THE 'URBAN WILD.' Sniffspot is a mobile app and website designed for safe dog exercise and training in private yards, parks and property – available to rent by the hour. Here in Eau Claire, a Sniffspot location near Birch Street has gained momentum thanks to a local comic artist's investment in dog wellness.

In Eau Claire and the broader Chippewa Valley, over a dozen Sniffspot "dog parks" exist to offer pet owners safe exercise, training and recreation – in a private setting – for their furry friends. This summer, a new Sniffspot location has popped up near Birch Street, where a local owner turned a once-vacant lot into a fully-fenced, wooded haven for local pups.

In August alone, owner Andrew Ritchie has experienced overwhelming community interest and rapid bookings.

“(We) received our top spot badge on day seven (of operation),” Ritchie shared. “I made a spot that I think people were waiting for and that’s what those numbers show.”

Now, with close to 100 positive reviews online and a growing number of repeat guests, the private lot offers more than just a secure space for owner and dog.

Ritchie purchased the lot with the intent to build a private haven for local pet owners while also solving a personal challenge: finding an adequate outdoor space to exercise his own german shepherd.

Sniffspot’s rental service allows local hosts to rent out private fenced yards, fields and trails to other dog owners by the hour. Ritchie’s property, located on the corner of Mountain View Place and Mt. Nemo Avenue, fit into the “urban wild” category. The fenced-in, non-residential space features close to 50 oak trees, with more than enough space to exercise dogs.

While Ritchie’s focus emphasizes the well-being of each dog who enters the space, owners’ comfort has also been taken into consideration. The landscape features a quiet environment with a mix of grass, dirt, mulch and plenty of natural shade.

Sniffspot Host Rules & How-To

Minimum visit length: one hour

Max dogs per booking: four dogs

Size of lot: 0.15 acres

Enclosed fence height (at lowest point): four feet

How to book: Sniffspot is a credit-based *membership that grants you access to regional private spots (yards, fields and trails). Visits use a “credit” system to reserve your spot; the Mountain View Place and Mt Nemo Avenue property uses 10 credits per hour stay. For property safety, a lock box is used for entry and a motion-activated security camera monitors the amenities.

*Sniffspot membership begins at $20/month for 21 credits, which covers approximately one-two visits per month.

A cover design for My Brother’s Blood Machine, pictured above.

Other provided amenities include water and bowls, clean toys and treats, hand sanitizer, bug spray, waste scooper and waste bags, seating and more.

“Another thing that I've done is (taken) a deep dive into dog behavior, dog wellness and dog genetics,” Ritchie said. “Dogs don’t have the outlets for their genetic needs. Part of what I saw, too, is how accessible this is.”

If Ritchie’s name sounds familiar, it may be due to his work as a longtime comic book artist and illustrator in the area. Behind ongoing artwork for Volume One and recent projects like My Brother’s Blood Machine, Ritchie used finances earned from his latest creative work to fund the purchase and build of the property.

My Brother’s Blood Machine, a comic made alongside collaborators Claudio Sanchez and Steve Niles, offers not only a new era of slasher horror, but a new era of local dog services with comfort and play in mind.

“Go figure, I was probably going to do this anyway,” Ritchie said of his Sniffspot location. “Now I am taking that (comic funding) and I was able to make something else, another positive thing.

“When I draw, every stroke matters and it’s the same with the property,” he continued.

Visit the local Sniffspot property listing online, to learn more about its services for pet owners and dogs alike. The app was created by founder David Adams between 2016-2018 and today Sniffspot operates in all 50 states and all around the world.