Dog Walking Service Columbus 21

Hands N Paws vs Rover: Why Choosing a Local Dog Walking Service in Columbus is Better for You & Your Dog

As a dog parent, your fur baby is undoubtedly a vital part of your family, and you always want the best for them. One of the most critical aspects of taking care of your dog is ensuring that they get plenty of exercise and outdoor time, especially if you’re not able to provide it yourself. That’s where professional dog walking services in Columbus, Ohio come into the picture. Here in Columbus, two of the most popular options are Hands N Paws and Rover.

While Rover is a big corporation that provides dog walking services across the country, Hands N Paws is a locally owned and operated small business that focuses on providing personalized, high-quality care to each dog (and dog parent) they work with.

Here are a few reasons why you should choose Hands N Paws (us!) if you’re looking for a dog walker in Columbus.

Support Small Business

By choosing Hands N Paws, you’re investing in the growth and success of your community. As a local, small business, your support goes directly to individuals and families within Columbus, Ohio, rather than just lining the pockets of a CEO in another state.

Your support allows us to continue to provide meaningful jobs and opportunities for our team of Columbus dog walkers, while also ensuring that we can maintain our high standards of service. And as a small business, we have the flexibility and desire to reinvest in the community by supporting other local businesses, organizations, and events that benefit us all.

Overall, when you support a local business, you’re not just making a transaction; you’re making an investment in the community. Small businesses like Hands N Paws create jobs, support local organizations and events, and contribute to the overall economic growth and vitality of the community. Although Rover dog walkers are super popular nowadays, by keeping your money within the community, you’re supporting and sustaining other local businesses and the local economy as a whole.

Team Approach

Usually, dog parents get connected with one dog walker on Rover. While it’s great that their dog gets to bond with one individual, it isn’t always the best for dog parents, especially when it comes to availability conflicts.

With Hands N Paws, you don’t just get one Columbus dog walker; you get a whole team of people working together to provide consistent, high-quality service to your pup. That means you can have peace of mind knowing that even if your regular Hands N Paws dog walker is sick or unavailable, there will always be someone available to take care of your fur baby.

Taking a team approach to working with our dog parents allows for better sustainability in our relationships with dogs and dog parents.

Genuine Customer Service

At Hands N Paws, we believe that excellent customer support is just as important as providing top-notch dog walking services. As a local business, we are committed to building long-lasting relationships with our clients and their pets. That’s why we offer dedicated, personalized, and genuine customer support that goes above and beyond your expectations.

When you work with a big corporation like Rover, you’re likely just another number in a sea of clients. At Hands N Paws, we understand that every pet is unique, and so are their needs. That’s why we take the time to get to know you and your fur baby to curate our services to fit their specific and individual needs. When you choose Hands N Paws as your dedicated dog walker in Columbus, you can expect a personalized experience that caters to your pet’s personality, energy level, and any special requirements they may have. Essentially, you and your pet become a part of the family!

Screenshot 2023 04 26 at 6.27.44 PM
One of our dog walkers, Mandy L., loving on a pup while on a Columbus dog walking service!

We pride ourselves on being so customer-centric. This is because our #1 goal is to provide you with individualized peace of mind, knowing that your dog is in good hands while you’re away from home and busy with life.

Meet the Owner

Before you even start working with Hands N Paws, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the owner, Benny DiFranco, and get a sense of the company’s values and commitment to quality care. This is something you won’t get with Rover, which is a big corporation with not much personal connection to the community.

@handsnpawsofficial

We LOVE Meet N Greets with our new customers! To schedule yours, visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com 🤩💜 #handsnpaws #columbusbusiness #dogwalking #petsitting #columbus #cbus #614columbus #bexley #easton #shortnorthartsdistrict #grandview #upperarlington #polaris

♬ A Day in My Life – Soft boy

Benny meets with all new pet parents at their Meet N Greets. On Meet N Greets, Benny asks very specific questions about your pet(s) and takes the time to get to know everyone on a personal level. In addition to discussing business-related things like scheduling and invoicing, there’s a celebratory element to Meet N Greets with Benny. He takes the opportunity to welcome the pets and pet parents to the Hands N Paws family. He also gives all pet parents his personal contact information and encourages them to reach out if they ever have any questions or concerns in their working relationship with Hands N Paws.

Instead of Rover Dog Walking, Choose Hands N Paws!

In conclusion, if you want personalized, high-quality dog walking services in Columbus, Ohio, Hands N Paws is the clear choice. By supporting a local, small business, you’ll get a team of dedicated individuals who truly care about your pet’s well-being and will provide consistent, reliable care every time. So why choose Rover when you can choose Hands N Paws? Give your fur baby the best and choose local!

Get started with Hands N Paws today!

Give yourself the pet parent peace of mind you finally DESERVE!

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Your peace of mind starts here.

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Hands N Paws Client Agreement



Key Terms

* Client = You

* Company = Hands N Paws

* Team Member(s) = Our trained pet care professionals



EMERGENCY & MEDICAL CARE

Emergency Care

You are responsible for providing accurate emergency instructions and up-to-date medical information for your pet within your account.

In the event of an emergency, we will first attempt to contact you. If you cannot be reached and immediate action is required, we will contact your primary veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

Team Members are authorized to make urgent medical decisions on your behalf when necessary to protect your pet’s health (excluding euthanasia).

You agree to assume full financial responsibility for all veterinary expenses. Hands N Paws is not liable for outcomes related to pre-existing conditions, sudden illness, injury, or circumstances beyond our control.

Emergency & Extended Care Services

When circumstances require care beyond originally scheduled services, Hands N Paws reserves the right to apply additional fees.

This may include, but is not limited to:

* Veterinary transport or extended wait time

* After-hours or late-night services

* Additional visits due to medical or behavioral changes

* Schedule restructuring requiring expanded coordination

* Urgent care needs requiring additional time or resources

All such services will be documented and itemized on your invoice. Veterinary expenses remain the responsibility of the Client.



HOME ACCESS & SAFETY

Home Access

A lockbox containing a working spare key is required to ensure uninterrupted access to your home. Garage codes or keypad entry may be used but do not replace the lockbox requirement.

All access instructions must be clearly documented in your account notes. For complex entry procedures, please **[email us](mailto:support@myhandsnpaws.com)** a video walkthrough to prevent delays.

Our priority is providing uninterrupted care for your pets.

Safe & Sanitary Environment

You agree that the service environment is reasonably safe and sanitary. If conditions pose a risk to our Team Members or your pets, we reserve the right to pause or terminate services until the issue is resolved.

Third-Party Access

You must notify us if any third party will have access to your home during scheduled services. Hands N Paws is not responsible for loss, damage, or incidents caused by third parties during this time.

Service Termination

In rare situations involving serious safety concerns, Hands N Paws may terminate services during a scheduled period.

If this occurs, you agree to arrange and cover the cost of alternative care or boarding until your return. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you and your emergency contacts.



SERVICE STRUCTURE & EXPECTATIONS

Flexible Arrival Windows

Services are scheduled within a two-hour arrival window. While we make every effort to honor preferred times, exact arrival times cannot be guaranteed due to travel, weather, emergencies, or other client needs.

Trial Visits

For extended or vacation services, a Trial Visit is required while you are still in town to ensure your pet is comfortable before long-term care begins.

Service Request Approval & Availability

All service requests are subject to Team Member availability. You will receive confirmation or declination within 48 hours. If we are unable to accommodate your request, we will work with you to explore alternatives.

Communication

All routine communication occurs within your client portal through post-service journals.

For urgent matters during a visit, Team Members will call the phone number on file.

If you receive a Team Member’s personal contact information, please do not use it for routine communication. All scheduling, updates, and service notes must remain within your account or through our main office.

Accurate Pet Information

You agree to maintain accurate and up-to-date information in your account. Every three months, you will be prompted to review and confirm your pet’s details before submitting new service requests.

Hands N Paws is not responsible for issues resulting from incomplete or outdated information.

Vaccination, Licensing & Identification

Before services begin, all pets must:

* Be up-to-date on vaccinations and local licensing requirements

* Wear identification tags or be microchipped

Dog-Walking Safety

For everyone’s safety, dogs must remain leashed during walks. Off-leash walks are strictly prohibited.



PRICING & BILLING

Please visit **[www.myhandsnpaws.com](http://www.myhandsnpaws.com)** for current service pricing.

Additional Fees & Surcharges

Additional fees may apply in the following situations:

* Last-Minute Services: $15 for requests made within 24 hours

* Holiday Services: $20 per service on major holidays

* Additional Pets: $7 per pet beyond the first two

* Service Adjustments: Fees may apply when services exceed originally scheduled scope or time.

Account Assistance Fee

If you request that we schedule services, cancel services, update pet notes, or otherwise manage your account without first attempting to do so yourself, a surcharge equal to 10% of your most recent invoice (minimum $25) will apply.

Our **[Client Support Center](http://www.myhandsnpaws.com/client-support)** provides step-by-step guidance to help you manage your account independently.

Cancellations

* 48+ hours notice: 100% refund issued as Account Credit

* 24–48 hours notice: 50% refund issued as Account Credit

* Less than 24 hours notice: No refund

All refunds are issued as Account Credit and automatically applied to your next invoice.

Payment & Billing

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Clients are responsible for maintaining a valid payment method on file at all times.

* Ongoing Services: Auto-charged every Friday for the previous week’s services

* One-Time Services: 50% deposit charged upon confirmation; remaining balance auto-charged by final service date

* Declined Payments: You will be notified immediately and have 24 hours to resolve the issue. A 10% late fee (minimum $20) applies after a second declined attempt.



Contract Terms

This agreement begins upon signature and remains in effect until terminated by either party.

By signing, you authorize Hands N Paws to enter your home and care for your pets for all confirmed bookings without additional contracts.

Service Interruptions (Force Majeure)

Hands N Paws shall not be liable for delays, interruptions, or inability to provide services due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, power outages, road closures, government actions, public health emergencies, or other unforeseen events.

In such cases, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you and resume services as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.

Thank you for trusting Hands N Paws with your furry family 💜🐾