Every new client begins with a meet and greet at your home. This visit is required before services can begin, and the initial meeting is always free.

Before the meet and greet, you’ll complete your client and pet profiles in Time To Pet, our scheduling and client portal. That way we arrive already knowing the basics and can spend the visit on what matters: your pet, your routine, and your home.

During the visit, we will:

• Review your pet’s profile, daily routine, and preferences together
• Walk through food and water locations, meal prep, favorite toys, and waste disposal
• Go over medical concerns and medication instructions
• Cover mail, packages, and any household details we’ll be responsible for
• Confirm and test home entry, including your lockbox or door code

Once the meet and greet is complete, we’ll get you on the schedule.

We do not collect or hold client keys. Instead, we use a lockbox at your home, which keeps your key secure on your property at all times. If you don’t already have a lockbox, we can set one up for you. Just let us know before your meet and greet so we can have everything ready to test at the visit. If you prefer entry by garage or door code, we’ll confirm and test it at the meet and greet as well.

We serve Montgomery County, Maryland, including Gaithersburg, the Kentlands and Lakelands, Potomac, North Potomac, Rockville, Bethesda, Germantown, and Clarksburg. Not sure if you’re in our service area? Just reach out and ask. We’re happy to check.

Yes. Outward Bound Hounds is fully insured and bonded, with insurance specific to pet care, and every team member passes a background check before they ever step foot in a client’s home. We’ve been serving Montgomery County since 2017, and we know that trusting someone with your pet and your house key is a big deal. We take that responsibility seriously

Current clients can request services anytime through the Time To Pet client portal or mobile app. All scheduling runs through our office team rather than individual walkers, so please send questions and special requests through Time To Pet messaging instead of calling, texting, or leaving notes for your walker. This keeps every request documented and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. New clients can get started by booking a meet and greet online, by phone, or by email.

For regular walks and drop-in visits, about a week of notice is ideal, though we can often accommodate sooner. For vacation care, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving and the winter break, we recommend booking three to four weeks ahead. Those dates fill up fast. If you’re a new client, keep in mind that we’ll need to complete your meet and greet before your first booking, so build in a little extra time for that.

Absolutely. We always schedule a meet and greet before you head out of town. It’s important to us that our sitter assignments are a good fit for both our clients and our team, and that you feel confident your pets are in good hands.

We’re a team-based operation by design, which means your pet’s care is never interrupted by one person’s vacation or sick day. That said, consistency matters to pets, so we keep each client’s assigned team intentionally small. Most clients see a few familiar regulars, and for sitting assignments we’ll introduce you to your two primary sitters. Every visit is logged in Time To Pet, so your pet’s routine stays the same no matter which familiar face shows up.

Absolutely. Senior dogs and cats are some of our favorite clients. Older pets often do best with a slower pace, a familiar routine, and a caregiver who pays attention to the little things, like how they’re moving on the stairs or whether they finished their breakfast. Our team works at your pet’s speed, and we’ll note anything that seems off in your visit report so you always know how they’re doing. If your senior pet has medications or mobility considerations, we’ll cover all of it at your meet and greet.

Yes. Our team can administer most medications during walks and drop-in visits, and every dose is logged in your visit report so you have a record you can check anytime. If your pet has a more involved medication routine, let us know at your meet and greet and we’ll walk through it together to make sure everyone is comfortable with the plan.

We evaluate this on a case-by-case basis. Every dog is different, and the meet and greet is where we’ll talk honestly about your dog’s needs and whether we’re the right fit. When we do take on a dog who needs extra care around triggers, they’re matched with an experienced team member and we follow a consistent handling plan agreed on with you. The best thing you can do is tell us everything up front, so we can set your dog up for success from day one.

Yes. Our drop-in vacation visits are the heart of our travel care: feeding, walks or playtime, litter box or potty breaks, fresh water, and lots of attention, on a schedule of two or three daily visits built around your pet’s normal routine. You’ll get a report with photos after every visit, so you can actually relax on your trip instead of wondering how things are going at home. We also offer overnight sitting for households that need it. Reach out and we’ll put together a plan that fits your pet and your travel dates.

We accept credit cards and ACH bank payments through the Time To Pet app, where all invoicing is handled. Clients are billed at the end of each week on Friday.

Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice before the scheduled visit; otherwise, full fees apply. Cancelled visits can be rescheduled and credited to your account for later use.

Bookings lasting 4 days or longer within one calendar month are subject to a 20% non-refundable deposit. We understand that emergencies happen, and we’ll work with you to apply unused deposit funds toward future dates, as long as they’re rebooked within 365 days of the original sitting dates.

Tipping is never required, but if you received great service, it’s a thoughtful way to show appreciation. You can add a tip to your invoice and we’ll pass it along to your sitter with your compliments, or leave cash for your sitter directly.