Welcome to Dog Spotted!
You’ve made it, phew! After all the googling you finally landed on a reliable source for expert advice on everything from training, grooming and throwing the best dog birthday pawty Dog Spotted has the fur-friendly content and community you need.
What is Dog Spotted?
Dog Spotted is the go-to site and social community for dog parents to become the parent that our dog wants us to be.
We're pawsitively committed to...
Authenticity
We keep it real about that #dogpawrentlife. That's why our blog features a variety of experienced professionals and seasoned dog parents, so you know you're getting advice from the experts.
Community
Connect with other dog parents and get the inside scoop on your community. Check out our pilot city, NYC, of Spotters. After all, puppy love deserves to be shared!
Accessibility
Easy-to-search and easy-to-read. We have all the dog-drool-worthy content you crave.
Reliability
Our network of dog experts and service providers are here to offer the best, most relevant content, so you can make informed choices about your dog's care.
Our Story
Dog Spotted was created by Jamie Ruden, a born and bred Manhattanite and long-time dog lover who grew up with pups. More recently, she fostered Buck from See Spot Rescued and is a fur-ever dog Mom to her pup Daughter, Lucy from Ruff House Rescue. From her dog paw-renting experiences she recognized a lack of online reliable information in a user-friendly platform for the dog community which caters both dog families and urbanites.
The Dog Spotted team understands having a dog raises countless questions. Searching for the right information from multiple dog sites can be overwhelming.
Wouldn't it be fur-tastic to have one place where you can hear from dog professionals, learn about new and innovative dog products and connect with other like hearted fur parents?
We think so, too. That's why Jamie started Dog Spotted for all of us and our furry friends so we all can live our very best lives.
Whether you're searching for training tips, advice about dealing with fleas or simply looking for updates on dog cafés near you, we're here to give you what you need (even before you know you it). Plus, we can make magical connections with fellow dog owners in our community of Spotters.
Get to know our founder
Her love for dogs began...
Growing up with two dogs, Cappuccino and Taz, made my childhood exponentially better! But caring for a dog as an adult has been even more special.
What is your favorite place to take your dog?
My favorite place to take Lucy is Boris and Horton (located at 95 Avenue A in the Lower East Side of Manhattan). It is exactly how I picture heaven on earth. Dogs frolicking freely, treats for both humans and dogs, delicious coffee and dog paraphernalia everywhere you turn.
What is your favorite dog movie?
Best in Show (2000). It's a movie I've seen countless times and always makes me laugh. If you like Schitt's Creek, you will love this movie!
We're in the Neighborhood
We focus on dog advice and informational resources but like to add specificity to each city.
New York
Since February 2021
Our first city to launch, New York City! As Frank Sinatra famously sang:
“If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere!
It's up to you, New York, New York.”
Don't see your city? Let us know where we should be next!
Our Team
Meet the fur-tastic team that has brought Dog Spotted to life.
Jamie Ruden
Founder
Based in New York, NY
In Jamie's senior year of high school, she performed in American Sign Language with her class on Mets Stadium Field the Beatles song 'Twist and Shout' in front of a live audience. She grew up with two fiesty fur-brothers - Taz and Cappuccino and now she is the proud mama of Lucy.
Sarah Zengel
Community & Social Media Director
Based in New York, NY
Sarah moved to PDX, OR (from NJ) "just because". She didn't have a job or friends in the area but always wanted to visit - so why not just move? She ended up staying for three years and met two of her best friends.
Elisa MacDougall
Dog Illustrator
Based in London, UK
When Elisa was 8 years old she won a drawing competition in House Beautiful Magazine, her winning picture was a purple cow with yellow spots. To this day it's her proudest achievement (Aside from having the most wonderful dog in the world)
Ryan Lavender
Web Developer
Based in Marietta, GA
Ryan is the lead web developer of Dog Spotted. A true web guru that has made it possible to see this website in all its glory.
Anna Lavender
Graphic/UI Designer
Based in Marietta, GA
Anna is a print and web designer, creative entrepreneur, and life-long lover of color and texture. Together with her brother, she owns a web design business called Beauty and the Brain where she fulfills the role of “Beauty”, utilizing her skills to create custom web designs that wow her clients. In her spare time, you can find her hiking, running, or at the gym, enjoying her passion for nature and fitness, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Lauren Kyle
SEO/SEM Manager
Based in Vancouver, Canada
Lauren is the founder and brilliant mind behind Boop Digital. When she's not conquering the Digital Marketing world, she is taking pictures and spending time with friends and her cat.
Kaleen Anderson
Social Media Coordinator
Based in Montvale, New Jersey
Kaleen loves her french bulldog, Stella. When she isn't being the best dog mom to her pooch she is spending time with friends and family. She also has her own business, Velvet Boutique, be sure to check it out.
Advisors
Shoutout to our Advisors!
Dr. Stephanie Austin
Veterinarian
Based in New York, NY
Dr. Austin is not only a dog mom to her pup Truffles, the Medical Director of the Upper East Side location of Bond Vet, and ran the marathon in 2021
Dr. Lisa Lippman
NYC Celebrity Vet (MENTOR)
Based in New York, NY
Dr. Lisa Lippman, DVM, is one of the most followed and socially influential veterinarians in the United States. She is nationally respected by media outlets such as Dr. Oz, Inside Edition and People Magazine as a go-to source for expertise in pet health and safety.
Dr. Brett Shorenstein, DVM
Veterinarian and Practice Owner
Based in New York, NY
Dr. Shorenstein is a native New Yorker who was raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He is the owner of four practices throughout Manhattan. Dr. Shorenstein’s professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and nutrition.
Ambassadors
Check out Spot's Squad leading the way to bring high-quality Dog Spotted content and events to you!
Sydney Pokard
Veterinarian
Based in Irvine, CA
Sydney is both a Veterinarian and a nationally ranked tennis player. Serena Williams best watch out!
Sydney Day
Veterinary Student
Based in East Greenwich, RI
Sydney has been competing in tug-o-wars annually at county fairs for over 8 years! She's always in the anchor position on our team.
Allegra Beletskiy
Serial Foster Mom & Chihuahua Tamer
Based in New York, NY
Fostering dogs was Allegra's first time caring for a dog! She is proud to share that she has fostered 17 dogs of 2021.
Erin Mastopietro
Co-founder at Dope Dog | CBD whisperer
Based in Los Angeles, CA
Growing up Erin's parents wouldn't let her get a dog, so she started a pet sitting company to babysit all the dogs in her neighborhood.
Ashley Ann
Celebrity Dog Groomer
Based in Lincoln Park, NJ
Ashley founded Diamonds In The Ruff grooming salon. She is an Award-Winning, International Master and Celebrity Groomer with over 15 years of experience in the grooming industry and a strong passion for enhancing the beauty of pets.
Hannah Rose Swanson
Pet Pal & Pack Leader for hiking & training
Based in Westchester, NY
Hannah loves to bake and is proud to share that she knows how to drive stick.
Karishma Warr
Founder and Dog Trainer | Calm Canine Academy
Based in London, UK
Lover and resident of both NYC and London! Is still trying to figure out how the game Jeopardy is played.
Linh Iacona
Founder of BKLYN Dog Shop
Based in Brooklyn, NY
Linh and her dog, Chance, competed on the Amazon Prime show 'The Pack'. Chance and Linh represented the smallest dog on the show and were totally fierce!
Jolanta Smulski
Barketing Strategist
Based in Staten Island, NY
Growing up, she wanted to be an Olympic figure skater! Now she ice skates for fun and loves to teach others. She turned her passion for pets into her full-time job as a Virtual Assistant for PET-repreneurs. You can check her out at @jsvirtual.co on Instagram.
Jennifer Brand
Owner of Jennifer's Dogs & Proud Cat Mom
Based in New York, NY
Jen has been dancing her whole life and has a degree in dance!
Christina Whetsel
Deaf Dogtor | Pre-Veterinary Student Educating Others in ASL!
Based in Rochester, NY
Christina adopted a cat thinking she was deaf, but it turned out she just has 'selective hearing'
Natasha Bui
Physical Therapist for Dogs
Based in Portland, OR
Natasha is a Physical Therapist who switched from working with humans to animals (cause who wouldn’t?!) after becoming a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT) in 2021 and went on to form her own mobile animal physical therapy business called Amicus Animal Rehabilitation.
Stephanie Gomez
Dog Trainer
Based in New York, NY
Hi there! My name is Stephanie I'm a certified dog trainer here in NYC. You can find me all around the city training dogs whether it's puppyhood, behavior modification, or obedience. I've been working with animals for over 5 years. I've done it all from walking, boarding, daycare, fostering, and now training, It has been a never-ending learning experience and journey working with these amazing creatures! I'm excited to join Dog Spotted and share that passion and knowledge with those who equally love our furry friends!
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