Inspiring Conversations with Erin Leigh of Spare Leash

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Leigh

Hi Erin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and graduated from Western Michigan University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Business. Influenced by my mother’s career-driven relocations, I developed a love for adventure and a global perspective, which led me to live in Shanghai for the last 12 years.

In Shanghai, I initially worked in Marketing and PR but soon transitioned to entrepreneurship by creating Spare Leash, a pet-sitting platform, in 2016.

Growing up as a lifelong animal lover pets were always present in my life, I found myself missing their companionship upon moving to Shanghai. I began pet sitting for friends and fostering animals for organizations, which opened my eyes to the overcrowding in animal shelters and the lack of adoptions due to limited safe pet care options. In response, we established Spare Leash as a solution.

I currently split my time between Shanghai, Michigan, and Texas, as I work towards expanding Spare Leash into the US market in 2025. This expansion aims to bring our pet care services to a broader audience, capitalizing on the growing demand for quality pet services across different regions.

In my free time, I actively support multiple nonprofit animal organizations globally and share my home with five rescued pets from Shanghai.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an entrepreneur is challenging, but starting a business in a foreign country comes with its own complexities—especially in a place without animal laws. Entering this space as the first pet-sitting platform in China required earning the community’s trust, which was no small feat.

In 2016, when we launched, pets were considered property rather than family members. But today, the pet industry is thriving, projected to reach $161 billion by 2028. The concept of having a pet sitter enter your home, or even stay overnight, was once unheard of. I faced skepticism and laughter, but now house sitting has become our most popular service for the last five years. Having a dog walker drop by while you’re at work is now completely normal.

Building this trust took time and dedication. We focused on transparency, hands-on customer support, and actively participated in adoption events to create a safe community. This approach has helped us become the number one trusted platform in seven cities across China.

Operating in a country with no enforceable animal laws has been both a challenge and an opportunity. Unlike U.S.-based pet-sitting platforms, we function as a double-sided marketplace, meticulously vetting both pet owners and sitters to ensure the safety of all pets and humans using our services.

We’ve prioritized safety and security from the start. This commitment to safety is a cornerstone of our success.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Spare Leash ?
Spare Leash provides pet owners with the reassurance that, whether they are traveling, having a long workday, or simply in need of some assistance, reliable pet care is available. We ensure that animal lovers can adopt with confidence, knowing that Spare Leash is there to support them and their pets.

Spare Leash offers pet sitting services like cat check-ins, dog walking, boarding, house sitting, and vet visits—all in a home setting to keep pets cage-free and comfortable. We also assist with pet training, insurance, and relocation, and have an online store featuring top pet brands and products.

Offline, we foster community by organizing pet-friendly activities and collaborating with rescue organizations to promote adoption. As China’s leading and most trusted pet platform, we are committed to supporting pet owners and their furry friends.

What does success mean to you?
I define success by the positive impact I have on a community, specifically the pet community in China.

Success, to me, is helping shelter pets find forever homes and allowing families to enjoy the joy of growing up with a pet. This impact is coupled with our services, which are not just a bonus but a valuable addition.

Rather than waiting for pet owners to come to us, we proactively foster them by promoting pet adoption, educating people on responsible pet ownership, and offering trustworthy resources and community support.

This approach creates lasting change, which I see as the true measure of success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.spareleash.com.cn
• Instagram: Spareleash
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spareleash