Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our pet care services in London. We're here to help you and your pets.

We provide comprehensive care for dogs, cats, and small animals throughout London. Services include daily visits for feeding and companionship, extended walks tailored to your dog's energy level, overnight stays in your home, and medication administration for pets with health conditions.

For clients in Islington, Camden, and surrounding boroughs, we also offer specialized care such as puppy socialization visits, senior pet monitoring, and post-surgery recovery support. Each service is customized to meet your pet's individual needs and routine.

Safety is our priority. All our carers complete a comprehensive training programme covering animal behaviour, emergency response, and first aid. They are insured and DBS-checked. Before starting service, we conduct a detailed consultation at your home to understand your pet's temperament, medical needs, and any behavioural concerns.

During each visit, carers follow your specific instructions precisely and maintain secure handling procedures. We use GPS tracking for walks and provide photo updates so you can see your pet is safe and content. Emergency veterinary contacts are always accessible.

Our pricing depends on service type and duration. A standard 30-minute dog walk in central London areas costs £18, while a 60-minute walk is £28. Home visits for feeding and care start at £16 for 20 minutes. Overnight stays range from £45 to £65 depending on the number of pets and specific requirements.

We offer package discounts for regular clients who book multiple visits per week. For example, five walks per week receive a 10% reduction. Prices for holiday periods (Christmas, Easter, August bank holiday) may include a small supplement due to increased demand. Contact us for a personalized quote.

For regular weekly services, we recommend booking at least one week ahead to secure your preferred time slots. For holiday periods such as summer holidays, Christmas, or Easter, booking 4-6 weeks in advance is advisable as these are our busiest times.

We understand that unexpected situations arise. When possible, we accommodate last-minute bookings within 24-48 hours, though availability cannot be guaranteed. For ongoing care arrangements, we can establish a recurring schedule that continues indefinitely until you notify us of changes.

We care for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds in addition to dogs. Cat care includes feeding, litter tray cleaning, playtime, and companionship. We understand that cats often prefer staying in their familiar environment, so home visits work particularly well for feline clients.

For small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs, we manage feeding schedules, habitat cleaning, and provide interaction appropriate to each species. Bird care includes feeding, water changes, and cage maintenance. Our team has experience with various species and their specific care requirements.

If your pet shows signs of illness or injury during our care, we contact you immediately to discuss the situation. With your authorization, we can transport your pet to your regular veterinary surgery or an emergency clinic if needed. We keep detailed records of your vet's contact information and any relevant medical history.

Our carers are trained to recognize common health concerns in pets. All staff hold pet first aid certifications valid for two years. We document any incidents thoroughly and follow up with you until the situation is resolved. Your pet's wellbeing is our responsibility while under our supervision.

Yes, we administer oral medications, topical treatments, and eye or ear drops as prescribed by your veterinarian. During the initial consultation, we discuss the medication schedule, dosage, and administration method. We follow your vet's instructions precisely and document each dose given.

For pets requiring injections such as insulin, we have team members with specific training in this area. We cannot administer injectable medications without proper certification. All medication administration is included in the standard visit rate without additional charges.

We serve Islington, Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, and parts of Westminster. Our office on Barnsbury Street allows us to reach most North and Central London locations within 15-20 minutes. We regularly provide services in areas including Angel, King's Cross, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, and Highbury.

If you live outside these primary zones, contact us to discuss coverage. We occasionally extend to neighbouring boroughs depending on carer availability and scheduling. Our goal is to maintain reliable service quality, which requires manageable travel distances between appointments.

We maintain a secure key storage system at our office. Each key is labeled with a code rather than your address for security purposes. Keys are stored in a locked cabinet with access limited to authorized staff only. When a carer collects keys for their visits, they sign them out and return them immediately after completing services.

Alternatively, many clients use key safes or provide temporary access codes for smart locks. We can also arrange key collection and return directly with you if you prefer not to leave keys with us. All carers sign confidentiality agreements regarding home access and security.

We strive to assign the same carer to your pet for consistency and relationship building. Most of our regular clients have one primary carer who knows their pet's personality, preferences, and routine. This continuity benefits pets who thrive on familiar faces and established routines.

Occasionally, if your regular carer is unavailable due to illness or holiday, we assign a backup carer. We introduce backup carers in advance when possible, allowing your pet to meet them before an actual service visit. All carers have access to detailed notes about your pet's care requirements.

We require your pet's medical history, vaccination records, and veterinary contact details. Information about feeding schedules, dietary restrictions, medications, and any behavioural considerations is essential. We also need emergency contact numbers for you and a designated alternate person who can make decisions if you're unreachable.

During the consultation, we discuss your pet's likes, dislikes, fears, and daily routine. For dogs, we need to know about leash behaviour, interactions with other dogs, and recall reliability. For cats, information about indoor/outdoor access and hiding spots helps us provide better care. This detailed preparation ensures smooth service from the first visit.

Yes, we provide care seven days per week including bank holidays. Weekend and holiday availability is particularly important for working pet owners. Our Saturday hours run from 10:00 to 14:00 for office inquiries, though pet care visits occur throughout the day based on your needs.

Bank holiday bookings should be made in advance as these dates fill quickly. A small holiday supplement applies to services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday. This compensates carers working during these periods when most businesses are closed.

We have experience with both young puppies and senior pets requiring extra attention. Puppy care includes frequent visits for house training support, socialization exposure, and play appropriate to their age. We follow your training methods consistently to reinforce learning.

Elderly pets often need gentler handling, mobility assistance, and monitoring for health changes. We adapt walk duration and pace to their capabilities. For pets with conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or cognitive decline, we provide patient, compassionate care that respects their limitations while maintaining quality of life.

After each visit, you receive a message with details about your pet's activities, behaviour, and any observations. For dog walks, we include information about the route taken, interactions with other dogs, and how well your dog responded. Photos accompany most updates so you can see your pet during their time with us.

For longer stays or multiple daily visits, we send updates at agreed intervals. If anything unusual occurs or if your pet seems unwell, we contact you immediately by phone rather than waiting for the scheduled update. You can also message us anytime with questions or additional instructions.

We require 24 hours' notice for cancellations of scheduled services. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are charged at 50% of the service rate. This policy allows us to offer the time slot to other clients and compensates carers who have reserved time for your booking.

We understand that genuine emergencies occur. In cases of sudden illness, family emergencies, or other unavoidable circumstances, we handle cancellations with flexibility. For regular clients with established relationships, we often waive cancellation fees when situations are beyond their control.

We maintain comprehensive pet care liability insurance covering up to £1,000,000. This includes coverage for pet injury or illness occurring during our care, damage to your property, and third-party liability if your pet causes harm to others or their property while under our supervision.

Our policy also covers loss of keys and legal expenses. All carers are individually insured and bonded. We can provide insurance certificate copies upon request. While we take every precaution, having proper insurance provides peace of mind for both you and us in the unlikely event of an incident.

Contact us by phone at +44 20 9345 1872 or email [email protected] to discuss your needs. We arrange a free consultation at your home where we meet you and your pet, discuss care requirements, and answer any questions. This visit typically takes 30-45 minutes.

After the consultation, we provide a detailed service proposal with pricing. Once you approve, we complete paperwork including contact forms, veterinary authorization, and key arrangements. We can often begin service within a few days of the consultation. For urgent needs, we expedite this process whenever possible.

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About Dwellingzone

Providing dedicated animal care services across London since 2016

Professional animal care services

Our Story

Dwellingzone began in 2016 when a group of certified veterinary technicians and experienced animal handlers recognized a gap in London's pet care market. We started with three staff members operating from a small facility in North London, focusing on personalized care for cats and dogs.

What set us apart from day one was our commitment to treating each animal as an individual with unique needs. Rather than applying standard routines, we developed customized care plans based on breed characteristics, age, health status, and temperament. This approach resulted in 87% client retention during our first year.

By 2019, we expanded our team to twelve specialists, including qualified veterinary nurses and certified animal behaviourists. We relocated to our current premises at 14 Barnsbury Street, which features temperature-controlled spaces, separate areas for different species, and equipment for administering medical treatments under veterinary supervision.

Animal care team at work

Our Expertise

Our team holds Level 3 Diplomas in Veterinary Nursing and Animal Management, with ongoing training in animal first aid, behaviour assessment, and species-specific handling techniques. We maintain partnerships with four veterinary clinics in Camden and Islington for immediate medical consultation when needed.

We specialize in care for senior animals requiring medication management, post-surgical recovery support, and animals with anxiety or behavioural challenges. Our staff completes 40 hours of continuing education annually to stay current with best practices in animal welfare and handling methods.

Mission & Vision

Our mission is straightforward: deliver reliable animal care that meets each pet's physical and emotional requirements while giving owners confidence their companions receive attentive supervision.

We aim to become the primary choice for animal care services in North London by maintaining consistent service standards, transparent communication with clients, and measurable outcomes in animal wellbeing. Success means animals return to their owners calm, healthy, and content.

Core Values

Safety First

Every decision prioritizes animal safety. We conduct risk assessments, maintain secure premises with CCTV monitoring, and follow strict protocols for health checks, feeding, and interaction between animals.

Transparency

Clients receive daily updates with photos showing their pet's activities, meals consumed, and behaviour observations. We document any concerns immediately and contact owners within 30 minutes if veterinary attention becomes necessary.

Professional Standards

All staff undergo DBS checks and complete shadowing periods before working independently. We adhere to guidelines from the British Veterinary Association and maintain public liability insurance covering £5 million.

Continuous Improvement

We collect feedback after every service and review incident reports monthly to identify areas for enhancement. Client suggestions have led to improvements including extended pickup hours and specialized diets for animals with allergies.

8
Years Operating
12
Qualified Staff
2,400+
Animals Cared For
92%
Client Satisfaction

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