Dogsharing in Switzerland: find a lasting dog godparent
With Dogsharing you become a dog's godparent. You regularly share walks, care and responsibility with the owner, lasting and always free of charge. Here you'll learn how the model works and how to find a matching godparent relationship on DOGSY.
What it looks like in the app
A look at the requests where owners and godparents find each other.
What is Dogsharing?
Dogsharing is a lasting godparent relationship with a dog between two people: an owner shares their dog with a godparent who spends time with the dog regularly – for example on fixed weekdays. You share walks, care and responsibility. Unlike a single care visit, this relationship is meant to last and grows over time. DOGSY brings you together – how you organise things afterwards, you agree directly with each other.
Guide: What is Dogsharing? →Who is Dogsharing for?
For people without a dog of their own
You love dogs, but work, your flat or your stage of life don't allow for a dog of your own right now? As a godparent you bring a dog into your life on a regular basis – walks, closeness and responsibility – without the round-the-clock commitment of your own pet.
For owners with little time
Your dog would love more exercise and company than everyday life sometimes allows? A reliable godparent takes some pressure off you, gives your dog extra attention and, over time, becomes a familiar face for you both.
Dogsharing is free of charge – not paid care
Dogsharing is always free of charge: no money changes hands between owner and godparent, and DOGSY takes no commission. It's about a shared bond with the dog, not a job. If instead you're looking for or offering a paid service – such as dog walking, care or holiday care – you'll want the services.
See all servicesHow Dogsharing works – step by step
Dogsharing runs through the requests – the DOGSY marketplace where both sides post. Five steps from your first search to fixed days.
Open the requests and set your location
Go to «Search» and then to the requests. Set country and place – 9000 St. Gallen, for example – or tap «Use current location»; above the list you see how many requests are currently near you.
Filter for Dogsharing
The filter box has its own «Dogsharing» block: pick the direction – «Looking for a godparent» or «Wants to become a godparent» – and tick the weekdays that suit you. You can sort by newest, distance or period.
Look at a request
Every card shows the period, the distance in kilometres and the dog; for Dogsharing the rhythm and weekdays sit next to it as a small hint. «Open» shows you the whole request, «Reply & chat» lets you write straight away.
Reply – you decide what goes out
In the reply window a suggestion for the first message is already in the input field. Only what you leave standing there is sent – you can also choose «Open without a message».
Post your own request
The «+ Request» button at the top of the requests tab opens the form for you right away. There you choose the service «Dogsharing»; the payment is then fixed as free of charge. You state the direction, add weekdays and a rhythm if you like (weekly, every two weeks or flexible), and confirm the notes on insurance and liability.
The Dogsharing block in the filter appears as soon as the list contains Dogsharing requests. If you leave the end date empty on your own request, it is an open, lasting godparent relationship. Everything else – getting to know each other, fixed days, arrangements – you agree directly in the chat; DOGSY only brings you together.
What Dogsharing is good for in everyday life
Three examples of what a godparent relationship can look like.
The fixed Wednesday afternoon
An owner works until the evening on Wednesdays. A godmother from the neighbourhood picks the dog up on the same day every week – the request carries the weekday «Wed» and the rhythm «weekly».
A dog in your life without your own dog
Dogs are not allowed in your flat, but you have time on Saturdays. As a godparent you are out with a dog regularly – without the round-the-clock commitment.
Splitting up the long walks
An owner enjoys the short rounds but no longer manages the long hikes. A godfather takes those over every two weeks – the dog gets both, and nothing is paid for it.
Frequently asked questions about Dogsharing
What does Dogsharing cost?
Nothing. Dogsharing is always free of charge – no money changes hands between owner and godparent. DOGSY only makes the connection and keeps nothing.
Do I need a dog of my own?
No. Dogsharing is made precisely for people who don't have a dog of their own but would like to spend time with a dog regularly.
How is this different from paid dog care?
Dogsharing is a lasting, free godparent relationship – not a single job and no payment. If you're looking for or offering a paid service (dog walking, care, sitting), that runs through the services.
What about insurance and liability?
As the owner you remain responsible for your dog and liable for damage it causes (Art. 56 CO, strict liability); the godparent acts as a helper. Both of you should check your private liability insurance – it usually covers looking after someone else's dog. This is general information and not legal advice.
Can under-18s take part?
Yes. Under 18 you can be a godparent during the day – the owners decide. Overnight and holiday care are only possible from age 18.
Ready for a dog godparent?
Register on DOGSY for free, browse the Dogsharing requests and find a lasting godparent relationship near you.