Midday Dog Walks

Our typical midday walk is a 20 minute visit that gives your dog a balance of exercise and time for elimination. We tailor our walks dependent on your dog’s needs, and we will discuss your expectations at our consultation. Each walk costs $20. Longer visits are available – please ask.

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We know you work hard and put in long hours, but there’s no reason for your dog to! A midday break is the most important gift you can give your dog.  A 20 or 30 minute break gives him a chance to go to the bathroom, stretch his legs and have some mental stimulation.

A walk is one of a dog’s most primal activities, and a dog walk fulfills a dog’s instinct to roam. Exercise burns off pent-up energy, and a tired dog is a calm dog. A midday walk can help alleviate unwanted behaviors (such as chewing) that come from boredom. It fulfills his social need to get out and sniff his world – a walk is like reading the paper for a dog. He’s catching up on all the latest when he roams his neighborhood! And of course, it provides a  bathroom break. Forcing a dog to hold his bowel and bladder for hours creates an anxious dog and can lead to health issues. And of course puppies and seniors simply can’t go that long. We are happy to customize our walks for these special clients.

What's included

We always leave you a note so you know how the visit went and what your dog did. We leave your dog with fresh water and a treat (as allowed).

Policies & scheduling

Midday walks are available between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

You may book Monday – Friday, or specific days, or give us your schedule weekly or monthly. Please note that our office is closed on the weekend, and you need to request Monday walks by the Friday before. We will make every effort, but cannot guarantee same-day service.

Cancellations: Midday dog walks may be cancelled by 9:00 am on the day of the visit with no charge.

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Pet Sitting Visits

Going on vacation or business trip, or working late? When you need extra care, we are there! Our 30 minute (minimum) visit is a more comprehensive visit, including walks, feeding, litter box cleaning and loving attention.

Animals served

Dogs: A pet sitting visit is a great solution when you find yourself away from home longer than usual. Have meetings late one night? Book a dinner visit and you’ll come home to a fed, content pup! We will feed your dog, go for a walk (or spend time in the yard) and spend time petting and playing. Pet sitting visits may be combined with Midday Dog Walks to build a custom care package to suit your pet. This level of care is suitable for shorter  (1 – 2 day) trips or for occasional “as needed” morning or evening service. For longer vacation or business trips, we recommend our Overnight Stays.

Cats: Our feline clients benefit from one to two visits daily, depending on their needs. We will scoop the box each visit and clean and replace litter as necessary. Your cat is fed, and dishes and feeding area are washed and wiped. The rest is up to your cat! We can spend time playing, petting, brushing or just sitting and talking calmly – whatever he chooses.

We can also provide additional services including subcutaneous fluids or insulin injections. Please let us know when you book if your cat requires medical services. Of course Overnight Stays are always available for your feline companion.

Caged Pets:  Are you the lucky parent who got to bring home the class Guinea Pig? No problem! We can care for a multitude of pocket pets, including rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, and rabbits. We will feed pellets or seeds and fresh food and water and change the bedding as necessary.

Exotics/Reptiles: Is your pet a little more exotic? Our caretakers have experience with exotics from ferrets to hedgehogs to hermit crabs. We will feed pellets, fresh food and crickets as necessary. We will follow your routine to ensure the safest care for your exotic pet.

Birds: Birds require special care, and we have staff who are knowledgeable about your feathered friends! We can care for smaller birds like Cockatiels and Lovebirds, and we can also care for your parrots. We have cared for Macaws, African Greys,  and Amazons . We’ll feed pellets, seeds and fresh food as required by your bird. Fresh water is provided each visit, and cage papers are changes daily or as required. Please note that Overnight Stays are also available for parrots.

What's included

We will provide home care at no additional charge, including bringing in the mail and papers, watering houseplants, alternating lights and taking out the trash. Please ask if you have any additional duties you’d like us to perform.

Policies

Our pet sitting visits are made a minimum of every 24 hours. Please do not ask us to skip visits, or come every other day. In order to provide the level of care your pet deserves, we must visit at least once per day for cats and caged pets, and three times daily for dogs.

Weekend Visits: A $2 weekend rate fee is applied each weekend day a service is provided.

Short Notice: In order to accommodate our last-minute requests, a $10 premium applies to all visits booked less than four days before the first visit.

Same Day Service: A $20 premium applies to all bookings made less than 24 hours from the start date. This is a one-time fee in addition to your regular rates.

Cancellations: A cancellation fee of $25 will apply to all reservations cancelled within four days of the start date.

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Overnight Stays

With Overnight Stays, your pets have their own personal pet sitter to see after their needs anytime. Whether for a weekend getaway or a week long business trip or vacation, we’ve got you covered.

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Our overnight stays offer complete care for your pet. Your dog will receive fun exercise walks with plenty of potty time, as well as “on demand” trips outside anytime. Our sitter will arrive in the evening (5:00 – 7:00 pm) and begin with a walk and dinner, then follow your instructions for the evening. We can go for exercise walks, have playtime, grooming or just snuggle on the sofa. We want to stick as closely as possible to your dog’s usual routine, so that he stays happy and anxiety free. Breakfast and a walk are included the next day, and your sitter will usually leave between 7:00 – 10:00 am.

What's included

We always leave you a note so you know how the visit went and what your pet did. We also take care of your home as instructed, and will take out trash, alternate lights and bring in the mail. Inside and outside plants can be cared for as well.

Additional options

Midday Dog Walks can be combined with Overnight Stays for the additional comfort of your dog. We will not leave dogs unattended for more than 6 – 8 hours, depending on the needs of your dog.

Policies

Short Notice: In order to accommodate our last-minute requests, a $10 premium applies to all visits booked less than four days before the first visit.

Same Day Service: A $20 premium applies to all bookings made less than 24 hours from the start date. This is a one-time fee in addition to your regular rates.

Holidays: 5 before Thanksgiving and after, and New Year's Day will incur a $10 surcharge. Bookings on the holiday, as well as Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday through Sunday) and Christmas week (Dec. 24 – 31) will incur a $25 surcharge.

Cancellations: Due to the exclusive nature of our overnight bookings, a 50% deposit will be required at the time of booking, and will be assessed for all cancellations within thirty (30) days of the start date.

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Additional Services

Medications

Many of our staff are trained in administering oral medications and injections. Please book early if you need extensive medical assistance for your pet.

Added to your regular visit price:

Oral Medication in treat – No Charge
Injection – $3
Subcutaneous fluid – $10

Stand-alone medical services: $18 and up, depending on your needs.

Holidays

The Pet Elf observes all federal holidays. Our offices are closed and midday walks are suspended. If you need a midday walk on any of these holidays, please call the office at least 48 hours in advance.

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr Birthday
Washington’s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Visits are continued throughout vacation bookings, and a one-time $25 holiday premium applies.

The one-time holiday premium applies for any bookings on the holiday, as well as Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday through Sunday) and Christmas week (Dec. 24 – 31).

Supplies/Store Visits

Don’t have time to stock up on food before you leave? We’re happy to make the trip for you!

This fee will also apply in the event we do not have enough food, litter or other necessary items to complete our job effectively. Existing clients only, please.

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