Each visit is approximately 30 minutes and is customized to your pet’s needs. Depending on your pet, visits may include potty breaks or walks, fresh food and water, litter-box care, medication when needed, playtime, enrichment, and plenty of TLC. We do have some limited availability for 45-minute or 60-minute visits.
After each visit, you’ll receive an update through your client portal, including notes and photos, so you know how your pet is doing while you’re away.
The number of visits we recommend depends on your pet’s age, routine, health, and individual needs. Dogs generally require multiple visits each day, and cats are visited at least once daily. We’re happy to help determine the best schedule for your pets.
All new clients must complete a complimentary Meet & Greet before services begin. This allows us to meet you and your pets, learn their routines, review care instructions, and make sure we’re a great fit for your family.
Before the meeting, you’ll complete your pet and home care information through our secure client portal. During the Meet & Greet, we’ll review those details, answer questions, and discuss access to your home.
Your initial Meet & Greet is complimentary. If an additional in-home meeting is needed later due to significant changes in your pets, care instructions, or household that cannot reasonably be reviewed through the portal or by phone, our regular visit fee will apply.
Yes. Our complimentary Meet & Greet is included for new clients scheduling four or more visits.
If fewer than four visits are scheduled, the Meet & Greet is charged at our regular 30-minute visit rate.
Want to get established with DPC before you actually need us? We’re happy to set up your account and complete a Meet & Greet in advance. There would be a charge for the staff timing equivalent to a 30-minute visit.
Yes! Dog walking is one of our most popular services, including recurring midday walks and walks during vacation care visits.
For everyone’s safety, dogs must be reasonably manageable on leash. If your sitter determines that a walk is unsafe for your dog, other pets, or the sitter, we may provide backyard playtime, a potty break, or other enrichment instead.
Safety is always our priority, and we’ll communicate with you if we have any concerns about your dog’s walking behavior or equipment.
Yes. Distinctive Pet Care is fully bonded and insured. Our professional pet-sitting insurance includes coverage for pets while they are in our care, custody, and control, as well as liability protection while providing services in your home.
We are also bonded for additional peace of mind.
Our pet sitters are employees of Distinctive Pet Care and may not accept pet care work directly from DPC clients outside of the company.
Booking through DPC ensures your care is properly scheduled and documented and that your sitter is covered by our insurance and workers’ compensation. It also provides you with the support of our entire team, including backup care if your regular sitter becomes ill or has an emergency.
Want to thank your sitter? Tips are always appreciated, and 100% of your tip goes directly to your sitter.
Yes. Our experienced pet care team can administer many types of medications, including oral and topical medications. We also have trained team members who can administer insulin injections and subcutaneous fluids.
Medication services are evaluated based on your pet’s individual needs and temperament. Because pets can sometimes behave differently when their owners are away, medications will only be administered when it can be done safely and without causing undue stress to your pet or risk to the sitter.
Please discuss your pet’s medication needs with us when scheduling so we can ensure the appropriate team member is available.
Your pet’s health and safety are always our priority. If your pet becomes ill or injured while in our care, we will contact you as soon as possible and follow the emergency instructions provided in your client portal.
If veterinary care is needed, we will make every reasonable effort to take your pet to your regular veterinarian. Depending on the urgency of the situation and availability of your veterinarian, we may seek care at the nearest appropriate veterinary or emergency facility.
This is why it’s so important to keep your veterinarian, emergency contact, and authorization information current in your client portal.
Friends, family, and neighbors can be wonderful resources, but hiring a professional pet sitter provides an added level of reliability, experience, and peace of mind.
With Distinctive Pet Care, you’re not relying on just one person. Your pet’s care is professionally scheduled and documented, our team is bonded and insured, and backup care is available if your regular sitter becomes ill or has an emergency.
Our experienced pet care professionals are prepared to recognize changes in your pet’s health or behavior, follow detailed care instructions, administer many types of medications, and provide consistent care while you’re away.
And best of all? We’ll never ask you to return the favor and watch our pets when we go out of town! 🐾
Yes! Distinctive Pet Care provides care 365 days a year, including holidays.
Holiday fees apply on major holidays, including New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Our sitters give up time with their own families and holiday celebrations to make sure your pets are well cared for. 100% of the holiday fee goes directly to the sitter providing your pet’s care.
Holiday periods are some of our busiest times of the year, so we strongly recommend reserving care as early as possible.
All invoices and payments are conveniently handled through our secure Time To Pet client portal. Clients can view invoices, make payments, and manage their preferred payment method directly through their account.
Payment is due upon receipt of your invoice. A 50% deposit may be required for new clients, holiday reservations, and certain extended services, with the remaining balance due according to our payment policies.
We accept electronic payments through the client portal, including bank account/ACH and applicable credit or debit card options.
We offer several secure options for home access. Many clients choose to leave a key on file with Distinctive Pet Care for convenient future visits. Keys kept in our possession are identified by a unique number with no client name or address and are securely stored when not in use.
Clients may also choose to use a secure lockbox at their home and provide the access information through their client portal.
If you prefer to have a key picked up or returned, we’re happy to arrange that for an additional key pickup/drop-off fee.
We’ll discuss the best access option for your home during your Meet & Greet.
