Drop-In Visit Service

Our drop-in visits are perfect for cats, puppies, senior dogs, or any pet who prefers the comfort of their own home. We provide personalized care and companionship, ensuring all their needs are met during your absence.

  • Rates for Best Friends Pet Services' primary service area within La Mesa & surrounding communities. See our "Currently Serving" section for details.

    Our service rates for the La Mesa area begin at the prices listed below. Final pricing will be confirmed during your complimentary Meet & Greet, based on your specific pet care needs and any applicable additional services or surcharges.

    Individual Visits:

    • Quick Check-In (15 minutes):$25 per visit

      • Ideal for: A quick potty break, a fresh bowl of water, or administering a single medication.

    • Standard Comfort (30 minutes):$30 per visit

      • Ideal for: Our most popular option for feeding, fresh water, litter box cleaning, playtime, and a thorough check-in.

    • Extended Care (45 minutes):$40 per visit

      • Ideal for: Multiple pets, those needing extra playtime, or pets who enjoy more dedicated companionship.

    • Comprehensive Visit (60 minutes):$55 per visit

      • Ideal for: Homes with several pets, those requiring special attention, or for extended enrichment and companionship.

    Additional Pet Fees (from the same household, per visit):

    • Additional Dog or Cat: +$10 per pet

    • Additional Pocket Pet (e.g., hamster, bird, fish, reptile): +$5 per enclosure/tank

    • Holiday Visits: +$10 per visit (as defined in your Availability section)

    • Same-Day Booking (less than 24-hour notice): +$10

    Custom packages available upon request for frequent or multi-visit needs.

  • Our personalized drop-in visits ensure your pets receive compassionate care and attention in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Each visit is tailored to your pet's needs.

    • Please Note on Visit Durations: While our comprehensive list outlines the full range of services we offer, shorter visits (e.g., 15 minutes) will prioritize essential pet care needs such as potty breaks, feeding, fresh water, and a quick check-in. Home care tasks (like mail, blinds, trash) will be performed as time allows. For multiple pets, medication administration, or more extensive home care, we recommend booking a longer visit.

    Comprehensive Pet Care:

    • Feeding & Fresh Water: We'll ensure your pet's meals are served according to your instructions and that they always have a fresh, clean supply of water.

    • Tailored Playtime & Exercise: Dedicated time for interactive play, cuddles, belly rubs, or gentle exercise to keep your pet happy, stimulated, and well-cared for. This includes lots of TLC!

    • Litter Box Cleaning/Scooping: For our feline friends, we'll scoop the litter box(es) to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

    • Medication Administration: We can administer oral or topical medications as required, following your precise instructions.

    • Waste Management: For dogs, we'll ensure outdoor potty breaks are provided. Any indoor accidents will be cleaned up promptly.

    • Affection & Companionship: Beyond the basics, every visit includes genuine affection, cuddles, and companionship for your beloved pet.

    Basic Home Security & Maintenance:

    • Mail & Newspaper Retrieval: We'll bring in your mail, newspapers, and any packages from the doorstep.

    • Rotate Lights & Blinds: We can alternate lights and blinds to give your home a lived-in appearance, enhancing security.

    • Trash Management: We can bring trash bins to the curb on collection day and bring them back in afterwards, as requested.

    Communication & Peace of Mind:

    • Detailed Visit Report: You'll receive a comprehensive update after every visit, detailing all activities, your pet's mood, and any notable observations.

    • Photos of Your Pet: We'll include adorable photos of your pet enjoying their visit, so you can see they're happy and well.

    • GPS Tracking: For your peace of mind and accountability, all visits are GPS tracked, with a map included in your visit report.

  • Booking a drop-in visit with us is easy and designed for your convenience! We want to ensure a perfect match between your pet(s) and their care provider, so we follow a simple, personalized process for all new clients.

    For New Clients:

    • To begin your journey with Best Friends Pet Services, please visit our Get Started Section on our website.

    • This section will guide you through providing initial information about your pet(s) and your needs, setting the stage for personalized care.

    For Existing Clients:

    Effortless Booking via Time To Pet:

    • For all future bookings, please log in directly to your dedicated client portal on Time To Pet at https://www.timetopet.com/portal/bfpetservices.

    • Here you can easily:

      • View your past and upcoming schedule.

      • Request new walks or modify existing ones.

      • Update your pet's information and instructions.

      • Communicate directly with your walker.

    • Please note our "$10 Same-Day Booking" fee for requests made with less than 24-hour notice.

    • For Individual Dog Walks & Drop-In Visits: Payment for individual walks/visits is due 24 hours prior to the scheduled service.

    • For Weekly/Monthly Packages: Payment for all packages is due at the start of the service period (e.g., on Monday for weekly packages, or on the first day of the monthly period).

    • For Overnight Stays: Payment for Overnight Pet Sitting is due in full 7 days prior to the start of the stay.

    Accepted Payment Methods: We accept major credit cards (processed securely through Time To Pet), PayPal, Venmo, and cash. You will receive an invoice for your services directly through your Time To Pet client portal.

  • We strive to offer consistent and reliable service while ensuring a healthy work-life balance, allowing us to be energized and present for your pups and pets!

    • Standard Visit Days: We generally offer drop-in visits Wednesday through Sunday.

    • Rest & Recharge: Mondays and Tuesdays are typically reserved for our personal time to recharge and manage administrative tasks. While these are our primary days off, we understand that unique situations can arise.

    • Flexibility for Established Clients: For established clients with specific, recurring needs that may occasionally fall on a Monday or Tuesday, please reach out directly via Time To Pet. We are sometimes able to accommodate these requests depending on our schedule, though availability will be limited.

    • Hours of Operation:

      • Our drop-in visit windows are generally available between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

    • Holiday Availability:

      • We understand the need for pet care during holidays! We are happy to provide visits on most major holidays to accommodate your needs.

      • Please note that all visits scheduled on major holidays will include a $10 holiday surcharge per visit.

      • (We will communicate any specific holidays we are completely closed for well in advance.)

    • Booking Lead Time:

      • To ensure optimal scheduling and availability, we encourage you to book your visits at least 24 hours in advance.

      • For visits requested with less than 24 hours' notice, a $10 same-day booking surcharge will apply. This fee helps us accommodate last-minute scheduling adjustments

  • We understand that plans can change! Our cancellation policy is designed to balance flexibility for our clients with ensuring fair compensation for our care providers' time and scheduled commitments.

    • Standard Cancellation:

      • For any individual drop-in visit, we require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellation.

      • If you cancel with 24 hours or more notice, your account will not be charged for the scheduled visit.

    • Late Cancellation:

      • Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at 50% of the scheduled visit's rate.This helps compensate your care provider for the time slot they reserved for your pet.

    • No-Show / Lockout:

      • If your pet is not available for their scheduled visit (e.g., you've returned home early without notifying us, or we cannot access your home at the scheduled time), the visit will be charged at 100% of the scheduled rate.Your care provider will wait a reasonable amount of time (typically 10-15 minutes) before departing and notifying you.

    • Holiday Cancellation:

      • Cancellations for visits scheduled on major holidays (which incur the +$10 surcharge) require 48 hours' notice.

      • Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice for holiday visits will be charged at 100% of the scheduled rate (including the holiday surcharge).

    • How to Cancel:

      • All cancellations should be made through your Time To Pet client portal. This ensures proper logging and communication. If you have an emergency and cannot access the portal, please text us immediately.

  • To ensure the safety, well-being, and positive experience of all pets under our care, and our care providers, we require the following:

    • Up-to-Date Vaccinations: All pets must be current on their core vaccinations as recommended by a licensed veterinarian. For dogs, this includes Rabies, Distemper/Parvovirus (DHPP/DAPP), and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). For cats, this includes Rabies and FVRCP. Proof of vaccination is required prior to the first service.

    • Current Flea & Tick Prevention: For the health and safety of your pets and others, all dogs and cats must be on a regular, veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention program.

    • ID Tags & Microchip (for Dogs/Cats): All dogs and cats should wear a collar with current ID tags (including owner contact information). We highly recommend all dogs and cats be microchipped.

    • Disclosure of Health & Behavior Issues: Owners must fully disclose any known medical conditions, allergies, injuries, fears (e.g., thunderstorms, strangers), behavioral challenges (e.g., aggression towards dogs/people, anxiety, resource guarding), or past incidents for all pets in the home. This information is crucial for providing the safest and most effective care.

    • No Unprovoked Aggressive Behavior: We cannot provide services for pets with a history of unprovoked aggression towards people or other animals. The safety of your pet, our care providers, and the public are our top priorities.

    • Accessible Home Entry: Owners must provide reliable access to their home (e.g., two sets of keys, lockbox code, or secure garage/door code) at the time of the Meet & Greet.

    • Emergency Contact Information: Owners must provide up-to-date emergency contact information for themselves and an alternate local contact who can make make decisions in their absence.

    • Adequate Supplies: Owners must ensure there is a sufficient supply of food, medication, litter, and any other necessary pet care items for the duration of the scheduled visits.