We know about house swaps for the holidays. A Drôme company has extended the concept to animal care. Pet owners have the option of having their companions cared for in their homes by volunteers so they can go on vacation with complete peace of mind.
With 80 million of pets, France is in the top 3 of European countries with the most dogs and cats. Straight in region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, there are almost 199,000 dogs and cats officially identified by the Ministry of Agriculture. So many difficulties in keeping these animals when their owners go on vacation, not everyone can take them with them.
To avoid the ever-increasing number of animals left behind in the summer (60,000 nationwide each year), there are guarding solutions. Véronique Morel has deployed “DOM’sitting” a service available throughout France and currently headquartered in Drôme.
The structure connects people who are away from home and voluntary retirees. The latter teams up with the former and takes care of the animals. An exchange of good practices that Véronique Morel had according to her own experiences. “When I left my native Nord-Pas-de-Calais for the Lyon region in 2003, I asked my neighbors to look after my cat and dog, but this was not a lasting solution.”, says the 48-year-old entrepreneur. She therefore decided to launch her service in 2011. Since then, demand has continued to rise.
All animals can be looked after, with dogs at the top of the range as they are more difficult to take on holiday. “But of course we also have cats, chickens, goats and sheep and horses, which require specialized guardians“, adds Véronique Morel.
With 25 years of experience in human resources, Véronique Morel ensures that she finds the right guards. The latter are exclusively retired or early retired, just like the owners. “Seniors inspire confidence: they are unlikely to organize parties, disturb the neighborhood, and they appreciate regional tourism“, confides the business manager. They are also more available and book their leave at the last minute.
The profiles of the guardians are different: senior employees, liberal professions, small pensioners… What they have in common is their love for animals. Despite a demand almost entirely for seniors, Véronique Morel is keen to expand her pool of goalkeepers by testing a pair in their forties this summer.
If the owners are absent for a week, they must pay 170 euros, a decreasing rate depending on the length of their vacation. “From two animals, my service becomes very competitive compared to kennels“, assures the business manager. Dog sitting in a kennel can actually cost between 15 and 30 euros per day, depending on the region.
Volunteers also take care of maintaining the house, watering the plants and collecting the mail. Varied missions besides looking after animals. It is also the way to avoid more break-ins during the summer holidays. On the other hand, they can spend an almost free stay without having to pay for seasonal rentals. Only food and travel remain the responsibility of the volunteers, as well as the membership fee of 15 euros per year.
The leader of the DOM sitting also sees that a relationship of trust develops between guardians and owners. “The guards return to spend holidays in the same place, forming bonds on both sides. It is the pleasure of being of service and staying active for many retirees“.
The company has 200 couples or singles in France, including 35 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
