Why Savvy Pet Parents Choose Local, Expert Dog Walkers Over Trending Apps

Jill Gasparac, owner and trainer of See Spot Stay, a Dog Walking and Dog Training business in West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills

If you love your pet like family, you wouldn't hand them over to just anyone. Yet, in today’s world of convenience, pet parents are unknowingly trusting their beloved dogs to gig workers with little to no experience—all because a flashy app makes it easy.

At See Spot Stay, we believe in something better: a small, expert-led, local business where your pet’s safety comes first. Our clients don’t just hire us for convenience (our booking process is real simple)—they choose us because they know experience matters.

The Dark Side of Corporate Dog Walking Apps

Big tech startups have flooded the pet care industry, luring in dog owners with sleek apps and low ball pricing. But have you ever wondered who’s actually walking your dog?

The hiring process at these corporations often consists of a multiple-choice quiz, watching a short video, and not even a phone call interview. Their “hands-on” training? A three-minute test fitting harnesses onto a dummy dog. That’s not enough.

Time and time again, we see these gig-economy walkers struggling with basic handling skills, texting or talking on the phone when walking clients dogs. Worse, tragic stories of lost, injured, or even deceased pets tied to these companies are disturbingly common.

Don’t just take our word for it—Google these companies along with the words “pet death” and see for yourself. Here are just a few examples.

• Pet dies after dog walker error

• Wag! facing Uber-like scrutiny

• Dogs lost under app-based care

Why Local, Woman-Owned Businesses Are the Smarter Choice

Unlike faceless corporations, See Spot Stay is built on expertise, trust, and quality over quantity. We don’t outsource your pet’s care to random applicants who think owning a dog makes them qualified. We hire selectively, train extensively, and prioritize safety over profits.

At one point, we expanded and hired multiple walkers—the quality of applicants was alarming. It took weeks to find just one qualified individual to train. Since then we have downsized to just one full-time walker, Zeke, so your dog will have the same dog walker every day, we have found this to be the best experience for our clients.

Zeke, full-time dog walker in West Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills. Experienced. Bonded. Insured.

“Cheap” Dog Walking Comes at a Cost

We understand the appeal of convenience and low prices, but when it comes to your pet’s safety, you get what you pay for. Big businesses operate on a “more is better” philosophy—more walks, more hires, more money—but at what cost? Dogs are getting lost and killed by these companies. Why risk your dog’s well-being with a company that prioritizes making money over workers skill?

Choose Quality. Choose Experience. Choose See Spot Stay.

We’re here to provide a premium, personalized, and professional experience for pet parents who value expertise.

Your dog deserves the best—support small, local, expert-led pet care.

📍 Serving West Hollywood & the Hollywood Hills. 📩 Contact us today to give your pet the care they deserve!