Business Details
36 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Services in Northern California
Founded in 1990 by Kim Tank, a registered veterinary technician and Certified Professional Pet Sitter, our company has dedicated over three decades to providing compassionate pet care. We specialize in in-home pet sitting and dog walking services across Central Contra Costa County and parts of El Dorado County. Our team approach ensures consistent coverage with trained, bonded, and insured professionals who prioritize pet well-being through Fear Free Certified practices.With a commitment to ongoing staff training and secure client data management, we facilitate lifelong human-animal bonds by offering reliable care when owners are away. Our services include tailored visit scheduling, mail retrieval, and personalized pet attention that maintains familiar routines.
Services
Pet Sitting
Dog Walking
Vacation Care
Mail Retrieval
Pet Transportation
Medication Administration
Overnight Sitting
Emergency Visits
Senior Pet Care
Multi-Pet Services
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of professional pet care experience with certified staff
- Our team approach ensures 24/7 coverage with backup sitters available
- All staff receive ongoing training in pet first aid and Fear Free handling
- Secure client data management with digital visit tracking and updates
- Specialized cat care expertise from certified professionals
Associations and certifications
- Pet Sitters International (PSI)
- Fear Free Certified
What people say
Excellent care
Reliable service
Knowledgeable staff
Peace of mind
Great communication
Services
Pet Sitting
Our professional pet sitters provide 30-minute in-home visits for feeding, watering, litter box cleaning, and companionship. Services include mail retrieval, plant watering, and security checks during owner absences. Available 24/7 with flexible scheduling options.
Dog Walking
Daily dog walking services offer potty breaks and exercise for pets while owners work or travel. Each 30-minute session includes leash walking, bathroom breaks, and basic obedience reinforcement. Available for single or multiple dogs in the same household.
Vacation Care
Customized pet care plans for extended absences include multiple daily visits, overnight stays, and personalized attention to pet routines. Services maintain medication schedules, feeding preferences, and special care requirements during owner vacations.
Senior Pet Care
Specialized care for aging pets includes medication administration, mobility assistance, and health monitoring. Our trained staff follows veterinarian instructions for managing chronic conditions and providing comfort to elderly animals in their home environment.
Emergency Visits
Last-minute pet care services address unexpected schedule changes with rapid response times. Available 24/7 for urgent needs like medication delivery, pet check-ins during power outages, or care continuity during family emergencies.
People
Kim Tank
CEO & Chief of Staff
Veterinary technician with 13 years hospital experience, Certified Professional Pet Sitter through PSI, and Fear Free Certified. Founded Apronstrings in 1990, contributing to industry standards through conference speaking and mentoring.
Howard Tank
CFO
Manages administrative operations since 2013, specializing in client onboarding and scheduling. Coordinates team logistics while maintaining quality control standards across all service areas.
Joanne Ottone
Head of IT
Designed the secure APS database system and scheduling app. Combines technical expertise with pet care knowledge to maintain digital infrastructure and client data security protocols.
Vicki
Team Leader
Certified pet care specialist with teaching background, managing complex pet care schedules. Experienced with multiple pet households and special needs animals through personal and professional experience.
Trevor
Pet Care Specialist
Veteran team member since 2008, providing continuity in service quality. Trained in emergency response procedures and experienced in handling pets during unexpected situations.
Questions
What areas do you service?
We serve Central Contra Costa County and select parts of El Dorado County including Walnut Creek, Concord, Placerville, and Pollock Pines.
Are your staff certified?
All staff receive pet first aid training, with many Fear Free Certified. Our founder holds veterinary technician credentials and industry certifications.
How do you handle emergencies?
Our 24/7 team approach ensures backup sitters and immediate response capability for urgent pet care needs at any hour.
Can I meet my pet sitter beforehand?
Yes, we schedule on-site meetings to introduce caregivers to pets and review home specifics before service begins.
How are visits scheduled?
Contact us by phone or email to arrange services. We use secure software for scheduling and real-time visit updates.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards and electronic payments through our secure client portal system.
Reviews (1)
T. T.
Oct 31, 2019
Report
Excellent pet sitting service in the east bay. In-home visits while you are away no boarding necessary.
