- July 8, 2026
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Melanie Charles grew up in Oakland, and her house was surrounded by nature’s beauties: oak trees, orange groves and animals.
“We’ve always had pets,” she said. “We had lots of dogs and cats, and most of them —living out in the country here — were strays. My parents would adopt them in, spade and neuter them, and they lived long, healthy lives.”
Her love for animals stems from her childhood, and it never left her.
Today, Charles is back in her Oakland childhood home enjoying the town’s beauty while welcoming dogs and their owners to her backyard through Sniffspot, a by-the-hour Airbnb experience for dogs.
Now, she watches dogs play around in her backyard like old times, bringing her immense joy and gratefulness.
Six months ago, Charles’ friend clued her in to Sniffspot, something she had never heard of before.
“I thought, ‘Well, everybody has dogs, everybody is walking their dogs on leashes, and they don’t have a big yard for these dogs to run, so it could give them an opportunity,’” she said. “If they want to spend an hour in my backyard playing with their dog and having fun, they can put themselves on the schedule and everybody is happy. … I thought, ‘It might be something fun for me.’”
While she thought it could be a good idea, she made no immediate decisions.
After six months of debating whether she should do it, she decided she’d go for it.
So she signed up.
“Animals are my hobby,” she said. “Pets and nature, the squirrels.”
Charles recalls the time she moved back to Oakland 11 years ago, when all of her family and friends wanted to bring their dogs to visit her home.
“I said, ‘Sure, bring your dogs over and visit,’ and they’ve had so much fun,” she said.
“My family’s and my friends’ dogs just enjoy being over here in the backyard.”
Those memories were confirmation she should open her backyard to visitors, allowing dogs and their owners to create new memories while being safe on private land.
And she’s the first resident to do so in the town of Oakland.
Charles thought of everything.
Not only does she offer her quarter-acre backyard five days per week, but she also provides toys, a kiddie pool, agility course, sun shade, fans, electric outlets, dog bags and drinking water.
The benefits are far greater than just a good time, though.
Sniffspot allows aggressive, reactive and anxious dogs to run freely without worries.
Moreover, it eliminates the risk of unprovoked attacks at dog parks and public parks, reduces the risk of canine diseases and provides a safe space for off-leash training. It reduces stress, while providing mental stimulation through sniffing, which can be just as beneficial as physical exercise.
It also is good for the owners, alleviating concerns they normally would have at a dog park or public park, and creating a stronger bond with their dogs through dedicated play time.
Charles already has returning visitors, which puts a smile on her face.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Charles said. “When I see dogs, when I see animals and little children having fun, it brings me joy.”
To her, there’s nothing better than seeing animals and their owners happy.
Her favorite part of it all, she said, is looking out her window to see how much fun the dogs and their owners are having together.
“I’m not in it for the money,” she said. “I’m in it for the joy of the dogs and the owners.”
Because of that, she charges the minimum amount allowed: $10 per hour.
“My Sniffspot here in Oakland is a very comfortable, friendly, fun environment for the dogs and the owners,” she said. “Hopefully it will encourage others that have property — a safe area for dogs to roam — and owners to enjoy their dogs without being in a public park, worrying about if something is going to happen.”
Charles hopes to continue doing this for the foreseeable future, bringing a safe, fun and clean environment to those who don’t have a free, open space of their own.
And through all of this, she’ll stay committed to what matters most to her: providing joy and happiness to those who visit.
