Bow Wow Meow

I’d like to update my review to show that Ellen did reach out to me to clear up the missed call incident. However I cant confirm that this company didnt receive my message requesting a sitter but I’m 100% certain i left a voicemail. Im also 100% certain that I called the correct number-​as it is a lady introducing her company and the quality sound of the recording is a standard telephone recording. In this day and technology age I am skeptical of those that claim not receive a voicemail (a missed call is probable) but I will give the benefit of the doubt. At the end of the day I have decided to go with another company.

I needed a cat sitter for my high-​energy, outgoing, and human attention-​craving Sphinx kitty. She is only 9 months old and had never spent a night alone, let alone an entire week. I was so worried about her, but Ellen sent me a picture and e-​mail every day while I was overseas to alleviate my fears and allow me to enjoy my vacation. She is the owner of the business, with several helpers — but took care of our cat personally. She came over twice a day (for an hour total) to feed, cuddle, and play with our cat, as well as take care of the litter every day and take in the mail/​newspapers.
Ellen also operates her business out of her home, which is only 2 blocks from mine. In looking for a sitter, I knew I wanted someone local who could easily stop by, who owned cats, and who had a business that was big enough to be trusted (she’s insured and bonded). But I also wanted a business small enough so that it could provide old-​fashioned customer service and special attention to my pet. And that’s exactly what I got — from the consultation that ended up lasting almost an hour (because we just kept chatting while getting to know each other), to dropping copies of our keys at her house «just whenever,» to her visiting us a week after we returned to visit our cat and pick up the check. All while responding to every email very promptly. It’s no surprise that she won Alexandria Times’ reader’s choice for best pet sitter/​walker.
In the end, Ellen fell in love with our cat, and said she took lots of pictures and even told our cat that she secretly liked her better than her own cat, lol =). She is a very trustworthy, sweet lady, and I am so glad to have found her. She gives me the peace of mind to be able to take vacations with a needy animal at home. Plus, it was only $ 20 for a half-​hour visit ($ 30 for a weekend visit), but she took $ 5 off on weekends because it was twice a day. According to the reviews of the other (too big) company I chose as a backup in Del Ray, the cost could have likely come to $ 1000 a week instead of about $ 300.
We will be requesting her services again for a week in June. The best part? Ellen’s eyes brightened up when we told her. She misses our cat. Aww. =)

Getting a rescue dog, and being new dog owners, we knew we had to get someone to take care of our energetic and loving Copper. Ellen is like a second mother to Copper and it’s been a smooth transition to having Copper in our home. He gets lots of exercise and loving and Ellen has even helped us with some of Copper’s quirks and bad habits. We definitely recommend Ellen for someone who wants peace of mind when you have to leave your dog at home.