dog walking, pet sitting, and dog training
Pups & Purrs
We love your pets.
Your pets are your family and you want them to be comfortable, safe, and happy when you can’t be there. We can help!
We offer a variety of services to assist you when you have a long day at work, an animal that needs some extra TLC or medication, a dog that could use some training, or when you are on vacation and want peace of mind that your pet is at home and well-cared for.
We are insured with Pet Sitters Associates and are pet CPR and first aid certified.
Our Services
Walking services for your dog are a great way to break up their day and get them the exercise they crave. Whether you work long hours, are out of town, or are simply unable to walk your dog, our dog walking services provide that needed exercise. We offer walk times throughout the day and evening.
We can take care of a variety of pets so that you can leave them in their own home while you are at work or on vacation. They are more comfortable in their own surroundings with a familiar routine. Animals of all kinds and sizes can be accommodated.
Do you have a dog that could use some obedience training or behavior modification? That is done one-on-one with your dog in your own home. Training services are tailored to your dog and your desired outcomes. This can be done while you are at home or you can add it to your other services while you are away.
Meet Taryn Leverton
I’m Taryn Leverton, the owner of Pups and Purrs. Growing up, we had all kinds of pets including dogs, cats, gerbils, fish, goats, and an iguana along with any creatures I would come across in the woods near our house.
I graduated with a degree in business management and pursued other corporate careers while never losing my love of animals. I did pet transports where dogs and cats at shelters that were going to be euthanized were moved by volunteers (one one-hour leg at a time) to rescue facilities, foster homes, or forever homes.
I volunteered with AARF helping socialize cats and to clean the “cat house”. I volunteered several days per week at Forsyth County Animal Control walking dogs, cleaning kennels, introducing basic obedience behavior to the dogs, working with the public to find their perfect new pet, and mentoring new volunteers.
In 2014, I left the corporate world to pursue my animal passion full-time. I am insured through Pet Sitters Associates and certified in pet CPR and first aid. I have two rescue pit bull mixes who share my home along with my human family.
I love working with animals and their humans. I am totally committed to the well-being of your pet and will treat him or her as if they were my own.
FAQs
What happens during the initial consultation?
The initial consultation takes place in your home and is completely free. We will get to know each other and your pet and discuss your needs and the services we can offer. The consultation typically takes 20 – 30 minutes.
How do I go about payment?
Payment can be made by cash or check at the initial consultation or left in your home to be picked up when we come to care for your pet. We can also bill your Venmo or CashApp account.
Do I make reservations with my pet sitter directly?
All reservations are made with Taryn Leverton. You can call or text 336-407-1002 or email taryn@pupsandpurrs.ws to inquire about availability.
Can I work out a custom plan to suit my pet’s needs?
Absolutely! Every person is different and that goes for our pets as well. If you don’t see a service listed that you want or would like to combine several services, just ask and we will get a custom package together for you.
Do you care for animals besides cats and dogs?
We care for all pets, large or small with fur, feathers, or scales. Let us know what kind of pet you have and their requirements and we will find the perfect service for you.
Is it really safe to allow someone in my home while I’m away?
Yes! We are insured and, most importantly, experienced at pet sitting with great care for your security in mind. We will change which lights are on in your home, open/close drapes, and bring in any mail or packages received, and take out or bring in your trash and recycling bins. This makes your home look less vacant and is safer than not having someone there at all.
Should I make a copy of my key for the pet sitter?
A copy of a key for regular, ongoing services is recommended and we will keep it on file. Or you may provide a code for a garage door/key pad or hide a key for us to use.
How do I know that the services are actually being provided?
We will text you a picture when we are at our visit and give you any necessary news/updates.
What happens if there is an emergency?
We ask for your veterinarian’s information at the initial consultation and will use them if at all possible. For an after-hours or a serious emergency, your pet will be transported to the closest animal hospital. Payment for these services is not provided by Pups and Purrs.
Can I request a specific time for my pet’s visit?
We make every effort to accommodate time requests to keep your pet’s routine as similar as possible but cannot guarantee an exact time. You will be given a window of time as close to your request as we can. We recommend making your reservation early to have the most times available to you.
What happens with dog walking during inclement weather?
If your pet is willing to walk in rain or snow, then so are we! However, if the weather is potentially dangerous (severe thunderstorms, extreme heat or cold, etc.), we will take your dog out for a potty break then spend time playing with them indoors. All efforts will be made to provide services but in the event of impassable roads or severe weather, we may not be able to safely make it to your home.
Dog Walking
If you have a dog that can’t “hold it” until you get home, you don’t want your dog in a crate all day, or you just can’t keep up with an energetic pup, our dog walking services can help. This includes a stroll in your neighborhood for sniffing, exploring and going to the bathroom and/or playtime in your yard.
With our dog walking services, your dog gets the attention and exercise they crave and you return to a more relaxed pet. They get to remain in their own home if you are away, leaving them feeling more comfortable and secure.
Visits are for 30 minutes and additional time can be added if desired. This is a 20- 25 minute walk or play time and includes feeding a meal, providing fresh water, medication administration, treats, and/or other home-related items (watering plants, bringing in mail, changing lights/drapes, etc).
The cost is $20 for a 30 minute visit and each additional 10 minutes is $5.
PET SITTING
Allowing your pet to remain in their own home where they feel comfortable and safe is invaluable to their well-being. We can take care of almost any kind of pet. Services can be tailored to your particular pet but common requests are feeding meals, providing fresh water, cleaning litter boxes, medication administration, and attention. While we are there, we can turn on/off lights, bring in mail and packages, take out or bring in trash and recycling, adjust heat or air conditioning, turn on/off a TV or radio, and water plants. If you would like an additional service to be provided while we are there, just ask.
Visits are for 30 minutes at a cost of $20 and additional time can be added if desired for $5 per additional 10 minutes.
DOG TRAINING
Dogs thrive in an environment with structure and clear, concise rules. They are not four-legged humans and learn and think differently than we do. They love to learn and to please their human so training should be fun and rewarding for both of you. That is why we use rewards-based training. We will provide written instructions for all behaviors that are introduced.
Basic obedience is the foundation for a well-behaved dog. This includes behaviors such as sit, down, stay, come, and leave it. Leash walking and jumping on people are other common problem behaviors that can be corrected by your trainer.
Behavior modification is used for more complex issues such as reactivity to other animals or people, destructive behavior, biting/nipping, separation anxiety, and fear issues. These can be corrected through training and desensitization.
All training is provided in your home and one-on-one. There is no one method that works for every dog so your training will be tailored to your dog and your situation. An initial assessment and training session costs $200. This includes a home visit for 60-90 minutes, a written in-home training plan, and follow-up assistance through phone, text, or email. If additional sessions are needed, the cost is $150 for a 60-90 minute visit.
Rates, Cancellations, Holidays, Payment & Service Area
For more detailed information about each service, please visit the corresponding tab. Below is pricing information for our most common services. If you don’t see a service you would like, please ask and we will provide a quote.
Dog Walking
30 minutes: $20
Add additional time at $5 per 10 minute increment
Pet Sitting
30 minutes: $20
Add additional time at $5 per 10 minute increment
Dog Training
Initial assessment and in-home training plan (60-90 minutes): $200
Additional visits after the initial assessment (60-90 minutes): $150
Cancellation Policy
Please give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel. Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance will receive a refund. Cancellations made later than 48 hours in advance will receive a credit toward future services.
Holiday Rates
Additional $5 per home visit on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving Day/Weekend, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.
Payment Types
Venmo & CashApp can be billed, or cash or check may left in your home to be collected when we care for your pet.
Service Areas
For pet sitting, we serve within a 15-minute drive of the 27103 zip code. Areas beyond that may be serviceable with an additional fee. Dog training areas include Forsyth County and parts of Davidson and Guilford Counties.
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