Reason to Buy a Pet Stroller: Meet people!

For years, we've been collecting a list of reasons people purchase a pet stroller.

A couple months ago, we ran into a couple walking their cute dog in a Happy Trails PLUS Pet Stroller from Pet Gear. Turned out they purchased it from us at Just Pet Strollers (at our Milwaukee pet boutique, Metropawlis)!

I asked what they liked about it, and they said it was a great way to meet people. Every time they stroll their dog, people stop them to ask about the pet stroller and their pooch. Some people laugh and many people are curious, and they meet more people when they use the pet stroller than when they walk their dog on the leash. (They walk their dog plenty, of course, in order to keep their pet healthy!)

So, we added a new reason to our list:

• Meeting People (new): Walking your dog or cat in a pet stroller is a terrific way to meet people. (It might not be the way to spend time with your dog or cat if you want to be left alone!)
  
• Malls: You should check first, but some customers are finding that malls will permit dogs and cats if they're in pet stroller rather than on a leash. This isn't common just yet, but who knows--maybe someday all malls will let pet lovers stroll with their four-legged friends!
• Service Dogs: We've heard from several customers who take their dogs to hospitals and senior homes. Strollers keep their pets contained, but they also elevate the dog so that people in beds and wheelchairs can pet them!
• Balconies: Some customers with balconies want to let their pets outside but are afraid they may decide to leap. With a pet stroller, these people can get their pets safely from inside to outside so that pets can enjoy the view with their human companions.
• Alternative to pet carriers: Rather than using a heavy carrier, some customers find it much easier to use a pet stroller. Why carry your dog or cat when you can roll them more easily?
• Older pets: We had one customer thanked us profusely for her "brand new dog." Seems her older pooch was getting exhausted on his walk to the dog park, so once he got there the dog was too pooped to play. Now, the dog is rolled to the dog park and "explodes" from the pet stroller ready to play!
• Longer walks: Customers of smaller pooches tell us that their dogs tire out on longer walks. Rather than cut short exercise, folks can walk their dogs until they poop out, then continue long walks with the dogs resting in the stroller!
• Multiple dogs: One customer has three Yorkies and found life was much easier when they were in the stroller so they couldn't run in three different directions! She says, "They love it! "
• Trips to the vet: One customer said her stroller keeps her pet safer and healthier at the vet's office. "I don't have to worry about them being on the floor with germs from other sick animals. After all, that's why most animals are at the vets."
• Traveling: One customer who took a lot of driving trips especially liked the Kittywalk models, which include a detachable carrier and collapsible frame. This allowed her to keep her pet secure while in the car and easily roll the pet into pet-friendly hotels.
• Cats: Cats can be tough to walk on leashes--if you don't get them into harnesses at a young age, some cats will never adjust to a harness. A cat stroller is a great way for cats to get some fresh air.
• Ice & salt in winter: Northerners reports that their dogs paws take a beating on the ice and salt of roads and sidewalks. Instead, they use a pet stroller to get their dogs to parks where they can play in the snow safely. (Pick a pet stroller with larger wheels for wintertime rolling!)
• Festivals: One couple liked to walk their dog to local festivals, but between the crowds, noise, and other aggressive animals, they found it stressful rather than relaxing. With the pet stroller, they keep their small dog safe and the pooch still enjoys getting some fresh air.
• Jogging: One athletic customer reported using the pet stroller while jogging. Check out the Jeep Rubicon Pet stroller--made specifically for jogging with your cat or dog!
• Boating: A boater said she loved using the stroller to get her dog onto the boat safely since her pet didn't enjoy walking on the docks.
• Injured dogs and cats: Animals with certain types of injuries cannot be walked for long distances but still want to get outdoors.
• Safety in urban aras: We have customers in large cities who use a stroller to get their dogs to parks--the stroller keeps them safe on congested urban streets.
• Aggressive dogs: Another customer had a dog that could get aggressive, so walking him in the dog stroller helped to keep him calm (and other dogs safe.)
• More quality time: One customer shared that the stroller simply gave her more quality time with her pet. Using the stroller, she could take her dog more places than she could've otherwise, so she and her pet were enjoying more time together.
• Pets at work: One customer takes her cat to work. The stroller makes it easy to do, provides the pet a safe and quiet place to retreat, and keeps her pet in her cubicle rather than roaming around.
• Older humans: Pet strollers are great for older pets who aren't as mobile as they used to be, but one customer reports the stroller is great for her 83-years-old mother: She can walk the pet and has something on which to lean as she gets around.
• Weather emergencies: One customer said their pet stroller came in very handy during a weather warning. With sirens sounding, she got her pet into the stroller. Luckily, she didn't need to move to shelter, but with her pet in the stroller and items (snacks, radio, etc.) in the pockets, she was ready if she needed to take cover.