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<\/p>\nMarty Sampson is a pet owner like millions of other individuals. His dog Wally is like a member of the family. However, sometimes life gets in the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One day, Sampson and his wife Kate were both rushing to get to work and didn\u2019t have the time to take Wally to day care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This led them to create Leash, an animal driving service. The Nebraska-based company officially expanded to the Tampa Bay area market this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It already has a presence in Kansas, Missouri, Arizona and Iowa. In two weeks, the business will begin operations in Texas as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Marty Sampson, the concept is simple. Pet owners can download an app and book one-way or roundtrip rides for their animals. Currently, the organization is serving dogs and cats. They can be taken to day cares, pet resorts, veterinarians\u2019 offices, grooming salons and other locations.<\/p>\n
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Leash co-founder Marty Sampson with his dog Wally, the company\u2019s chief inspiration officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about making pet care more convenient for pet parents,\u201d he explained. If some owners have a lack of transportation, the service can help ensure that their animals\u2019 needs are met.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of our clients find out about us through our partner base,\u201d Sampson said. \u201cWe partner with pet care businesses and then that enables those businesses to offer pet pickup and dropoff through us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that a driving service can help pet owners and the companies. They lose \u201cpotential revenue\u201d when individuals do not have the time to take their animals to appointments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All of Leash\u2019s drivers are current or former pet care professionals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They have to have \u201cdirect experience\u201d with taking care of animals, Sampson said. The Leash team reviews their relevant work. Many of these individuals are groomers, day care attendees or long-time volunteers with a humane society.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Candidates also participate in pet-handling assessments. Additionally, background checks are performed on every driver.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leash has also created a protocol to ensure the safety of the animals. For example, dogs are harnessed and attached to a seatbelt tether.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bay region is Leash\u2019s first entry into the Florida market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were looking at launching in a central Florida city and Tampa Bay was very attractive to us just from a growth perspective,\u201d he explained. The \u201clarge pet ownership demographics\u201d and \u201chuge number of pet care businesses in this market\u201d were key factors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pinellas County will play an essential role in the company\u2019s Florida expansion. Leash has already formed partnerships with Advantage Pet Center (Largo) and Bay Paws Pet Resort (Clearwater). He added that the organization is in talks with other businesses in the region as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leash has employed about five drivers in the St. Petersburg area so far, Sampson said. The goal is to get \u201cmore activity\u201d in the local market over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n