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Leash: The Pet Taxi You Didn’t Know You Needed

by MeaCulpa (Empowered by AI)

If you’ve ever tried to juggle your morning coffee, laptop bag, and a 70-pound Labrador who really doesn’t want to go to daycare, you already understand why Leash exists.

Founded by Omaha entrepreneur Marty Sampson, Leash is the rideshare app built entirely for pets — no humans required. The service picks up your furry friend from home, secures them safely, and drops them at the vet, groomer, daycare, or boarding facility. You can schedule rides, track your pet’s trip, and get real-time updates — all while you stay in your work clothes instead of changing out of slobber-covered sweatpants.

“Neither of us could take [our dog Wally] … and we thought, wouldn’t it be nice if somebody could come pick up our dog for us and take him to daycare?”
— Marty Sampson, Founder of Leash

What started as a snowy-day dilemma turned into a statewide solution — and now Leash is rolling across multiple states, including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas. On its site, Leash promises “safe, reliable rides for pets — because they deserve the same comfort and care you do.” That’s the kind of tagline that makes every pet parent nod in agreement while wiping dog hair off their car seats.

Powered by Nebraska Innovation

In 2022, LeashTech, Inc. — the company behind Leash — received a $75,000 Prototype Grant under Nebraska’s Business Innovation Act.

That funding, managed through the state’s Department of Economic Development, supports early-stage companies developing new products or software. For Leash, it was the boost needed to refine its app, expand operations, and prove that pet transportation isn’t just a quirky idea — it’s a scalable business model.

Virtually all of the businesses that mug.news covers share a common heritage with grants from the Business Innovation Act.

A Founder Who Gets It

Marty Sampson isn’t your average tech founder. He’s a lifelong pet owner who saw an everyday problem and decided to build something practical (and adorable) to fix it. With his wife, Kate, he turned a moment of canine chaos into a company that makes pet care logistics actually manageable.

This moment of inspiration belies the years of technical development and operational support. Following time at the Omaha Startup Collaborative, Marty and Kate realized that they needed to be hands-on founders. They have driven pets personally, and they are heavily engaged in the operations of the business.

“I always say, ‘Leash drivers will love your pets almost as much as you do,’” Marty says on the company’s website and given the company’s growth, that love seems to be spreading fast.

Where It’s Going

Leash has already expanded beyond Omaha and shows no signs of slowing down. By partnering with pet-care facilities and local drivers, the company is creating a network that feels equal parts convenience service and community movement.

In a world where your Amazon packages can get same-day delivery, why shouldn’t your dog get door-to-door daycare rides too?

With Leash, Nebraska isn’t just innovating in agtech and finance anymore – it’s proving that pet tech can have just as much bite.

🐾 Learn more or book your pet’s next ride at rideleash.com.