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Filipa & Kiki I.

Montrose, TX

5.0 out of 5 stars
•167 reviews
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Experienced Dog Lover For Your Pup!

Pet care experience

Thanks for checking out our profile and we look forward to hearing from you to care for your pups. Currently only offering services to new clients and their pups for walking and drop-in services. Until further notice, will not be able to accommodate new guests for boarding or daycare. _________________________________________ Our home has only one full-time dog resident, caged birds and boarding guests are low-volume to ensure we are able to provide your pet with it's much needed personal care while they are temporary members of our household. We are able to board most pet types, inclcuding parrots and small mammals. We are unfortunately unable to board cats but drop-in visits in your home can be arranged. To help ensure that we will be the right fit for you and your dog, please make sure you read this entire profile and understand any additional fees that may apply (listed at end of profile) before contacting me to avoid rate misunderstandings. Rates are inclusive of all care required within our home or at your home, along with plenty of photos/ videos, sent to your preferred method or in a group chat with your loved ones so you can share the moments together even you are away from each other. I've been sitting dogs for family, friends etc for many years prior; however, in September 2014 started boarding through the website and named the service PlayPalace Home Boarding. My partner Kiki has been involved with the pups for 5 years and they always adore each other. In the past I have personally owned and cared for mostly larger breeds, however my current dog is my first small dog who is a 9+ year old happy go lucky pup that I've had since she was a puppy. The first time I became a dog owner was 26 yrs ago. I am a major animal lover who has a passion for seeing happy doggies. I have volunteered at and fostered for rescues, and take any opportunity to play with dogs. As a care taker, I have experience not only with administering oral medication but also with sub-q injections after being trained by dog's veterinarian. We also have 2 small parrots that are caged around our pawed guests; however we would prefer to be informed beforehand of any predator triggers, behavioral or temperament issues your pouche may have, so we can keep everyone safe. Please understand that just because your dog is friendly and gets excited when seeing or meeting other dogs, it does not mean they are completely socialized. Some dogs can trigger others by not respecting personal space (both with dogs and humans) therefore I would have to correct that behavior so they know how to act the next time that scenario occurs. I also want to be consistent with the boundaries and structure you as the owner have provided in order to keep your dog balanced in this new environment. Most of all, please be honest about your dog's habits so that I can be prepared to best care for your pouche. Please understand that the less time I spend correcting them, the more time I can spend giving them love and fun. My goal is to make sure all the doggies have a blast; however, beyond that our priority is their safety and that they are a good fit for our pack. Therefore if it is not a last minute request then I always require a meet-and-greet. Please note I don't usuallty accept last minute requests for services in my home but I am happy to assist if available, depending on pack compatability and ability to separate if needed. I have no breed preferences but I do not host any aggressive dogs, and they must be fixed, socialized and shots up to date. The more disciplined and balanced your dog is, the more fun it will have. I do my best to enforce the same rules on our guests as we would expect from my own dog whilst disciplining them as you would. If your dog is not well-balanced (and you know your dog and it's behaviors better than anyone else, both good and naughty), then it will spend the first few days of it's stay learning the basic house rules. Most dogs pick up pretty fast and are able to fit in well with our pack, others require a little more time to adjust. That being said, they also get plenty of one-on-one tlc throughout the day when they are calm submissive. No dog is perfect, they all need a little extra tlc in different areas and it's all connected somehow. I truly believe that the the key to having a well balanced dog is a combination of exercise/ (mental) discipline/ affection + calm assertive human= calm submissive dog. Then we can provide them with more play and less basic obedience once they have adapted to our pack. Dogs that are not from the same household are not left unsupervised together. If I am hosting multiple guests you will be informed. However your dog will need to be crated (or left in the playpen) when left unsupervised since this is our home and it wouldn’t be unexpected for a dog to potentially act differently in a new place than at their own home. Which is also why we request owners being their pup’s own crate (when possible) that they are already used to so they are comfortable being in it when at new place. As you can see we put a lot of our time into the well being and mental balance of our guests to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone involved so I hope you feel this could be a good fit for your babies. I can't wait to have your pups over so I can love on them one-on-one and keep my 4-paw daughter entertained. I work from home so the pups have company most of the day. Usually, when we are both gone from home, it’s rarely over 3 hours, up to 5 max on rare occasions which we avoid. Our home has a large open living area and plenty of indoor space. The house is inside a private gate and there is a private fenced in back yard too where we spend lots of time playing fetch. I allow playtime throughout the day and exercise them quite a bit since a tired doggy is a happy doggy :-) ***POLICIES & ADDITIONAL FEES*** Holiday fee- Per Rover policy, applies to all nights/ walks/ drop-ins on a booking. This fee is applied to every pet for boarding/ daycare services and to the first pet on Drop-in/ Walks services. Holiday fee is applicable to the entire stay when it overlap the holiday day or the weekend of the following federal and cultural holidays: - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - President's Day - Valentine's Day - Easter - Memorial Day - 4th of July - Labor Day - Halloween - Thanksgiving (Wednesday- Sunday) - Christmas through New Year's (Dec. 23rd- Jan.2nd) Drop in visits/ walks/ daycare ADDITIONAL FEES: • +$5/ per visit/ walk/ daycare booking during bookings that fall on holiday weekends (see applicable holidays above). • Transport services can be requested. Rates listed below. Boarding: Base rate- •$45/ night. • Rate covers 24hrs. If boarding is extended by 2-8 additional hours beyond the cover time, an Extended Care fee of 50% of your nightly rate applies. If the extended care is more than 8 additional hours, 100% of the nightly rate applies. • +$10/ night during the holidays or holiday weekends as well as any other other applicable base rates. • $15/ night for pups under 1 year older. • +$10/ night for pups that are over the age of 1 but under the age of 2 because of the extra basic obedience training required, energy etc. Pups under the age of 2 may also still have excitement tinkles, therefore this fee would cover the any additional time required to address those age related incidents. On a case-by-case basis, over time this fee may be waived depending on how disciplined and balanced your pup is. • Only guest fee - We we typically host pups from 2-3 different families at a time but limit the number of guests by a maximum three guest households at a time and will only consider dogs from an additional household if they are compatible with the guests on an existing booking or if there is availabilitily to separate. If either due to personal preference or for other reasons you require for your dogs to be the only guests during the stay then that can be guaranteed by purchasing the remaining spot at $40/ per night for dates where there are no other bookings during that time. Unaltered dogs may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may incur an additional fee if it is determined special accommodations need to be made. Females in heat are never accepted for any boarding or daycare guests. If your dog comes into heat during a stay, you will be required to make immediate alternate pet care arrangements through an emergency contact, your vet office or other. If arrangements are not made in a timely manner, an additional daily fee of $100 will be applied. • If your pup is older than 2 and is still a strong leash puller or has behavioral issues that require significant attention, then there is an additional charge of $5/ night. This is because as strong leash puller is more physically demanding and throws off the balance of the rest of the pack. When a dog is unable to walk with the pack it often results in requiring me to do extra walks which takes playtime and tlc away from other dogs. I want to enjoy the walk as much as your dog therefore please also be mindful of the type of collar, harness and leash you use on your pups since it can play a huge role on how your dog walks and whether you can make it heel for you. Please make sure you always provide sitters with the correct tools for your specific dog (and their unique behavior) which means an appropriate collar or harness. I am happy to provide suggestions and give you some options. Additional examples of behavioral issues would be dogs that are chronic whiners or barkers and if your adult dog has a history of indoor marking, please be honest and understand we may need to crate it for up to 4-6 hrs max (usually less). It's not right for any sitter to have to clean up after a grown dog and if you are honest with us about potential issues you are aware of then we can be pro-active in preventing accidents. • +$5/ night for senior dogs with incontinence that is not well managed with medication. Daycare: Base rate- $40/ day. ADDITIONAL FEES: • Rate covers 12hrs. If the difference between pick-up and drop-off is more than 30 minutes past the 12hr mark then full age apporiate boarding rate will apply. Transport Services: For boarding, daycare, walks and drop in services; pick-up and drop-off can be arranged for an $10 each way, within 3-mile distance from my home, for distances beyond 3-miles, an additional fee will apply. If I am required to wait or attend an appointment with your pet, this time is charged at the same rate as in-home drop-in visits, $20 per 30 mins or +$10 for 1-hour. Additional boarding discounts: • $5/ night for additional dogs (additional fees listed above still apply) • $5/ night on bookings that exceed 20 nights. This discount is not per dog and is only applied to the 21st night onwards.

Reviews

Anna C.
Drop-In Visits • Feb 17, 2024
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Filipa was thorough and excellent with our cats! Sent daily updates and videos after drop in visits, was flexible when we needed to add an extra day, and overall was one of the best Rover pet sitters we have had. It’s always nice to know your pets are being well cared for, and I appreciate Filipa’s attentiveness. Thank you!!

Travis T.
Drop-In Visits • Sep 30, 2023
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Filipa did a great job and was extremely thorough! Our dog was in great hands with her while we were away.

Sabrina
Doggy Day Care • Sep 12, 2023
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Filipa is amazing with Tabasco. I’ve had her take him walking, she’s pick him up and brought him home for day care stays. I always get loads of pictures and updates too. She is very safety conscious and cares so well for my baby when he is in her care. I just can’t think of anyone better equipped and prepared.

Mac S.
Drop-In Visits • Aug 15, 2023
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Filipa took wonderful care of my boys. I could tell they like her by the photos and videos posted. She also took care of several small things I had forgotten to handle before leaving for my trip. Cannot say enough good things and will not hesitate to book again!

About Filipa & Kiki I.

Communication

64 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
70% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

27 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

Our gated front yard, fenced backyard keeps the pups secure when outdoors off-leash. Our pup Blondie helps any newbie feel at home. For services provided in the client's home, instructions and precautions are taken to ensure a safe environment for all.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has caged pets
Has 2 dogs
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture

Information Filipa & Kiki I. would like to know about your pet

We don’t have breed preferences however I do not host aggressive dogs.. All dogs must be fixed with verifiable up-to date shots, heartworms and tick/ flee preventative. Since every dog is different, I request that all new guest owners return a questionnaire that will help determine if a dog will be a good fit for our home and so I know how to best care for your pup. Intact dogs will only be considered on a case-by-case basis if there are no other dogs booked may be subject to an only-guest-fee.

A typical day

Depending on the guest (age, health condition etc), 2 x daily 15-30 min walks and 1 longer walk 45mins- 1 hr, plus often a few shorter potty breaks too. Since we have secured fenced yard, we enjoy spending time outdoors with the pups. We walk daily in our neighborhood and we often walk them to Buffalo Bayou that's within walking distance. On a case-by-case basis we may take a guest to the dog park at the owner's request. We also enjoy Memorial Park, Houston Arboretum or to Lake Conroe for some fun by the lake. If we want some off-leash fun without strange dogs around, we have access to a secured, fenced 5,000sq area where the pups can roam freely and play safely under supervision. In order to safely travel in our car, a harness must to be provided for seat belt tethering. Backyard hang-outs are a daily thing when the weather allows, and we play fetch if your pup is into that. Daily musts include getting plenty of snuggles and pets while lazing around at home.

Services

Drop-In Visits
visits in your home
$20per visit
Dog Walking
in your neighborhood
$25per walk
Boarding
in the sitter's home
AWAY
Doggy Day Care
in the sitter's home
AWAY

Filipa & Kiki can host

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Spayed and neutered dogs
No females in heat
Crate-trained dogs only

Filipa & Kiki can watch in your home

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Availability

Since I work from home, dogs being boarding in our home fit into our daily routine along with our own pets while providing drop-in's/ walks as needed to clients in their homes.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Drop-In Visits Cancellation Policy:

About Filipa & Kiki I.

Communication

64 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
70% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

27 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

Our gated front yard, fenced backyard keeps the pups secure when outdoors off-leash. Our pup Blondie helps any newbie feel at home. For services provided in the client's home, instructions and precautions are taken to ensure a safe environment for all.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has caged pets
Has 2 dogs
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture

Information Filipa & Kiki I. would like to know about your pet

We don’t have breed preferences however I do not host aggressive dogs.. All dogs must be fixed with verifiable up-to date shots, heartworms and tick/ flee preventative. Since every dog is different, I request that all new guest owners return a questionnaire that will help determine if a dog will be a good fit for our home and so I know how to best care for your pup. Intact dogs will only be considered on a case-by-case basis if there are no other dogs booked may be subject to an only-guest-fee.

A typical day

Depending on the guest (age, health condition etc), 2 x daily 15-30 min walks and 1 longer walk 45mins- 1 hr, plus often a few shorter potty breaks too. Since we have secured fenced yard, we enjoy spending time outdoors with the pups. We walk daily in our neighborhood and we often walk them to Buffalo Bayou that's within walking distance. On a case-by-case basis we may take a guest to the dog park at the owner's request. We also enjoy Memorial Park, Houston Arboretum or to Lake Conroe for some fun by the lake. If we want some off-leash fun without strange dogs around, we have access to a secured, fenced 5,000sq area where the pups can roam freely and play safely under supervision. In order to safely travel in our car, a harness must to be provided for seat belt tethering. Backyard hang-outs are a daily thing when the weather allows, and we play fetch if your pup is into that. Daily musts include getting plenty of snuggles and pets while lazing around at home.

Location

Houston, TX

Filipa & Kiki I.'s Neighborhood

Pets

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Filipa & Kiki I.

Montrose, TX

5.0 out of 5 stars
•167 reviews