I can't say enough great things about this business and wish I could give it more stars. I've used…read moretheir service in one of two different ways (we have multiple pets including dogs, cats and birds). In one way, I've used their service when our family is away from the house all or most of a single day. I can schedule an individual appointment or two, and pick the times to request for simple feeding, dog walks, etc.
In the second way, I've started using their service when we are on vacation and will be away from the house for an extended/overnight period. I'm sure leaving your pets for days at a time certainly can be stressful for them, but it makes sense to me that is would be considerably less stressful if you keep their surroundings the same (rather than take them to a kennel or another business, where they would have to adjust to a new setting, new care-giver, new schedules, etc.). For extended care visits, I will typically schedule 4 visits a day while I'm out, and I've found it to be about the same price as the kennel option we were using. As an added bonus, they can also take care of things like mail, watering plants, trash delivery and house lights while you're out!
What really sets HB apart from other options, IMO, in addition to the great and friendly care they give, is the incredible communication they provide. After each visit, you get an email letting you know they've completed service, along with a link to your personal online account where you can get more information - including specific services provided, any issues reported and even pictures of your pets. Text messages are responded to immediately if you have a question/concern. Requesting a new appointment is a breeze with their easy to use website, and it gives you a place and opportunity to include any specific details the pet sitters should know.
Now, I would like to say that everything will always go smoothly when you leave your pets in their care, but these are living creatures, and sometimes problems do occur. When our greyhound suddenly got sick (through no fault of Homeward Bound) while we were 2000 miles away from home, I can't begin to describe how they went over and beyond what was expected of them. At the tip of the iceberg, when it was decided he needed medical care, the owner of Homeward Bound took our sick dog home with her, staying up with him all night long in her own house, before taking him to get the medical attention he needed in the morning. Now hopefully, my pets (and yours) won't need that type of service again, but isn't it comforting to know if they do, Homeward Bound has you covered?
Finally, I wanted to comment the one negative review I found of this establishment after reading it with an open mind. But in reading the gentleman's complaint, it's apparently obvious that he never actually used the service and his only gripe is that he wasn't able to get schedule service during the busy holiday time. To me, this is like downgrading a popular restaurant that can't find a table for you on a busy Saturday night when you walk in without a reservation. It is true that during the major holidays (their peak season), they might impose requirements for advanced notice for scheduling so they can ensure they have enough staff scheduled to meet their customer's needs. But the deadlines are typically well communicated to their customers and again, only apply during major holidays (ie, normally Christmas and Thanksgiving). Outside of that, I've found them to be extremely flexible in scheduling services, even on very short notice.
