WagIt is the first booking website for dogs, and their humans. Any dog owner can go to wagit.uk to find and book places that welcome dogs. More than that, they will be able to select or check whether, for example, the venue only allows dogs outside or until a certain time, or whether the groomer offers puppy cuts and daycare.
WagIt users are able to share information, leave reviews, read/post blogs, get involved in social media and so on, to create a community for dog owners and lovers.
WagIt is the go-to destination for new dog owners and a welcome convenience for existing ones.
How did you come up with the idea for the company?
I have a long career in online reservations, I was the first salesperson in Europe for OpenTable. I always knew the benefits this technology could bring to both consumers and operators. Consumers (in our case dog owners) are able to search and book without having to call around to ask whether venues are dog-friendly and know what to expect, whether it’s ‘outside tables only’ or the venue has a doggy menu.
And operators are able to drive traffic at quieter times as well as know more about their customers (for restaurants, for example, they know that a dog will be coming so it might be better to seat them out of the way). It’s a win-win for all, especially our dogs!
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How has the company evolved during the pandemic?
WagIt was created during the pandemic as I felt the need for it would be even bigger when restrictions were lifted. I have had a dog for 11 years so I am well aware of how difficult it is to book a groomer on the phone or how annoying it is to arrive at a venue only to be told you have to sit outside because of your dog.
The lockdown puppy owners wouldn’t have known this given their first year with their dog would have limited their options. WagIt has really been able to help them make stress free decisions when it comes to looking after their dog. We even launched a Facebook group called “Paws Around London” where people can ask questions and there is a community willing to help.
Another canine positive that came out of the pandemic was our partnership with Addison Lee. They saw an increase in requests for dog-friendly vehicles (think of all those vet appointments for new puppies!) and so working together was a perfect match.
What can we hope to see from WagIt in the future?
The website grows every day with more and more businesses becoming dog-friendly. We are looking to include Hotels, Co-working spaces and more. We have also seen a rise in events, dog-owners wanting to socialise with like-minded people.
We organised a WaggIng Wonderland last Christmas which was ticketed and was a huge success. We will do more of that. People are getting more comfortable taking their dogs out with them which is fantastic – because when our dogs are happy, we’re happy too.
