Hot Diggity has been in the business for almost 20 years, and they’ve built a reputation of trust among their clients—both pets and pet owners.

Many of their clients have stayed as regulars for years, especially when their pets learn to trust their assigned sitters. The pets are well taken care of, and the sitters can administer medication should your pet need it.

They’re a good pick if you prefer to be constantly updated. They send their clients regular updates on their pets or homes, which can alleviate your worries.

Before they can take your pet in, you’ll have to give a profile of your pet with the necessary details for their care. We encourage you to be honest in this step, as they have the right to refuse service to you if they deem your pet as a risk to their staff.

We can’t blame them for this, but they do take in aggressive pets if they’re able to establish a good relationship with the pet.

The complaints we’ve heard were mostly about sitters not following detailed instructions such as specific servings or instructions in caring for their home. Unfortunately, this has led some clients to turn away from their services.

These were isolated cases but worrying nonetheless. A more common complaint we heard of was with Hot Diggity’s online client portal having bugs and booking in wrong transactions, which has caused double bookings for some.

We do believe that Hot Diggity is a good pet sitter for your dogs, but to get the best service, we encourage you to get a referral for the most reliable sitters they have available.

Pounce Play and Stay is a unique cat hotel that offers everything that can make your cat happy outside of your home.

First, we like how they’re a cage-free hotel, instead opting for suites for each feline guest. The space is customized for cats: there’s also a communal space for the cats to roam and play and a lot of places to scratch and climb on.

The staff are genuine cat lovers and pay attention to every feline in their care. They do their best to understand each cat’s personality and adjust their approach to each one.

They can also brush your cat’s hair or trim their nails but only if the cats allow it. Rest assured your cat won’t be forced to do something they don’t want to.

If you’re planning to book your cat into their hotel, you may schedule a tour before you ultimately decide. Some clients said that the staff was willing to answer their questions and assured them that their cats would be well taken care of.

That being said, they’re a cat-only hotel, so if you have multiple kinds of pets, you’re better off with the other options on this list. 

They also don’t offer home services, so if you—or your cat—aren’t comfortable with your pet being outside of your home while you’re away, they may not be the best option either.

However, if you want to give your cat a new experience and an opportunity to play with other feline friends while you’re away, then Pounce Play and Stay is the way to go.

Downtown Doggies is a small dog walking and pet sitting business run by two pet lovers, Mike and Richard.

They’ve left a good mark on their human and pet clients, whether it be for dog walking or pet sitting. Many pet owners were left impressed by how patient and compassionate Mike and Richard were toward their pets.

They’re a good choice if you’re someone who’s initially reluctant on leaving your pet in the care of someone else. They’re open to answering any question you may have and will keep you updated about your pet in real-time.

We also like how Downtown Doggies incorporates technology into their services. For example, you’ll be able to track your dog’s walks through GPS tracking with proof of arrival and distance.

If you’re going to hire them for overnight pet sitting, you’ll be happy to know that they incorporate play and cuddle time with your pets. Thus, you’ll be sure that your pet will be getting the same love and attention you give them.

All the good reviews have a downside, however. First, they have a limited service area even within Portland, so be sure to check that they serve your neighborhood before booking a service.

As we’ve mentioned above, they’re a small business run by two people, so they can’t attend to every person requesting their services. They don’t do pack walks, so their time is occupied with individual pet care.

So if you’re sure you want to avail of their services, we suggest that you call them early before you plan to be away to get yourself a slot.

Tails and Trails’ vision is to provide affordable pet care to fur parents, and they have the qualifications to match. They’re certified by the American Red Cross in pet first aid, so if your pet has an existing condition, you know they’ll be in good hands.

They’ve got the widest service area among all those listed on this list, so you don’t have to worry if they serve your neighborhood or not. 

We appreciate their extra services like canine massages that are great for dogs with anxiety or injuries. They also have a pet taxi service that can be used for dog walks or taking your pet to the vet on your behalf.

They make use of barcode technology to track your pets during their walks or house sitting. This does have a one-time $15 fee for activation, but we think it’s worth it for the security of your pet.

Other additional services have extra charges such as medication administration. This may be because of their qualifications, but other businesses offer this as part of their services with no added fee.

There was also one worrying instance of a dog running away during their walk after escaping from its harness. This has left the pet owner disgruntled and worried for their dog, and luckily, their pet was found safe.

This was, however, only one reported case, and it seems that Tails and Trails have since upped their standards to keep your pets safe during walks. There’s been no other reported incident, so we think they’re still a worthy service for your pet’s care.

Pawsitive Steps is run by a four-person team that’s filled with animal lovers who treat your pets like family. 

First, we were impressed by how patient and kind their team is toward every pet that comes under their care. They’ve also got a keen sense of understanding what your pet needs and their personality.

Most of their clients have said that the sitters went above and beyond when it came to caring for their pets. Other than regular updates on their pets, they also incorporate positive reinforcement training when they can.

If your pet is picky when it comes to the people they trust, Pawsitive Steps will arrange a meet and greet with you and your pet to give your pet a chance to establish trust with their sitter. 

They’ve got a good track record when it comes to following specific instructions, especially when it comes to medication and strict serving sizes. We’ve yet to hear complaints about their service, and that’s a great thing.

Scheduling is also easy to do online, and while most clients have said Pawsitive Steps has been accommodating to their schedule, they remain to be a small business and may not always be available.

They will try their best to ensure your pet will get the care they need, even on holidays while you’re away. You will have to pay an extra $5–$10 holiday fee, but it’s reasonable considering the high demand during holidays.

Overall, we’re confident that Pawsitive Steps will stay true to its name and strive to give your pet a pawsitive experience under their care.