FAQ’s

Covid-19 Vaccinations – did you get yours?

I did! I got the Moderna vax on 3/5/21, 4/2/21 & 11/19/21. I also got the updated vax on 10/7/23.

Do you have insurance?

Yes, absolutely.  We know that it’s better to be prepared for the unforeseen accident.  While I pride myself on taking care of each pet like it is my own, humans are not infallible.  My policy covers property damage, vet expenses and even lost keys!

I don’t see your hours of operation.  When are you “open”?

I don’t keep “banker’s hours”, as my schedule is dictated by your pets’ needs.  A lot of similar services feel it necessary to post hours on their website, but because scheduling can be so dynamic, I’d rather remain flexible to accommodate you.

Do you have a store front?

I operate from my home, which is why I cannot board your pets here.  I have a full fur family of my own, and introducing new pets would be too stressful for my pets and yours.

Who will care for my pets – you or someone else?

I personally care for your pet.  I am not a huge operation, nor am I a stranger from an app.  You will meet me, and I will be the one in charge of your pet care.  If I do expand and hire employees, I will still be involved and supervise each client and their needs.

How can I pay you?

While I’m sure you make a lovely lasagna, I do prefer the US Dollar!  I am currently accepting Chase app (Zelle), or Venmo.  Extended visits (overnights, or vacation coverage) require a 50% deposit, please. I am not accepting cash at this time.

How can I trust you with my pet, entering my home and my keys?

Aside from my mother’s testimonials, I can provide professional references.  I also prefer to meet all new clients face-to-face (either on a walk with your dog, or at a cafe), so that we can ask each other questions.  I think it’s important to feel comfortable with each other before moving forward.  Most clients have cameras in their homes, and I fully encourage it.  This is your home, and I have one of your most important souls under my care.  HOWEVER, I require full disclosure on the locations of any cameras you have in your home. As you can imagine, trust is an important factor in any relationship.  If a camera is located in the guest room where I am assigned to sleep, I respectfully request that it be turned off while I am in your home. I am entitled to privacy during my stay, and will happily provide updates throughout my visit.  I reserve the right to cancel any overnight contracts with full compensation from the client if cameras are hidden or otherwise not disclosed beforehand.  In other words, don’t be weird!

Guests / Expectations During my stay –

If you anticipate that you may have guests arriving at your home while I am caring for your pet, I expect to be notified at least 24 hours beforehand. I understand that you may have a niece or nephew in town that would love to stay at your Manhattan apartment for a night – totally cool of you! However, if I am staying at your place, I have an expectation of privacy & safety during my stay. If you intend to allow a relative or friend stay over, it may not coincide with my pet sitting. I am not comfortable with this arrangement, so please respect my wishes. I will not compromise on this, so please do not ask. If a guest arrives unannounced during my stay, I will leave the premises immediately, and any future bookings will not be honored. This is non-negotiable.

I’m a new client, and my pets are super picky and have allergies.  How can I be sure that you can handle all of that info?

Great question!  I prefer to meet all new clients (human and their pets) in person before we enter into a partnership.  I also have a handy pet information form that I request all new clients fill out beforehand.  It has space for all of your pets’ preferences, allergies, triggers, etc.  See attached:  Pet Info Sheet

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes – any cancelled walks or visits 24 hours prior to the scheduled time will be forgiven.  Cancellations less than 24 hours are subject to a $10 fee, which is added to the next walk or visit. If you chronically cancel your scheduled walks, I reserve the right to fill your allocated spot with another client. Cancellations that happen three or more times in a row result in a revocation of that allocated slot. I understand everyone has financial hardships at times, but communication is key. If you can’t afford the walks, just tell me so that we can work something out. Don’t ghost me!

Do you walk dogs in inclement weather?

It all depends.  During extreme heat & humidity, I prefer to keep walks to a minimum.  Even though I carry water and a bowl to help keep your dog hydrated, their paws can burn.  Next time you head outdoors on a hot day, place your palm on the sidewalk and see how long it takes before you feel uncomfortable.  Now imagine your dogs’ paws on the same sidewalk.  I use my best judgement on those days, so if I am your consistent walker, I may cut a hot day short, but make it up on a cooler day.  Safety first!

During sub-zero temperatures, I also use best judgement.  I recommend purchasing booties for your dog to help alleviate salt burn.  I will keep those walks to a minimum as well.  Walks start when I arrive at your building, so if I have to fully suit up your dog during inclement weather, that time is factored into the walk.

Do you work with aggressive dogs?

I am not a certified dog trainer, so I will not pretend that I have all of the answers when it comes to your dog.  I can only refer to you services that may help if you have a dog that exhibits signs of aggression to determine the best course of action.  If your dog exhibits any signs of hesitation, defensiveness, or aggression towards me, I will not accept you or your pet as a client.

Do you have experience administering medications to pets?

Yes!  I’ve given pills to dogs and cats, as well as insulin injections for cats. However, if your pet is aggressive during administration of any medications, I reserve the right to refuse service (I would recommend speaking to your veterinarian’s office to see if they have a vet tech available for home visits). 

How will I know how my dog did on the walk?

I will send a text post-walk and let you know if they pooped or peed. I don’t like to text while I’m walking dogs, so the update could be delayed if I have back-to-back walks. If I can manage to take a picture, I will, but it’s not always guaranteed each walk. As I mentioned, I don’t like to use my phone during walks unless absolutely necessary, but sometimes a moment needs to be captured, and I will send it along. I may even post it on my Instagram page!

What is your typical area of service?

I service only the east side at this time. For day-to-day walks, I go as far uptown as 93rd Street and as far downtown as 80th Street, from 3rd Ave to 5th Ave. For overnight sitting, I stay within the aforementioned range as well. Existing customers that utilize my dog walking services get priority booking for overnight sitting. I am always booked for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, so don’t ask – sorry! If you have a vacation planned, you should always ask your dog walker before booking your flight (that’s at least my rule of thumb).

Pricing – You seem more expensive than competitors, why is that?

Great question! Even though I am a small business owner, I know the value that I provide & I know my worth. Discounting my prices devalues my experience and the passion that I offer in pet care. I totally understand that there are other individuals available that will provide services for less. This is the nature of a fair market society. However, if you prefer someone who is invested in your pet, who does this full time, who has insurance, passion & experience, then I’m your person. Otherwise, I’m sure your high school student neighbor looking to earn a few bucks over the holidays is available (wink wink)! No judgement.