Frequently Asked Questions

Shoreline Happy Paws serves Old Saybrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Killingworth, Old Lyme, Lyme, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, New London, Groton, Mystic, Noank, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, and Higganum.

Dog Walking is a leashed neighborhood outing focused on potty breaks, exercise, and routine, available in 20, 30, 45, and 60-minute visits.

Dog Hiking is an adventure service where we pick your dog up and take them to local trails, beaches, or nature preserves for an hour or more of off-pavement exploration, sniffing, and pack socialization. Hikes are ideal for high-energy dogs who need more stimulation than a neighborhood walk provides. Group and private hikes are both available.

Second, every team member is a W-2 employee covered by workmen’s compensation, not a gig worker hustling between Rover and Wag bookings. Workmen’s comp matters because if a walker is injured on your property as an independent contractor, you (the homeowner) can be held liable. Our team is fully covered.

Third, our staff goes through rigorous training and ongoing education in canine body language, calming signals, stress and arousal cues, leash handling, and reactive dog support, plus feline behavior and the unique quirks of cat care. Behind the scenes, our management team actively supports walkers in the field in real time, so no one is ever handling a tough situation alone.

Fourth, we offer the full spectrum of pet care under one roof: Dog Walking, Dog Hiking, Drop-In Visits, In-Home Overnights, Homestyle Boarding, Vet Tech Services, and Pet First Aid and CPR Education. Most providers offer one or two, if any.

As the Owner, I have pets at my own home too, and our team cares for them right alongside our clients’ pets. I only hire people I would trust in my own home with my own animals, and that standard sets the bar for everyone we bring on.

Our hiring process is rigorous. Every candidate goes through a thorough application review, an in-person interview, professional reference checks with prior employers and clients, a full background check, and a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check before they join the team. After hire, they receive extensive training and ongoing continuing education, plus active management oversight in the field every day. This is not an app-based marketplace where strangers show up to handle your pets. It’s a carefully built team I’d trust with my own.

This is one of the biggest advantages of using a team-based pet care company instead of a solo dog walker. We work as a team and we strive for consistency, pairing your dog with a primary walker whenever possible so they can build a real relationship. That said, life happens. Walkers get sick, take vacations, and have days off, and on those days another trained team member covers the visit so there’s no scrambling on your end.

To make transitions smooth, we introduce your dog to multiple walkers during onboarding and through occasional shared visits, so backup coverage always feels familiar instead of random. With a solo operator, a sick day usually means no walk at all, which is something we never want our clients to face.

Getting started begins with a $40 Meet and Greet and Behavior Assessment, where we meet your dog, evaluate handling and behavior, tour your home, set up your account, install a complimentary lockbox, and walk you through scheduling through our app. You’ll also receive exclusive one-time new-client offers.

We work on your timeline, whether you’re booking months ahead for a vacation or calling at 4pm the day before you need routine walks to begin. After your Meet and Greet, you can request services through the portal and you’ll receive a GPS-tracked report with photos after every visit. To begin, create an account at cthappypaws.com, call or text 860-964-0464, or schedule a discovery call through our website.

Because you’re not paying for a sales call, you’re paying for a complete onboarding service. The $40 covers a hands-on Behavior Assessment, a complimentary lockbox installed at your home, full client account and app setup, and exclusive one-time new-client offers.

The fee reflects real work delivered by an experienced, insured professional. Many providers offer free meet and greets and skip the assessment, the lockbox, and the onboarding entirely. We don’t.

A recurring weekly schedule is required to access certain services like Drop-In Visits and Overnights during travel, Bed Tuck-Ins, On-Demand walks, and Vet Tech Services. Recurring clients book at least 2 dog walks or 1 dog hike per week, maintained for 4 or more weeks.

This requirement exists because our travel and specialty services depend on our team already knowing your dog, your home, and your routine. Familiarity is what makes the difference between a stranger checking on your pet and a trusted caregiver continuing the care your dog already knows. It also protects the quality and consistency of our highest-touch services for the clients who rely on them most.

Pricing depends on the service and whether you’re a recurring or occasional client. Recurring clients (booking weekly walks or hikes) receive lower rates and priority scheduling.

Dog Walking starts at $25 per walk for recurring 20-minute visits ($30 occasional), scaling up by duration. Dog Hiking starts at $45 per session. Drop-In Visits and Cat Sitting start at $30. Homestyle Boarding runs $125 to $150 per night depending on dog size, with discounts for recurring clients and second dogs. In-Home Overnights range from $150 to $350 per night based on time and care required.

A full breakdown is on our Services Menu, and we’re happy to walk you through what’s right for your pets and schedule.

We always show up. Light rain, snow, cold mornings, and overcast days are all part of being a dog walker on the Connecticut shoreline. What changes in tough weather is how we structure the visit, not whether we deliver it.

In extreme heat or cold, we adjust the visit to prioritize what’s safe. A 30-minute walk might become a 15-minute potty break outside followed by 15 minutes of indoor play and enrichment, keeping your dog engaged without the risks of heatstroke, frostbite, or burnt paw pads.

The only times we may fully cancel are ice storms with unsafe roads or official travel restrictions like snow emergencies. We’ll always communicate the plan through Time To Pet, so there are no surprises. Your dog’s safety and our team’s safety come first.