Do you ever leave the house to run errands on the weekend and feel guilty for leaving your pups locked up at home?
We recently discovered there’s an app for that – and it works similarly to the way Uber works for humans. When we stumbled upon New York-based startup, DogSpot – who creates climate-controlled, lockable “sidewalk sanctuaries” for dogs – we fell in puppy love.
We also learned these dog pods are already in our region – at Anderson Mall (30 minutes past Greenville, ~2 hours from AVL) – and a July announcement from the company said they plan to launch in Columbia, Charleston + Chattanooga within the year.
Since Asheville is such a dog-friendly community (hanging out at New Belgium or Highland Brewery on a Saturday afternoon is basically like entering a dog park), we think Asheville might be a good fit for future locations.
So we put together a list of places that DogSpot could go – and we want to see if you would actually use them.
But first, we’ll answer some questions that came up in Greenville, near where S.C.’s first location is:
How does it work, exactly?
To use DogSpot, you’ll need to download their app. It shows you where to find a DogSpot (and lets you reserve it up to 15 min. in advance), and when you arrive, just put your dog inside + the pod will automatically lock when the door is closed. You can use the app to check in with the live Puppy Cam + unlock the door when you’re picking up your pup.
Will my dog be comfortable?
The pods are made of double-walled, powder-coated aluminum outside + veterinary-grade plastic inside (to prevent germs), have forced-air ventilation to keep the air inside fresh, and are climate-controlled with air conditioning and heating. There’s an 8-hour backup battery in case the power dies.
How much does it cost?
Currently, 30 cents a minute. The average stay is 15-20 minutes, which would be $4.50-6.
Do I have to be a member to use DogSpot?
Yes, but that just means signing up for a free account on their app or website. They’ll also send you a physical member card, which comes in handy if you need someone else to pick up your dog, your phone dies, or you don’t have a smartphone.
Won’t they just be full of diseases + germs?
Between each visit, the pods are sanitized with a motion-sensor UV light, which cleans the pod of bacteria, viruses (including parvovirus), molds, and pathogens. If a dog has an accident, each DogSpot is cleaned by hand daily and as needed if there are any issues reported. To be a DogSpot member, your dog needs to be older than 6 months and be current on its vaccinations.
What if I want to check on my dog?
You can see exactly how your dog is doing any time (and what the temperature in the pod is) with the app’s live camera. 🐶 👀 DogSpot HQ can also see the feed to notify you if something’s going on.
What happens if my phone dies or the pod malfunctions?
The pod has an 8 hour backup battery to keep it running if power is lost. If the temperature gets outside the 32° – 80° F range, you’ll be notified through the app immediately and you can go get your pup. The pod will go offline + remain out of use until the temperature is back in the safe range. If your phone dies while your dog is in the DogSpot, you can use your member card to unlock it. If you don’t have your member card, you can call DogSpot and they’ll verify your identity and remotely unlock it.
How long can I leave my dog?
The maximum on most DogSpots is 90 minutes, and the norm is around 15 – 20 min. They aren’t intended to be a replacement for doggy daycare, which is why they charge by the minute (30 cents/min).
Will my dog fit in the pod?
They’re designed to the specs of a German Shepherd crate – 30” W x 33.5” D x 46.5” H. According to DogSpot, they can accommodate dogs up to 110 lbs. Two dogs ~30 lbs. each or less can fit inside the pod if they’re used to being together.
Is it legal to have these pods on the streets?
Regulations depend on each city, and the startup works with the individual location to make sure they’re complying with local guidelines, from getting a permit or license or registering with the city. DogSpots on private property are at the discretion of the local partner.
How can we get them in Asheville?
Fill out the request form here – and if you include your mailing address, they’ll send you some pup swag.
Still have questions left unanswered? Here’s the DogSpot FAQ.
Where it might be helpful to see a DogSpot:
- Asheville Outlets, so you can run into stores without your pup, and then walk with them around the area.
- High Five Coffee downtown, so you can easily run and grab a cup of joe while on your morning walk.
- At any brewery where you can’t have dogs inside, but they’re welcome on the patio. Because what if you need a refill?
- Biltmore Antler Hill, so you can walk with your pup around the grounds, and still run into the winery and shops.
Where else would you like to see DogSpot? Let us know by commenting below, sending us a note to hello@avltoday.com or drop a comment on Instagram.
