Wagwalking

Market position

Wag! describes a network of more than 500,000 pet caregivers nationwide and, at the time of its 2015 seed round, was characterized in press coverage as an early on-demand dog-walking app, frequently compared to ride-hailing models. It is a publicly traded pet care marketplace listed on Nasdaq as PET.

Instant or scheduled on-demand booking, GPS-tracked walks with post-service report cards, background-checked caregivers, verified-only reviews, booking coverage of up to $25,000 for the pet and home, and seven-day-a-week trust and safety support.

Technology

A proprietary marketplace platform delivered via web and mobile apps, including real-time GPS tracking of walks, push notifications, in-app messaging, photo and video updates, caregiver profiles with ratings and reviews, automated caregiver matching, and background screening of caregivers.

Go-to-market

Consumer acquisition runs through the Wag! mobile app and website, with city-by-city marketplace expansion and recruitment of local caregivers. The company launched in Los Angeles in January 2015, added San Francisco and New York, and expanded to 25 additional markets in mid-2017.

Pet owners in US cities who need dog walking, drop-in visits, sitting, boarding, daycare or training, and, on the supply side, individuals with pet care experience seeking flexible earnings as walkers, sitters or trainers.

Geography

United States only, with services listed as available in 5,300 cities across all 50 states; the largest caregiver concentrations are cited in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. Corporate addresses reported include Los Angeles, California; Mountain View, California; and Purchase, New York.

History

Wag Labs Inc. announced the Los Angeles launch of its mobile dog walking app in January 2015, with founding dates reported variously as 2014 and January 2015. A $2.45 million seed round closed in May 2015 alongside a launch in San Francisco, followed by further venture financing and a $300 million investment from SoftBank Vision Fund in January 2018. The company expanded to 25 additional markets in mid-2017. In December 2019 the Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank sold its entire $300 million stake back to the company at a loss. In February 2022, Wag! announced a plan to go public through a merger with CHW Acquisition Corp at a $350 million valuation, and now trades on Nasdaq as PET. The business has since broadened beyond walking into sitting, boarding, daycare, training and wellness services including pet insurance.

Risks & controversies

Consumer complaint postings on PissedConsumer between 2024 and 2025 rate the service 1.5 out of 5 across 44 reviews and describe difficulty reaching customer support by phone or chat, problems cancelling recurring bookings and obtaining refunds, accidental or unexpected charges, disputes over walker ratings and tips, and complaints from walkers about limited vetting of dogs listed on the platform. Separately, SoftBank's $300 million stake was reported sold back to the company at an investment loss in December 2019.