Heads up: Discussion of loss of pets.

It’s so very important to organize regular, daily visits for your pets when you travel. I have spoken with many who believe that a visit once every other day is sufficient for their cat. I want to let you know that it is not. Anything can happen to your kitty at any moment, including a health crisis or getting stuck somewhere in your home or a home alarm blaring and scaring them half to death. I’ve had all three of these things happen while watching a vacationing client’s pet. Most recently, a cat suffered a blood clot between my morning and evening visits. She was in so much pain by the time I arrived . I rushed that kitty to the emergency vet after speaking with the client and, heartbreakingly, she did not pull through. Please consider, even if your cat is not social, that they still need daily or twice daily visits to ensure they are safe and healthy. Not to forget, your home needs a security check while you’re traveling, too! I won’t get started on the leaks and burst pipes I have dealt with .

This photo is of sweet Franklin, a new client of mine that I get to see again soon. I just love the color of his eyes!

Part-Time and Full-Time Dog Walkers Needed!

Mary’s Pet Squad is a local professional pet care company in Bethesda. We are looking for enthusiastic part-time and full-time Dog Walkers who are available to take on pet clients beginning this fall. Sitters make an average of $15-$20/hour depending on services worked.

Candidates should be able to meet the following criteria:

∙ Full-time availability is Monday-Friday

∙ Part-time availability is Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs

∙ Dog walking experience ∙ Detail oriented

∙ Have a reliable and insured vehicle

∙ A smartphone for real-time communication with clients using our Time To Pet software

∙ Available for clients in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Upper NW D.C.

∙ 21 years of age or older

∙ Able to make a commitment to work for at least six months

Dog walks are 15 or 30 minutes in length. Most walks are 1 dog at a time but can be up to 2 dogs.

To apply, please fill out the “Become A Pet Sitter” form on our website, https://www.maryspetsquad.com/. We look forward to working with you!

How We Can Support Each Other Through COVID-19

Dear Clients,

I want to first thank you for all of your support over the last three years since we opened up our "doors". We are so grateful for your loyalty! Mary's Pet Squad is a small business that relies on you, our wonderful clients, to keep chugging along. We are experiencing quite a change of pace at the moment, but I hope that you are both staying safe and finding comfort in your families & pets. I am writing tonight to bring you up to date on our services and availability; We are still open for business and looking to assist you in any way we can!

In order to keep us all safe during the COVID-19 crisis, we are taking extra precautions by washing our hands more thoroughly and more often. We are also keeping safe social distances from people when walking your dogs on the street. I am keeping an open line of communication with my sitters regarding their health. No sitter will service a client if they are feeling unwell in any way. Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.

At this point, it appears that our lives may be affected by social distancing and isolation for two or more weeks, a long time to go without regular work. I know that many of you are now teleworking and/or caring for your children at home full-time. I also know that many of you have had to heartbreakingly cancel your future travel plans. Because of these reasons, I would like to let you know some ways that Mary's Pet Squad can support you through these difficult times, and you can support us in return:

  1. If you are now teleworking, please consider keeping your dog on a regular Dog Walk schedule with us so that you can focus on your work. We realize it may seem redundant to have a dog walker come while you are at home, but dogs crave regular exercise and routine. As a mom, I also know how difficult it can be to get out of the house with young children demanding much of your attention now that they are home from school. Let us please help make your life less stressful! We can hand off your dog at a neutral place in or outside your home to reduce our presence.

  2. I am now offering a Doggie Daycare service! This is the perfect service for those dogs that need some extra TLC while life is a little unpredictable for their humans. I will be happy to swing by and pick up your dog for up to 6 hours of exercise and stimulation at my home. I have a fenced-in yard for all the running, jumping, rolling, and playing your pup could want! This service will be offered at $50/day and includes the pet taxi service to and from your home. Pick up at 10am and drop off at 4pm. There's nothing better than a tired, happy pup! This service is now available to request in your Time To Pet profile.

  3. Do you need to take your pet to the veterinarian? Or pick-up their prescription food or medicine? Let us take care of that for you! We are happy to offer our Pet Taxi service at $15 per trip. If you need us to wait at the veterinarian for your pet, we will be happy to do so. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

  4. After we are done isolating, there will be so many wonderful holidays to look forward to! Please consider purchasing a pre-paid package of services today that can be redeemed in the future, including on holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day. This monetary support will help your sitter get through this difficult period of slow income. As an added bonus, I am offering these packages of 5 Dog Walks or 5 In-Home Pet Sitting services at a 15% discount! To purchase a package, please login to your Time To Pet profile. Click "Schedule", then "Add Package" and then select the package that fits your needs. Finally, click "Invoices" to complete the package purchase. Please let me know if you have any questions or problems purchasing a package. You may purchase as many packages as you would like.


I want to thank you all again (and again!) for your continued support of our small business. It means the world that you want to keep using our services year after year. We want nothing more than to continue providing you with reliable and professional pet care for a long time to come.

Thank you, Stay Safe and Healthy,
Mary Fixsen

Hiring All Summertime Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters!

Mary’s Pet Squad is looking for enthusiastic Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters who are available to take on clients this summer season, May through August. Sitters make an average of $15-23/hour depending on services worked. Spend your summer days loving and caring for furry friends while making good money (check out our Instagram for all the amazing pets you could spend time with)!

Candidates should be able to meet the following criteria:

  • Pet sitting & dog walking experience

  • Customer service experience

  • Detail oriented

  • Have a reliable and insured vehicle

  • A smartphone for real-time communication with clients using our Time To Pet software

  • Available Monday-Friday during daytime hours

  • Periodic availability in the evenings Sunday-Saturday for Overnight Vacation Services would be ideal but not mandatory

Dog walks are 15, 30 or 45 minutes in length. Most walks are 1 dog at a time but can be up to 2 dogs. Pet Sitters spend 30 minutes per visit with pets such as cats, rabbits, or reptiles performing care services such as feeding, playtime and litter cleanup.

To apply, please fill out the “Become A Pet Sitter” form on our website, https://www.maryspetsquad.com/. We look forward to working with you this summer!