Business Details
9 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Pet Care in Richmond, VA
Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting was founded in 2017 by Abby, a lifelong animal lover with a business management background and extensive experience in veterinary care. Our team of trained, insured professionals specializes in personalized in-home pet care, prioritizing trust-building through positive reinforcement techniques. We serve Richmond, VA, with a commitment to understanding each pet's unique needs, offering tailored care for dogs, cats, and small animals. Our services include real-time updates with photos, flexible scheduling, and specialized attention for puppies, seniors, and pets with special needs.We emphasize transparency, reliability, and compassionate care, forming strong bonds between our staff and clients' pets. With over 7 years of dedicated service, we've built a reputation for excellence through consistent communication and a deep understanding of local pet care requirements. Our team's collective experience in animal behavior and health ensures every visit meets the highest standards of safety and comfort. We maintain rigorous hiring practices, ongoing training, and a client-centric approach that prioritizes pet well-being above all else.
Services
Dog Walking
Pet Sitting
Puppy Visits
Senior Pet Care
Home Check-In
Medication Administration
Special Needs Care
Real-Time Updates
Flexible Scheduling
Positive Reinforcement Training
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We have over 7 years of experience in professional pet care
- Our team provides real-time updates with photos after every visit
- We specialize in care for fearful, reactive, and special needs pets
- We use only positive reinforcement techniques for all interactions
- Our staff undergoes rigorous training in animal behavior and safety
What people say
Thorough, kind, and professional
Peace of mind they bring
Sweetest notes and pictures
Trusted through back surgery
Always leave pictures from visits
Services
Dog Walking
Our professional dog walking service provides structured exercise and bathroom breaks in the comfort of your neighborhood. Trained walkers use positive reinforcement techniques to build trust while ensuring safety during walks. Clients receive real-time updates with photos after each visit, allowing you to monitor your pet's activity and well-being throughout the day.
Pet Sitting
Customized in-home pet sitting includes feeding, medication administration, litter box cleaning, and companionship. Our caregivers tailor visits to meet individual needs, with options for multiple daily visits to accommodate pets requiring extra attention. All visits include detailed updates and photos to keep owners informed about their pet's condition and activities.
Puppy Visits
Specialized puppy visits focus on basic obedience training, socialization, and enrichment activities. Our caregivers work on commands like sit, down, and stay while establishing positive routines for potty training and leash manners. Each visit helps develop confidence in growing puppies through structured play and consistent positive reinforcement techniques.
Senior Pet Care
Gentle care for senior pets includes mobility assistance, medication management, and comfort-focused interactions. Our team adapts visit duration and activities to accommodate age-related needs, providing mental stimulation through low-impact engagement. Special attention is given to maintaining dignity and comfort for pets in their golden years.
Home Check-In
Our home check-in service provides security and maintenance for unoccupied residences. Caregivers perform thorough inspections, collect mail, water plants, and ensure property security during brief visits. This service offers peace of mind for homeowners traveling with pets or requiring temporary home monitoring without pet care requirements.
People
Abby
Owner
Abby founded Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in 2017 after working in a law firm and veterinary hospital. With business management expertise and animal care knowledge, she focuses on client relationships and pet well-being. Her experience with fearful pets helps shape our compassionate care approach.
Victoria
Operations Manager
Victoria joined Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in 2023 with over a decade in pet care. She specializes in reactive and fearful pet care through patience and positive reinforcement. Her experience includes managing playgroups and boarding facilities before transitioning to in-home services.
Lindsey
Field Manager
Lindsey became Field Manager in 2018 after working in dog daycare and boarding. She focuses on nutrition, play routines, and special needs care. Her Richmond roots and adoption advocacy inform her compassionate approach to pet care.
Blaise
Pet Care Specialist
Blaise joined Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in 2019 with extensive animal experience since 2011. Trained in body language interpretation, he provides customized care for pets of all temperaments. His background includes working with reptiles, birds, and various mammals.
Jessica
Pet Care Specialist
Jessica joined in 2022 with expertise in special needs pets. She specializes in rehabilitation for traumatized animals through patience and structured care. Her experience includes rescuing and nursing animals with health issues back to wellness.
Questions
What makes Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting different from other pet care services?
Barksley Dog Walking & Pet Sitting's team of trained professionals provides real-time updates with photos, uses only positive reinforcement techniques, and offers specialized care for pets with special needs. Our staff are W-2 employees rather than contractors.
Do you care for pets with special medical needs?
Yes, we administer medication, assist with mobility limitations, and care for post-surgery pets. Our team has experience with hospice care and can accommodate most special medical requirements.
How do you handle fearful or reactive pets?
Our caregivers use positive reinforcement techniques and patient approaches to build trust with fearful animals. We prioritize creating safe spaces and respecting individual boundaries during visits.
What happens during bad weather?
We complete visits when safe, adjusting outdoor time based on pet comfort with weather conditions. If unsafe, we notify clients immediately and reschedule visits as soon as possible.
Can I request specific caregivers for my pet?
We assign primary caregivers based on compatibility, but understand some pets work better with certain team members. We accommodate requests when possible while maintaining service consistency.
How do you ensure pet safety during visits?
All staff undergo rigorous training in animal behavior and safety protocols. We use secure key storage systems and maintain strict check-in/check-out procedures for every visit.
