Got a Yard? Make Extra Cash by Renting It Out as Dog Park

A dog runs with his tongue out while running a yard.
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ScoreCard Research

Do you have a decent-sized backyard? And would you like to earn a little extra money every month?

If that’s a double yes, Sniffspot might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Sniffspot allows anyone with a backyard to rent out their property to be used as a private dog park, by the hour per dog. Spot gets a place to sniff off leash without the risks of a public dog park and you cash in.

The average booking is $9 to $15 an hour, and many homeowners earn up to $3,000 per month, according to Sniffspot. The service is available in 2,000 cities and has 8,000 total listings with an average of 15,000 bookings per month.

You can find everything from a smaller yard in town with a “digging area” to a 74-acre fenced ranch with a pond, tall grass and farm animals. Some even have amenities for people, like a hammock, swing set and a covered patio.

What makes this side gig ideal is its totally passive income. You don’t have to drive anywhere, pick up anything, leave your house or even be home. Anyone with a yard or land can make extra money to help pay off debt, fight inflation, fund home improvements or just because.

And the potential market is huge. More than 69 million households have at least one dog. And nearly one in five adopted a pet during the pandemic. Many of those same dog owners are now addressing behavioral issues because they didn’t have access to trainers — making public dog parks more problematic.

A rented yard allows for a quiet and safe environment for training, play dates or to rehabilitate an injured dog.

Sniffspot also offers two-sided reviewing where both dog owner and property owner can share their experience.

If you think you have room on your property for pups to roam free, you can sign up at Sniffspot — as well as see what private dog parks are available in your area.

Robert Bruce is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.