Frequently Asked Questions

Doggy Daddy is a community that connects dog owners and dog lovers who are interested in sharing the care, companionship, and responsibilities of having a dog.

Whether you already have a dog and could use a trusted co-parent, want a dog in your life without taking on full-time ownership, or are looking for someone to share the experience of getting a dog together, Doggy Daddy is designed to help you find the right fit.

Doggy Daddy is for people who love dogs and are open to building an ongoing co-parenting relationship.

You might be:

• A dog owner looking for someone to share in the care of your dog

• A dog lover who wants a dog in their life without becoming a full-time owner

• A dog lover looking for someone to get and co-parent a dog with

• Open to more than one of the above

There isn't one "right" co-parenting arrangement. The goal is to connect people whose lifestyles, expectations, and relationships with dogs are compatible.

Not at all. Doggy Daddy is for dog owners and dog lovers.

If you don't currently have a dog, you can apply to meet an existing dog owner looking for a co-parent, find another dog lover interested in eventually getting a dog together, or be open to either possibility.

Doggy Daddy is currently building its community in Los Angeles and Chicago, with plans to expand to additional cities.

If you're outside one of our current markets, you can still sign up and join the Doggy Daddy community. As we grow in your area, we'll keep you updated on new opportunities to connect.

There is currently no fee to become a member of Doggy Daddy.

As the community grows, we may introduce paid features or membership options in the future. If that changes, we'll always make any costs clear before you choose to participate.

Doggy Daddy offers two ways to make a connection. You can show interest in someone you'd like to meet, or Doggy Daddy may suggest a match based on your preferences and the criteria that matter to you.

We consider location along with factors like lifestyle, schedule, experience with dogs, communication style, and what each person is hoping for in a co-parenting relationship.

Absolutely. Whether you express interest in someone or Doggy Daddy suggests a potential match, a connection only moves forward if there's mutual interest.

From there, you'll have the opportunity to get to know each other and decide whether you'd like to explore a co-parenting relationship.

Every application is personally reviewed as we build a trusted community of dog owners and dog lovers.

If your application is accepted, we'll be in touch with next steps for creating your profile and becoming a Doggy Daddy member.

That's okay! Finding the right co-parent is about compatibility, not speed.

New people will continue to join Doggy Daddy, so not finding the right fit immediately doesn't mean one isn't coming. We'll keep your profile in the community as new potential matches become available.

Yes. You don't need to have everything figured out before joining Doggy Daddy.

Some people know exactly what they're looking for, while others are open to seeing what feels right with the right person and dog. Your preferences can evolve as you learn more about co-parenting and meet potential matches.

Yes! In addition to connecting through matches, Doggy Daddy plans to host events where members (and dogs) can meet, mingle, and get to know others in the community in person.

Whether you meet a future co-parent, make a new dog-loving friend, or simply expand your community, we want Doggy Daddy to create connections that go beyond the match.

Every co-parenting relationship is different. It might mean regular walks and outings, shared weekends, overnight stays, helping with travel or vacations, or sharing in the everyday care and companionship of a dog.

The arrangement is up to you and your co-parent. What matters is finding something that works for both people — and, most importantly, for the dog.

There's no one-size-fits-all schedule. Some co-parents may see their dog several times a week, while others might spend weekends together, help when the primary owner travels, or have another consistent arrangement.

Doggy Daddy is designed for ongoing co-parenting relationships, so while the amount of time can vary, we're looking for people who want to build a meaningful and consistent presence in a dog's life.

That's up to you and your co-parent. Responsibilities might include walks, feeding, exercise, training, grooming, transportation, overnight care, vet appointments, vacations, or simply being there when an extra set of hands is needed.

Your Doggy Daddy profile helps communicate which responsibilities you're interested in sharing so potential co-parents can find an arrangement that works for both of you.

There's no required financial arrangement for Doggy Daddy co-parents. Some may choose to share certain expenses, while others may divide responsibilities differently.

We encourage co-parents to discuss expectations around expenses before making a commitment so everyone is comfortable with the arrangement.

For a dog who already has an owner, the owner remains responsible for major decisions regarding their dog. Co-parents should discuss how they'd like to handle everyday care, emergencies, veterinary needs, and other decisions as part of establishing their relationship.

If you're joining Doggy Daddy with a dog you already own, connecting with a co-parent does not automatically make that person a legal co-owner. You remain the dog's owner unless you and your co-parent separately agree to a different ownership arrangement.

If you meet another dog lover through Doggy Daddy and decide to get a dog together, ownership should be discussed and agreed upon before bringing a dog home.

Because every co-parenting relationship is different, we encourage members to discuss expectations around ownership, expenses, veterinary care, decision-making, schedules, and what happens if the relationship ends. If you choose to formalize your arrangement, you may want to explore an online legal service or consult an attorney for guidance. 

Sometimes even a thoughtful match may not turn out to be the right fit. If that happens, we encourage honest, respectful communication and keeping the dog's well-being at the center of the decision.

Ending one co-parenting relationship doesn't necessarily mean the end of your Doggy Daddy journey. You may still be able to connect with another potential co-parent who is a better fit.

Yes! If you have more than one dog, you're welcome to include them in your Doggy Daddy profile.

Every dog — and every household — is different, so you can share information about each dog's personality, needs, and the kind of co-parenting support you're looking for.

Absolutely. Doggy Daddy co-parenting doesn't have to be one person matched with one person. Your co-parenting circle might include another individual, more than one co-parent, a couple, a family, or another household that would love to have a dog in their lives.

Every co-parenting relationship can look different. What matters is finding an arrangement where everyone is comfortable with their roles and expectations — and where the dog gets even more people to love and care for them.

Yes. Dogs of different ages, abilities, temperaments, and care needs are welcome.

If your dog has medical, behavioral, mobility, or other special needs, being open about them helps potential co-parents understand what's involved and decide whether they're the right fit.

Yes. Having other pets doesn't prevent you from joining Doggy Daddy.

We encourage members to share relevant information about their household so potential co-parents can consider things like compatibility with other dogs, cats, or pets.

That's part of Doggy Daddy too.

You can join as a dog lover looking for another dog lover to eventually get and co-parent a dog together. We encourage you to take the time to get to know each other and discuss things like lifestyle, responsibilities, expenses, ownership, and long-term expectations before bringing a dog home.

That's okay! You don't need to have owned a dog before to join Doggy Daddy.

What's most important is that you're genuinely interested in being part of a dog's life and open to learning what responsible care involves. Your experience level is part of your profile, so potential co-parents can decide what feels like the right fit for them.

Every application is personally reviewed before someone becomes a member. As part of the application process, we ask applicants to provide at least one active social media profile to help us get a better sense of who they are.

We also look at the information provided in the application, including their relationship with dogs, what they're looking for, and whether they seem like a good fit for the community.

Our review process is designed to create a more intentional experience, but members should always use their own judgment when deciding who to meet or enter into a co-parenting relationship with.

Not necessarily. Doggy Daddy is building a curated community, and every application is reviewed individually.

Our goal isn't to make the community exclusive for the sake of being exclusive — it's to create an environment of people who genuinely care about dogs and approach co-parenting thoughtfully and responsibly.

Your application helps Doggy Daddy review your membership and understand what you're looking for. Other members will see the information you choose to include in your member profile, rather than your full application.

We won't publicly display private contact information such as your email address or phone number as part of your profile.

Take the time to get to know each other and make sure the connection feels right before moving forward.

When you're ready to meet, spend some time together with the dog and see how everyone connects in person.

If another member makes you uncomfortable or you experience behavior that concerns you, please let Doggy Daddy know.

We take concerns about our community seriously and may review a member's participation when appropriate. If you ever feel unsafe or believe there's an immediate threat to you, another person, or a dog, contact the appropriate local authorities or emergency services.