Paw Pals Pet Sitting

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Northern VA

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(703) 345-1695
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Common Questions

  • Is Paw Pals licensed, bonded and insured?
  • Is Paw Pals certified in Pet CPR and First Aid?
  • Why choose a pet sitter or dog walker?
  • Do you board dogs at your home?
  • Will I always have the same pet sitter or dog walker?
  • What time will you visit my pets?
  • Do you walk dogs in packs?
  • Do you walk Pit Bulls?
  • Do you let dogs off leash?
  • Do you pick up after the dogs?
  • My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can you still walk him?
  • What happens if it snows?
  • Will my dog be walked during extreme temperatures?
  • Can I be notified/advised once my pet has been walked/visited?
  • My pet needs medication daily. Can you accommodate this?
  • My dog only needs one visit a day to feed him while I’m away because I have a doggie door.
  • Can I have someone share pet sitting responsibilities?
  • What happens if my pet becomes sick or injured?
  • How do you handle pet accidents and destruction of property?
  • What supplies should I have on hand?
  • Why do you need two sets of keys?
  • Do I have to sign a contract?
  • Do you have references?
  • How do I pay for services?
  • How are gratuities handled?
  • What is the purpose of the e-mail service confirmation that goes out?
  • If I get a confirmation and need to adjust the dates of service or services being delivered, what should I do?
  • Should I do anything upon my return home?

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

We have heard this question many times before, and we highly suggest that no matter who you are contracting to work for you for whatever job, you always ask this question. Yes, we are fully bonded and insured. Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC is also licensed through the State of Virginia. However, there are no professional licensing requirements for this line of work, and anyone who wants to become a pet sitter or dog walker can do so without any sort of formal training. Paw Pals has over 10 years of pet sitter and dog walking experience, and take pride in striving to learn more and more each day.

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Are you certified in Pet CPR and First Aid?

Yes, we are certified through the PetTech PetSaver program in Pet CPR, First Aid & Care. PetTech requires re-certification every two years to maintain proficiency.

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Why choose a pet sitter or dog walker?

  • Benefits for your pets
    • Pets are content and less stressed being safe and secure in their own environment
    • Diet and exercise remain constant
    • Favorite toys and chew treats are within paw’s reach
    • Medications are delivered on schedule
    • Pets are not exposed to illnesses and parasites from other animals
    • Pets are not traumatized by a car trip and an unfamiliar environment
    • Pets receive love and personal attention while you are away
    • Full attention is given to the details and well-being of your pets
  • Benefits for you and your home
    • You are greeted by your pets upon your return
    • There is no inconvenience of having to transport your pets
    • There are no guilt-ridden good-byes at the kennel
    • Your home is made more secure by crime-deterring measures taken by your pet sitter
    • You feel secure knowing your pets are in capable and caring hands
    • You have access to contact your pet sitter to check on your pets at home

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Do you board dogs at your home?

We offer services in your home where your pet feels most comfortable. We will walk your dog around your neighborhood, visit your pet at your home, and even sleep at your home and house sit as well as pet sit while you are away should you desire. (Please see our overnight services.) Occasionally, if you choose and we have sitter availability, a sitter may take a pet into their own home and treat the pet as one of the family. This would be for a single client at a time. (Please see our Bed and Biscuit services.)

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Will I always have the same pet sitter or dog walker?

Our goal is for you and your pets to have a long-term relationship with your pet sitter or dog walker. On your consult, you will meet your primary sitter so that they can become familiar with your pets and their routine. In the event your sitter is ill, injured or on vacation, a back-up sitter will be trained and made aware of all your needs. You will have the opportunity to meet your backup pet sitter or dog walker should you so choose.

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What time will you visit my pets?

We want to maintain your pets’ routines, including the times they are let outside, as closely as possible. In general, specific visit times cannot be guaranteed, but we try to keep within an hour on each side of your requested time. For pets with time-sensitive medication issues, those visits will take priority.

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Do you walk dogs in packs?

Unlike the stereotypical city dog walker with eight dogs in tow, Paw Pals offers private dog walking, so only your dog(s) will be walked at your scheduled time. We walk your dog(s) around your neighborhood where they are familiar with the sights, sounds and smells. Or if you prefer, we can spend the time with play in your backyard.

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Do you walk Pit Bulls?

Yes – We do not discriminate against breed, size or age. However, for liability purposes we do reserve the right to decline service to pets that have a history of being dangerous to people or other animals.

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Do you let dogs off leash?

Yes and No. If the client has a complete secured fenced-in yard, the dog will be allowed access to the yard off leash when in the presence of your pet sitter. If the dog does not have a secured yard and is used to going on the property off leash, a 30 foot leash will be used at the time of service. This way the dog has freedom to run around, while the pet sitter has control of the dog at all times. For regular dog walks, a leash will be used at all times.

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Do you pick up after the dogs?

Always! Beside it being the law to do so, we hate stepping in doggie poop as much as the next person, so we always remember to pick up after your pet on a walk or visit. Just let us know where to dispose of your doggie bags. If you require more thorough or regular pet waste disposal on your property, please consider our “Poopie Patrol” services.

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My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can you still walk him?

Yes we can. Paw Pals Sit Sitters are experienced with dog aggressive dogs and many other behavioral issues. While on our walks, your dog will never interact with other dogs in the neighborhood. Even if your dog is not dog aggressive, one cannot predict the temperament of another dog. This also cuts the risk of any sort of disease or infestation your dog might catch from greeting another dog.

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What happens if it snows?

We will be there weather permitting. So long as the roads are safe to drive on and we can still access your home, your dog will be walked and your pet will be cared for. We ask that at least one of the emergency contacts you list on the client information page be a neighbor or someone who lives close by. In the event we cannot get to your home (road closures, SEVERE weather conditions or ice) you will be notified and we will reach out to your emergency contact to care for your pet.

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Will my dog be walked during extreme temperatures?

If it extremely hot (heat index above 100 degrees), or extremely cold (wind chill factors below 20 degrees), or if there are strong storms with thunder and lightning, your dog will not be walked. Instead your pet sitter will take your dog outside long enough for him to relieve himself, and spend the remainder of the visit indoors. If the temperature in your home is too warm or too cold for your pets we will adjust the thermostat.

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Can I be notified/advised once my pet has been walked/visited?

After every walk or visit your pet sitter will leave a “pawgress report” letting you know how the visit went. Daily texts, picture messages or phone calls can also be arranged if desired.

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My pet needs medication daily. Can you accommodate this?

Of course! We have experience from administering oral medications to insulin shots. Depending on the type and difficulty of administration, a small extra charge may be assessed. Please see our medication schedule.

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My dog only needs one visit a day to feed him while I’m away because I have a doggie door.

Our insurance does not cover pets that become lost, injured (fatal or otherwise) while given access to a fenced-in yard or doggie door while the pet sitter is not present. Therefore we require that the pet only be allowed access to the doggie door while the pet sitter is there. For the safety and well-being of your pets, Paw Pals provides a minimum of 3 visits a day for dogs if you are going to be away.

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Can I have someone share pet sitting responsibilities?

Our insurance does not cover the presence of visitors or other caregivers in the home. In the interest of our safety and that of your pets, we request that you contract solely with us. Your pet is our number one priority. We will work with you to create a solution that works for your needs.

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What happens if my pet becomes sick or injured?

We are dedicated to the excellent care of your pet. In the event of an emergency, we will take your pet to the nearest animal hospital or to your own vet. We will also contact you or your designated emergency contact. The pet sitter will stay with your pet until you are reached and appropriate action is taken.

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How do you handle pet accidents and destruction of property?

We will make every attempt to clean accidents with supplies you have on hand for this purpose. If you have no suitable supplies, we will purchase them for you, adding them to your bill. Please be aware that not all accidents can be completely erased, no matter what product is used.

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What supplies should I have on hand?

You should have plenty of supplies on hand, including food, treats, litter, waste bags, pet bedding, bird cage lining, etc., for the period of time you will be away. If supplies run out, we will purchase additional supplies and bill you accordingly.

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Why do you need two sets of keys?

Occasionally, the unexpected happens (sitter becomes suddenly ill, car troubles, etc.) and we need to ensure we can have the pets cared for no matter what. Also, sometimes during longer service schedules, two sitters may be assigned to care for your pets. Therefore, we ask for two sets of keys.

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Do I have to sign a contract?

Yes, we need a signed statement that you agree to let us into your home to care for your animals and that you are aware of and agree to our policies and procedures.

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Do you have references?

Yes, we can provide you with a list upon request.

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How do I pay for services?

We accept cash, checks, and credit cards through Paypal. We will email you a service confirmation / invoice prior to your service. There is a Paypal button to click on just right of the total due.

Checks are to be made payable to: Paw Pals Pet Sitters.

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How are gratuities handled?

Gratuities are accepted and may be offered directly to your pet sitter. If you would like to include a gratuity with your payment for pet sitting services, you may and the full gratuity will be given to your sitter.

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What is the purpose of the email service confirmation that gets sent when I book a service?

The schedule confirmation messages are primarily for your peace of mind. Having the dates of service correct and the services to be delivered clearly documented eliminates any possible confusion or misunderstanding. The service confirmations also keep you updated on the status of any credits or balances you may have from returning home early or by extending your trip. Please look over the confirmation and make sure the dates are correct.

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If I get a confirmation and need to adjust the dates of service or services being delivered, what should I do?

You can email the changes to us, or you can call our office. We will make the adjustments in our system and send you an updated confirmation.

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Should I do anything upon my return home?

We ask that you call Paw Pals Pet Sitters to confirm your return home.

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Have a Question?

Certifications & Associations

PetTech-logo

PUPS-logo

Kennel Pro

Best of NOVA award 2022

Best of NOVA award 2021

Best of NOVA award 2020

Northern Virginia Magazine - Best Pet Care 2019 Award

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
4.9
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
laceyrt
laceyrt
18:03 08 Mar 23
The folks at Paw Pals pet sitting are fantastic to work with. This review includes a bit of a long story but goes to show how dedicated they are to their job and the care they have for the animals they watch over. I reached out to Paw Pals, even though I live outside their service area, in a bit of a panic because our scheduled dog sitter for our family vacation suddenly wasn't available. The local sitters we've used in the past seemed like they wouldn't be able to accommodate us on such late notice and so we were scouring the internet for other options.When I submitted a request to Paw Pals, I expected to get a polite no thank you - you're out of our service area. Instead I got a call from Jen, who was so kind, helpful and accommodating and essentially bent over backwards to help set up a sitter for us. We met the sitter at her home and it was more of the same. So friendly and welcoming to our dog and fully prepared to watch her for two weeks.We ultimately didn't end up booking with Paw Pals, only because our local sitter had an opening that allowed someone to stay in home with our dog (who is a very anxious senior shepherd-collie mix). But just based on the limited experience I had with them, I would highly recommend Paw Pals. These folks are fantastic and I only wish we lived closer so we could utilize their other services on a regular basis. Five stars all the way!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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