It’s no secret that Manhattan is one of the most expensive places to live and work. And if you live on the Upper West Side or Upper East Side of NYC you already know that life in these neighborhoods comes with premium price tags. From the charming brownstones to the gourmet groceries, quality often comes at a cost—and dog walking is no exception.

Professional Dog Walking is a TOUGH job, especially in NYC. And, as with all other businesses, cost of living directly impacts pricing. Also consider:

• High Rent and Transportation Costs: Many dog walkers live in or near the neighborhoods they serve, which means they’re paying NYC rents and their overall cost of living is oftentimes just as high as the clients they serve. On top of that, navigating the city efficiently (whether by subway or on foot) adds additional costs and logistical challenges.

• Demanding Schedules: With ever-changing daily schedules due to post-pandemic home/office hours  and clients needing visits at specific times, walkers face tight schedules and must manage their time and routes carefully, especially during peak hours. NYC dog walking is not just a stroll in the park - it can be a logistical juggernaut.

• Physical Demands: Dog walking is a constant physical demand on walkers’ bodies, with them typically averaging 5-15 miles a day on hard concrete surfaces. Add to that inclement weather days and challenges met on city streets, the taxation on our walkers’ bodies is intense.

The True Costs of Pet Care

Here at The Perfect Pooch NYC we believe in transparency and we want our customers to know where their money goes AND WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR when they use our services. Because knowing what goes into the cost can help you make an informed decision that benefits you and your dog.

In another blog we go into detail about how to choose the right dog walker for your needs, but, long story short, when it comes to hiring someone to care for your beloved dog, you often have two options: an independent walker or a pet care company. While some independent walkers provide exceptional care, pet care companies—particularly smaller, privately owned businesses—often offer a level of reliability and customer service support that comes with added costs.

Let’s break down the true cost of pet care in NYC—i.e. where your money goes when you pay for a dog walk.

• Living Wage for Employees: Smaller, privately owned pet care companies are committed to paying their employees a fair, livable wage—especially in a high-cost area like Manhattan. This ensures stability for the staff, which means stability for your pet. The Pet Caretakers/Dog Walkers at our company make anywhere from $20-30/hr depending on the service and the their time at our company.

• Transportation / Travel costs: So much of a Dog Walker’s time is devoted to travel between appointments/walks. Here at The Perfect Pooch NYC our walkers are all “on the clock” during their travel between walks and our staff gets to choose the right mode of transportation for themselves (i.e. subway, bus or by foot, etc).

• Business Insurance: Companies pay a premium for insurance coverage. Reputable companies carry, at minimum, liability insurance to protect your pet and your home.

• Legitimate and Compliant Tax Reporting and Employee Benefits: Companies like ours legitimately employ our staff and adhere to all mandated tax reporting and benefit requirements. This includes disability and workmen’s comp insurance in case of severe injury on the job. We also offer benefits such as PTO and paid sick leave. Typically independent walkers, and even walkers at large pack walking companies are paid entirely “off the books” and do not offer this type of compliance and legitimacy.

• Administrative and Operational Costs: From scheduling software to client support, the behind-the-scenes operations of a professional pet care business requires resources and staffing that independent walkers don’t need to account for. Because companies like ours employ staff, we also have a management team for oversight, onboarding, scheduling and client relations.

• Experience, Certifications and Training: Some professional dog walkers who work for reputable companies like ours are certified in pet CPR and first aid and regularly participate in continuing education to stay up-to-date on best practices in pet care. This means your dog is in capable hands, even in the event of an emergency.

• Reliability and Accountability: When you invest in a professional dog walker, you’re not just paying for someone to walk your dog—you’re paying for peace of mind. Small, professional companies that employ individual walkers/pet care specialists have systems in place to ensure consistency for their clients. When you hire a dog walking company that has a team of similarly trained employees, your dog will be matched up with a consistent walker who best fits your schedule and routine. And if your regular walker is sick or unavailable, a backup will always be ready to SEAMLESSLY step in—something independent walkers and larger pack-walking companies may struggle to guarantee.

Why Quality Matters

At the end of the day, the care your pet receives is priceless. Hiring a professional dog walker ensures your dog is safe, happy, and well-cared-for while you’re away. Companies like The Perfect Pooch NYC go the extra mile by prioritizing their team’s education, safety, and passion for animals. From one-on-one attention to real-time updates, these services offer a level of care that makes every penny worthwhile.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Dog walking on the UWS and UES isn’t just expensive because it’s New York City; it’s expensive because it’s an investment in quality care.

Ready to learn more about how The Perfect Pooch NYC can help your dog thrive? Visit our services page to see all the dog walking and pet care options we offer.