1. Who is Dexter?

Dexter was Lauren’s 14-year-old Norwich Terrier who passed from complications related to kidney disease in 2025. She had an incredibly special bond with Dexter, and when she started her business, she knew that she wanted Dexter’s legacy to play some role in the business, so the name felt fitting.

2. Why should I hire a professional pet sitter and not my neighbor or kid down the street?

When hiring a professional pet sitter, you are hiring someone who not only has personal experience with dogs and cats but also professional experience. As professionals, we not only consider the best way to care for your pets, but also how to run a successful business. We have pet sitters’ insurance and certifications that expand our knowledge on how to best care for your furry family members. While we never anticipate situations like veterinary care, a dog getting out of the house, or an animal dying in a pet sitter’s care, insurance focuses on these events and how to cover them if they were to arise. As a business, Dear Dexter Pet Sitting takes these types of situations very seriously. The neighbor or the kid down the street has no protection if these things were to happen in their care.

3. Do you charge for meet and greets?

No. Meet and greets are free. Meet and greets are required prior to booking services.

4. I am a new or existing client and I’m in need of a service for tomorrow. Can I still book with you?

At Dear Dexter Pet Sitting, we understand that plans can change and unexpected situations can arise. While we do our best to accommodate our clients when possible, short-notice requests depend on availability and the circumstances of each booking.

New clients are asked to contact us at least 5 days before services are needed. A meet-and-greet is required before providing care for any new pets.

Because a meet-and-greet and proper preparation are necessary before beginning care, last-minute requests from new clients may not be able to be accommodated, particularly when services are requested within 5 days or there is not enough time to complete a meet-and-greet.

We may make exceptions for unexpected or unavoidable circumstances, such as a family emergency, funeral, or other situation outside of the client’s control. Exceptions are considered at Dear Dexter Pet Sitting’s discretion and are dependent on availability, the pets’ needs, and our ability to safely and appropriately provide care.

Established clients may request last-minute or additional visits when needed. We will always do our best to accommodate these requests, but availability is not guaranteed, particularly during busy periods or when a request would require significant changes to an existing schedule.

Because we are already familiar with the pets and their routines, a meet-and-greet is generally not necessary for additional or short-notice visits with established clients.

Submitting a request does not guarantee that services will be available. All bookings are subject to our existing schedule, staffing, travel requirements, and ability to provide the requested care safely and appropriately.

We encourage all clients to arrange pet care as early as possible, especially for holidays, vacations, and other periods of high demand.

5. Do you charge a travel fee?

For clients that live outside of our service areas of Kyle and Buda.

20 minutes of our service area: $10 per day

30+ minutes: $25 per day

If you are unsure about whether a fee applies, feel free to reach out – we’ll be happy to confirm.

6. How many people work at Dear Dexter Pet Sitting?

Dear Dexter Pet Sitting is led by owner Lauren, alongside a small, trusted team that supports high-energy dogs and scheduling needs. All team members are trained to provide the same level of care and attention that we would give to our own pets.

7. Why must I sign a contract in order to work with Dear Dexter Pet Sitting?

Putting a contract in place protects both the business and the client. Our contracts are short, straightforward, and outline important policies and expectations so there are no surprises before booking a service. A sample of this contract can be sent upon request.

8. Why are you billing clients through Square? Can I write you a check or send money through Venmo?

Dear Dexter Pet Sitting accepts payment exclusively through Square to ensure secure, consistent, and professional transactions for all clients. Square provides reliable payment tracking, digital receipts, and clear records for both you and the sitter. By using one payment platform, we avoid lost payments, delays, or misunderstandings and can focus fully on providing excellent care for your pets. For these reasons, we do not accept cash, checks, Venmo, or other payment apps.

9. Do you offer in-home boarding or day care?

No. Dear Dexter Pet Sitting does not offer in-home boarding or day care. We have pets of our own and believe your pets are happiest and most comfortable staying in their familiar home environment while you’re away.

10. Are there any dog breeds you do not work with?

For safety reasons, Dear Dexter Pet Sitting may be unable to work with certain dogs. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis and may depend on factors such as breed, size, history, and behavior.

11. What if my dog has shown aggressive behavior in the past? Can I still book services?

While we appreciate transparency, some situations require a higher level of training, handling, or behavioral management than we are able to provide. In these cases, we may recommend working with a certified trainer, behaviorist, or a pet care professional who specializes in aggressive or reactive dogs.

12. Do you pet sit for cats?

Yes! While cat sitting for Dear Dexter Pet Sitting is not as common, we have pet sat for some wonderful cats and always enjoy the experience.

Have a question that is not answered here? Please e-mail Lauren at lauren@deardexterpetsitting and we will get back to you promptly.