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Mesa woman’s side hustle goes to dogs

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

AMesa woman has turned her backyard into a kind of Airbnb for dogs. Cheri Morton signed up to offer her backyard through an online marketplace called Sniffspot.com to local dog owners on a by-the-hour basis for use as a dog park.

Morton said this provides a consistent place to bring somebody’s fur baby.

“The dogs are able to release the energy because a dog that doesn’t release energy is going to become very destructive.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 23 million Americans have adopted a pet, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

But with the recent housing market so costly and some people choosing to move into apartments, dog owners still need a place to take their pets to play,

In 2018, David Adams founded the company from his Seattle home and it has grown to more than 8,000 hosts across 2,000 cities across the U.S.

In the Valley, there already are more than 50 locations.

Many Sniffspots have popped up around the country with everything from water features and shade to swimming pools. This “inflation buster” side hustle fits perfectly with Morton’s backyard and al-

lows people to get their dogs out and exercising despite extreme heat conditions. The average book ing runs between $9-15 per hour and has also Cheri Morton plays with her dog Chunky in her backyard, which she rents to local dog owners looking for a safe spot to bring their dogs to play. (David Minton/ Tribune Staff Photographer) allowed many homeowners to earn up $3,000 per month. Homeowners don’t even need to be home to accept guests. According to Sniffspot, hosts report more than 12,000 bookings a month across the country. Morton said she averages six to seven visitors per week.

Starting at $15 per hour, she offers amenities like chairs, shade, table, electric outlet, pooper scooper for picking up your dog, and her swimming pool.

For an additional $20, Morton offers training for any behavior or suggestions as a certified dog trainer.

“I don’t mind that because I want to keep as many dogs in the homes that they’re in,” Morton said.

She also offers snacks, such as rib bones for $5 and femur bones for $2 from her local pork shop that the dog can chew on and take home with them, as well as ice cold water bottles for $1.

There are a few rules that Morton ask people to follow, such as 12 hours advanced notice before visits, a minimum visit of 30 minutes, and a maximum of four dogs allowed.

She prefers to meet my guests on their first visits.

Sniffspot also has community safety rules: including dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the spot, and

seeSNIFFSPOT page 21

Zia Records plays on with 2nd annual sale

BY ALEX GALLAGHER

Tribune Staff Writer

Back by popular demand, Zia Records has brought back its Zia DayZ sales for a second consecutive year.

From Friday, Sept. 9, through Sept. 11, Zia’s eight stores in the Valley, Las Vegas and Tucson will host deals ranging from 20% off of almost everything instore and online, goodie bag giveaways, triple Zia Rewards Points, limited edition Zia merchandise and exclusive vinyl releases.

“There’s a holiday for everything, it seems,” said Zia Records spokeswoman Mary Papenhausen. “We wanted to celebrate our staff and our amazing customers. So, it was the day to stop and recognize them and say, thank you for everything they have done and for supporting us over the last 42 years.”

As costs continue to rise across the country on everyday goods like gasoline and groceries, Papenhausen believes that customers will be elated by this one-day-only discount.

“Things are very expensive, so to be able to offer a give back to our customers and kind of give them a break for a day and having people save money is important to us,” Papenhausen said.

Customers will have an opportunity to score some sweet Zia swag as Zia opened up a bracket on its social media platforms for customers to vote on their favorite shirts.

After seven rounds of voting, fans decided on a tee from 2005 that features a design of a devil draped in a black cloak with an old-school logo printed below that will be re-printed and sold at all locations.

Customers who purchase the tee will get more than they bargained for as Zia will give customers a free Zia super pack, which includes a tote bag, seeZIA RECORDS page 21

Mary Papenhausen of Zia Records with a rack of exclusives as she prepares for Zia DayZ next weekend. (David Minton/

make sure the area is safe and secure before bringing their dog. They also must pick up after their pet.

“Because I’m a dog trainer, I understand that not every dog is going to get along with every dog,” Morton said. “And you

ZIA RECORDS from page 20

temporary tattoos and a sticker sheet that features sticker versions of the shirts that were nominated in the contest.

In addition to the re-printed t-shirt, the first 100 customers to purchase at each Zia Records location will receive a Zia Goodie Bag which could include a $50 gift card among other prizes.

After the shelves are depleted by offering 20% off store-wide on Friday and offering unique giveaways on Saturday, Zia is rounding out the weekend by offering customers triple points on all purchases and trade-ins which can eventually be redeemed for half off on items.

In addition to offering deals on merchandise all weekend long, Zia Records will also accept direct donations for the Arizona Humane Society and Papenhaucan’t force that.”

For this reason, she said Sniffspot puts a 30-minute gap between visitors and spaces to ensure owners don’t overlap times.

Even with a reactive dog, it gives them the comfort of knowing that there’s no other dogs there,” Morton said. “Their dogs are able to relax and have some fun.”

sen teased that fans could also have the opportunity to get their hands on a new exclusive vinyl as early as Saturday.

She also teased that two exclusive vinyl records will be announced for preorders that week.

No matter which day customers choose to visit, Papenhausen is most excited to see smiles on customers’ faces and relishes another opportunity to give back to Zia’s loyal customers.

“I just really love how good it makes people feel and I just love the feeling that everybody’s excited,” she said. “To be able to be a business for 42 years and celebrate the people who made it happen, it’s always fun to be around people and get engaged. Zia Records is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1302 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa. and 3201 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe Information: Ziarecords.com. 

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