Skip to main content

A smart home for Fido: Dog Parker offers safe place to keep canines in the big city

dog parker doghomes brooklyn nyc twotwenty by chi agbim 15
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Technology is quickly advancing to create smarter and more accessible homes. There’s everything from locks and thermostats you can control with the click of an app, to lights and appliances that respond to voice commands. One of the latest innovations means that the furry, four-legged member of your home doesn’t have to be left out of the loop.

Dog Parker is your pup’s own personal smart home. It is a service currently available only in New York that’s designed to make going on outings with your dog less stressful. Unfortunately, dog theft is an escalating problem in the city and owners may not feel safe leaving their pet tethered outside while they venture into a grocery store or coffee shop.

That’s where the Dog Parker steps in. The system consists of individual doghouses that are wirelessly connected to a partner application. Members can reserve a Dog Parker unit near their favorite coffee shop, then house man’s best friend safely inside the unit while they go inside.

These aren’t your average doghouses, either. They are equipped with webcams so that owners can check up on their pet, and owners are given exclusive access to lock and unlock the unit so no one can steal Fido while his human is away. Dog Parker members pay a $25 per year fee, as well as $0.20 for every minute they occupy a unit. A small price to pay for peace of mind when it comes to your canine companion.

Between the time one pet leaves and the next arrives, the Dog Parker is cleaned using a UVC sanitation light. This tidies up the surfaces until a crew can come through at the end of each day to provide a deeper cleaning of every unit. The company originally tested out five Dog Parkers, and as of November 17 is rolling out a brand new model. The newest Dog Parker model is locally made in New York, and another 100 units are set to roll out across Brooklyn neighborhoods starting this week (and to continue over the next three months).

Editors' Recommendations

Anthony Thurston
Anthony is an internationally published photographer based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Specializing primarily in…
Get this Roomba robot vacuum for $160 instead of the usual $275
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum cleaning a foyer.

Crutchfield is currently selling an iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum for a fantastic discount. Usually costing $275, it’s down to just $160 for a very limited time only. One of the best robot vacuum deals around, the sale is only on until March 16 so you haven’t got long to snap one up. If you’re keen to streamline the cleaning process at home, check it out now before the sale ends.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum
The Roomba range provides some of the best robot vacuums around meaning it’s the perfect brand to consider. With the iRobot Roomba 694, you get a 3-stage cleaning system with an edge-sweeping brush, dual roller brushes, and powerful suction. Alongside that, there are Dirt Detect sensors that inform it when it needs to give more attention to dirtier parts of your home.

Read more
The Blink Mini 2 features an updated design, support for outdoor use
The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

The original Blink Mini was one of the best indoor cameras thanks to its affordable price, 1080p resolution, and support for Alexa. Now, Amazon is making the gadget even more enticing with the new Blink Mini 2, which boasts a sleek new design and is capable of working both indoors and outside in the elements.

While it's still small and compact, the Blink Mini 2 looks slightly different from the old Blink Mini. Its corners are much softer, its entire chassis is white (instead of a white chassis and black faceplate), and its camera takes up a bit more space on the front of the device. The differences are apparent when the two gadgets are placed side by side -- and the minor changes add up to make the Blink Mini 2 look a bit more premium than its older sibling.

Read more
This 4-camera Lorex wireless video surveillence system is $200 off
A Lorex 2K Wireless camera mounted on an outside wall.

One of the best security camera deals today is over at Crutchfield with $200 off the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System. Usually priced at $550, it’s down to a fantastic $350 until March 17. That means you don’t have very long to enjoy the significant discount. If you need to know more, we’re here to help with some insight about the security system below. Remember to buy it before March 17 if it sounds like the right setup for you.

Why you should buy the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System
Sure to be one of the best home security camera systems for many people, the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System is packed with features. It comes with an easy-to-use network video recorder along with four weather-resistant 2K cameras which are battery-powered and wireless. Any time the cameras notice motion, you’ll get a notification to your smartphone. You can then opt to view the live feed as well as talk to anyone on the other side. Its motion-based detection system does a great job of highlighting things only when there are people rather than objects, cutting down on false alarms.

Read more