Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
Greenman Pet Services Our company name draws on the symbolism of the greenman (a face made up of leaves), which represents being in tune with nature and the world's other lifeforms. In this vein, we are committed to being as environmentally conscious as possible in our business practices. From minimizing the use of cars when walking or a bike will do, to using only recycled (and recyclable!) paper for business cards, checks, and flyers, we want to provide the best possible service to our clients, while having as little impact on the world - for all our sakes.
Follow us
Services
Both Ailsa and Steve have taken the Red Cross "Pet First Aid and CPR" class (which focuses on cats and dogs), as well as having hands-on experience with giving medical care to birds. Ailsa spent almost a decade volunteering with Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue as Conure Coordinator and teacher. These days in her spare time, she loves to read, watch hockey, knit, and now has returned to school to get her Masters degree when not giving attention to their own pets.
We appreciate requests for service at least two weeks before the start date - but are always happy to fit in last minute bookings so long as we have room on our calendar! Please remember though, even a reservation two weeks ahead of time may not be long enough during busy times of the year (holidays, school breaks, summer vacations, etc.) - so booking as soon as you have plans in place is advised. Please note: a booking is not considered firm until the deposit is received. Our charge for overnight stays is $120 per night.
Reviews (18)
Write a Review
A. M.
Sep 16, 2019
I am so thankful to have found Ailsa and Steve! They are beyond wonderful. Not only do they treat my dog well, they are also great with communication, extremely reliable, and trustworthy! We have our 9 month old dog walked everyday with them and I don't know what I would do without them! My dog absolutely loves Steve! I would recommend them to anyone!
Laura D.
Feb 06, 2019
We've now been using Greenman Pet Services for many years and I wanted to update my review to say what fabulous service Ailsa and Steve offer our furry family. We now have 3 cats, one of whom recently became diabetic and needs insulin twice a day. Before our trip, Steve came over (at no charge!) to see how we gave the insulin and how we tested his blood sugar, and during this visit, we saw just how much our cats LOVE Steve!

We could barely peel them off of him! It's such a comfort to know that your pets are in good hands and being cared for in your own home by people that actually care about them as much as you do. While we were on a trip to Orlando in 2016, our flight was delayed, meaning that we wouldn't get back until after 3 AM when we originally expected to be home by dinnertime. I texted Steve and Ailsa and they immediately responded and were able to make an evening visit to make sure everyone got fed.
Lucia V.
Nov 13, 2018
The most wonderful pet sitters providing top care for our pets. They are a great team and make us feel like we are leaving our fur babies in the best hands possible during our time away. They are a "dream team" for our cats and the care is outstanding. They are more than a service, they feel like family because of the trust we have leaving our cats in their hands. Ailsa and Steve are two amazing people and highly recommend their service.
Seb B.
Jul 02, 2018
I contacted Ailsa yesterday, and even though we were outside of her service area, the follow up service and advice she provided was awesome. She replied recommending another pet sitter who could possibly service our area, and she also recommended another "pet sitting" website to look up fully insured pet sitters by zip code. Thanks to her, I was able to find 3-4 pet sitters who could can care for our pets.
Becky H.
Jun 09, 2014
Having recently moved in to the Bay Area I had ZERO idea who to contact for pet sitting/boarding and was in a serious bind last Thanksgiving. Ailsa and Steve helped me out last minute and I can't begin to explain how impressed I am with their services. All the glowing reviews are right on, Greenman Pet Services is the best! Ailsa and Steve are very throughout in their initial consultation, make sure you're aware of how they do things, and communicate with you every step of the way.

Since then I have continued to use them for pet sitting occasionally. I never have to worry leaving my pets in their care, and they are super responsive to email and texts. I have a parakeet and a cat (a troublesome pair at times) and they are fantastic with both. They don't just make sure the pets are okay, they provide peace of mind that all is well with the house while we're gone, and send pictures or texts with updates. I can't recommend them highly enough! :)
Sarah B.
Jul 24, 2013
When it comes to pet care, Greenman is a good as it gets. We have two crazy sweet cats and one big silly dog who are so important to us. We are extremely conscientious owners and treat our animals like our children, so there has always been some amount of anxiety about leaving them in the care of a relative stranger. Steve and Ailsa are literally PERFECT!

They listen to our never ending comments and stories, treat our house and animals with respect, follow our instructions to the T (this is especially important for our pup, who has special food requirements), and they clearly LOVE animals. Best of all, our animals LOVE them! When we come home from trips, our cats are calm and happy; our dog is excited and engaged.

It is such a relief to know that we can count on Steve and Ailsa to watch over and love our pets when we're not there. When you interact with them, you can tell they genuinely care about the animals and their clients. They take care of our little furry family exactly as we would, and we're very lucky to have found Greenman Pet Services. Some other pros: -They are very communicative and Steve will even send us pictures and funny stories while we're away. -Greenman is a green business and they are conscious about the environment, which is very cool. -They are extremely knowledgeable about pet care, pet vendors and pet supplies and they are always willing to chat and provide recommendations and comments (but not in an annoying know-it-all kind of way). -They are super professional and diligent.

Along with general care and play time, they actually have a routine for each visit that they use to make sure each animal is healthy and happy. Also, they cover all the bases and ask a ton of questions (in person in via their intake forms) to make sure they know everything about your animals. We always leave a long winded note, but it's nice to know they have all the information on hand (and a vet release) in case of emergency.
Leon B.
Jul 01, 2013
We recently used Greenman Pet Services and I can confirm that their service is great and they met all our expectations. We have a household with three cats that required an once a day visit. Steve and Ailsa both visited for an initial consultation and meeting and explained all the variables including emergency preparations and backup plans. We felt comfortable with their level of detail and ability to answer all our questions.

During their time caring for our animals we received regular updates and confirmation of the cats health and well being leaving us assured during our stay away. I highly recommend considering Greenman Pet Service - we are happy to have found a reliable pet sitter.
Elin B.
May 05, 2013
I don't think I can find all the words to say how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Ailsa and Steve are! I live in an apartment and have a Lab, so they come every afternoon. I'm sure my dog is much happier to see them than she's to see me, that's how much she loves them! They have helped me out when I'm in a bind (several times) and I know I can always count on them to take care of my dog and give her as much love as I do.

I have no intention of moving, but if I do, I'm going to make sure it is within their coverage area, because I would not want to lose them for anything in the world! If you are looking for somebody to take care of your loved pet, Greenman Pet Services is the very best you'll ever find, so you don't need to look further!
Kari B.
Mar 25, 2013
Wanted to write a follow up review since my last update. Ailsa and Steve did not have record of any of my calls or emails in January, and were diligent about updating me on their progress with their own follow up with their email and phone service providers. They did end up watching my girls (cats) last month and gave me text updates and photos like they had in the past.

I booked them again on short notice for one day this month and they were very responsive and professional. I will continue to use them because they rock! I am chalking up my previous issues with communication as a blip on the radar that they worked hard to resolve.
A. Person I.
Jul 19, 2011
If I could give Greenman Pet Services 10 stars, I would. We recently went on a 10 day vacation out of the country - the longest we've been away from our cats for years. Before we left, we were quite nervous as they are seniors so we're always worried a health issue will arise during our absence, and one cat requires twice-daily medication and is shy, usually hides from pet-sitters.

Our minds were set very much at ease as we received text and email updates complete with photos of our cats getting brushed, petted and looking totally relaxed and happy with Steve and Ailsa. It was so nice to get pics and updates because we missed our kitties so much while we were away, we felt close to them with each update. When we came home, everything was clean and the cats were completely relaxed and happy.

When Ailsa dropped by to return the key, our cats came over to say hi and didn't want to let her leave again! Ailsa and Steve are intelligent and knowledgeable as well as caring and thorough about the care of pets in their charge. I am very happy with their level of observation regarding our pets' health, appetite and general well being during our trip. Now we feel more confident about going on vacation in the future, because we know our cats will be in such good hands.
Aaron J.
Jul 18, 2011
This was our first time using a pet sitting service in our home, and it was an excellent experience. Of all the companies we researched and called, they were the most responsive to our inquiry. Ailsa and Steve, the owners -- and, importantly, the actual pet sitters who come to your house -- spent at least an hour with us before we officially booked them, getting to know our dogs, explaining their services, and answering our questions.

They made us feel completely confident in entrusting not only our dogs, but also our home, to them while we were gone on vacation. During the time we were away, they were very communicative but not intrusive about their care for our pets. They texted to let us know they had visited and that everything was okay. It really provided peace of mind. In addition to feeding, brushing, and playing with the dogs, they also included in their service: taking in the mail/packages, checking the overall security of the house, turning on and off lights, watering plants, feeding fish and monitoring aquarium. We plan to use them again next time we cannot take our pets with us when we go away for more than a day trip.
Neil K.
Jul 26, 2010
My wife and I have had the pleasure of being a customer of Greenman Pet Services for the past few years. We utilize their services whenever we travel, and have them come to walk our puppy daily, so we've had quite a bit of experience with their service. It's difficult to put into words how awesome Ailsa and Steve are. They are both phenomenal people with a deep love for animals which really shows in their work.

Their prices are reasonable, they are both very responsible, and the peace of mind they have given us while we travel has been invaluable. We have quite a few pets (two cats, a guinea pig, a puppy, and a fish tank), and all of them (yes, fish included :-p) are all quite attached to Ailsa and Steve. They truly seem to treat our pets as their own. Greenman is also very very good about keeping in touch while we're away.

We get constant updates via text message, and occasionally even get pics from their visits. I can't recommend them enough, and we feel lucky to have found such a great company to entrust our pets to. :)
Kathleen R.
Oct 18, 2009
I get the best of both world's with Greenman, both a dog walker and a bird sitter. If you have birds you know it is hard to find someone to take care of them and if you have more than one then vet boarding is pretty pricey. For a very reasonable price they clean cages, give my birds out of cage time and human interaction.even the one that bites extra, extra hard and hates everyone except me.

My dog LOVES both Ailsa and Steve, when they show up for any reason she showers them with kisses for the first thirty seconds then stands at the door until they take her out.
Marion A.
Sep 18, 2009
Our decision to hire Ailsa and Steve of Greenman Pet Services were based on two things: the positive reviews on Yelp and the fact that they are huge hockey fans. When they came over for the first time to meet our two cats, we immediately knew that they could be trusted with Malibu and Sofie. With the cats in their care, we were able to go on our vacation without worries.

Being able to come home to a fresh-smelling house (which meant that they really kept up with the litterbox, despite our little poop machines) and two happy kitties, we are truly happy with Greenman Pet Services. We are very lucky to have found such capable pet-sitters!
Carole G.
May 20, 2009
Once again, I gotta' give props to Greenman for providing me with worry-free pet sitting! I have used their services many times since that first time and the service just keeps getting better. For this last "pet sit" not only did they do a fabulous job of caring for my cats (feeding/medication/clean-up); they handled the additional work of dealing with a pool and a fledgling garden during a mini heat-wave. It's great to come home and see everything in it's place and all of my cats happy and well! If you are lucky enough to live in the San Jose area, call Greenman before your next vacation. I'm always glad I did!
Lisa H.
Feb 11, 2009
I had a very unusual "pet" - My Toyota Prius. We were going on an extended vacation, and Priuses hate sitting. There are ways to store them safely, all of them annoying. Since the house needed to be watched any way, I asked Aisla if she could "pet sit" the Prius - Start it up every few days and watch over the house. Yes, I know it sounds strange, but when I had a friend watch the Prius and the house over our last extended trip, the car was cranky and had a hard time starting when I got home.

I wanted someone who cared to watch over things this time. I wanted a Pro. Besides it was a Green Project and I know Aisla likes Green. Aisla was professional and helpful and we got things set up with the legal forms and a good giggle. :D And The Car was Happy when I got home this time, everything started just fine. For Good Caring People, Definitely go to Aisla and Steve. Your pets will be happy that you did.
Jason C.
Oct 17, 2008
Yay for Greenman! I am glad I found Ailsa and Steve after my former pet sitter/helper decided to end her business. Ailsa and Steve have both of the prerequisites for a great pet sitter: 1) Love for animals. This is a given of course, but my dog and my one social cat both like the Greenman crew. 2) Flexibility. My schedule can be crazy and Ailsa and Steve are always willing and able to fit my schedule. Thanks Greenman, and keep up the good work!
Amy R.
Jan 08, 2008
It is with great pleasure and thanks that we write this letter of recommendation for Steve and Ailsa at Greenman Pet Services. Greenman Pet Services serve the greater Bay Area in California. We know Ailsa through the Mickaboo Bird Rescue organization as Ailsa is the conure coordinator for Mickaboo. As an overprotective pet owner, we hardly traveled anywhere in fear of leaving our "kids" behind.

We have 7 birds that we love dearly. We were so very happy and relieved to find Ailsa and Steve. Before our departure date, both Steve and Ailsa came over to get to know our birds. They were truly interested in getting to know their personalities, quirks, likes, dislikes, and their daily routine. While we were gone they took great care to understand everyone's temperament and made sure everyone followed their normal routine.

So our birds not only got food and water, they got lots of "out time" to play and get attention as well. Both Steve and Ailsa were wonderful with our birds. Our 'finicky' bird Mojo, who normally does not like anyone (including my husband), got along great with Steve. Steve even got our old man Mojo to come out and ride on his shoulder and drink from the faucet!

That is something we have not been able to achieve! It was a miracle. During our trip we received daily detailed status emails on how everyone was doing. They even took the time to send pictures as well! We even got a short movie of one of our birds! It was such a treat and a great touch to their service. We were very happy to see our kids safe and having fun while we were away.

This allowed us to fully enjoy our vacation. We were truly relaxed knowing we had Steve and Ailsa taking care of our birds and home. When we returned home from our trip we could tell our birds had been well cared for. All of our birds were very happy and playful, unlike some of our other trips. Steve and Ailsa made sure to leave our lights on and even printed out a note with the last status update.

The note even included details from the day, observations on our birds, and even color print out of pictures of our birds from that day! It was again such a great touch and tribute to their world class service. Steve and Ailsa also followed up with phone call when we got back to make sure we got back safely. They were very keen to make sure the birds were taken care of and would have come over if they didn't hear from us.

It was such a great touch and relief that if something had happened, Steve and Ailsa would have been there for us. We feel very fortunate to have Greenman Pet services for our pet sitting needs. Both Steve and Ailsa have a big heart and an even bigger understanding of animals. We have complete confidence in their judgment, reliability, and most of all on their knowledge and kindness towards animals.

We will most definitely be using Greenman Pet Services in the future. We plan to do a lot more traveling now that we know our birds will be safe and happy with Greenman Pet Services!