Business Details
22 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Pet Care Experts in Encinitas
Claws and Paws Pet Sitting has been dedicated to providing exceptional pet care since 2004. Founded by Gina McGrath, our team combines decades of experience with a deep passion for animals, offering personalized services tailored to each pet's unique needs. We specialize in daily dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care, and specialized services like pet taxi and emergency veterinary transport. Our team members are certified in pet first aid and CPR, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care. Recognized as the Best Dog Walking Service by Ranch & Coast Magazine readers from 2016 - 2021, we utilize GPS tracking technology to provide transparency and peace of mind. All services are conducted in clients' homes, with additional amenities like plant watering and mail retrieval included at no extra cost.We care for all types of pets, including dogs, cats, exotics, and livestock, with customized schedules available for busy professionals. Our commitment to continuous professional development through memberships in pet care associations and attendance at industry conferences ensures we remain at the forefront of best practices. With service areas covering Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, La Costa, and Solana Beach, we offer flexible booking options through our online client portal. Every team member undergoes a rigorous selection process to maintain our reputation for reliability, compassion, and excellence in pet care.
Services
Daily Dog Walking
Pet Sitting
Overnight Care
Live-In Service
Pet Taxi
Emergency Transport
Pet Supply Delivery
House Security Checks
Exotic Animal Care
Holiday Services
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Award-winning service since 2016 with 25+ years of combined experience
- Real-time GPS tracking for every dog walking session
- Customized care plans for pets with special needs
- Fully insured with certified pet care professionals
- Comprehensive services including emergency veterinary transport
Associations and certifications
- Pet Sitters Associates, LLC
- Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
What people say
Wonderful with senior pets
Professional and friendly
Peace of mind during travel
Gentle and patient
Reliable emergency response
Services
Daily Dog Walking
Customized walking schedules tailored to your pet's needs. Available daily or weekly with flexible timing options. Our certified caregivers ensure proper exercise and bathroom breaks while providing real-time GPS tracking updates.
Overnight Care
12-hour in-home pet supervision with unlimited walks and feeding. Caregivers provide companionship and administer medications. Includes litter box cleaning and basic house maintenance tasks during stays.
Pet Taxi Service
Safe transportation to veterinary appointments, grooming, or other destinations. Available for one-way or round-trip service. Professional handlers ensure pet comfort during transit across North County San Diego.
Emergency Transport
Rapid response pet transportation to veterinary clinics during emergencies. Available exclusively for existing clients. Caregivers prioritize immediate care access while maintaining animal safety during transit.
Pet Supply Delivery
Convenient delivery of pet food, medications, and supplies directly to your home. Charges include base rate plus supply costs. Ideal for urgent needs or busy pet owners requiring doorstep service.
People
Gina McGrath
Owner and Pack Leader
Pet care professional with 25+ years experience. Founded Claws and Paws in 2004 after operating a Connecticut pet sitting business. Holds Communications degree with Psychology minor. Industry leader with multiple awards.
John McGrath
Pet Care Professional
Certified caregiver supporting operations since 1996. Provides specialized care for large dogs and offers backup support. Combines technical expertise with hands-on experience managing complex pet care scenarios.
David Gatcha
Pet Care Professional
Five-year veteran with 174 completed services. Specializes in caring for dogs of all sizes and temperaments. Maintains 4.91 rating through personalized attention and consistent service quality across diverse client needs.
Julie Bonsack
Pet Care Professional
40-year pet care veteran with extensive experience in animal behavior. Certified in calming techniques for anxious pets. Combines grandmotherly warmth with professional expertise to create comforting care environments for all animals.
Hailey Carter
Pet Care Professional
MRI technologist bringing medical precision to pet care. Young professional with lifelong animal experience. Provides timely, reliable service while maintaining compassionate connections with every client's pets.
Questions
What areas do you service?
We serve Encinitas (including Olivenhain, Leucadia, Cardiff), Rancho Santa Fe, La Costa, and Solana Beach.
What types of pets do you care for?
We care for dogs, cats, small animals, horses, livestock, exotics, and birds with specialized handling techniques.
Are your services available on holidays?
Yes, we offer holiday services with advance scheduling and apply a nominal holiday fee for visits.
How do you handle emergency situations?
Our certified caregivers provide rapid response transport to veterinary clinics during emergencies for existing clients.
Can I track my pet's walking activity?
Yes, our GPS tracking app shows walk routes, duration, and provides photo reports after each service.
What certifications do your staff hold?
All team members are licensed, insured, and certified in pet first aid and CPR with ongoing professional development.
Reviews (6)
Lauren Park
Jan 27, 2021
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When we lived in the same vicinity in our prior home, Gina had taken care of our pups, kitties and ferrets, and she STILL IS the ONLY person my husband and I ever felt comfortable with leaving our key with for a prolonged period of time! We had terrible experiences with other sitters that I prefer not to recount. Suffice to say, that Gina is OUTSTANDING in EVERY ASPECT! (The BEST we've EVER Encountered after Experiencing several mediocre and poor situations with people who lacked skills in one area or another)! Gina scores 100% = a triple-A RATING in EVERY AREA and our pets ALL loved her, and our puppy literally jumped inside her car window whenever she pulled into our driveway, which, in actuality made her truly extraordinary!
Kristi Stout
Nov 19, 2020
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I have known Gina for over 6 years and she is the BEST! Professional, organized, kind and has a true love for animals. My dog loves her! I trust her and know that my pup is in the best hands.
Sandra Brown
Apr 26, 2020
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Gina is an attentive, reliable and caring dog walker. Our dogs are happy with her and we can count on her when we travel also. I really appreciate the daily "briefs" she provides. All around great service.
Maria Murphy Delaney
Mar 22, 2020
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We have used Gina for about 15 years. My parents use her as well. I have nothing but amazing things to say, she cares for my pets as if they were her own. When we have to be away from home I never worry, I know they are in amazing hands.
Jessica Novak
Mar 22, 2020
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My two cats and my fish are in good hands with Claws and Paws Pet Sitting Services. I've been using their services for over five years and have been very pleased. I highly recommend them!
Jennifer Spoor Brennan
Mar 21, 2020
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My dog loves her walkers! They have become more like members of our family. I highly recommend Claws & Paws to care for your pets needs.
