DOGTOWN, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In today’s economy, people are searching for creative side hustles to make ends meet. If you’ve got a backyard and a soft spot for dogs, there’s a purr-fectly suited opportunity that’s making waves all across America called Sniffspot.
This innovative app allows homeowners to rent out their backyards by the hour, providing dogs with safe and private spaces to frolic freely.
From rags to wags: the birth of Sniffspot.
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David Adams founded Sniffspot in 2018, inspired by a simple need. His girlfriend, Rebecca, was traveling with her dog and struggled to find safe off-leash areas. She texted him and said “There has to be a better way, I wish there was an app where I could find places to let Toshii off leash.”
Adams quickly realized this wasn’t a unique problem; many dog owners faced similar challenges, especially in urban areas. What started as a basic website for people to share their yards with others evolved into a booming app connecting dog lovers with yard owners across the country.
A yard for every dog.
Sniffspot operates like an Airbnb for dogs. Whether it’s a compact yard or an expansive field, the app lists diverse properties for pet parents to book. For Joyanna Sora and her dogs, Donner and Daisy, Sniffspot has been a game changer. Living in a small apartment out east, she needed a safe place for her dogs to exercise away from the pack mentality of dog parks.
“I didn’t like dog parks because they kind of have a pack mentality,” says Sora, who was interviewed by ABC7NY. “They would kind of get aggressive on the leash and kind of protect each other, so I looked up ways that I could exercise my dogs.”
After discovering Sniffspot, she found the perfect solution and later became a host herself after buying a house. Now, she rents out her backyard, contributing to the 130 Sniffspot hosts on Long Island of the approximately 15,000 Sniffspot hosts nationwide.
Bringing home the bacon.
For hosts, Sniffspot offers a lucrative way to earn passive income. “You can make a lot of money if you have the right spot,” says Joyanna Sora. The top-earning hosts can rake in up to $3,000 a month. However, the primary motivation for many hosts is the joy of helping dogs have a tail-wagging good time.
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“When we first started, nobody was making money on the app,” founder Adams told “The Wildest.” “What I found was that Sniffspot really tapped into a community of dog lovers. The main value that hosts get out of Sniffspot is not necessarily the money. The money’s kind of like icing on the cake. It’s really about helping dogs.”
Safe havens for reactive dogs.
Sniffspot has become a great solution for reactive dogs, who often face challenges in public spaces. According to Adams, up to 75% of dogs display some form of reactivity, making traditional dog parks a nightmare for many pet owners. By providing a secluded area free from distractions and potential triggers, Sniffspot offers a stress-free environment for these pups.
Turning every dog into a happy camper.
For dogs, these private playgrounds are a slice of heaven. Off-leash freedom allows dogs to engage in natural behaviors – sniffing, exploring, and simply being dogs. “Dogs’ noses are super highly developed,” says Adams. “For a dog, having the freedom to use their nose how they want is like having the freedom to look at whatever you want as a human. It’s very relaxing for a dog; it’s very enriching.”
A community of dog lovers.
Sniffspot’s rapid growth is a testament to the universal need for safe, off-leash areas and underscores the broader mission the company: to make the world a more dog-friendly place.
Each Sniffspot visit is a chance for dogs to experience unbridled joy and for owners to see their pets thrive. The feedback from users is consistently heartwarming. Adams shares, “We hear literally these same words again and again: ‘It brought tears to my eyes to see the look of joy on my dog’s face.’”
Dog Disneylands for every pooch in Michigan and beyond.
Whether your dog prefers a yard with agility equipment, a wide-open field, or a quiet forest trail, there’s a Sniffspot that fits the bill. The platform caters to all kinds of canine preferences, ensuring that every dog can find its own little paradise.
The hosts list the amenities that are available and the pricing. Prices vary by location and according to the acreage and amenities offered.
In the profiles of the available spaces, a pet owner can find out information about the properties including the acreage of the property, whether it’s fenced or not, if there are other dogs or people around, if there is a private entry and more.
When looking through the parks in Michigan, we found that the costs varied from about $4 to $20 per dog per hour. The yards/parks are rented privately by the hour and designed for the safety of both the hosts and the guests. Only the people and dogs in a booking are allowed in the spot during a visit.
According to the company, they told us that there are 781 active spots in Michigan right now. Searching their website you will also find 27 agility spots, 42 dog hiking trails and 64 dog water parks in the state –and even two dog beaches!
So, why wait to dive into your next adventure with your furry best friend? Summer is almost here so now is the time to let your dog unleash their inner explorer, letting him or her the freedom to sniff, play and roam to their heart’s content.
