How a traumatized dog inspired a sharing economy business.

Before Aaron Hirschhorn went travelling, he put Rocky, his beloved golden labradoodle, into kennels. "But I came back to a $1,400 bill and my dog Rocky hiding under my desk, clearly traumatized, for about three days," he says. So he decided to start a company, Santa Monica-based DogVacay, to match travelling dog owners with host families, instead of traditional kennels. Mr Hirschhorn and his wife were the first hosts, looking after 110 dogs in their home in the first year. They earned $35,000 (£28,185) which they used to develop a website. DogVacay hosts - there are now 35,000 - are normally fellow dog owners, says Mr Hirschhorn. Owners can opt to receive daily photos of their pets by way of reassurance.The website and obligatory app feature profiles of the hosts, their locations, and charges. And you can book and pay online. continue