Angel Next Door proves a pet help platform

PEOPLE are lining up to help animals as much as humans in the COVID-19 lockdown, according to aid app Angel Next Door, which now has around 5,000 users, with over 1,000 of these in regional Victoria.
Requests to take Max or Woofer for a walk are drawing volunteers at many times the rate of replies to requests for shopping help or gardening help, figures posted by the Geelong-based platform show.
‘Kate’, of Windsor, requested Angel help with dog walking and was politely slammed with offers of assistance, no less than 37, in fact.
“I am blown away by all the kindness in my community, it has been a difficult time for everyone so it really warms my heart,” she said, thanking the lucky ‘Georgina’, who landed the dog-walking gig.
If you really want to tug at the animal-lover heartstrings, start talking food – like ‘Allan’, of South Melbourne, who requested help with dog food for his mutt.
Thirty-nine Angels raised their wings offering to help, Allan accepted help from one, Dana, and is eternally grateful.
Charity, it seems, can start in the kennel as likely as the home.
Angel Next Door ambassador Kim Cooper says the responses reflect how closely humans relate to vulnerability.
“We love our animals, that’s for sure,” says Kim.
“But the responses Angel’s getting across the board show we care a great deal for people as well.
“Thing is, we need more people who need help to ask for it, there are 800 people in the Geelong region on isolation who should not be going out at all, so someone needs to shop for them.
“Angel Next Door has an ever-growing army of volunteers, 9200 across the country at last count, ready to help out their neighbours in whatever way they can.
“We’re getting requests for baby clothes, for meals, groceries, quarantine gear such as sanitiser and masks, jobs, wardrobes, lemons, laptops, trampolines – even a cryptic crossword phone pal.
“So many people have had their lives upturned by Covid and it’s heart-warming to find so many still willing to help out.
“But we really need those people who need help to speak up.”
Angel Next Door is a non-profit aid app developed by Geelong Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Aamir Qutub, with Villawood Properties.
The app was developed to help people help their neighbours who are isolated by COVID-19 lockdown or looking for a hand after the recent Bushfire crisis.
Need groceries or medicines but cannot get out during the coronavirus lockdown? Maybe you need some advice, help around the house, a meal, the dog taken for a walk or some basic gardening?
The app is discreet, it’s secure and it’s all about community, just register if you can help or register if you need help.
Angel helper and recipient identities are kept confidential to guard against scammers and hackers.
To find out more, head to angelnextdoor.com.au.