FAQs
Meandering Mutts is a small, professional pet-care business built on years of experience and a genuine commitment to the safety, happiness, and well-being of every pet in our care.
We intentionally keep our walking groups small, with a maximum of four pets per family for any walk or outing. We do not combine unrelated dogs into group walks. This means your pets are cared for alongside their own family members—not unfamiliar dogs they may not know or feel comfortable around.
Keeping our groups small allows us to provide personalized attention, maintain a safe and comfortable environment, and ensure every pet receives the supervision and care they deserve.
Our team is professionally trained and held to high standards of safety, reliability, and compassionate care. Most importantly, we treat every pet as an individual—with patience, respect, and plenty of love.
Small groups. Familiar companions. Professional care. Happy pets. Peace of mind.
Getting started with Meandering Mutts is easy! Call us at 505-230-1500 or contact us through our website. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to answer your initial questions and schedule a free, in-home consultation.
Our consultation typically lasts 30–45 minutes and gives us an opportunity to get to know you and your pet. We’ll discuss your pet’s history, daily routine, personality, and unique needs, while answering any questions you may have about our services.
We’ll also complete the necessary paperwork, provide references, and review our business license and proof of insurance with you. If we’ll need access to your home, this is also a convenient time to provide us with a house key or other access instructions.
Our goal is to make the process easy, personal, and comfortable—for both you and your pet!
For your dog’s safety and comfort, we prefer that all dogs wear a properly fitted harness rather than a collar when being walked. A well-fitted harness provides a secure and comfortable connection point for the leash and can help reduce pressure on your dog’s neck.
We’re happy to provide our own hands-free walking belts, leashes, and heavy-duty carabiners when needed to provide an extra level of security during walks. However, we prefer to use equipment that your dog is already familiar and comfortable with whenever possible.
We simply ask that you provide a well-fitted, secure harness that is in good condition and appropriate for your dog.
Safety first, comfort always, and familiar equipment whenever possible!
Weather doesn’t always cooperate, but your dog’s care shouldn’t depend on the forecast! Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a chilly winter walk, we take extra steps to make sure your furry companion stays comfortable and well cared for.
On wet days, we ask that you leave a towel or two by the door. We’ll thoroughly dry your dog after their walk and make sure we leave your home just as we found it. With your permission, we’re even happy to warm towels in the dryer during the colder months—a little extra comfort after a winter adventure.
If your dog has a coat, sweater, booties, or other weather-appropriate gear, we’ll be sure to use it as needed to help protect them from the elements.
Rain, snow, wind, or sunshine—we’re ready to keep those tails wagging!
We offer non-veterinary medication assistance during scheduled visits when we can safely accommodate the request. Please provide clear written instructions and medications in their original labeled container whenever reasonably possible.
We do not diagnose conditions, change dosages, or provide veterinary treatment. If a medication or procedure is outside the scope of care we can safely provide, we’ll let you know before services begin.
Yes. Our caregivers are trained in Pet First Aid and CPR through the American Red Cross and ProPetHero, providing us with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to pet emergencies.
Our training includes advanced pet CPR, choking response, basic illness assessment, wound care, poisoning response, and emergency procedures. We are also trained to recognize and assess vital signs and respond to cardiac emergencies.
Our American Red Cross & ProPetHero training is taught by instructors with veterinary expertise, including licensed veterinarians, and focuses on practical skills that can make a critical difference in an emergency.
While first aid and CPR training do not replace professional veterinary care, our certifications help us recognize potential emergencies quickly, provide appropriate immediate care, and make informed decisions about when veterinary attention is needed.
Your pet’s safety comes first—and we believe being prepared for an emergency is an essential part of professional pet care.
Yes! Meandering Mutts is a professionally licensed and bonded pet-care business serving Santa Fe and the surrounding area.
Being licensed and bonded reflects our commitment to operating our business responsibly and providing our clients with an added level of confidence and peace of mind.
We also maintain appropriate business insurance for our pet-care services and are happy to provide proof of our licensing, bonding, and insurance during your complimentary in-home consultation.
We believe transparency matters. When you welcome someone into your home and entrust them with the care of your pets, you deserve to know who you’re working with and that you’re working with a legitimate, professionally operated business.
Professional. Responsible. Insured. Bonded. Trusted.
CANCELLATIONS:
Occasionally we may need to cancel due to severe weather or an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible if this happens. You will not be charged for services we cancel.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Changes or cancellations for the upcoming week may be made without charge until 6:00 PM Saturday. After that deadline, changes made more than 24 hours before the scheduled service may be subject to one $10 schedule-change fee per request. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before a scheduled service are subject to the full scheduled service fee. Emergency or exceptional circumstances may be considered at Meandering Mutts’ discretion. Full details are available in our Terms of Service.
SAFETY:
Before your dog’s first walk, we collect a secondary contact and an emergency contact. This ensures we can always reach someone quickly if anything unexpected happens. Our team follows documented emergency protocols, and we will keep you fully informed every step of the way.
Safety always comes first. During severe weather, extreme temperatures, poor air quality, unsafe roads, or other hazardous conditions, we may shorten, modify, postpone, or cancel a service when necessary to protect your pet and our caregiver.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10 am – 4 pm
10 am – 4 pm
10 am – 4 pm
10 am – 4 pm
CLOSED
CLOSED
Scheduled pet-care services may be available outside office hours by confirmed reservation.
