Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Services & Businesses >
Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
Note
Recommendations from the newsletters for individuals are not updated
to the website for privacy reasons. If you are looking for an individual
to provide pet sitting or dog walking, please post to the
House & Garden newsletter.
Oct 2007
We are looking for a responsible dog sitter for our energetic vizsla. Does
anyone know of a good dog walker in Berkeley?
Christine
I use MetroDog in Richmond when I go out of town. They are GREAT! It is
also a doggy-daycare, so they let the dogs play during the day as well as
pamper my dog, love her and they even offer walks in the afternoon. When I
pick her up from being away, they will even give her a bath! They co-sleep
dogs and are a very very GREEN business! I highly recommend them!
http://www.metrodog.com/
510. 524. 3647
ultraviolet
Oh do I have the best dog sitter EVER! Doggy Llama, run by Molly, one of
the warmest, dog lovin'-est people I've ever met. Go to
www.doggylamapetcare.com or call Molly at 510 530-3099. I can't recommend
Doggy Lama highly enough. Check the Yelp.com reviews (mine is there, as
are others), call her, have your dog do a few of their daily 5 mile
marathons, you'll be convinced this is the BEST place for dog sitting/dog
walking.
heather
A friend has a very energetic viszla and she recommends her dog walker:
http://www.hotdiggitydogpetcare.com/
Sounds like they communicate well about how things went and take them on
or off-leash for some good romps.
Good luck.
rebecca
March 2006
Hello, Since we are from NY we travel back there often. My
loving, gentle, sweet, social cat, Sadie, gets very lonely when
we are away.
I was thinking of asking one of my babysitters to come stay at
our house while we are away. She is currently a part-time live-
in Nanny and lives only a few blocks away. We will be away for
5 days and then a big trip to Europe for almost 3 weeks this
summer.
My next door neighbor is willing to feed my cat but Sadie LOVES
to be around people. So, aside from feeding and cleaning the
kitty litter, I would want the Nanny to hang out as much as
possible. Since I know the family she works for, she could
even bring the little girl she takes care of to play with my
son's toys. In the summer when we are away again, I would also
ask her to water plants and bring in mail every day.
I thought it would be nice for her to 'live' here so she could
have a mini retreat from living all the time with her working
family.
How should I compensate her?
Many thanks,
Bobbie
We pay our pet sitter $25.00 per day plus I give her an extra $50.oo or
so.
She lives at our house and takes care of our dogs, cats and pet rats.
She also cleans(which is not required) and leaves our house cleaner than
we left it for her(which is clean and tidy).
Personally I dont' think she charges enough which is why I give her
extra. I'll be curious to see what others say.
anon
My best advice to you is to get a ''real'' house-sitter who will also
take care of your cat -- not someone who will drop over on occassion and
''hang out.''
From lengthy experience I can tell you that if you don't get a live-in
housesitter, the person won't ''hang out'': they'll just come over and
feed your cat and be gone. People like to ''live''
where their clothes are, their make-up bag, etc. They want to settle in
for a period -- whether that's 5 days or a couple of weeks. Otherwise,
it's just boring to drop in and watch TV for a while with your cat. In
other words, you'll pay for a service you wont actually get.
On the other hand, if you get a ''real'' house-sitter, the person
officially moves in -- clothes, toothbrush, computer peripherals, etc.;
they live in your house while you are away and it feels comfortable to
them because all their stuff is there and they've nested. Moreover, as
a paid ''house-sitter''
(*not* someone asked to drop by and pick up mail &/or water the
plants) they are obligated to actually be there, to be present any time
they are not out grocery shopping or taking classes.
We've been using house-sitters for our dog for almost 5 years now, and
we've had great success. Advertise or ask around at UC
Berkeley: most students love the opportunity to have a whole house for
themselves rather than the apartment/dorm-share situation most of them
are dealing with.
I would pay around $15/night for a cat.
anon
June 2005
I wonder if anyone has paid a house sitter before! Our
babysitter lives 30 minutes away and works for us and another
person in Berkeley. We will be away alot this summer and she
will stay in our house, feed cats and bring in mail. How much do
I pay her? It makes life more convenient for her in several
ways: closer to work, big house- no roommates but she is really
helping us out as well. We pay her about $260 week for some part
time childcare now.
Thanks for your suggestions,
drl
As a college student/part time nanny I often housesit for short
time periods (4 days, a week) and usually charge $15 a day with
no pets and $20 a day with pets. With just cats (as opposed to
dogs, who take more time,) and for a longer period of time I
would probably say $15 a day.
-Hope this helps
I am also thinking about this. There is a retired gentleman who
will be coming to our home to dogsit and will spend the night. I
asked him his fee, and he implied that different families pay him
different amounts depending on their financial resources, which
is very generous of him. He seemed to size us up and asked for
$25/day. I want to hear other responses, so I can know if this
is a fair fee for him.
anon
April 2004
I plan on asking a college age daughter of a close friend and
neighbor to sit our 2 cats this Summer for 2 different trips.
For one we'll be gone only a few days, but the other is a 2-
week trip. By ''sit'' I really mean to make sure their food
bowls are full and they get a little attention every day or
so. The 2 week trip would also require cleaning out the cat
boxes at least once. She would be welcome to sleep over if she
wants to, but doesn't have to. I was wondering what people
think a fair price to pay for these services would be?
Thanks!
In the past, I have paid a ''professional'' (i.e. adult) catsitter
$10 per day for food, water, attention. A neighborhood child has
received $5 per day and often the parent will drop by just to
make sure the child is fulfilling their responsibilities. When I
have loaned my home while I am away, the house sitter took care
of the pets for free as part of the deal.
kl
I pay $20/visit for a pet sitting service to come to my house
and feed my two cats, clean the litter box, get my mail, and
water my plants. They come every other day when I'm on vacation.
Josephine
I pay high school kids who don't have to go more than a couple
of houses away $5 per day, with an extra $5 per each litter box
change (about every 3-4 days). I would probably double that
for someone older, who had to travel farther, or who was
spending more time with the animals. I inquired of a
professional service, and was told $40 a day.
Probably a Cheapskate!
''Professional'' pet-sitters usually charge about $15 a day to
feed/water/clean the litter box. They'll also water your plants
if you have them (though no discount for not having them).
anon
Oct 2003
We are going to be out of town for a week and would like to ask
the 2 boys around the corner (8 &13) to feed our cat and
collect our newspapers. What would be a fare rate to offer
them? Thanks!
anon
I usually pay anywhere from $2.50-$5.00 a day, depending on how
much I'm having the kids (of similar age) do. If it's spring
and there are lots of vegetables to be watered, if I have a cat
whose lonely and I want them to spend extra time with her, then
I pay closer to $5 for those times. But just mail and a quick
feed (of 4 cats), maybe less. Good luck!
Eden
We pay neighbor kids $5 a day to feed our guinea pig and bring in
the mail and newspaper. The job only takes about 10 minutes, but
it is a real bargain considering that it cost $10 a day just to
board the guinea pig. $35 for a week seems like a lot of money to
kids that age. (If we are going away to somewhere exciting, I
also bring back small souvenirs for the sitters.)**********
Marcia
For 8 and 13 year olds, I'd ask their parents what they think is
fair. A number of years ago we hired the 9 year old across the
street to feed our cat, and his mom thought we way overpaid
him. She wasn't upset with us, but she was kind of shocked by
what we thought was a pretty normal rate. (I think it was
something like $5 per day? I really don't remember,
unfortunately). But the point is, I think the parent would like
to have some input. If you think it is really too low, and the
kids do a great job, you could always add a little ''tip'' at the
end.
Fran
We pay the 15-year old boy across the street $10/day (AM and PM
visit) or $5/visit to come over, bring in mail and newpapers,
walk dog for at least half an hour, and feed dog. I thought
that was decent to generous rate - considering that it's the
same as I pay my adult baby-sitter and more than I pay some teen-
aged baby-sitters - but I wanted to make it worth his while so
that he really does spend time with the dog. Interested to hear
what others are paying.
I paid a 9-year-old neighbor kid $10 a visit. His eyes kinda
popped out of his head, so I think it was a bit high. Maybe $7 a
visit?
Jennie
Nov 2002
My family is going away for Thanksgiving. I have hired my
daughter's boyfriend, a grad student, to housesit and care for
our two dogs while we are away. Does anyone have any idea what I
should pay him? Thanks for your advice.
Janet
Re: Paying housesitter - my wife and I have never actually paid
our housesitters, but we have indeed regaled them with gifts from
places we've traveled, special home cooked feasts, big batches of
their favorite cookies, etc. The various friends and friends of
friends who have watered the plants and fed the cats have always
been willing volunteers who usually jump at the chance to have a
house and kitchen all to themselves, away from their room mates.
I've also on occasion offered the use of our old but reliable VW
Golf during their stay just to sweeten the deal.
Dino and Nat, El Cerrito
When we go out of town we pay our nanny to come by twice a day
to feed our five animals (1 dog, 2 cats, 2 birds). She also brings
in the mail, opens the cat door in the morning, closes it at night,
walks the dog. She drives to Berkeley from Oakland so I am basically
paying her for the trouble and the expense of driving to our house
twice a day. I pay her $5 per car trip, which works out to $10/day.
When I have paid a neighborhood teenager to do the same thing, I pay
$5/day (but make sure the teen's parents know about the gig - teens
are forgetful!)
Sally
Feb 2006
I am looking for a dog sitter and/or kennel for my 12-year-old German Shepherd.
She has paralysis in her back legs, so she does not need walking. However, she
needs someone who can assist her in standing to eat, pee, etc. Does anyone know
of a pet caregiver who works with disabled pets? Thanks.
Hi!
Denise Christopher of Pawsitively Pet Sitting is the best person
to contact. she is licensed and bonded, specializes in problem
such as this. She takes the dog into her home and it becomes a
member of her family while you are away. She can administer
medications and is lovely with the animals. Her number is (925)
202-7422, and I believe she is in Alamo.
Julie,
Wisdom's Gate Norfolk Terriers
My friend Janice boards her elderly mostly blind and totally
deaf cocker spaniel with the same in-home boarder I use, Molly
Kenefick, at Doggy Lama Pet Care (www.doggylamapetcare.com).
Janice has told me that Molly especially enjoys working with
elderly and special needs dogs. My dog isn't special needs but
he is an older guy and I can tell you that she's very loving,
responsible, and our dog has a great time with her.
Molly can also be reached at (510)530-3099.
Andrea
June 2006
I wanted to share that we have found a great dog walker -- we got his
name off of a very old posting to the Berkeley Parent's Network. He
takes our dog on walks on the trails of the various Berkeley area
parks while we are at work/school. He has also stayed overnight with
our dog while we have been away on vacation. He has been very
dependable and flexible -- he clearly loves the dogs that he cares
for. His name is Dan Kuklo and he can be reached through his website
at http://www.bdwps.com/ or at (510) 866-6194. Our boxer loves him
and we really recommend his service. Good luck.
Alex
June 2005
Great Pet sitter/walker recommendation
I use a terrific dog walker/pet sitter. His name is Dan Kuklo and he is the sole owner and proprietor of Berkeley Dog Walk and Pet Sitting. He walks and cares for all pet on his own. He does not have anyone else working for him. He is a sensative, attentive and caring person who clearly loves animals and loves what he does. He takes our dog on LONG walks in Tilden and other great parks, but I know he does neighborhood walks for older or less mobile animals. His rates are reasonable and he is completely reliable. Here is his information:
(510) 849-2642 home
(510) 866-6194 cell
snowbird7 AT operamail.com
http://www.bdwps.com
Best of luck!
Molly
March 2005
Dog Walkers
We have had great luck with our dogwalkers, Phil and Laurie, also known as "Pawderosa." Www.pawderosa.com
They offer trail walks, neighborhood walks, dog boarding, pet taxi services and more. They're great with our dogs, and have worked on their training a bit as well. They're bonded and insured.
Jeff
Oct 2004
We have been very happy with Brian Sullivan of Pied Piper
Dog Training. He takes our dogs on really long off-leash
walks up in the hills and on the trails, and because he is
also a dog trainer, really works with them on their
(sometimes) aggressive behavior. His email is
brian AT piedpiperdogtraining.com and his phone # is 430-8726
Gigi
In response to the posting requesting a reccomendation for
a dog walker. We work with a fabulous, kind, concientious
and flexible dog walker named Brian Pierce. He takes our
16 month old, very lively, puppy out two afternoons a
week. I met him at Ohlone dog park when I was 9+ months
pregnant and loved his sense of humor and the attention
and care he gave the dogs in his charge. He was on call,
and came to walk our dog every day when I went into labor.
After my son was born, we started the 2x a week schedule
and continued it after I returned to work. I was home with
the baby for the first 6 weeks he worked with us and saw
how excited Shayda (our dog) was to see him and how happy
AND TIRED she was when she returned. He would have her out
for 2 hours, including travel time and with at least one
other dog, which was fabulous for her socialization. Also,
her recall improved to the point that we were able to
safely take her to Izzy and let her run off leash! We had
taken her to Puppy training and worked with her, but it
was the consistency of training and being with Brian that
I feel really got her to her present level. Brian is also
felexible around schedule changes and just an all-around
nice guy.
BriCoPie Pet Care
(510) 684-7335
brian AT bricopiepetcare.com
Good luck!
Beth
I'd like to recommend Carol Anderson of Oakland Hills Pet
Care. 510-220-2463. She does pet sitting for cats & dogs,
drop-in visits, and on-leash dog walking. She's a member
of the East Bay Pet Sitters Assoc. and insured. She loves
animals and is really easy to work with.
Carol
Re: Boarding place that doesn't kennel the dogs? (March 2003)
For daily dogwalks or cat visits at your home, Mother's Love for
your Pet is run by an extremely caring woman named Wendy Burch.
She has a website at www.ourpetsitter.com and a voicemail at 531-
1954. She's become like family to us over the past seven years -
- extremely reliable, trustworthy, and committed.
Noreen
Nov 2002
I am looking for a dog walker to walk my dog 3 times a week. I
live in Albany so someone who walks other dogs nearby would be
ideal. Melissa
Our Dog walker is John, of John and Mary Beth's Pet services,
526-7029. John is absolutely, hands down, the best dog walker
ever. He has been walking both our dogs in Albany for 3 years.
Although we have two dogs, they both have special needs as our
shepard limps and our labx is very active--so he walks our
shepard first and then takes our labx to the leash-free park.
John always leaves reports if the dogs look sick or are acting
funny. He also leaves cute pictures from time to time that he
takes of them on their walks. He has also come through for us
in a pinch since he has a key when we needed something
desperately in our home while on vacation. He loves our dogs
and our dogs just adore him and wait eagerly for him everyday.
When I was on maternity leave and often breastfeeding he would
discreetly knock before coming in to get the dogs. John is
almost a member of our family and he makes our life and our dogs
lives so much better. You could not get a better dog walker, I
guarantee you that. You can contact me further for even more
glowing stories about him.
Jo
I use Chris Matthews at Pawalkers to walk my dog. She comes to
the house and picks up the dog and takes her to Point Isabel for
a couple of hours. She always makes sure that my dog is washed
off and dry (if she played in the bay) before putting her back
in the house. Chris can be reached at 701-1824. We highly
recommend her.
Pam
We LOVE our dogwalker, Larissa Martin. Her number is 652-
6435. We were her first client about a year ago, and she
really loves and takes care of our dog.
Debbie
Our neighbor and friend has a dog walking, pet care business. I
cannot recommend her too highly. She has a wonderful way with
pets (our reclusive cat responds to her as well as our
rambuncious ones). She is scrupulously honest and
conscientious. Her email is:info AT safehandspetcare.com and tel is
(510) 710-6700.
Kathryn
June 2005
Doggy Detail
This message if for the individuals in Richmond/Pleasent Hill looking for a pet sitter/walker. We used Doggy Detail Pet Care who are located in the Vallejo area. We used them over Christmas, and they were great! I am not sure how far they will travel but their phone # is 707-297-1020. I found them on the internet, and was also pleased with their affordable rates vs. kenneling our two labs.
Lab Lover
March 2005
Pet-sitting/Dog-walking Extraordinaire
Are you in a quandry about what to do with your pet when you go out of town? Or would you like your dog to have more exercise but don't have the time to take her/him for walks yourself. If so, please check out Safe Hands Pet Care as an option:
http://www.safehandspetcare.com/index.html
Safe Hands is an East Bay pet care company which covers the areas from El Cerrito through Oakland as well as Alameda. I have been working for them for a while now. There are approximately 15 pet-sitters and dog-walkers employed by Safe Hands at the moment. The owners, a wonderful animal-loving couple, are dedicated to providing exceptional care and expect the same level of quality care from their employees. All of their employees have extensive animal experience. There are even folks very experienced with reptiles and birds. Please have a look at their website and then feel free to call them with any questions. You can tell them Joan sent you through the BPN.
Joan
Dec 2004
When my pet sitter cancelled at the last minute, I called
Lucky Dog Pet Store, and they gave me the name of Camille
the Holistic Petsitter! Camille turned out to be wonderful.
A former social worker, she took notes re my pets when she
came to get the key, was friendly and responsible, took the
dogs to Pt. Isabel almost every day, kept the house clean,
and left fun notes re the week.
At $50/day, it wasn't cheap, but I feel it was worth it and
I highly recommend her. She also does dog walking and
holistic pet care. Camille can be reached at (h) 525-3828,
(cell) 860-7272.
Stefanie
Nov 2004
We need a housesitter/catsitter for over thanksgiving and
throughout the year. The main request is to keep the cats
company and to feed them
jane
A young woman who does childcare for me is also looking
for regular or occasional work taking care of pets in the
Oakland/Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area. She has
veterinary tech training and a love of animals. She will
walk dogs, bathe pets, come to feed pets, and bestow all
the love and attention you'd like to give your pet if you
had the time. She provides affordable, reliable, and
enthusiastic services. See her website EastBayPets.com or
contact her by phone at 510-409-7189 or by email at
EastBayPets AT Animail.net.
nancy
Re: Boarding place that doesn't kennel the dogs? (March 2003)
You can find other sitters (perhaps one geographically closer to
you) through the East Bay Pet Sitters Association website; visit
www.ebpsa.com. Note there is a difference listed there between
sitting and boarding (sitters come to your house whereas
boarders take in dogs).
Noreen
Oct 2002
I am
going to be gone for about 3 weeks over the Christmas holidays
and would like to find a resonably priced petsitter (or
petsitter/housesitter) to check on my cat while I am gone (in
the Oakland/Piedmont area). Has anyone used any of the
petsitting services in the area, or could anyone recommend a
petsitter?
Nicole
I highly recommend Mother's Love for Your Pet -- the owner,
Wendy Burch, has been caring for our dog and cats for seven
years. Her services include daily dogwalking or visits to the
house to spend quality time with pets, take in the mail, etc.
She is extremely principled, bonded/licensed etc. and just a
very sincere and caring person. She really treats your pets
like the family that they are. Her web site is
www.ourpetsitter.com and phone is 531-1954.
Noreen
May 2002
I'd like to
find experienced reliable people who can just come over once/day,
feed pets, clean the cat box, and water flowers a couple of
times. Anyone covering Richmond who doesn't expect to live in?
Padma
Most kids already know how to do these things as they are
required chores at home. Try calling the local camp fire or girl
scouts troop in your area. These kids would do the job for an
affordable price, plus they could probably earn a badge for doing
it. Talk to some den mothers. This will also give you an
opportunity to know some of the young people in your neighborhood
in case you need other things done.
Try VCA Lammers Pet Hospital, on San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo.
Also call other VCA pet hospitals in Berkeley and Albany. If the
VCA hospitals don't have what you want, ask them for referrals
to other places which board pets. Since they're in the biz they
will know people who can help you.
Good luck! - Bay
July 2001
(from Where to Board a Cat
I know you didn't ask for this, but we have used a wonderful
pet sitting service for our cat when we travel. We've used "Pets n
Plants" for five years for our now-11-year-old cat and we've never had a
problem. The sitter comes once per day (you can arrange for more visits), brings
in mail, cleans litter, refreshes food and water, and attempts to brush and
play with our cat (she's not too social with new people). The last couple of
years we've requested the same sitter each time and she genuinely cares
about our cat. She leaves a log of each visit so we know went on during our
absence. Their number is (510) 278-1234.
Carolyn
Home |
Reviews |
Advice |
Members |
Post a Message
Join BPN |
Help |
What's New |
Search |
Contact Us
Last updated: Apr 30, 2008
Copyright © 1996-2009 Berkeley Parents Network
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.