Can I call you by a pet name?

The Pet Hub website says matching up pet owners like in Must Love Dogs is the 'ultimate'. Photo / Supplied

Wanted: Dark-haired beauty for long walks in the park. That's the kind of lonely heart ad likely to become commonplace as the pet dating phenomenon reaches New Zealand.

Already popular in Britain, India and the US, pet personals have spread Downunder thanks to Christchurch vet Francesca Matthews. The 36-year-old set up website The Pet Hub 10 months ago with the aim of providing advice on all aspects of ownership.

Alongside the pet care, noticeboard, kids' zone and ask-a-vet sections is one dedicated to dating - where owners post personals about their furry friend and what they're looking for.

The service is not so much match-making as a means for pet owners to find company for their animals.

"There are a lot of people with pets who struggle to get out to walk - they think of excuses or get home from work and are too tired," says Matthews. "But if there's somebody they could meet up with and walk their dog with, they'll do it."

It's also a way for pets who are home alone all day to have some company.

"If people could link up and drop their dogs around to each other's houses and have play dates while one person's at work, it's alleviating dogs being left alone all day."

Human romance is not entirely out of the picture. Matthews doesn't know of any owners finding love through the site as yet, but it's early days and that would be the "ultimate", she says.

Overseas, pet dating is already well-established. A quick Google search reveals at least a dozen dedicated sites.

And they called it puppy love
Location: Wellington
Description: Phoebe, the 1-year-old mini-longhaired dachshund is looking for a friend during the day - a small-sized, fun-loving, cat-friendly and house-trained dog who can be looked after at our home and returned safe and sound, or possibly vice versa.

Location: Christchurch
Description: Jack, my black lab, and I would like to meet other dogs and their humans in the Hornby area to walk with on weekends during winter, and after work during summer. We frequent Kyle Park in Hornby, the Halswell Quarry and Groynes dog parks. If you'd like to join us, we'd love to hear from you!

Location: Porirua City
Description: My name is Ruby and I'm a miniature schnauzer looking for playmates. My mum tells me it's always good to have a lot of friends to play with, that's why I attend Paws in the City doggy daycare twice a week.