If you’re a pet owner in Connecticut, there is a good chance that you have thought about hiring a professional dog walker. One of the big things clients like to know is the cost of dog walking in Connecticut. This is one of the most significant deciding factors on whether or not to pursue dog walking. It is essential to inform yourself about all potential costs, depending on where you find your dog walker.
If this is something you have been considering for a while, hopefully, this blog can help you solidify your decision! Keep reading to learn more about the cost of dog walking in Connecticut.
The Cost of Dog Walking in Connecticut Can Be Free!
When discussing the cost of dog walking in Connecticut, we can’t ignore that you can get this service for free by hiring a kid in the neighborhood or asking your neighbor to stop by. It sounds great but going the free or cheapest route when it comes to dog walking isn’t always the best idea. The quality of the service you get might not be reliable or up to par with how you take care of your pet.
It would help if you also considered why you need a dog walker in the first place. Will you be gone for a couple of hours during the day to run errands? Are you going on vacation or stepping out for the evening?
Another thing to think about is what your pet is going to need while you’re away. You can get a trusted friend or family member to check in on your pet as a favor. If you do that, make sure you leave clear instructions regarding feeding schedules and bathroom breaks. Be clear about your communication expectations. If you can find someone that cares deeply about your pet as much as you do, then you might not have to worry as much.
Doing this can be a bit of a risk since you won’t be paying the individual at the end of the day. Can you trust that they will feed your dog or take them for a walk when it’s time? We see this very frequently when that neighbor gets a last-minute invite to the beach or the kid from down the road forgot to stop by and feed your dog. It’s hard to know whether or not the person who is doing you a “favor” is committed to making sure your pet is taken care of from head to tail.
Online Resources
We are all familiar with online resources when it comes to scouting out potential dog walkers in Connecticut. Multiple Uber-like websites will give you a long list of potential dog walkers in the Connecticut area.
Depending on the person’s experience, dog walking from an app-based service can cost anywhere from $15 – $25 per 20 to 30-minute walk. If you want to use online resources, you must be willing to read through numerous profiles to find a potential match. Some of these dog walkers may have a profile where they can describe their experience. You can also read through the reviews of past clients.
One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t always know how honest people might be with their profiles. This is not to say that there aren’t trustworthy people trying to make an honest living by offering their services online. It is important to always do your research and be aware of the potential pros and cons of looking for a dog walker online. What is the website’s reputation? What will they do if they can’t visit? To what extent are they background checked? Many variables will contribute to the quality of care your dog receives.
Consider the Liabilities
It is also important to note that the “insurance” many of these app-based services offer is very limited. What happens if your dog is injured off property by a car? What if your favorite designer purse mysteriously disappears after a visit? Be sure to read the fine print and see what they exclude. Suddenly that “guarantee” becomes little more than a false sense of security.
Many of these app-based services do not hire employees and instead go the cheaper route by using independent contractors. This means a worker’s compensation policy doesn’t cover these dog walkers, and you may be responsible if they were to trip and fall on your front steps or get bit by your normally-friendly dog.
Hiring a Professional Dog Walker
Hiring a professional dog walker who has been in the business for a number of years, who is bonded and insured with experience and education in animal care and behavior typically costs a little more. These types of businesses often charge between $20 – $28 per 20-30 minute walk.
This slight price increase is well worth the peace of mind you receive by hiring a reputable, professional business. Whenever you have entrusted your fur baby to someone else, it is important to know that you will be able to clearly communicate with the individual walking your dog. How will you know when they’ve arrived? Will you get a full report of how your dog did? What about pictures? What happens if your dog walker has an emergency? A professional business will have software, processes and policies in place to take care of all of these questions and more.
A professional dog walker will go far beyond having a profile on an app-based website. They will have a social media presence to add value to their communities, a website dedicated to showcasing the services they are so proud of and likely dozens of reviews from local pet parents happy to share their experiences. They will readily provide their credentials, insurance and provide proof of a thorough, clean background check.
Similarly, a professional dog walking business will pay taxes to the local economy as well as the federal government. You can rest assured you are doing business with a legitimate business that follows local and federal rules and regulations.
We’re Here For You
At RCO Pet Care, we are here for you during your time of need. Our dog walking services start at just $22 per walk. We will work together to ensure we are covering all of your dogs’ needs, as well as keeping you safe while we continue to fight through this COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn how RCO Pet Care Care can help you with your pet care needs, check out our services, contact us or call us at (203) 641-2428. We are proud to service Middlebury, Naugatuck, Newtown, Oxford, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown and Woodbury, CT. If you’re outside of our service area, we’re happy to help you find a reputable, professional pet care provider. We’ve got your tail!
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