AUSTRALIA'S MOST-LOVED PET CARE COMMUNITY
Built by a pet lover.
Run by Australians.
For Australian families.
Wagly was created because the people who needed it most couldn't find what they were looking for — quality, verified, passionate pet care close to home. No overseas owners. No US boardroom. Just a genuine Australian team who love animals.
Australian owned
Built by a breeder
Pet industry software
Verified carers only
Why Wagly exists
Australia's leading pet platform was just sold to a US corporation.
That's why we built this.
What happened in November 2025
Mad Paws — Australia's leading pet care marketplace — was acquired by Rover, a Seattle-based US corporation.
In one transaction, the platform that hundreds of thousands of Australian pet owners relied on became a subsidiary of the world's largest pet care company, operating across 16 countries from a boardroom in Washington State.
The decisions about how Australian pet carers are paid, how Australian pet owners are protected, and how the Australian market is served are now being made overseas. Wagly exists because Australians deserve a local alternative — one that puts Australian pet owners, Australian carers, and Australian animals first. Always.
"Pet care is deeply personal. The person who walks your dog knows your street, your dog's favourite puddle. That relationship is local. It always will be. And it deserves a platform that is local too."
Meet the founder
Debbie Mewes — breeder, builder, founder.
Debbie Mewes
Founder, Wagly · Creator, The Petpreneur Platform
Wagly was founded by Debbie Mewes — and if you want to understand why Wagly is different from every other pet care platform in Australia, you need to understand who Debbie is.
Debbie is not a tech entrepreneur who spotted a gap in the market. She is someone who has spent decades immersed in the world of dogs — as an owner, as a breeder, as a competitor, and as someone who has built the tools the pet industry actually needs.
She has whelped litters, she has stood in the show ring. She knows the 2am whelping watches, the precision of neonatal puppy care, the need to find someone to watch puppies while she worked, and the immense responsibility of breeding dogs that will go on to be loved by families across Australia. Debbie has been involved in her beloved breeds of Newfoundlands and Afghan Hounds for years.
The Journey
Decades of dogs. Then the technology
Then WagLy
The Beginning
Nefoundlands & Afghan Hounds - Breeding & Showing
Debbie began breeding and showing Newfoundlands and Afghan Hounds — some of the most demanding breeds in the dog world. She learned what genuine animal expertise looks like: the whelping watches, the litter rotation, the show ring preparation, the lifelong commitment to a breed.
The Platform
The Petpreneur Platform — built for the pet industry
Debbie created The Petpreneur Platform — purpose-built business management software for pet care professionals. Groomers, walkers, sitters, boarders, and trainers used it to manage bookings, clients, and operations. Building it gave Debbie something most marketplace founders simply don't have — a deep, technical understanding of how pet care businesses actually work.
November 2025
Rover acquires Mad Paws — the gap becomes clear
The acquisition of Australia's leading pet care marketplace by a US corporation created an obvious need — a locally owned, quality-first Australian alternative with genuine pet industry expertise behind it.
Today
Wagly — Australian pet care, built from the inside out
Wagly launched as the Australian-owned, quality-focused alternative. Every service, every verification process, every technology feature reflects decades of lived experience in the pet industry — not a business plan written by people who have never whelped a puppy.
The technology edge
We didn't just build a marketplace. We built the tools that make it work.
Before Wagly, there was The Petpreneur Platform — a complete business management system built specifically for pet care professionals. That experience gave us something no other marketplace in Australia has: a genuine, technical understanding of how pet care businesses work at ground level. That knowledge is built into every part of Wagly.
Live GPS walk tracking built in-house
Automated booking and payout system
Sitter profile and badge management
Sitter profile and badge management
Real-time photo updates to owners
Petpreneur - powered workflow automation
What makes us different
Six things no other Australian pet care platform can say..
Built here. Run here.
Every decision is made locally. We are not a subsidiary, not a regional arm. We are accountable to Australian pet owners and carers — not to a US board.
Our Founder has dogs
Debbie breeds and shows Afghan Hounds. She has whelped litters. She has stood in the show ring. She understands quality pet care because she provides it herself.
Our own technology
The Wagly Walk Tracker — live GPS every walk — was built in-house. Our booking, payout, and communication systems were designed for the pet industry by someone who built pet industry software.
Genuinely specialist
Wagly Breeder Specialists, Wedding Chaperones, and verified Dog Show Handlers exist nowhere else in Australia. These services exist because our founder knows they are needed.
Every carer is verified
Every Wagly Pet Professional completes an ID check and a National Police Check before their first booking. A real person reviews every application. No algorithm shortcuts.
Community, not volume
We would rather have one brilliant Pet Professional in your suburb than ten unvetted strangers. We are not trying to be the biggest. We are trying to be the best.
100%
Of carers are verified before their first booking
Every
Walk tracked live with GPS and photo updates
Only
Australian-owned platform with breeder specialist services
We have enormous respect for what Mad Paws built. That is exactly why Wagly exists.
A note on Mad Paws and Rover
Mad Paws was a genuinely good Australian business.
The carers on its platform are real people who love animals and do important, meaningful work. We don't believe the Rover acquisition is a bad thing for those carers or for Rover.
What we do believe is that Australian pet owners deserve the choice of a platform that is locally owned, locally run, and locally accountable. A platform where the person at the top has whelped a litter, stood in a show ring, and built software for pet businesses — and therefore deeply understands the industry she is serving.
Wagly is that choice. We are glad you found us.
Whether you're looking for care or looking to care — you're in the right place.
Questions? We are real people and we actually respond. Reach out at [email protected] and you'll hear from someone who genuinely cares about getting it right.
Wagly Frequently Asked Questions
🐾 General
What is Wagly?
Wagly is Australia's most-loved pet care community — a platform that connects pet owners with trusted, vetted Pet Professionals in their local area. Whether you need a dog walker, pet sitter, groomer, boarder, or specialist breeder services, Wagly makes it easy to find, book, and pay — all in one place.
Is Wagly free to use?
Yes! Searching for Pet Professionals, browsing profiles, and posting on the Jobs Board is completely free for pet owners. You only pay the Pet Professional directly for the services they provide.
Is Wagly available across Australia?
Wagly is available nationally. Simply search your suburb or postcode to find Pet Professionals near you.
Do I need to create an account to use Wagly?
No. You can browse and search for Pet Professionals without signing up or logging in. You will only need to provide contact details if you post a job on the Jobs Board or make a booking directly with a Pet Professional.
🐶 For Pet Owners
How do I find a Pet Professional near me?
Open the Wagly app or website, enter your suburb or postcode, and browse Pet Professionals in your area. You can filter by service type to find exactly what you need.
Are Pet Professionals on Wagly verified?
Yes. Every Pet Professional on Wagly has been through our application process, which includes a police check and a review of their relevant experience and qualifications before they are approved to list. While this vetting gives you greater confidence, we still recommend reading reviews, checking profiles, and having a conversation with your chosen professional before booking.
How do I book a Pet Professional?
Each Pet Professional has their own booking system on their Wagly profile. Simply select the service you need, choose a date and time, and follow the prompts to complete your booking directly with them.
How do I pay for a service?
Payment is made directly to the Pet Professional through their own secure payment system (powered by Stripe). Wagly does not handle or store your payment details.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a booking?
Cancellation and rescheduling policies are set by each individual Pet Professional. Check their profile or contact them directly to confirm their policy before booking.
What if I have a problem with a booking or a Pet Professional?
In the first instance, please reach out to the Pet Professional directly to resolve the issue. If you have a concern about a Pet Professional's conduct or behaviour that you feel Wagly should be aware of, please contact us at [email protected] and we will investigate.
Can I leave a review?
Yes! After your service, you can leave a review on the Pet Professional's Wagly profile. Reviews help other pet owners make informed decisions and reward great Pet Professionals for their work.
📋 Jobs Board
What is the Jobs Board?
The Jobs Board is a community notice board where pet owners can post jobs they need done — from a one-off dog walk to ongoing pet sitting. Pet Professionals registered on Wagly can browse the board and contact you directly if they're a good fit.
Is it free to post a job?
Yes, posting a job on the Jobs Board is completely free.
Who can see my job posting?
Your job listing, including your contact name and details, is visible to Pet Professionals registered on the Wagly Platform. It is not visible to the general public outside of Wagly.
What information do I need to include in a job posting?
A good job posting includes the type of service you need, details about your pet (breed, age, any special needs), your general location or suburb, and how you'd like to be contacted. The more detail you include, the better matched your responses will be.
How will Pet Professionals contact me?
Pet Professionals will reach out using the contact details you include in your job posting, so make sure to include your preferred contact method — phone, email, or both.
Am I guaranteed to receive responses to my job posting?
While we have a growing community of Pet Professionals on Wagly, we cannot guarantee responses to every job posting. If you don't hear back, try updating your listing or browsing Pet Professional profiles directly and reaching out to those who offer the service you need.
🐕 For Pet Professionals
How do I list my business on Wagly?
Head to the mobile app app.wagly.com.au or website www.wagly.com.au and apply to join as a Pet Professional. You'll complete your profile, submit to a police check, and provide details about your experience and the services you offer. Once approved, your listing goes live and pet owners can find and book you.
What does it cost to list on Wagly?
Wagly operates on a simple flat-fee subscription model — just $47/month. There are no commissions, no booking fees, and no percentage taken from your earnings. Every dollar your clients pay goes directly to you.
Do I need to use Wagly's payment system?
No. You use your own Stripe account to accept payments directly from clients. Wagly does not take a cut of any booking. You set your own prices and keep 100% of what you earn.
What is the Petpreneur Platform?
The Petpreneur Platform is Wagly's premium tier for Pet Professionals, available for $150/month. It includes your Wagly listing plus access to business tools, resources, and support to help you grow and manage your pet care business professionally. [Learn more here — https://thepetpreneurplatform.com/home]
Why do I need a police check?
A police check is part of our commitment to making Wagly a trusted and safe platform for pet owners. It helps us verify that every professional on the platform meets a baseline standard, and it gives pet owners greater confidence when choosing you. We believe this sets Wagly — and you — apart.
Can I respond to Jobs Board listings?
Yes! As a registered Pet Professional, you can browse the Jobs Board and contact pet owners directly about jobs that suit your skills and availability. You will find the jobs board inside your account on the dashboard, this is updated immediately a new job is posted.
What happens if a client leaves a negative review?
We encourage all Pet Professionals to respond professionally to any review, positive or negative. If you believe a review is false, misleading, or in breach of our community guidelines, please contact us at [email protected] and we will review the matter.
Real pet lovers, right in your neighbourhood.
© 2026 Wagly. All rights reserved.
Privacy · Terms