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Business & Tech

MetroPUP Creates Social Network for Weho Dog Owners

Elizabeth Lande designed her website for local dog owners looking for ways to enjoy the city with their pooch.

Owning a pet in an urban area is can be a challenge, at some point, you may have wished it was easier to take your animal friend along with you to the grocery store or a restaurant without worrying about being booted.

Elizabeth Lande has been in those shoes with her two dogs, Maddie and Mia, and decided to do something about it.

Lande’s creation was MetroPUP, a social networking website created in March of this year, made to bring dog supporters together. Since its launch, the site has gained more than 4,000 subscribers and 2,400 Facebook fans.

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“I was working real estate…when I saw dogs with owners," Lande said. "I wondered where they came from, where they were going to play, what dog parks were nearby. I wanted to create something for them and started looking into it.”

The site aims to be a “dog-lover's dream” said Lande. It offers people the ability to build profiles, upload photos, meet other local dog lovers, as well as check out articles, calendars with monthly events, chat sessions, veterinarians, groomers and doggie daycares.

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Lande, a resident of nearby Hollywood, says that local dog lovers can benefit by knowing the hot spots that allow you to bring your dog along. West Hollywood's very own Chubby Paws, and  made the approved list.

Along with the website’s main initiative to connect dog lovers, Lande also continues her passion for charity and the animal welfare through the site, connecting with organizations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), the Found Animals Foundation, and even the .

“The American Cancer Society reached out to me about participating in the American Cancer Society’s 1st Annual Bark for Life,” Lande said. “People will get to bring dogs, socialize and raise awareness for cancer.”

The site currently caters to Southern California, but Lande is working on making sites for New York City and Houston.

“It may sound silly, but it inspires me to see all of these people that have such love for their pets,” Lande said. “Seeing people spending quality time with their pets amongst the hustle and bustle. I think that is the most powerful thing of all. There’s that saying that you got to love what you do. This site is the perfect example of that. Every time I talk about metroPUP, its pure excitement for me because I get to see people feeling from the heart.”

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