Support TBM Staff During COVID-19

I'd like to introduce you to my 13 year old small business, The Barking Meter, a premier dog walking service and k9 concierge in New York City. Due to COVID-19, daily walks dropped by 75% since early March and we had to suspend our walks as of March 26. 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. Our staff is highly trained, and many of them stay with TBM for years. Each walker is assigned a neighborhood which allows them to bond deeply with their pack. These amazing humans show up daily, rain or shine, to take care of our TBM k9s throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Our story is different from most dog care companies: we are family. Our 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 of 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. 

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.

In an effort to save TBM and keep our staff safe, both my business partner and brother, Joey, and I will freeze our salaries for the month of April. 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. As of April 17, we did not receive PPP grant money so this is all on us.

During this time, I have started a blog , I am offering discounted virtual training sessions, and I am available as a Canine Consultant to prepare families to bring a dog home. All proceeds will go directly to our #SmallBusinessRelief fund. Inquire via [email redacted].

We are in this together. Thank you!


Kara
Founder & CEO