As dog ownership continues to rise across the U.S., a company called Sniffspot is offering a private alternative to public dog parks.
The company lets users rent out their backyards and private spaces so other peoples' dogs can frolic uninhibited. It was founded by CEO David Adams, whose dog, Soba, struggled to get along with other dogs at public parks.
"Either there were dogs there that were bullying Soba, or it was dirty, or there was some kind of issue with crowding, or something else that made it an unpleasant experience," said Adams.
The founder said some hosts make up to $4,000 a month in passive income on the app, and that includes larger organizations such as Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City, which rents out space for some extra cash.
"We had this room and were trying to figure out what to use it for," said Rachael Ziering, executive director of Muddy Paws Rescue. "It ended up being a really great thing for dogs who need the quiet space in the city, might not be great with other dogs, can’t go to the dog park."
Lil is one of those dogs. Her foster dad, Wayne Barbin, said it helps her because of her shy disposition.
According to a recent Sniffspot survey, one in seven dogs across the country have been attacked at a dog park, but public dog park regulars we spoke to think pups should be part of a pack.
Dog owner Karine Legizm said "dogs are dogs, sometimes fights happen, sometimes misunderstandings happen with dog owners, but it’s a great way for them to socialize."
Adams, meanwhile, said safety concerns surpass the need for socialization.
"It’s a pretty uncertain environment to be at a city dog park, while i think that they’re important for cities to offer free dog parks to people, I do think it’s good to have an alternative like Sniffspot where the emphasis is on safety."
Orangetheory Fitness is redefining the future of workouts with smarter tech, strength-based programming, and community-driven studios built for what’s next.
Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros or $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The consumer rights ministry announced the fine on Monday. The ministry stated that many listings lacked proper license numbers or included incorrect information. The move is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rental companies amid a housing affordability crisis especially in popular urban areas. The ministry ordered Airbnb in May to remove around 65,000 listings for similar violations. The government's consumer rights minister emphasized the impact on families struggling with housing. Airbnb said it plans to challenge the fine in court.
Roomba maker iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but says that it doesn’t expect any disruptions to devices as the more than 30-year-old company is taken private under a restructuring process. iRobot said that it is being acquired by Picea through a court-supervised process. Picea is the company's primary contract manufacturer. The Bedford, Massachusetts-based anticipates completing the prepackaged chapter 11 process by February.
Serbia’s prosecutor for organized crime has charged a government minister and three others with abuse of position and falsifying of documents related to a luxury real estate project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The charges came on Monday. The investigation centers on a controversy over a a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound by a company linked to Kushner. The $500 million proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad. Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by falsifying documentation.
