Frequently Asked Questions

I already know which services I'm interested in. What's the next step?
You can call us at 646-723-1282 or fill out a short online form here.

We'll be in touch shortly.

There are so many pet care businesses in New York City. What sets you apart from the others?
As a locally owned and operated pet care company, we recognize that each client—and pet—has his or her own specific requirements. We tailor our care according to your preferences and your pet's needs. Our animal-loving staff of dog walkers and pet sitters are trained to provide the same high level of service.

What results and benefits can I expect for me and my pet?
Chances are, you're looking for a pet sitter because you feel stressed (and maybe a little guilty) about leaving your pet home alone, whether it's for a long vacation or for long nights when you're stuck at the office. You'll be able to relax—and to really focus on work or fun—knowing that your pet is in caring and capable hands. We'll reduce your pet's stress, too, by providing companionship, exercise, and stimulation while you're away. You're pet will never be happier

Will my dog receive individualized attention during walks?
Yes, because we never pack walk. At most, we'll pair together two or three dogs for a group outing, but only at the request of owners who want their dogs to have some social time with neighborhood doggy friend.

Why are your services more expensive than some of your competitors?
Our goal is to be the best in New York City, not the biggest. The reason our rates may be higher than our competitors is we want to give you the best service. This entails a higher than average wage for our pet sitters, staffing a professional office from 10:00am to 5:00pm, providing a live 24/7 answering service so we never miss you call, carefully screen our employees, and hiring extremely motivated managers. We know that our clients want the best for their pets, even if it might cost a little bit more, and we work hard to meet their high standards.

Who are your clients?
Our clients are busy professionals who live in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. Most work in finance, law, real estate, technology, advertising, fashion, or are self-employed as consultants or small business owners. A majority of our clients spend 30-40 minutes on a one-way commute and also travel frequently throughout the year for work or play.

What areas of New York City do you service?
We currently offer dog walking and pet sitting services in most areas of Manhattan, south of 125th Street on the west side, and below 96th Street on the east side. In Brooklyn, we make visits to doorman buildings in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Fort Greene, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint.

How long have you been in business?
Since late 2001.

What are Petaholics' business hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. We have a 24/7 live answering service. You can also contact us at any time via email.

How much do your services cost?
Costs vary, depending on which services you select. Visit our Rates and Services section to see the prices for dog walking, pet sitting, and dog training, dog grooming, dog boarding

What will you need from me before we can get started?
We'll need new client forms (contract, vet release, pet profile, and credit card release), detailed information on the services you'd like to book, and access to your apartment.

Why is it necessary to set up a meet-and-greet before you begin caring for my pet?
We like to give both owner and pet the chance to get acquainted with their new pet sitter. This is a good time to discuss your pet's habits or requirements with his new caretaker.

How will I know how my pets are doing when I'm away from home?
Our pet sitters communicate directly with clients by Blackberry or email, or they can leave you voicemail updates.

How will your pet care providers discipline my pet, if necessary?
Our goal is to keep you fully in the loop with regards to the time we send with your pet. If we encounter obedience issues that we think should be addressed, we will discuss them with you and find out how you'd like us to handle them.

What if I run across an emergency outside of your regular business hours and need help at the last minute?
We will try our absolute hardest to accommodate last minute requests. But, of course, we can't guarantee that we'll be able to help.

Are you bonded, insured, and licensed?
We certainly are and can provide documentation upon request.

How do I know my keys will be safe?
We code clients' keys instead of labeling them with your name, address, or other identifying marks. Keys are stored in a secured lockbox.

Who are the pet sitters who will be coming into my home?
We hire only the most passionate, 100% reliable animal lovers. After a careful screening, we put each candidate through a background check and extensive training program.

What if my property or pet is damaged?
Petaholics is liable only for damage from negligence or willful misconduct. Due to the unpredictability of animals, we cannot accept responsibility for uncontrollable mishaps (such as bites or furniture damage).

May I tip my pet sitter?
Absolutely! Tips are never expected, but always appreciated.

How do I make house keys available to my pet sitter?
There are several ways to make your keys available to us. We prefer that you give a set of keys—two sets is even better— to your pet sitter during the introductory meet and greet visit. Or you can drop keys off directly at our office (1375 Broadway 3rd floor) or at a drop-off location in East Midtown (we can provide the address). The other option is to leave your keys at the front desk in a doorman building.

What if the pet sitter has an emergency and can't come care for my pet?
We will immediately get in touch with you and your emergency contact to make sure that your pet is attended to. If we can't get a key from your or a pet sitter, as a last resort, we'll call in a locksmith to open your door. (Whenever possible, we ask our clients to provide us with two sets of keys.)

Will I have the same dog walker or pet sitter on each visit? What if the pet sitter I used the last time is not available the next time I go away?
Dogs who are signed up for regular walks are seen by the same dog walker, unless your walker is away or sick, in which case a substitute fills in. As for sporadic clients, we'll try our best to provide the same pet sitter, but we can't guarantee it. With enough advance notice, we can set up a meeting between your pet and new pet sitter before you go out of town.

What forms of payment do you accept? How does billing work?
We bill your Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card on Wednesdays for services scheduled that week. Visit our Policies page to read more about how well bill our clients.

Do I need to sign a contract?
Yes. The contract states permission to enter your to home to care for your animals and that you agree to our policies and procedures.

Once I'm a client, how far in advance do I need to book visits?
It depends on what kind of services you'd like to reserve. For pet sitting, we start booking about a month ahead. Please note that our holiday schedule tends to fill up very quickly. We ask for a minimum of four to five days notice for dog walking, but, of course, the more advance notice you can give us, the better.

Why do you charge sales tax when others do not?

What is your cancellation policy?
Dog walks and non-holiday pet sitting will be credited if cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours notice. During the holiday season, we require at least 7 days cancellation or you will be charged for the entire schedule of visits booked. Check out our Policies page for more details on holidays and cancellations.
[link to cancellation section on Policies page]

Are there extra costs for holiday visits?
Holiday visits (these include pet sitting or regularly scheduled dog walks that fall on holidays), are assessed a $10 fee.  For a full list of holidays, visit our Policies page. [link to holiday section on Policies page]

Do you have references? Can I contact former clients for more details on what it's like to work with your company?
Absolutely.  Go to our Client Testimonials page to see the feedback we've received. You can email the clients on that page or we can provide you with a list of clients to speak to directly.

What type of animals do you care for? What if you don't have any experience caring for my type of pet?
Most of our clients are dog and cat owners, but we also have regular bird and reptile clients. Each of our employees spends time learning about various animal breeds and species, in addition to every facet of animal care. We recognize that information learned from books may have some real-world limitations, so we ask you to take the time to train us on the specific requirements and nuances of caring for your pet.

Can you give medicine to pets?
Our pet sitters can administer pills or ointments for a $7 surcharge and shots for $11.

My dog has been aggressive in the past. Can we still be a client?
This really depends on your dog. If your dog walker gets along well with your pet and can control him during walks, then we see no reason why we can't continue to work with you. However, if there's danger of physical harm to the walker or another person or animal, then, unfortunately, we're unable to care for your dog.

Does my dog need to be licensed?
New York City requires licenses for dogs. We ask our clients to comply for the good of the community.

I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to get started. What should I do?
Find out more about the high quality of our services by contacting one of the clients listed on the Client Testimonials page. Or set up a trial visit and get to know us. The visit is free and obligation free.

I still have additional questions.
Absolutely! Call us at 866-910-5430. We'd be happy to answer your questions.