Business Details
18 Years
experience
Professional Dog Walking & Cat Sitting Services in West Seattle
At Close to Home Pet Services, we believe in connecting good people with good people while providing compassionate care for pets. Founded in 2008, our purpose extends beyond pet carewe empower our team, clients, and animals to thrive together. As an LGBTQAI-owned company, we prioritize integrity, respect, and transparency in every interaction. Our team undergoes rigorous vetting, including recurring background checks, to ensure they embody our values of honesty and kindness. We serve West Seattle neighborhoods with weekday dog walks, daily cat visits, and holiday care, offering tailored services like 20-60 minute visits and detailed post-visit reports.Certified by Pet Sitters International and accredited by the Better Business Bureau, we adhere to strict safety protocols, including COVID-19 compliance. Our mission is to provide peace of mind for pet owners through reliable, personalized care, allowing them to focus on their daily lives while their pets receive individualized attention. We foster a supportive work environment for our team, emphasizing work-life balance and professional growth. By maintaining high standards of service and ethics, we aim to be a trusted partner for pet families in West Seattle and beyond.
Services
Dog Walking
Cat Sitting
Holiday Visits
Pet Visits
Daily Reports
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- Certified caregivers with recurring background checks
- Daily cat visits (1-2 times/day) with photo updates
- Transparent communication via post-visit reports
- Specialized holiday pet care with safety protocols
- LGBTQAI-owned with 17+ years of industry experience
Associations and certifications
- Better Business Bureau
- Certified Professional Pet Sitter
- Pet Sitters International
What people say
Professional service
Detailed photo updates
Exceptional pet handling
Reliable caregivers
Peace of mind
Services
Dog Walking
Our weekday midday dog walks include private neighborhood walks from 9am-3pm. Each session lasts 20-60 minutes with a dedicated walker. We provide post-walk reports with photos and maintain consistent teams for your pet's comfort. Our employees receive specialized training in canine behavior and safety protocols. Clients receive real-time updates through our online portal.
Cat Visits
We offer 1-2 daily visits for cats and small pets between 7am-8pm. Services include feeding, litter cleaning, and playtime during 20-30 minute visits. Our cat-certified team follows strict safety guidelines and provides photo updates. We require consecutive daily visits to ensure pet wellbeing. All caregivers complete pet first aid training and follow detailed client instructions.
Holiday Care
Specialized holiday cat care available during major holidays with a $15 surcharge per visit. We operate 365 days a year but do not offer dog boarding. Services include essential care like feeding and litter maintenance. Our winter protocol includes emergency planning for snow-related access issues. Clients must confirm holiday bookings 14 days in advance.
People
Drew Bensen
Owner/President/CEO
Founded Close to Home in 2008 with a commitment to respectful pet care. Certified Professional Pet Sitter with BBB accreditation. Advocate for team empowerment and LGBTQAI business practices. Holds 17+ years of industry experience.
Dana
Chief Operations Officer
Former Chicago Pet Sitters owner with 18 years of industry experience. Specializes in operational systems and talent acquisition. Key contributor to CTH's backend efficiencies and team development programs.
Ben
Cat Team Manager
Seattle native with lifelong cat care experience. Manages new client onboarding and cat visit teams. Certified in pet first aid and COVID-19 safety protocols. Focuses on client peace of mind during travel.
Questions
What services do you offer for pets?
We provide weekday dog walks (9am-3pm), daily cat visits (7am-8pm), and holiday pet care. Services include exercise, feeding, litter cleaning, and post-visit reports with photos.
Are your staff certified and insured?
Yes, all team members undergo criminal background checks and pet care certifications. We're insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas and hold Pet Sitters International credentials.
How do you handle emergency situations?
Our caregivers are trained in pet first aid and emergency protocols. We maintain key access for urgent situations and have contingency plans for extreme weather or access issues.
What are your holiday service policies?
We charge a $15 holiday surcharge per visit during defined blackout dates. Full payment is required 14 days in advance for holiday bookings. Services are limited to cat care during holidays.
Can you administer pet medications?
We can handle medications given in food but don't administer insulin or timed doses. For specialized medical care, we recommend veterinary professionals or certified medical pet care services.
