Faq – Frequency Asked Questions

What areas do you serve?
Great Woods Pet Sitting provides professional pet care in Norton and Mansfield, Massachusetts, generally within 3–5 miles of Great Woods Plaza.
If you’re unsure whether you’re in my service area, feel free to reach out.

What services do you offer?
I offer dependable, professional pet care including:
Dog walking
Cat sitting / drop-in visits
Midday potty breaks
Senior pet care
Medication administration (when appropriate)

How long are dog walks? Dog walks and visits are generally 30 minutes. More time can be added if necessary.

How much are dog walks? Dog walks are currently $30-$35 for a 30 minute walk. Current rates are effective as of January 1, 2026. Rates are subject to change.

What hours are you open? We are available for inquiries from 8 am – 7 pm daily. Dog walks and cat visits generally take place from 10 am – 2 pm.

Can I request a specific time for you to visit my pet? We do not guarantee that exact times for visits, they are based on our route. We will take your request into consideration but it must fit into our schedule.

Do you walk dogs in all weather?
Yes — I walk dogs in rain, cold, and snow as long as conditions are safe.
During extreme heat, icy sidewalks, or severe storms, walks may be shortened or adjusted to keep your pet safe.

Will my dog be walked alone?
Yes. Dogs are walked one-on-one, unless they live in the same household.
For safety reasons, I do not group unfamiliar dogs together.

Do you offer daily dog walking while clients are at work?
Yes. Many of my clients in Norton and Mansfield use Great Woods Pet Sitting for weekday midday walks and potty breaks while they’re at work.

Do you offer cat sitting visits?
Yes! Cat visits include:
Fresh food and water
Litter box cleaning
Playtime and companionship (based on your cat’s comfort level)
Home check-in for peace of mind
Even if your cat hides, I will still make sure their needs are fully taken care of. We attempt to put eyes on your cat on each visit to ensure they are well, but don’t force interactions.

How often should cats be visited?
Most cats do well with one visit per day, but two visits per day may be recommended for:
Senior cats
Cats needing medication
Multi-cat households
Cats needing extra attention

Can you administer medication?
Yes. I can administer many common medications, including:
Pills
Liquid medications
Topical medications

We use cooperative care and low stress handling techniques. We can not guarantee we will be able to administrator medication to uncooperative cats or cats that hide.

Do you offer puppy visits?
Yes! Puppy visits are a great option for:
Potty breaks
Short walks
Feeding routines
Playtime and enrichment

Do you offer senior pet care?
Yes. I have experience caring for senior pets who may need slower walks, extra patience, and close observation.

Do you offer overnight pet sitting?
At this time, I specialize in dog walking and drop-in pet sitting visits, rather than overnight stays.

Do you offer meet and greets?
Yes. All new clients start with a meet and greet so we can:
Meet you and your pets
Review routines and instructions
Go over keys, alarm systems, or entry codes
Discuss emergency contacts and vet information

What happens after I fill out the “get started” form? After you fill out the form, we will review your request. If we feel you are a good fit, we will welcome you to our portal, where you will fill out more detailed information. Once you have filled everything out, you can request a meet and greet.

Will I receive updates after each visit?
Yes! After every visit you will receive a detailed update that includes:
Visit notes
Photos, time-stamped GPS tracking
Confirmation that your pet is safe and cared for

How do you access my home?
Clients typically provide a key, garage code, or smart lock access. In the case of locks or garage codes that rely on batteries, wifi, or electricity, we highly recommend providing us with a physical key in case of power or battery failure. All access information is handled securely and professionally.

What happens if there is an emergency?
If there is an emergency, I will contact you immediately and follow your instructions. If you are not available, I will contact your emergency contact.

Do I need to be home during visits?
No. Most clients are not home during visits. I provide trusted care while you’re at work or away.

Do you require vaccinations?
Yes. All pets must be current on core vaccinations, including rabies. Flea and tick prevention is required for any pets that go outside.

How far in advance should I book?
For ongoing weekday dog walking, it’s best to book as early as possible to reserve a consistent time slot.
For holiday travel and vacation care, booking several weeks in advance is recommended.

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and ACH through our software, Time to Pet.

Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes. A cancellation policy applies to protect scheduled time slots. Details are provided in our contract and in our Policies/FAQ’S.

How do I get started?
To get started, please visit Contact Us to request a meet and greet.


Great Woods Pet Sitting proudly serves Norton and Mansfield, MA within 3–5 miles of Great Woods Plaza.