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How to Switch from Mad Paws to TruePath — A Simple Guide

Thinking about moving your dog care bookings from Mad Paws to TruePath? Here's how the transition works, what carries over, and how to get your dog matched with a verified TruePath walker or sitter.

By atticus · 5 min read · Last updated 17 May 2026

Switching platforms is simple — there's no locked-in contract, no cancellation fee for leaving Mad Paws, and no data to transfer. Your dog is your dog. Here's how to move your regular bookings to TruePath and what to expect during the transition.

Before you switch

Honour your existing commitments. Don't cancel active Mad Paws bookings that your sitter or walker is counting on — cancel with appropriate notice where the platform's policy allows, or let existing bookings run to completion. The walker or sitter has reserved their calendar for you; that's worth respecting regardless of platform.

Note what's worked and what hasn't. If you're switching because of a specific issue — sitter quality, checkout fee surprise, customer service — knowing what you're moving away from helps you find the right match on TruePath. Owners who switch because of sitter quality often identify, after the fact, that they'd benefit from a sitter specifically matched for their dog's needs.

Setting up on TruePath

Create your account at truepath.com.au. The signup is straightforward — email, suburb, basic account details.

Build your dog's profile. This is the most important step for the quality of your match. The more detail you provide, the better the match:

  • Breed, age, weight
  • Current medications — name, dose, timing, how administered
  • Known triggers — what the dog reacts to, what the first signal looks like
  • Energy level and exercise needs — how many walks per day, what distance
  • Routine — feeding schedule, evening routine, sleep spot
  • Vet details — name, clinic, phone
  • Any relevant history — past injuries, recent health changes, behavioural notes

A thorough profile is what allows TruePath's matching to find the right walker for your specific dog — not just a walker who's available in your suburb.

Finding your walker or sitter

Once your profile is live, you can:

  • Search by suburb and service type. Walkers and sitters near you appear with their verification status, review history, and pricing.
  • Filter by availability for your regular schedule.
  • Message directly to ask questions before booking — walker experience with your dog's breed, how they handle reactive dogs, medication experience.

Every TruePath walker and sitter has completed:

  1. ACIC National Police Check
  2. Direct reference call verification (not self-submitted)
  3. In-person interview

The 35% rejection rate means that 1 in 3 applicants who applied didn't make it through. The field you're choosing from is pre-filtered.

The meet-and-greet

Book a meet-and-greet before your first regular booking. For walking, this is typically 15–20 minutes at your home. For sitting, allow 45–60 minutes — the sitter needs to understand access, routine, medication, and emergency protocols.

The meet-and-greet is where you observe:

  • How the walker/sitter interacts with your dog in the first few minutes
  • Whether they ask the right questions
  • Whether their energy and manner are a match for your dog's temperament

If the first match isn't right, request a different walker or sitter. The relationship is the point — finding the right one is worth the extra step.

If your Mad Paws walker is on TruePath

Many active dog walkers in Australian cities operate on multiple platforms — some are already TruePath-verified. If your current Mad Paws walker is one of them, you can book them through TruePath directly. The verification has been completed; the relationship already exists.

It's worth asking your walker directly if they're on TruePath. Most walkers prefer bookings that come through platforms they're fully verified on — it gives them more professional standing and better booking management.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Find a TruePath walker near you

Background-checked walkers, GPS-tracked walks, and live photo updates. Most owners book their first walk within an hour.

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