Two very different groups of people often say the same thing: "I'd love an animal around, but owning one doesn't fit my life right now." One group has retired, or is getting close. The other works from a spare room or the kitchen table. Both spend a lot of the day at home, and both can find the house very quiet.
This guide is about getting regular, gentle time with a neighbour's dog or cat, without taking on the full commitment of ownership. It isn't about health benefits. It's simply about how to make it work well, for you and for the animal.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have allergies, asthma, mobility concerns or any condition that might be affected by spending time with animals, check with your doctor first.
Why ownership might not fit right now
There are lots of good reasons to hold off on getting a pet:
- You travel to see family, or for work, and don't want to arrange care every time.
- Your home, lease or building rules make it difficult.
- You're not sure you could manage a strong young dog on icy pavements, or a litter tray every day.
- You'd worry about what would happen to a pet if your circumstances changed.
- You work from home now but might not next year.
Every one of these is a sensible reason. And none of them means going without animals altogether.
For older adults: choosing the right match
The best match is a pet whose needs fit what you enjoy doing. Think about what a good afternoon looks like for you.
- If you like a gentle stroll: an older or smaller dog who is happy with a slow walk round the park and a long sniff at every bench.
- If you'd rather stay in: a calm cat, or a dog who loves nothing more than lying at someone's feet, in a place the owner has agreed to.
- If you used to have dogs: you may enjoy a breed or temperament you know well. Tell the owner about your experience; it is often reassuring for them.
Be honest with yourself and the owner about what you can manage. A dog who pulls hard is tiring for anyone. There is no shame in saying "I'd love a calmer dog" or "I'd prefer to keep visits to an hour".
For people working from home: fitting a pet round your day
Working from home can mean long stretches at a screen with no reason to go outside. A dog walk gives the day a shape. But it only works if it genuinely fits your work.
- Use your lunch break. An hour at midday is often the easiest slot to protect. Block it in your calendar.
- Pick a quieter day. If Mondays are full of meetings, choose a Wednesday.
- Be realistic about calls. A dog visit isn't the time for a video meeting. Walks are for walking.
- Be careful about bringing a pet into your workspace. Only if the owner agrees and, if you're a tenant, your landlord or building rules allow it.
How it can work with Tomopaw
Tomopaw connects verified members with owners nearby for visits of one to four hours. A few things make it suit quieter, home-based weeks:
- You choose the length. Anything from one to four hours, and owners can set a shorter maximum for their pet.
- You choose the pet. Browse dogs, cats, rabbits and small pets near you and read their profiles, house rules and reviews.
- The owner is there at the start. Your first visit with any pet happens with the owner present, so you can all get comfortable.
- The pace is gentle by design. A pet can have at most one visit a day and five a week, so visits stay relaxed rather than rushed.
- Everyone is verified. Members confirm they are 18 or over and verify their account with a one-time code.
Owners list for free and are never paid. Members pay Tomopaw a membership for verification and safety tools, and your first visit is free, so you can see whether it suits you first.
Practical tips for a good visit
- Plan the route or the room. Know where you'll go, or where in the agreed place the pet will settle, before you start.
- Keep the owner's number handy. And know where the Emergency button is in the app: it shows local emergency numbers, the owner's phone and the pet's vet.
- Bring water in warm weather. Short-nosed dogs overheat fast.
- Follow the house rules exactly. No treats unless the owner has said yes.
- Keep dogs on a lead outdoors unless the owner says otherwise and it's allowed there.
- Never leave the pet alone, and never hand them to anyone else, even a friend.
- Return on time to the agreed meeting point.
Allergies: check before you commit
Some people react to cats, dogs or both, sometimes only after a while. If you've ever had symptoms around animals, talk to your doctor before you start visiting. If you're cleared to try, keep the first visits short and notice how you feel during and after. Our guide on testing a cat allergy has a simple way to keep track.
Making it a relationship
The best arrangements grow into something more than a booking. You'll get to know the owner, learn the pet's habits, and become one of the familiar faces in their life. Send the owner a short note or photo after each visit. Keep the same day and time where you can. Animals, and their people, notice who keeps showing up.
Find a pet nearby
If you'd like a dog or cat to brighten a quiet day, you can browse pets near you in the Tomopaw web app. Owners approve every visit, and your first visit is free.
Spend time with pets near you
Tomopaw connects verified members with neighbours' pets for visits of one to four hours. Owners lend for free.