Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
TLC While Youre Away My name is Margie and am the proud owner of TLC. While You're Away. I moved from New York in 1995, bought my home in McCormick Ranch with my 3 potbellie pigs and parrot and never looked back. Prior to pursuing my dream of having my own business dedicated to pets - in New York, I was the 2nd VP of Government banking for Chase - in Arizona, I was the President of Desert Fare, Inc. a restaurant franchise. Pet sitting was the perfect vehicle for me to utilize my business experience while pursuing my passion for pets.
Reviews (35)
Write a Review
Glen D.
Jun 01, 2021
A well run organization. They took great care of my pet. Follow directions to a T, went above and beyond, provided great notes and feedback. I will definitely use them again!
Kattie S.
Apr 26, 2021
I am just catching up on my reviews so this is overdue by a couple years. I am looking for a in home pet service again and feel I should post this after using tlc a few times. I am giving 3 stars not because they did anything wrong or bad but just was not for my family. Marge is very direct and straight to the point, wich probably works for most people, but myself from the Midwest I guess I am looking for someone that has a little softer side/attitude when it comes to my furbabies. (Also make sure you read the policy about keeping your key) The sitters all did their part, and took care of our furbabies, nothing to complain about, just going to keep looking for a company that fits our families dynamic a little better.

Also when asked if we could receive updates while we were gone Marge made it clear her employees are too busy taking care of our pets to send any type of photo or text to us throughout our trip. Again this may work for some people but when we leave our pets we like to be able to see their smiling faces once in awhile to check in, just like we would like to call our kids if we were not with them, the only option she gave us was to call and leave her a message and she would call you back with a verbal update.

I just felt having someone at my house 3 to 4 times a day one of them would be able to send a picture or text during they're 15-30 min visit since I only required them to play with them in the backyard vs walking on the leash, even if they could send to Marge and Narge forward to us if she doesn't want us in contact with the sitters, but again all things I was aware when I hired them so it is my fault not to have chosen a different company. Like I mentioned before, Marge is up front if you ask so just be sure to ask all the questions before hiring to decide if it's a fit for you, Thanks!
Chelsea A.
Apr 25, 2021
Taken care of our pets while we have been out of town or working during the day for the past 3 years-and it has been the most comfortable we have felt with someone else taking care of our pets yet! Sad to be moving away- especially with pets that need medication as there were no worries when we left living in Phoenix.
April Gallegos
Mar 21, 2021
My mom always liked Margie, we had used her for years when I was younger. Then in 2015 or 2016 I lived on my own and used her business while we went out of town. I had just gotten a camera for the inside of the house not too long before the trip. Thank god I had gotten a camera! As I watched I saw 2 or 3 different boys come to check on the dogs throughout the trip.

One day one of the boys seemed to be yelling at my dogs as if he was annoyed with them even though they did nothing wrong, not the loving personality of a pet sitter. Another day one of the other boys took a picture of one of my dogs, not necessarily a bad thing but it was a little weird since I didn't know what he was going to use the picture for.

Another day after that I noticed the not so loving boy accidentally left the dog food bowl on the wrong side of the gate which meant my dogs couldn't get to their food. Luckily I was able to get ahold of Margie to tell her the dogs couldn't get to their food and I saw the boy come back to the house, this time looking around for cameras. He eventually found the camera and from then on changed his attitude, acting very loving towards the dogs.

When I came home I read the papers the boys left and saw the not so loving boy had lied on the papers, saying he took the dogs for walks when I could clearly see he didn't. I was very upset and never used TLC again. I also didn't like that every time I would call Margie she would only text me back instead of returning my call. If you use this service (or any pet sitter) get a camera!
Caroline Stockdale
Dec 31, 2020
Margie has always been super responsive whenever we have needed help looking after our dogs. She has a disciplined approach to learning about each dog and has looked after our pack for years. We have always been happy with the care given to our dogs - Margie is a great person and provides an excellent service.
Randy Howell
Nov 13, 2020
Margie and her folks have been watching my girls for just over 2 years. I know when I travel they are safe and well looked after. They know all the little things about my girls, and I don't know what I'd do without her service. Love you, Aunt Margie! Randy, Bella, and Jazzy
Teri T.
Dec 13, 2019
I found Margie online and she has been a blessing. I have had her service at least 10 times, sometimes for a month or more at a time because of illness. She is so thorough! She only hires great dog loving quality people. My dogs love them! I never worry about my dogs when away. She is like I said, a blessing!
Natalie P.
Oct 15, 2019
I've been using TLC for about 1 year now. My husband and I do quite a bit of traveling, and felt that it would be great to have someone check in our kitties. Margie the owner, and her staff are fabulous! They handle not only the care of our 2 kitties but our mail/packages, watering plants, trash/recycle etc. i always feel at ease when we go away. I always come home to a tidy house and best of all happy kitties! Thank you Margie & staff!
Jessica Lizette
Sep 25, 2019
TLC watches my zoo of dogs, cats and birds and does a fabulous job every time. They pay attention to all of my instructions and take the best care of our fur babies. They also watch my parents 2 dogs and they have nothing but great things to say about them too. I recommend them to everyone who asks!
Jessica DiRocco
Aug 27, 2019
My animals get so happy when TLC comes to take care of them. I love the little stories that they leave each visit. I know my fur babies are well taken care of whenever I call TLC.
Steve L.
Aug 03, 2019
First time I've been in a position where I'd be out of town for a week straight without someone staying at the house. While I'm sure the cat could manage on her own given her advanced age (~18+) I wanted to have a person who is familiar with cats to watch over her and that eliminated all of my friends. Margie spent ample time on her initial visit to meet the cat and figure out our routines.

Upon my return, I found the cat snoring away in her usual spot on the couch and a daily log of their visits which based on their notes consisted of the cat begging for wet food and to be pet and brushed (normal behavior) which they obliged, not sure if the cat missed me at all.
Linda P.
Jun 30, 2019
These folks have been taking care of my two large dogs and two cats for about 9 months now. They come for regularly scheduled dog walks and have not once missed a visit. Their reliability is so important and way beyond what we all experience from most businesses these days. I'm never home when they come, but I look forward to the detailed notes that are left from me after every visit.

On a couple of occasions, my mother-in-law was here when the dog walker arrived and said she was lovely and that my dogs where absolutely crazy about her. Communication with Margie is excellent, there are some basic guidelines to follow about when to text or call in non-emergency situations. These make perfect sense since these calls and texts go directly to Margie who has to have her phone with her at all times.

You aren't necessarily going to meet the people who come to your home, but they are background checked and I can assure you that after 9 months we haven't had a single problem as far as that goes. We also had them care for our cats while we were out of town for about a week, everything was spotless when we got home, and the cats didn't seem desperate for attention as they have been sometimes when we hired other pet sitters.
Beth C.
Mar 28, 2019
We travel fairly frequently and recently moved to Phoenix where we had no close family or friends who could watch our cat while we were out for the weekend. I saw the great reviews for TLC and decided to reach out to them. Margie and her team were so great to work with. I loved receiving detailed notes about each visit with our kitty, and setting up appointments for them to come visit her was quick and easy.

For the past 6 months I never worried about my cat being taken care of while I was out of town. We are sad to be moving out of their service area but I can't recommend them highly enough!
Julia Krizan Moon
Feb 27, 2019
Margie and the sitters provide excellent care and personalized service to each of my dogs, even my older dog with special needs. I recommend TLC to all who love their pets.
Sj R.
Jan 09, 2019
We contacted Margie and Jessica after I had surgery to find a service we could trust to walk our dogs 3 days a week while I was in recovery. That was 3 years ago and we still see them every week and very grateful for their fabulous staff and the service they provide. It is no small task to handle Bailey and Ozzie our Old English Sheepdogs, but these clowns run for the door as soon as it barely opens. We cannot thank you enough TLC. By the way, I am recovered but they are time savers for us now and it is all good. Stephanie & Mark Z
Sheila P.
Dec 24, 2018
We have been using the pet/home sitting services of Margie and her crew for at least 10 years now. They are AWESOME! We never worry about our pets or our home when we're away as TLC is very reliable. Initially, we had TLC visit once daily. When we got a new pup, we felt twice day visits were appropriate and we will never go back to one a day no matter how old our dogs get.

When we return from a trip, the dogs don't appear to have missed us as much with twice a day visits as they did with once a day visits. They are very content when we get home as they've been walked, fed, loved, and played with twice a day while we were gone. TLC will also get the mail, water plants and do other small tasks around the house needed in our absence. Anyone looking for a trustworthy group to care for their pets need look no further! I highly recommend TLC!
Rue Bax
Aug 19, 2018
I have been a client of TLC for my two chocolate labs for over 12 years - they have been very accommodating, even with late notice, to help us take care of our dogs. They truly are part of our family and our dogs always loved their visits.
Annie Allbee
Apr 24, 2018
TLC was so easy to work with and extremely thorough. I felt comfortable leaving our two kitties for a week knowing they were in good hands! Both kitties were as happy as they were when we left, and the house looked great. I will definitely use TLC again for any trips out of town! They cared for my cats as if they were their own.
Reilly J.
Apr 12, 2018
Margie and her team are great! They're flexible when you need them, and a life saver when taking true care of your pet. They've treated my dog with the love that I expect and am truly appreciative of everything they've done for me! Would highly recommend them to any family or friends in the scottsdale area.
Ashlee B.
Jan 08, 2018
TLC is absolutely amazing. My dog is my life (sadly) and I have always had anxiety leaving him in the care of someone else while I was out of town. TLC put my worries at ease and I felt confident that they were taking the best care of my dog while I spent 5 days in DC. Marjorie and her team are the best pet sitters. Such a relief to find a pet care service that cares for my dog as well as I do and exceeds my expectations. Thanks for all you do!
Courtney A.
Dec 29, 2017
I've been using TLC for about 2 years to take care of my cat when I'm out of town and would highly recommend their services! Margie initially came to meet me at my house prior to working with us and definitely made me feel comfortable with leaving my pet in her care. She is very responsive to e-mails and her staff does exactly what is requested.

I have a Nest camera in my house to monitor my home while I'm out of town and I can see the sitters interacting and playing with my cat, giving him fresh food and water, and cleaning the litter box at each visit. The sitters always go straight to the instructions at the beginning of each visit which shows their level of detail and professionalism.

They even get my mail and take out the garbage and recycling! The sitter also leaves notes at the end of each visit to detail how the visit went which I love to read when I come home! It's great to have a company that I can rely on to watch over my pet and home, especially since I don't have family in town. If you need a pet sitter, TLC is top notch!
M. S.
Oct 16, 2017
Margie and her team have taken such wonderful care of my 3 dogs over the last year and a half. When I travel, I don't worry about my dogs not getting enough attention. TLC goes above and beyond. I'm writing this review as we are moving out of state, and I will really miss this top notch company. They even want to come say goodbye to the pups before we leave.
Jenny W.
Sep 15, 2017
Eleanor is amazing. She took such great care of my girls while I was away. I didn't have to worry about a thing. she texted me updates everyday sometimes twice a day with pictures of my girls. They are thorough gathering information on your pets and she made a special trip before I left the first time just to come meet the girls so they would recognize her and feel safe. I will never use another service again they take the stress out of being away so I can relax and just enjoy my time off! Jenny Wheeler
Jon L.
Mar 23, 2017
These guys are great! They took such good care of our two dogs while we were on a long vacation I now have them come walk them once a week. They do the little things too, like cleaning their water bowls and bringing in packages, that make it worthwhile. I've been home a few times when they've come over to walk the dogs and I can tell how much my dogs love and trust them.
Johanna I.
Feb 07, 2017
Just got home from a trip away from my baby. TLC couldn't have taken better care of my dog than if I had done it myself. Margie covered everything in the complementary visit and I left knowing he was in good hands. I'll definitely be using them in the future. Thank you TLC!
Ashley W.
Jan 21, 2017
I decided to use TLC while youre away based on the great yelp reviews. We went away for a week and left them in the care of my two cats. They were supposed to come every other day to play, feed, and change the litter. They were supposed to come the day before we arrived home. The day of the first visit, I emailed and asked how the cats were. The only reply I got was that one cat came out and the other was "no where to be found", with no other explanation.

I replied asking for more details, was food missing? Did they look for the cat? The cats had access to the bedroom living room and bathroom, so he couldnt be far. I got back a very rude reply, with NO answers to any of my questions. The next visit she sent a picture of both cats. I arrived home and could smell ammonia from outside the apartment, the cats were screaming at the door.

We walked in and found piles of vomit all around the apartment. There was a 2nd water bowl we left in the kitchen that we asked to be changed, that was full of hair and litter. I dumped it and wiped the bottom and got a thick layer of yellow slime. This water was never changed. We went in where the main food and water is kept and both bowls were COMPLETELY empty.

If she had been there the day before and filled the gravity feeder, there should have been a ton of food left. The litter box had been moved, had poop ON TOP of it, and was pretty full for again it should have been changed the day before. I really pondered over writing this review for a while but I am very disappointed and feel really bad I left my cats in this persons care. I think because they were cats they didnt really visit them all the days I paid for. I got my key back and will never use them again.
Lisa B.
Dec 30, 2016
I have been using TLC for almost 3 years, and I can't say enough good things about them. Unfortunately, I'm moving to Tempe out of their service area, so after next week I'll have to find someone else, but Margie was so great and helpful and gave me a reputable website to find a new service. I'm absolutely devastated to not use them anymore! Margie is so responsive and very flexible when we've had unavoidable changes come up. I've met about 5-6 of the walkers in person, and every single one has been kind, caring, and really shows attention to the dogs.

I feel completely confident leaving my pets in their hands - they cover all the bases, including emergency contacts and where to take the dogs if there were a medical problem. This is an absolutely top-notch service, and they give a discount for regular visits, which is amazing. I am so sad to be leaving them, but I will tell anyone who will listen how great they are! Hopefully one day I'll live back in their area again. Thank you Margie & team! You're all amazing and I know Nemo & Dani will miss you.
Jacci D.
Dec 06, 2016
I can't begin to say how much I trust TLC While You're Away. I am a flight attendant and leave town every week for 3 days at a time. My 2 little 4 lb dogs are in the best care. I wouldn't even think of letting anyone else care for them while I'm gone. I am an overprotective doggie Mom and Margie and her crew are wonderful. I love the updates from each visit that I see when I get back into town.

I have TOTAL peace of mind and that's important, especially considering I'm thousands of miles away and I live in the desert where there are all kinds of wildlife which could harm my little dogs. I have been using TLC for over 3 years consistently. If you are considering a pet sitter than this is the one for you!
Mary Erin Carr
Dec 04, 2015
Margie and her trusted team have been lifesavers for our furry family for 8 years. Its such a relief to be on a trip and not have to worry about our pets at home. We can completely depend on TLC for any surprises, like dealing with an unexpected house alarm malfunction to a last minute emergency overnight stay away.we have exprienced both! From treats, dog walks, picking up packages, and the dreaded cleaning of the cat litter. TLC does it all!

After a long vacation, its such a pleasure to come home to very happy animals that have been taken care of by loving and responsible fellow animal lovers. Thank you TLC for not only taking care of my kitty Cat and lazy doggie, but also watching over my house and keeping it safe.
Rose Mullins
Sep 29, 2015
TLC treats your pets like you would if you were there. Totally trust worthy add well.
S. S.
Jun 24, 2015
I love these guys. They took care of my Uncle's old bloodhound while he was in the hospital. He isn't the easiest dog to get along with, but they are amazing. They come in and write down everything that is going on with the dog and the house. The staff is friendly and personable with the animals. I was resonsbile for taking care of his house while he was in the hosptial and TLC was great about keeping me posted on the dog, pool ect.

They are great. Margie thinks of everything so you can go away without a worry. They are also resonable priced for the services provided. They can do almost anything. They are kind and compassionate and are ready and willing to take care of pets and their owners!
Mireille Saghbazarian Saliba
Jan 10, 2015
TLC while you re away team are awesome! I couldn't be happier knowing that my kitties (coco & Chanel) are taking care of while we're traveling. You guys are awesome and we ve already referred many others to them!
Vanessa Fox
Nov 07, 2014
I was there at the very beginning with my baby Samson, it always has been a pleasure dealing with TLC While you're Away! I knew my Sammy was in great hands and company anytime I needed to go out of town. Thank you TLC, Thank you Margie;
Matthew McConkey
Oct 12, 2013
From the beginning to the end, TLC While You're Away was great. They met with me beforehand (for free!), to discuss their plan of action and meet my dogs. We went over every small detail and like clockwork, I left and they came over to take care of my dogs. They left a detailed report of each visit, my dogs appetite, their happiness and well being. When I came home, my dogs were happy as before I left. Thank you, TLC!
Joni Millavec
Dec 11, 2012
I have been using TLC for several years and their service has been outstanding. I have two fearful rescue dogs and they absolutely adore Margie and her crew. I can always rest easy when I'm travelling knowing my dogs are safe and well cared for. JoniM