Small cabins with ventilation, temperature control, and digital locks are proliferating in German supermarkets so that dogs can wait safely while their owners shop.
An increasingly common sight around some German supermarkets are small technological cabins where dogs can wait while their owners do their shopping. These smart shelters, which have already been seen in the United States and Nordic countries, are beginning to spread in Germany as a solution to the dilemma of leaving a pet tied up at the door or not being able to enter with it.
Cabins with climate control and digital locks
The shelters, made from durable materials, feature forced ventilation, temperature control, and a digital locking system that is activated via an app or QR code. The dog remains inside a protected space, safe from theft, inclement weather, or potential aggression from other animals.
According to sources from the German retail sector, several supermarket chains have already installed these cabins in cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. The establishments see this initiative as a way to enhance the customer experience and prevent incidents with loose animals.
A paid subscription service
The use of the shelter is not free: owners pay a small fee for usage time, which ranges from 1 to 3 euros for 30 minutes, depending on the location. Some companies offer monthly subscription plans for frequent users. Payments are managed through the same app that controls the lock.
The German company DoglyBox, specialised in this type of solution, has been one of the first to launch the service. Its founder, Markus Schmidt, explained to local media that the idea arose from observing how many dog owners avoided going to certain supermarkets because they could not leave their pets in safe conditions.
“We wanted to offer a solution that provided peace of mind for both the owner and the establishment. The shelter is safe, comfortable, and monitored at all times,” Schmidt stated.
Consumer reaction and regulation
The initiative has been well received by consumers, especially in urban areas where there is a high density of canine population. On social media, many users applaud the measure and call for it to be extended to other cities. However, there have also been criticisms from animal welfare associations, which believe that dogs should not be left alone in any type of enclosed space, no matter how safe it is.
The German animal welfare authorities are evaluating the applicable regulations. For now, the shelters meet basic requirements for ventilation and space, but it is recommended that owners do not leave their dogs for more than 30 consecutive minutes.
Will it come to Spain?
The trend could cross borders. In Spain, where dog ownership has increased by 40% in the last decade, some supermarket chains are already studying the possibility of implementing similar systems. Sources from the Spanish Association of Food Distributors (ASEDAS) confirmed that they are analysing the technical and legal viability of the German model.
For interested readers, if you travel to Germany and need to shop with your dog, you can search Google Maps for the term “Hundebox” (dog box) to locate supermarkets that offer this service. The DoglyBox app is available on iOS and Android, and allows you to reserve a cabin in advance.
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