nero and I get along really very well and he is a great wee friend. Nero loves his walks and it is an added incentive for me to make the effort and get out walking to try to stay fit.
'I would recommend borrowing a dog for anyone who can't, for whatever reason, have a dog of their own.'
Nero's owner Claire Stewart, of Uddingston, says a break-up with her partner meant she might have had to consider rehoming Nero if it hadn't been for Iain and BorrowMyDoggy.
She said: 'Iain started borrowing Nero when he was just a puppy. My then partner and I worked full time so BorrowMyDoggy seemed like such a great option.
'I loved the idea of someone who wanted to spend time with a dog, but maybe not be able to commit to one full time, being able to build a real bond with him.
'When my partner and I separated Iain's help became vital as I tried to balance a full-time job in the NHS with making sure Nero got enough attention and exercise.
'All my friends worked during the day like I did, so I really would have had to consider rehoming him without Iain's support.'
'Nero goes berserk whenever he sees Iain's car pull up. I'm so glad he's stuck with us all these years.'
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