Affordable Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Overnight care for dogs, drop-in visits for cats, and hour-long dog walks in the late morning or early afternoon.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure that they are insured and bonded. Ask a lot of questions and look for references.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Being bonded and insured is very important! It protects you and the dog walker/sitter should anything go wrong. It is especially important if the walker you are using has employees since it covers all of them and occasionally an employee doesn't use the amount of care an owner would use. FYI- I am owner operated and take care of your pets on my own and I'm bonded and insured.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I stay in your home for pet-sitting and take amazing care of your pets. My dog groups are kept small enough that we walk at a brisk pace and get your pup some real exercise.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Getting to know each and every pet. When I can help eliminate a problem behavior I feel incredibly satisfied.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What services do you provide?
I do off-leash dog walks and on-leash dog walks as well as pet/house sitting in the Seattle area. I also help socialize and train your adorable and mischievous puppies.

How many do you take in your pack?
Anywhere from 2-5. I make sure they have complimentary temperaments before putting them in a group together.

Where do you take the dogs?
Off-Leash: I-5 Collonade, Plymouth Pillars, Regrade Park. On Leash: Around your neighborhood and to your local parks. I try to get them away from traffic as much as possible.

What are your hours?
I am available to dog walk from 10-8 and can arrange time outside of these hours for emergencies if you are an established client. Depending on the day and the clients for the day, my walks' start times will vary due to travel times. Pet sitting is a 24x7 job so I'm available all the time. I'd rather you didn't call me at 4 in the morning though :)

How do you know if my dog will be compatible?
Most people have taken their dog to a dog park, know how their dog walks on a leash and if they are bit of a bully or will roll over and offer-up their tummy to anyone and anything. So, I'll start off by using you as an expert and I'll ask that you are extremely honest with me. At the initial interview we will meet at your house, I will come with a list of questions for you and I hope that you'll have some for me too (just like in a horrible job interview, minus the suits and sweaty palms.) I will then take your dog for a short walk, see how they react to commands, & introduce your dog to my mini cooper with all it's dog smells.

What is required for walking, pet sitting & park visits?
Almost every dog interviewed is accepted. There are some restrictions &/or requirements. Dogs are considered on a case by case and personality basis.
- Dogs must have current identification tags
- Dogs must be at least 3 months old to enter the puppy program. After 6 months they will be entered in the regular dog group.
- Be spayed or neutered & have basic obedience training to be in the regular dog groups.
- All shots up to date including but not limited to,rabies, distemper, parvo, bordatella, Para influenza.
- Written statement of good health for at least 3 months, not aggressive (some unfriendly dogs can be taken if the time slot isn't occupied by any other dogs and for a higher fee), assertive or treat or toy protective.

What if my dog likes to roll in the mud?
The parks have hoses and I carry towels- best to be prepared :) Should anything go awry- I'll just swing by my parent's house to use their shower... kidding.

What happens if an emergency or accident should occur?
I ask that you notify your vet that I can bring them in for emergency services. If they allow it- please keep a credit card on file for expenses. I am EXTREMELY careful with your pooch and haven't had any major emergencies in the 11 years that i have been caring for other people's pets.

How does the pick up & drop off work?
I reside in Seattle near the Arboretum . I will set up a pick up and drop off time with you prior. I need to keep a set of your keys (they will never be labeled with your address & I have never lost a set).

Can you give my pet it's medicine?
Of course! I have tons of experience administering oral and injectable medicines. I will however require written guidelines for application beyond what the prescription states.

How do we get started?
Contact me to set up a complimentary interview either via e-mail at info@moochypoochy.com or call 206-979-3842

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I have done pet sitting on a non-professional basis since i was young. I also volunteered for a humane society, fostered kittens for MEOW when it was on Mercer Island, fostered elderly pugs, and walked dogs in San Francisco on the weekends. I decided to make a life change from being an office worker to doing my true passion- taking care of animals!

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Most of my services are ongoing dog walks that are at least 3 days per week. I travel to a person's home and pick up their dog(s) to be walked. The cost is either $12 for 1/2 hour or $22 for 1 hour.
My most recent sitting job was for 2 feisty and awesome kittens in Broadmoor. I slept at the house, cleaned the litter box twice per day, fed them twice per day, gave them clean water every morning, brought in the mail and newspaper, watered their plants, played with the kitties a ton, and snuggled with them in bed. The cost breakdown was: $45 per day plus $7 for the second cat = $260 for 5 full days of care.