Everything you need to know about using HAPO
HAPO is a community for dog-owning neighbours who love their pets but sometimes need an extra hand, and are happy to help others in return. It's for everyone: busy professionals, families, retirees, rescue adopters, and anyone on a tight budget who wants to share support and kindness within their community.
HAPO isn't a commercial dog-sitting or walking service, it's about neighbours helping neighbours, building trust, and creating a circle of care for dogs and their people.
Create your HAPO account and verify your email.
Select your location, upload a friendly photo, and write a short bio about you and create a profile for your dog(s). Mention when you might need help and when you're happy to lend a hand, life changes, and that's okay!
Create a profile for each of your dogs, including their breed, age, personality, and any special needs. This helps neighbours understand your dog's routine and temperament.
Browse other dog owners nearby who are open to helping out. Read their profiles, message them, and arrange a friendly meet-up before agreeing to walk or mind each other's dogs.
Take turns walking, minding, or checking in on each other's dogs. HAPO is built on trust, goodwill, and mutual support, not money. Be reliable, respectful, and kind, and your neighbours will do the same for you.
Follow safety and care guidelines, keep communication open, and make sure everyone, including the dogs, feels comfortable. Leave positive feedback and help keep HAPO a safe, supportive community for dog lovers.
Click the "Forgot Password?" link on the login page. Enter your email address, and we'll send you a secure link to reset your password. The link expires after 1 hour for security reasons.
After signing up, check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a verification email from HAPO. Click the verification link in the email. If you didn't receive it, log in and click "Resend Verification Email" on your dashboard.
Yes. Go to Settings → Account → Delete Account. Please note that this action is permanent and cannot be undone. All your data, messages, and profile information will be removed.
Go to Dashboard → Edit Profile → Click on your current avatar or the camera icon → Upload a new photo (JPG, PNG, max 5MB). Make sure your photo is clear and friendly!
HAPO provides tools to help you connect safely: profiles, reviews, messaging, and safety guidelines. However, you are responsible for your own arrangements and safety. Always follow our Golden Rules, arrange meet-and-greets, trust your instincts, and report any concerns.
Our essential safety guidelines:
Read full safety guidelines →Contact the owner immediately if there's an incident. For emergencies (injuries, illness, lost dog), call emergency services first. Document what happened with photos if safe to do so. Both parties should communicate respectfully to resolve issues.
Click "Report User" on their profile or message thread. Provide specific details about the issue. We review all reports seriously.
Check your spam/junk folder. Add hello@helpapetout.com to your contacts. Check your email settings to ensure you haven't blocked HAPO emails. If still not working, contact support with your account email.
Ensure your photo is: JPG or PNG format, under 5MB in size, not corrupted. Try a different browser or device. Clear your browser cache. If the problem persists, try resizing your photo or contact support.
Ensure your browser allows location services. Try refreshing the page. Check your internet connection. Disable ad blockers temporarily. The map requires JavaScript - make sure it's enabled in your browser settings.
HAPO works best on: Chrome (latest version), Firefox (latest version), Safari (latest version), Edge (latest version). Mobile browsers are also supported. For best experience, always use the latest browser version.
HAPO is a community notice board for dog owners. A local network that helps you connect with nearby owners to exchange dog-walking or dog sitting favours. Instead of paying for sitters or walkers, you can post updates, share your availability, and help one another out. It's all about neighbours supporting neighbours so no dog is left behind.
Yes — for now! 🐾 HAPO is currently free to join, and if you sign up today, you'll receive lifetime free premium membership, as a thank you for being with us from the beginning.
It's important to understand that you won't automatically know you can trust new members. HAPO does not vet, screen, or background-check users. Trust is something that must be built gradually through open communication, reading reviews, and meeting in person.
We strongly recommend:
Although safety cannot be guaranteed, we recommend following HAPO's Golden Rules to help keep everyone safe. Like any community, HAPO works best when members take time to build real relationships and communicate clearly.
No problem. HAPO is designed for flexibility. There are no commitments or requirements. Simply update your profile or post a notice when you're available (or when you need help). You help when you can, and others do the same.
HAPO is perfect for dog owners who love their pets but sometimes need an extra hand. Whether they’re busy professionals, families, retirees, rescue adopters, or anyone on a tight budget who’s also willing to lend a helping hand to others.
HAPO provides the platform to connect people, but all arrangements are made directly between members. Because of this, it's essential to communicate clearly, agree on expectations beforehand, and always follow the Golden Rules — which include meet first, discuss routines, never let a dog off-lead without permission, ensure safety, and communicate after each walk.
Please note: HAPO does not provide insurance or take responsibility for exchanges made between members. We recommend considering third-party or personal liability insurance for extra protection.
Yes, absolutely; and it's encouraged! Reviews are how trust grows within the HAPO community. After each exchange, leave honest feedback about your experience. Reviews help others make informed decisions, especially when connecting with new members.
Take your time to build trust. Always arrange a meet-and-greet in a public place, ask questions about experience and comfort levels, and discuss your dog's behaviour, likes, dislikes, and routines. Start small — a short walk or quick visit — before committing to longer arrangements. Although absolute safety can't be guaranteed, following HAPO's Golden Rules for dog walking and HAPO's Golden Rules for dog sitting is the best way to help provide safety for both dogs and owners.
No. HAPO does not provide any insurance or liability cover.
All HAPO arrangements are made directly between members, and any insurance must be arranged separately by the individuals involved.
As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure your pet insurance or home insurance includes third-party liability cover, and that it covers anyone caring for or walking your dog with your permission.
HAPO is a community platform built on trust, goodwill, and mutual support, not a commercial pet service. For everyone’s peace of mind, we encourage all members to check their own policies and to confirm that their neighbours also have appropriate third-party liability cover before taking part.
Note: You don’t need to have third-party insurance to use HAPO, but it’s strongly advisable.
HAPO thrives on kindness, honesty, and respect. We ask everyone to:
By using HAPO as your neighbourhood notice board, you're helping build a stronger, more caring community of dog owners who look out for one another. Join today for lifetime free membership and be part of the movement that keeps tails wagging and neighbourhoods connected 🐾
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