FAQs
First and foremost, we DO NOT advertise. All of our business is referral based or from the Pets-Chicago family meeting people and their beloved dogs on the street. We are small deliberately, and try to grow organically. Pets-Chicago is a family-owned business since 2003. Pets-Chicago understands that trust and empathy are essential components to caring for someone’s pet. We not only respect the fact that we are entering your home, but are being tasked with caring for your beloved pet. Our philosophy is simple. We try to personalize our care according to each of your pets’ needs.
The health and safety of our staff, clients, and their pets is essential. Every member of the Pets-Chicago team will be wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing between visits as well as wiping down your pups paws after every walk.
All visits start at 20 minutes and can grow from there. The visit time begins when we enter your home and ends when we leave. The outside time and walk distance can vary for each dog depending on their specific needs. Our goal is to follow your routine as best as possible and maximize the amount of outside time as weather permits.
Our dog walks start at $17 for 20 minutes M-F for a standard walk, and then vary according to your specific needs rates and times, AM/PM, weekend, holiday, prices will vary. Please see our rates page.
Pets-Chicago uses Doggy Logs for all of our walking and pet care visits. You will receive an email after every walk with a time stamp of when walker arrived and when they left and also GPS tracking of actual walk. All staff members will inform you if your dog eliminated.
A single set of keys can be left on-site in a lock box or with door staff. If those are not options for you, Pets-Chicago requires TWO sets of keys be provided to the company. One for your primary walker and one for backups/the office. If only one set is provided, you will be subject to limited availability or walk cancellation when your primary walker is out sick, on vacation, or is otherwise not available for a request. Clients using lock boxes are responsible for ensuring they are functional and accessible, especially during times of ice and snow.
You can schedule walks through email any time of day. All visits require a two hour time frame for our arrival (one hour for puppies or older dogs with special needs). When adding or cancelling a visit you will always receive a confirmation. We are available for walks 8am-10pm, 365 days a year.
While Pets-Chicago does everything we can to ensure consistency with your particular walker but because we are a smaller company, every member of our staff is fully capable and knowledgeable of all of our clients needs.
Pets-Chicago accepts credit cards but we prefer bank transfer payments which can be made through your emailed invoice. We also accept Venmo and Apple Pay.
Weekday cancellations must be made three hours prior to the start of your arrival window or are subject to full charge. Weekend cancellations must be made by 5pm the previous day.
Of course our staff can handle any medications or feeding needs short of injections. We understand that many of our senior dogs require supplements and many of our puppy clients require additional feedings as well as the first year tummy issues.
Pets-Chicago uses positive reinforcement and reward based training methods. We will always advocate for your dog as well. We will stay consistent with your commands and style that you do in-home. The more consistent your pups pattern is the more they thrive.
Pets-Chicago can accommodate visits every day of the year. Please see our pricing page for more information. Weekend and holiday care must be booked with plenty of notice.
Pets-Chicago cares for cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants. Cat visits include fresh food, water, clean out litter box every time and bring in mail and water plants. Please see our price page for more information.
Yes. Applicants are screened for any criminal record or crimes against people or property.
