
What sets us apart from the other dog waking companies?
At Pumkin Paws, we believe pet care should feel personal — because it is! We’re a family-owned business with a small, dedicated team, which allows us to truly get to know every pet in our care. We learn their personalities, routines, favorite activities, and all the little things that make them unique. We’re proud to be the ONLY pet care company with a physical daycare location in Riverdale, and we’ve continued to find ways to make pet care safer, more transparent, and more personalized. We are the first and only company in Riverdale to offer GPS-tracked walks and real-time check-ins. Through our app, you can see when your pet’s visit begins and ends and have peace of mind knowing their caregiver is actively spending time with them. Whether its your beloved cat or dog, you know that your pet is being cared for, engaged with, and enjoying their time with us. We’re also proud to be the ONLY company in the Riverdale where our pet sitters and dog walkers are employees, rather than independent contractors. We’re extremely selective about who joins our team. Every member is someone we trust to provide the same level of care and attention we would want for our own pets. Because we’re a small team, we know our clients and their pets personally. If your regular caregiver is ever unavailable, your pet’s care instructions, routines, preferences, and important notes are all available through our app, allowing another member of our team to step in seamlessly. Small team. Personalized care. Trusted people. Happy pets. That’s the Pumkin Paws difference!
I have a very social dog that loves to play, what if I want my dog to be socialized?
We’d love for you and your pup to come see what Pumkin Paws is all about! Schedule a time to visit our daycare, meet our team, and let us show you why so many families have trusted us with their dogs! Our daycare is designed to give dogs a fun, social, and enriching day filled with play, exercise, interaction, and plenty of attention from our team. We take the time to get to know each dog and make sure they are comfortable, happy, and enjoying their day with us. If full-day daycare isn’t quite the right fit for your dog, we also offer personalized walks and visits. Every dog is different, so we tailor their time with us to their individual personality and needs. They can enjoy some one-on-one time, play in the dog run, or even be paired with a compatible buddy for a walk. We also keep our walks intentionally small — never large groups and always capped at two dogs — so every pup gets the attention and care they deserve.
What does it mean that you are bonded and insured?
Whether you choose Pumkin Paws or another pet care company, always make sure your dog walker or pet sitter is properly bonded and insured. It’s an important part of protecting both your pet and your home. Insurance provides protection in the event of an accident or incident that occurs while your pet is in our care. Pumkin Paws carries a $1 million liability insurance policy, giving our clients added peace of mind. Bonding provides additional protection for your home and belongings while a caregiver has access to your property. If something is stolen by a bonded employee, the bond can provide reimbursement, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions. We believe professional pet care means more than simply loving animals. It means being responsible, prepared, and properly protected.
How far in advance do I need to book overnight visits with a host family?
Our boarding is intentionally small, personal, and highly sought after. Pumkin Paws is a small family owned and operated company and are the ones who provide the boarding care. Because of this, we only accept a limited number of boarding dogs at a time. Our boarding pups are part of our family while they’re with us. They spend their days enjoying our daycare program and their nights with us in a comfortable home environment — giving you the peace of mind that your dog is receiving personalized, one-on-one care from the owners themselves. Because our daycare and boarding go hand in hand, boarding is available to dogs who are already established in our daycare program. This allows us to truly know your dog’s personality, routine, and comfort level before they stay with us overnight. All boarding dogs must be friendly, comfortable around people and other dogs, and successfully complete our full daycare introduction process.
Are there extra fees for holiday visits?
We love spending time with your pups — even on holidays! Because federal holidays can require additional staffing and holiday care, holiday rates apply to daycare, boarding, and other services on federal holidays. We’ll always communicate holiday schedules and rates in advance so you know what to expect when making your reservation. Please plan ahead — holiday availability is limited and tends to fill quickly!
I am interested in signing up for service, what are the next steps?
We’d love to meet you and your pup! Getting started is a quick 3 step process. 1. Fill out our Contact Form Tell us a little about yourself and your dog, and let us know whether you’re interested in daycare or dog walking. 2. We’ll Be in Touch A member of our team will reach out to learn more about your pup and answer any questions you may have. 3. Come Meet Us! If you’re interested in daycare, we’ll schedule a time for you and your dog to visit, meet our team, and see if Pumkin Paws is the right fit. We can’t wait to meet you and your four-legged family member!

