Welcome to Hands N Paws—we’re so glad you’re here! 💜
Whether you’re brand new to HNP or already a longtime pet parent in our community, our goal is simple: to make pet care feel easy, personal, and stress-free. This guide walks you through how our services work, what makes our approach different, and what you can expect as you get started with us.
Our Pet Care Philosophy
At Hands N Paws, we believe pets are family—and they deserve to be treated that way.
Everything we do is centered around three core values:
Personalized Care
Every pet is unique. From energetic puppies to shy cats to senior pets with special routines, we tailor each visit to your pet’s specific personality, needs, and comfort level.
Trust & Safety
Our team is background-checked, trained, and deeply passionate about animals. We take the responsibility of entering your home and caring for your pets seriously.
Peace of Mind
You should never have to wonder how your pet is doing while you’re away. After each visit, you’ll receive a detailed pet care journal with notes, photos, and updates so you always feel connected and informed.
We’re more than just dog walkers or pet sitters—we’re an extension of your support system when life gets busy.
How Our Services Work
All Hands N Paws services are provided in your home. We do not operate out of a facility or kennel, because we believe pets are happiest and most comfortable in familiar surroundings.
We offer flexible drop-in visits in the following durations:
- 20 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 45 minutes
- 60 minutes
Visits can include things like:
- Walks & potty breaks
- Feeding & fresh water
- Litter scooping
- Medication administration
- Playtime & enrichment
- Snuggles & companionship
- Home care basics like bringing in packages or adjusting lights
When booking, you’ll choose your preferred visit length, arrival window, and provide care instructions so we can tailor each visit to your pet’s needs.
Whether you need occasional help during a long workday or a full vacation care plan with multiple daily visits, we’re here to create a routine that works for you and your pets.
To learn more about our services and pricing, visit our Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, and Cat Sitting pages.
Getting Started With Hands N Paws
Step 1: Schedule Your Meet N Greet
All new clients begin with a Meet N Greet before services can start.
This is a chance for us to:
- Learn about your pets and routines
- Walk through your client account together
- Answer any questions you may have
- Review home access and care details
- Help you feel fully comfortable before services begin
Virtual Meet N Greets are complimentary, and optional in-person Meet N Greets are available for an additional fee.
Please note: Meet N Greets are led by a Hands N Paws onboarding specialist—not your future pet sitter. Their role is to help get everything set up smoothly so our pet care team can jump in confidently when services begin.
👉 Click here to learn more about Meet N Greets and schedule yours.
Step 2: Complete Your Client Account
Before services begin, we’ll ask you to complete your client account, including important personal and home information and pet care information.
The more information you share, the better we can personalize care for your pets. Things like feeding instructions, personality quirks, favorite toys, walking preferences, medications, hiding spots, and routines all help us create a smooth and comfortable experience.
Step 3: Request Services Anytime
Once your Meet N Greet is complete, you’ll be able to request services directly through your client account anytime you need care.
Here’s what happens next:
- You submit a service request
- Our team reviews availability
- We assign a trusted caregiver
- You receive a confirmation with all visit details
From there, we handle the rest 💜
Visit Journals & Updates
One of the things clients love most about Hands N Paws is staying connected during care.
After each visit, you’ll receive a detailed pet care journal that may include:
- Photos and videos
- Potty updates
- Feeding confirmations
- Walk summaries
- Behavioral observations
- Sweet moments and little highlights from the visit
Our journals are designed to help you feel informed, reassured, and connected to your pet’s day while you’re away.
Overnight Stays
Yes—we also offer overnight care!
Overnight stays are cozy sleepovers where one of our trusted sitters stays in your home overnight for approximately 10–12 hours. These visits are perfect for pets who feel more comfortable with company overnight or need additional supervision and companionship.
Additional daytime drop-in visits can also be added to create a fully customized care schedule.
👉 Click here to learn more about overnight services.
A Few Important Things to Know
To help services run smoothly, safely, and consistently for everyone, here are a few important parts of our care model:
Lockboxes Are Required
We ask all clients to provide a lockbox with a physical key stored on-site. Garage codes and smart locks can occasionally fail, and lockboxes help ensure reliable access for our entire care team.
Team-Based Care
Hands N Paws operates with a team-based approach rather than assigning just one sitter. This allows us to provide reliable coverage, backup support, and scheduling flexibility while maintaining consistent care standards across the board.
Arrival Windows
Visits are scheduled within arrival windows (example: 7–9 AM) rather than exact start times. This allows flexibility for traffic, weather, and other pets’ needs while ensuring every visit receives the care and attention it deserves.
Safe & Comfortable Environments
For the safety of both pets and caregivers, we require homes to be safe, accessible, and reasonably tidy. Pets should also be non-aggressive and safely manageable during care visits.
Service Area
At this time, Hands N Paws primarily serves homes located within the I-270 loop in Columbus. You can view our most up-to-date service area and coverage boundaries here.
Ready to Get Started?
We’re here to make pet care feel easy, dependable, and full of love—for both you and your pets.
If you have questions, we’re always happy to help. Otherwise, the best next step is scheduling your Meet N Greet so we can officially welcome you to the HNP family 💛
👉 Contact Us
👉 Book Your Meet N Greet
We can’t wait to meet you and your pets!
