Halifax-based entrepreneur Wayne Brown has created an app called Dog Park Now to help dog owners find out the best time to go to off-leash parks.

Dog Park Now is a free app that helps dog owners check how busy a dog park is before leaving home. The app is currently available in Halifax and includes 52 off-leash dog parks across Nova Scotia, from Yarmouth to Sydney, allowing users to view activity. Users check in when they arrive and share updates to help other dog owners plan their visits. The app also lets users save their favourite parks, receive alerts, and share reports about lost dogs. Available for both iPhone and Android, Dog Park Now helps dog owners make informed decisions and enjoy a better park visit with their pets.

After struggling to find this information online himself, Brown launched the app at the end of June, and it has since surpassed 1,000 users. Brown is happy that his Dog Park Now app has grown to cover off-leash dog parks across Nova Scotia, with dog owners recommending new locations. The app also includes a lost dog alert feature that sends notifications to people in the local area to help find missing pets faster.

Brown’s five-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Peanut, inspired him to create the app. He left his 15-year career in the insurance industry to focus on building the app. Brown hopes his app will eventually be available across Canada.

Source: Stephanie Tsicos, CTV News