A WEBSITE bringing dog owners together by providing a user-friendly and fun platform is barking up the right tree for hundreds of canine lovers.

Since its launch last year, around 1,500 people have signed up to MuttMate, the brainchild of New Hutton-based digital media expert, Sarah Edwards.

And now the site has got even bigger and better, as the 40-year-old explains.

“The addition of our dog business directory and community news feed means that local doggy folk can find each other more easily and better communicate,” said Sarah, who came up with the idea when she had trouble finding a local dog sport club to join with her Hungarian Vizsla, Rozsa.

“From missing dogs and rescue shelter stories to group walkies and business offers nearby, MuttMate provides a local community platform from which new friends are made and canine information and news is shared.”

Thanks to MuttMate, dog owners and doggy businesses can now connect easily within an area by ‘barking’ local news, offering discounts or finding walking buddies.

As a registered owner people can post photos of their dogs and set reminders for things like vet appointments, keeping all their doggy stuff in one online place.

MuttMate also brings power to dog owners by allowing them to search for their own specific requirements through the website.

For example, it is possible to search for particular breeds of dog or types of people, and users can set up their own MuttClubs for others to join.

The new website's geo-location targets specific areas so users only receive local information that is relevant to them and their 'best friend'.

Doggy businesses are drawn to MuttMate.com as, unlike a straightforward directory, it is actively used by dog owners.

Businesses can take out business page subscriptions, which include free ‘bark’ alerts to dog owners within a certain radius of their location, reaching out only to their target audience.

Together with its blog – Doggy Tails and Other Titbits – MuttMate.com has also been launched in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe.