Business Details
28 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Comprehensive Pet Care Solutions
Founded in 1998 by Amy Mercadante, Affectionate Pet Care has grown from a local pet-sitting service into a premier pet care facility in Fairfax, Virginia. Our journey began with a passion for animals and a commitment to providing personalized, high-quality care. Over the years, we expanded our services to include cage-free boarding, dog daycare, grooming, training, and pet transportation, operating from a state-of-the-art 12,000-square-foot facility. Our team of 80+ experienced professionals is trained in pet first aid, CPR, and behavior management, ensuring the highest standards of safety and comfort.We are proud members of Pet Sitters International and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, reflecting our dedication to industry excellence. Our mission remains rooted in treating every pet as family, fostering strong relationships with clients, and supporting animal rescue initiatives through donations and foster programs.
Services
Cage-Free Boarding
Dog Daycare
Pet Grooming
Dog Training
In-Home Pet Sitting
Pet Transportation
Dog Walking
Canine Enrichment
Veterinary Pet Care
Foster Animal Support
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of experience in personalized pet care services.
- 80+ certified professionals trained in pet first aid and CPR.
- Customized care plans tailored to individual pet needs.
- 24/7 emergency support for urgent pet care situations.
- Industry-leading accreditations and partnerships with rescue organizations.
Associations and certifications
- Pet Sitters International
- Association of Pet Dog Trainers
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Petco Mentor Program
- CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
What people say
Outstanding job
Goes above and beyond
Thorough and professional
Loving care
Highly recommended
Services
Cage-Free Boarding
Our cage-free boarding provides a safe, social environment for pets to roam freely in spacious indoor and outdoor play areas. Trained staff monitor playgroups to ensure compatibility and safety. Ideal for dogs seeking a stress-free alternative to traditional kennels.
Dog Daycare
Structured daycare programs offer supervised play, exercise, and socialization in climate-controlled facilities. Services include group play, nap times, and personalized attention for dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
Pet Grooming
Professional grooming services include baths, haircuts, nail trimming, and ear cleaning using high-quality products. Certified groomers accommodate specific breed requirements and special needs pets.
Dog Training
Custom training programs focus on obedience, socialization, and behavior modification. Certified trainers use positive reinforcement techniques to address basic commands or advanced behavioral challenges.
In-Home Pet Sitting
Experienced sitters provide personalized care in pets' familiar environments, including feeding, medication administration, and companionship. Services available for dogs, cats, and exotic pets.
People
Amy Mercadante
Owner/Operator
Founder of Affectionate Pet Care with 25+ years in pet services. Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, active in rescue groups, and advocate for animal welfare. Holds expertise in pet nutrition, behavior, and training.
Stephanie
Head Groomer
Professional groomer since 1996 with expertise in detailed haircuts and rescue pet care. Advocate for pit bull rehabilitation and certified in pet first aid. Joined APC in 2003.
Greg
Afternoon Shift Manager
15-year APC veteran specializing in dog behavior management. Trains new staff in playgroup dynamics and ensures safety protocols. Rescues and rehabilitates dogs in his personal time.
Jenn Carrick
Canine Enrichment Coach
Certified Canine Fitness Trainer with a gerontology background. Develops enrichment programs combining physical and mental stimulation for dogs. Joined APC after three years in daycare operations.
Stacey
Grooming Manager
Professional groomer since 2004 with holistic pet wellness expertise. Specializes in all dog breeds and rescue animal care. Active volunteer at Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue.
Questions
What sets your cage-free boarding apart from traditional kennels?
Our facility allows pets to socialize in supervised playgroups with 12,000 sq ft indoor and 16,000 sq ft outdoor spaces tailored to different play styles.
Are your staff trained in pet emergencies?
All staff are certified in pet first aid and CPR, with managers trained in advanced emergency protocols.
Do you accommodate pets with special needs?
Yes, we provide medication administration, senior pet care, and customized play schedules for special needs animals.
What training methods do you use?
We employ positive reinforcement techniques focusing on reward-based learning for obedience and behavior modification.
How do you ensure pet safety during daycare?
Trained staff monitor playgroups 24/7, with temperament testing required for all new participants.
Can I tour the facility before booking?
Yes, we offer guided tours by appointment to showcase our play areas, boarding suites, and grooming stations.
Reviews (6)
Suzi L.
May 21, 2022
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Maria Hoffman takes amazing care of my aging disabled dogs! They're a handful for sure but I feel really good leaving them in her hands. They love her too. She's very reliable and sends me pictures of them when she's visiting. Love it!
Kelly Keeler
Apr 27, 2022
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We use Affectionate Pet for daycare and boarding. When we started, our dog needed help socializing (who didn't after Covid?!). They were very good with her and worked with her. She's made huge improvements. I do wish they had an option for online booking but emailing or calling isn't too bad. Do reserve early - they book up for both daycare and boarding.
Faiad Shaban
Jan 25, 2022
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First time mini Labradoodle I will update with pics however first impressions are awesome. They have a great staff. Very responsive and the babies are not caged while they wait. Great pricing, definite recommendation
Melanie Odria
Jan 12, 2022
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We love this place! My dog gets tired when he comes back from daycare. The staff at this place is wonderful and such a delight to work with. I recommended this place to a lot of my coworkers and they to love it!
Barbara Fleming
Dec 06, 2021
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I've used this place several times for day care. I like the outside area for them to play in, but everytime I have asked to see the indoor area the dogs are put into, they have a reason why I cant see it. I'd really like to see the play area they put them in.
Kelley Baskin
Oct 21, 2021
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My dog loves going here and Stacy is so good at grooming him (mini poodle mix) but every time he's at daycare he comes home smelling like urine. He's white so you can literally see the yellow patches of urine on him. Also he's gotten kennel cough from there before and after a recent 2 day boarding visit he came home with conjunctivitis in his left eye. It's just not worth boarding or bringing him to daycare there. Besides the front office staff could be friendlier; they've gotten worse over the years.
