Everything you need to know about Bloom

Bloom is Canada’s first peer-to-peer pet sharing companionship community. It’s not a booking app and it’s not a gig marketplace. It’s a place where the person who owns a pet can connect with someone who wants pet companionship in their life, as neighbours or friends. There are no per-booking request fees. Just verified locals who genuinely want to be there spending time with a pet.

It’s the idea that the love you share with an animal doesn’t have to require full-time ownership. Pet companionship can be borrowed through a weekly walk, a regular visit, or a familiar face at the door. Those moments are real. They matter. And on Bloom, you can build a whole routine out of them.

Bloom is for two kinds of people who are looking for the same thing, just from different directions. Pet owners who want trusted, affordable support for their animals without paying commercial rates or relying on anonymous walkers. And borrowers: people who miss having a pet, always wanted one, or can no longer commit to ownership but still want the daily joy of pet companionship. If either of those sounds like you, Bloom was built for you.

It means you connect directly with another person, not through a booking platform and not through a paid worker. You read each other’s profiles, chat through Bloom, meet in person when you’re both comfortable, and build the arrangement together. You stay in control of every step. Bloom provides the tools; you make the decisions.

Yes. Bloom is free to use for fully verified members. Create an account, complete required verification (email, phone, and government ID via Stripe Identity; borrowers also complete address verification), then message, request visits, and post in the community at no charge. Free access does not create insurance or any guarantee of outcomes.

Bloom requires members to be 19 or older. British Columbia’s Age of Majority Act sets 19 as the age of majority, and Bloom is a BC-based company.

All animals are welcome. Dogs are the most common use case for walks and outdoor activities. Cats, birds, rabbits, and small animals can be shared for in-home visits and pet companionship. What you arrange with another member is always up to you both.

Click “Join Bloom” on our homepage, choose your role (Pet Owner or Borrower), and complete the 3-step registration flow. Depending on what features you want to use, Bloom may require email, phone, ID, and address verification.

Browse borrower profiles on the map near you. Read their full profiles, including their story, their experience with animals, and why they want pet companionship. Check that they have completed required verification. When someone feels right, message them through Bloom to get to know them. Always arrange a meet-and-greet in person before any arrangement begins. Verification helps with accountability; you still decide who to trust with your pet.

Everything happens at your pace. You browse profiles, you message first, you suggest a meet-and-greet, and you decide if you’re comfortable before agreeing to anything. No arrangement moves forward without your say-so. Bloom requires identity verification (Stripe Identity with government-approved ID, plus email and phone) before someone can message you. That does not mean Bloom supervises the arrangement or guarantees outcomes.

Absolutely, and you should. Use the messaging system to share your pet’s routine, dietary needs, behavioural quirks, health information, and any care instructions. The more detail you share, the smoother the pet companionship experience will be for everyone, including your pet.

If a borrower doesn’t respect your pet’s care instructions or behaves contrary to what was agreed, contact us at support@bloompetshare.ca. We review all reports and may take account-level action. You can also end an arrangement at any time. Owners always have the final say.

No insurance and no outcome guarantee. Bloom does not insure, reimburse, or cover accidents, veterinary costs, property damage, injury, escape, loss, or other losses during pet sharing, bookings, or off-platform arrangements. There is no Bloom Community Guarantee. Pet owners and borrowers decide who to meet and assume those risks. Verification and reporting tools support accountability; they do not create coverage. Maintain any insurance you consider appropriate. See Community Risk & Responsibility in our Terms of Service.

Yes. Owners always have the final say regarding their pet. If you need to end or change an arrangement, communicate directly with the borrower and contact support@bloompetshare.ca if urgent assistance is needed.

Yes, completely. Many Bloom borrowers are people who had a beloved pet and miss that bond. Bloom was built for exactly this: to help you find regular pet companionship without the full-time commitment of ownership. You can build a routine with an animal who’ll look forward to seeing you, just like they used to.

You browse pets near you on the map, read their profiles, and reach out to owners whose pets feel like the right fit. Once you’ve connected and had a meet-and-greet, you can arrange walks, visits, or longer stays on a schedule that works for both of you. No ownership, no long-term responsibility. Just real pet companionship.

Bloom is a warm, welcoming community for people of all ages. Many of our borrowers are retirees or empty nesters who miss the daily companionship of a pet. Arrangements are always tailored to what works for you, whether that’s a weekly walk, a regular afternoon visit, or a longer stay when an owner travels.

Use the map in your dashboard to browse pets and owners nearby. Every listing shows you the animal’s personality, needs, and what kind of pet companionship the owner is looking to share. Filter by distance and explore profiles before reaching out.

No formal experience is required. What matters most to pet owners is that you’re genuine, caring, and honest about what you can offer. A warm profile that explains why pet companionship matters to you will go much further than a CV.

It varies. That’s one of the things that makes Bloom special. Some borrowers walk a neighbour’s dog a few times a week. Others visit a cat on weekday afternoons. Some host a pet for a few days while the owner travels. You and the owner agree on what works, build a routine, and the pet companionship grows naturally from there.

Yes. Once you’re comfortable, you can arrange to spend time with multiple pets. Always discuss this with each owner beforehand to make sure they’re comfortable and that the pet’s individual needs are met.

Contact the owner through Bloom’s messaging right away. Be honest about what you’re observing, since most owners appreciate the communication. If you feel unsafe or the situation is beyond what you agreed to, it’s always okay to end the visit and contact support@bloompetshare.ca.

Identity verification is the trust requirement Bloom stands behind before messaging and community tools unlock. Bloom uses Stripe Identity with government-approved ID (plus email and phone verification, and address verification for borrowers). That process supports accountability. It is not insurance, not a background check of every risk, and not a guarantee of someone’s character, suitability, or future conduct. You still decide who to meet and whether to proceed.

Stripe Identity is Bloom’s identity-verification provider. You upload a government-approved ID and complete a liveness check. Bloom uses the verification result as an access and trust check. That ID verification flow is what Bloom requires and stands behind. It does not guarantee future behaviour, safety outcomes, or suitability for any arrangement.

For ID verification through Stripe Identity: a valid government-approved ID (passport, driver’s licence, or similar). Bloom also uses email and phone verification. For address verification (required for borrowers): a utility bill, lease agreement, or recent bank statement showing your name and current address.

Address verification is an additional platform check that a borrower has submitted proof of a local address. It supports fraud prevention and local matching. It does not guarantee character, suitability, or how an arrangement will go. Pet owners still decide who to meet.

We review submissions in under 48 hours. You’ll receive an email when verification is complete or if we need more information. Contact support@bloompetshare.ca with any questions.

Yes. Bloom is PIPEDA and PIPA compliant. Your data is encrypted, never sold, and you can request access or deletion at any time. Read our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. Verified users can use core messaging, visit requests, and community posts without purchasing a paid membership. Free access does not create insurance, coverage, or any guarantee of outcomes.

Yes. Email, phone, and government-approved ID verification through Stripe Identity still apply before messaging and community tools unlock. Borrowers also complete address verification. Verification is a platform access requirement, not a safety or outcome guarantee.

No. Bloom does not charge per walk, sit, or borrow. Arrangements are between users, and there is no paid membership purchase required for those core tools.

No. Free access does not include insurance, accident coverage, reimbursement, or a Bloom Community Guarantee. Users assume the risks of pet sharing, bookings, and off-platform interactions. See Community Risk & Responsibility in our Terms of Service.

Bloom requires identity verification through Stripe Identity with government-approved ID, plus email and phone verification, and proof of address for borrowers. Community standards, reporting, and account review processes are also available. These tools support accountability. They do not mean Bloom supervises your arrangements, provides insurance, or guarantees safety outcomes. You decide who to meet and you assume the risks of in-person and off-platform interactions.

ID verification through Stripe Identity checks government-approved ID (with a liveness step). Email and phone verification confirm those contact channels. Address verification reviews submitted proof of address for borrowers. Together, that is the verification product Bloom requires and stands behind for platform access. It does not prove character, criminal history, pet-care skill, suitability, or future conduct, and it is not a guarantee that an arrangement will go well.

No. Bloom does not operate a Bloom Community Guarantee, insurance, accident coverage, reimbursement, or any similar benefit for bookings or interactions. Users assume those risks. Read Community Risk & Responsibility in our Terms of Service.

Always arrange a meet-and-greet in a public place first. Review the person’s profile and verification status carefully. Share or ask for relevant care information. Confirm expectations, timing, and emergency contacts in advance. Trust your judgement. If something feels off, don’t proceed. Bloom does not supervise meetups.

No. Bloom does not cover accidents, veterinary costs, property damage, injury, escape, loss, or other losses arising from platform connections, bookings, pet sharing, or off-platform arrangements. Owners and borrowers assume those risks. Free access and verification badges do not change that. Read the Community Risk & Responsibility section in our Terms of Service for full detail.

Contact us immediately through the Contact page or at support@bloompetshare.ca. Safety concerns are reviewed as a priority. We investigate reports and may take account-level action including suspension or termination. Reporting tools do not create insurance or a duty for Bloom to supervise private arrangements.

Animal abuse, threats, harassment, fraud, misrepresentation, and any unsafe conduct are violations. So is sharing inaccurate pet health or care information that puts a borrower at risk. Violations may lead to account restriction, suspension, or termination and reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate.

Not exactly. Bloom is more like a community than a marketplace. Think of it like finding a trusted neighbour rather than booking a service. Borrowers give their time freely for the pet companionship. They’re not paid per walk. You get to know each other first, and the arrangement grows from there.

Yes. Walks are one of the most common arrangements on Bloom, especially for dogs. You and your borrower agree on the route, the frequency, and the schedule. Bloom provides tools to connect; you and the borrower decide what a visit means.

Members sometimes arrange longer visits or in-home stays, such as a weekend or a trip away. You must agree on all details directly, including the environment, duration, and care routine. Comply with local rules (including rental restrictions). Bloom connects people; it does not run a commercial boarding operation.

Bloom doesn’t set a minute-by-minute rule, but animal welfare always comes first. We recommend against leaving a borrowed pet unattended for long stretches. Discuss expectations with the owner in advance and follow any care instructions provided.

Bloom users are not employees or contractors. There are no per-booking fees. Verified users can message and arrange visits without a paid membership. You connect directly with verified locals and build relationships rather than transactions. Bloom does not supervise arrangements or insure outcomes.

The map shows verified users near you. Purple markers are pet owners; yellow markers are borrowers. Click any marker to view a profile and, if you’re verified for messaging, send a message. You can filter by distance to narrow your search.

Yes. Click “Locate Me” to centre the map on your location. You’ll need to allow location access in your browser.

Bloom is growing across Canada. If your area is still early, try expanding your search radius on the map. You can also post in the Community Board to let nearby members know you’re looking. The community grows fastest when members share it with friends who’d love pet companionship too.

No. Bloom does not require a paid membership purchase for core messaging, visit requests, and community tools. Complete required verification instead. If Bloom later offers paid features, checkout terms will be shown on the site and in the Terms of Service before they apply.

Existing paid subscriptions purchased earlier remain subject to the terms disclosed at purchase and applicable law. Contact support@bloompetshare.ca if you need help reviewing or cancelling a prior subscription.

Bloom was founded in British Columbia by a Canadian who wanted to build something real for Canadian neighbourhoods. We’re designed around Canadian privacy laws, Canadian postal codes, and a Canadian community mindset. Local trust is easier to build when people share the same streets, seasons, and values.

Bloom is open to users across all Canadian provinces and territories. Pet care rules vary by province and municipality. Bloom’s peer-to-peer model is different from running a commercial kennel business, but you’re responsible for checking what local rules apply to your situation.

Yes. Local animal welfare, licensing, and housing rules still apply to anything you arrange through Bloom. If you’re unsure about rules in your municipality, check with your local government or provincial guidance before making an arrangement.

PIPEDA is Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, a federal privacy law that protects your personal data and gives you rights over how it’s used. Bloom is PIPEDA and PIPA (BC provincial) compliant.

Click “Forgot Password” on the login page. We’ll send you a reset link to your registered email address.

Try refreshing the page. If that doesn’t work, check your internet connection and browser settings. Contact support@bloompetshare.ca if the problem persists.

Yes. Bloom works on mobile browsers and can be installed on supported devices as an app-like web experience. Availability may vary depending on your browser and device.

Yes. On supported browsers and devices, you can enable browser notifications for new messages and visit updates. Manage notification preferences inside your account settings.

Yes. In your dashboard notification settings, you can manage email notifications for messages, visit requests, reviews, and account updates.

On supported mobile browsers, add Bloom to your home screen using your browser’s “Add to Home Screen” or install option. The exact steps depend on your device and browser.