I'd like to introduce you to my 13 year old small business, The Barking Meter, a dog walking service and k9 concierge in New York City. Due to Covid-19, daily walks have dropped over 75% since early March and that number continues to rise as the restrictions tighten around the City. We have a 12 person staff that we want to keep safe from the financial strains caused by the pandemic. Their stories are human, and their commitment to the +100 dogs we care for each day is unmatched. They show up daily, rain or shine, to take care of our TBM k9s throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Along with dog walking, our team bands together to foster dogs and volunteers at adoption events. We have been a part of re-homing dogs and have facilitated many adoptions.
Our story is different from most dog care companies: we are family. Ours staff become family, our clients become family, our dogs become family. We want our staff to be able to weather this storm without going on unemployment; we want our small business to survive this pandemic without taking on debt. Once the dust settles and people can return to their place of work, we want to be there for all our dogs and their parents. If we do not have our team intact, we won't be able to care for all of the dogs that rely on us.
In an effort to save TBM and keep our staff safe, both my business partner and brother, Joey, and I will freeze our salaries as of April 1. If you or someone you know may be in a financial position to assist us, all donations will go directly to our staff, and to meeting the wages our staff depends on each day.
You can donate to us on our GOFUNDME page by copying and pasting this link, or searching TBM Staff on GOFUNDME: www.gofundme.com/f/tbm-staff.
For dog parents, we are also offering virtual training sessions -- all proceeds will go directly to this cause (inquire via info@thebarkingmeter.com).
We are in this together. Thank you!
Be well,
Kara, Founder & CEO