Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been in business?
Dog Dot Cat has been in business since 2007. In 2009 we became a Limited Liability Partnership.
Are you licensed, insured and bonded?
Yes. Each year Dog Dot Cat works with the District of Columbia to ensure that our business license is up to date. We are also insured and bonded through Business Insurers of the Carolinas under the master policy of Pet Sitters International. This coverage extends to all our employees and independent contractors.
What holidays do you observe?
We observe all federal government holidays and Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. For service on any holiday including Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, there is a $10 holiday service fee. The fee is given to our service providers to show appreciation for their service.
**Additional $10 holiday surcharges - Black Friday and Dec 26th, the day after Christmas
How do federal government holidays effect Monday-Friday mid-day walking packages?
Mid-day walks will be completed upon request, with a $10 holiday surcharge fee on the following federal holidays (MLK Day, President’s Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day). There will be NO mid-day walks on New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
What is your service area?
We currently serve all of Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Hill East, Kingman Park, NOMA and Trinidad. Depending on the location and parking situation, we may travel a few miles outside our boundary map. An off-the-Hill fee of $10-$15 per visit may apply to any area not on Capitol Hill proper. Please see the map which outlines our service area.
What is your snow, extreme heat, and inclement weather policy?
For the safety of all involved, we follow federal government guidelines. If the government closes due to an impending snow storm or hurricane, we will cancel regularly scheduled mid-day walks. For scheduled dog and cat sitting visits, every effort will be made to carry on as planned. For clients who purchase mid-day walking packages, necessary cancellations will be made without a fee. On days with extreme weather (heat, cold, and rain storms) walking durations may be reduced.
How do I make payment?
We accept payment via Venmo, Zelle, bank to bank transfers, old fashion bank checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB). For M-F dog walking clients, we will bill you around the beginning of each month for all walks completed the previous month. Payment is due upon receipt. Clients can opt-in to the Auto Pay option by saving a credit card on file when logging on to the account created when visiting the contact us page. For all other services, payment is due prior to your departure.
What is the schedule for dog walking?
Morning walks range from 8-10 AM; midday walks from 11 AM to 4 PM; evening walks from 5-8 PM. Upon request, we will do our best to accommodate a narrower range of time. Weekend walks follow the same time schedule but different rates may apply.
How long will my dog be walked?
The dog walk visit is 30 minutes long. The walk itself is 25 minutes, leaving several minutes to leash and unleash, write a note, and make sure your pup is left with fresh water.
Do you take dogs on group walks?
Yes. We find that most dogs love their pack walks! They learn and become familiarized with fundamental socializing skills with the dogs in their pack, while also getting the exercise and stimulation they need.
Do you take dogs on solo walks?
Yes. We provide solo walks for clients who feel their pups do better walking by themselves. Solo walks are also ideal for one-on-one focus to enforce training commands, or if a dog needs isolation to recover from injury.
Will my dog get the same walker/sitter everyday/every scheduled occasion?
Due to the bonding that occurs between pet sitters, animals, and clients, we make every effort to be consistent in scheduling the same pet sitter and/or dog walker. Our Monday through Friday mid-day dogs generally get the same walker every day. Occasionally, walkers will fluctuate due to vacations, emergencies, jury duty, etc. Pet sitters are scheduled by availability and are subject to fluctuate depending on the schedule
What safe practices do we use to keep your dog safe on city streets?
Your dog’s safety is our number one priority. When walking dogs in a group, all dogs must be current on their vaccinations and be dog friendly. It is very rare for the dogs in the group to show aggression towards one another. It is not unusual however, for dogs to become aggressive toward other dogs who are not in their pack. When walking dogs in a group, we make every attempt to avoid all other dogs. Crossing the street usually solves the problem.
How will I know how the walk went with my dog?
A journal entry will be sent by email as long as the client and pet profiles have been created using the virtual scheduling database. A link to create this account is located on the “Contact us” page of the website. A notebook may also be provided to leave a daily note letting you know how the walk went, and whether your dog took care of their needs. We encourage you to keep us informed by leaving us notes in the book as well.
What is the new client sign up procedure?
Go to the contact us page on Dog Dot Cat’s website. Submit the sign up form. You will find our dog walking and/or pet sitting contracts in pdf attachments on the contact us page. Download and review the contract that applies to you. A Dog Dot Cat representative will be in touch to schedule the initial client meeting to meet you and your pet(s). Initial client meetings are billed as a one time fee of $25.00.
How do I schedule service for my pet?
Service is scheduled upon request by phone, email, or through the Contact Us page on Dog Dot Cat’s website. On the “Contact us” page, you will be directed to a link to build your client and pet profiles and through your online account, service can be booked.
What is the cancellation policy for regularly scheduled dog walks?
Call, email or text by 10 AM, the morning of the scheduled walk so we can mark your pup off. The full rate of the walk is charged if cancellations are made after that time.
What is the cancellation policy for pet sitting, boarding, and other services?
All pet sitting and boarding services scheduled months in advance may incur up to a 50% cancellation fee based on the total of that particular assignment. This ensures compensation for pet care providers in the event that other assignments were turned away due to their lack of availability.
Pet sitting and boarding services scheduled a week or so before the start date must be cancelled by 5 PM, two days before the scheduled service. Otherwise, the full rate of the first day of the scheduled service will be charged. Notice of cancellation should be done by phone, email, or text.
What is included in a cat visit?
We will come to your home to visit your cat(s) for twenty five minutes. During this time, we will collect the newspaper and mail, serve your cat their food, refresh their water, tend to the litter box, spend time playing, socializing, and grooming with the fur brush if your cat will allow!
Does Dog Dot Cat background check our staff members?
Yes. All staff members are required to pass a background check through Pet Sitter’s International background screening system, ACUTRAQ.