Our Value
We strive to bring the best quality to every Potomac Paws client.
LICENSED, INSURED, AND BONDED
Our pets are our family. We understand how important your pets are and want to make sure our clients and their pets are protected. Becoming insured and bonded was not only essential to our business, but also for our clients’ peace of mind. We have clients who need to ensure that whether they have a new puppy, or a pet that is near end of life, that their pet will have the best possible care every single visit. We are dedicated to caring for your furry family members and strive to do all we can to ensure their safety.
INDIVIDUAL AND SPECIALIZED ATTENTION
Pets, like humans, are different in age, size, weight, build, and energy. We want each pet to have a custom experience, tailored to their needs and giving them the right care. We typically walk with dogs individually to ensure they get the proper care and promote safety throughout. Multiple dogs being walked are with the same family unless two clients specifically request interaction between their pets. This maximizes the dog’s opportunity to get the interaction and care needed at every visit.
FINDING WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR PET
During our free, in-person meet and greet visit, we want to get to know you and your pet. We adjust our approach based on your pet’s personality and temperament to ensure your pet is cared for as if it was our own. Exercising and human engagement with pets have many positive benefits:
curbing aggressive/disobedient behavior; reduces hyperactivity, fat, and weight; and improves overall health (including muscle, endurance, mental stability).
Our goal is simple; we want to make sure every client is getting the specific care they want and need for their pets, with an expectation that Potomac Paws will deliver that care each and every time.
COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY
One issue with a service industry is knowing if people actually show up and do the work we commit to. Potomac Paws is unwaivering in our integriy and commitment to our clients and their pets. In 2021, we launched a customer portal and app for clients to receive updates after each visit and allows for direct communication with our clients! We provide details of each visit, documenting the service specific to your pet and photos of your pet from the visit. We want to ensure every pet owner has complete trust and peace of mind.
We also keep pricing transparent. Clients have access to their current and previous invoices at all times and we make our service agreement available to all clients in their client portal so all policies can be reviewed at any time! We also send invoices out so clients know exactly what to expect.
FLEXIBLE SERVICES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
Since all of our clients’ needs are different, we provide the specific level of service is needed and are often available for impromptu visits. Also, we don’t charge extra during visits to check mail, set out/bring in trash bins, feed, or administer oral medication.
Our cancellation policy is tiered to balance the flexibility that may be needed with clients, while also being mindful of our staff’s schedule and being availabile to support our clients.
TEAM MEMBERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
It can be extremely difficult to trust someone new to be responsible for your pets and your home. Potomac Paws strives to hire within our service area, and neighboring ZIP codes to ensure our team members are also members of our community. Our team already knows the neighborhoods and community and allows our team to provide greater flexibility and continuity of care.
All team members use our client portal so you receive consistent communication.
Dog Walking & Letouts
Activity and human interaction is a key part of a dog’s wellbeing. We strive to give every home specialized care that meets the specific needs of you and your pet(s). Our attention is always on the pup(s) we are walking to ensure their safety and wellbeing are always met.
If you have a dog that doesn’t like to walk, we also provide letouts in the yard so your pets can get outside time, have a potty break, and have social interaction with us!
Potomac Paws is accepting all clients at this time, including morning and mid-day visits.
Pet Care Services
Whether you are gone for the day, or taking a week+ long trip, Potomac Paws provides the care for your pets as if they were ours. We work to make sure every family has visits for their pets that meet their needs. We have taken care of pets for as long as 31 continuous days.
All pet care is subject to scheduling availability. Please contact us for more information!
2027 Pricing
We do not charge extra for initial meet and greets or for administering medication. All meet and greets are in person to establish earlier trust with your pets.
Rates For As-Needed Visits (Single Pet / Multi-pet):
15-minute visit: $22.50 / $26.00
20-minute visit: $26.00 / $29.50
30-minute visit*: $35.00 / $38.50
Reduced Rate for Regular Visits (Single Pet / Multi-pet): 15-minute visit: $21.37 / 24.70
20-minute visit: $24.70 / $28.02
30-minute visit*: $33.25 / $36.58
*For visits longer than 20 minutes, please inquire as subject to scheduling availability.
Areas outside of coverage area are billed an $5 per visit in addition to visit rate and subject to availability.
Pet Sitting or for 3+ daily visits:
Any petsitting of less than 3 visits per day for dogs will REQUIRE dogs to have self access to the outside for potty breaks.
2027 Pet Sitting Rates for Single Pet / Multi-pet**
3 visits per day: $88.00 / $98.50
4 visits per day: $104.00 / $118.00
The above rates are based on 20-minute visits + $10 daily rate per calendar day. Care requiring additional visits or longer time at visits will result in higher pricing.
For 4 visits, we schedule early morning, late morning/early afternoon, evening, and a late-night visit.
Cat-only sitting: Cost varies and will be billed based on the above 15-minute or 20-minute increments and on the requested number of daily visits. The daily rate will be applied if 3 or more visits are needed in a calendar day.
**If you have a preferred schedule or length of visits needed, please contact Potomac Paws directly about specific care plan needed and associated pricing.
Additional services such as watering plants or gardens can be done duirng visits, but will be subject to supplemental pricing should the visit run over the scheduled time.
Accepted Payments:
Credit Card, Debit Card, ACH, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, Zelle
What’s Included
Potomac Paws customizes our care to meet the needs of each client and their pet(s).
Visits include:
– Outdoor activity with walks or backyard play for pets to go potty and have social time
– Feeding and treats as requested by client
– Water bowl check and refill
– Administer oral medication (as needed)
– Wash used food bowls and dishes
– Paws, paw pads, and body wiped down during inclement weather
– Obedience and command reinforcement (through positive approach)
– “Pupdate” sent at each visit to include photo(s) or video(s) of your pet(s)
– For cats, we check litter every visit and love to interact with our kitty clients! We also can administer meds, and will do feedings (wet or dry) at whatever frequency is requested.
– We will also check mail, bring in packages, set out/bring in trash bins, clean up any pet messes, water plants (as requested) and any other small tasks asked.
Service Area
Our service area is the 22308 ZIP code:
At or south of Fort Hunt Road and Paul Spring Parkway intersection
At or south of Ridgecrest Drive and Lyndale Drive intersection
Clients east of GW Parkway are out-of-area. Clients living North of Apple Hill Road are out-of-area.
Any home outside of 22308 is also out-of-area.
Potomac Paws services the following communities and surrounding areas for dog walking and pet care:
Neighborhoods/Communities Supported:
ALL Fort Hunt-Stratford neighborhoods including:
Collingwood/Collingwood Road,
Collingwood Springs,
Hollin Hall,
River Bend Estates,
Stratford Landing,
Stratford on the Potomac,
Tauxemont,
Waynewood,
Wellington,
Williamsburg Manor
Contact us
If you are interested in our services, have questions, or need additional information,
please complete the from below!
Please include pertinent details so that we can best assist and get in contact with you.
If you have not received a reply within 2 days, please call or text us at 571-249-1997.
Please use the form below with your information and needs.
A little bit about Potomac Paws
How this whole thing started…
Potomac Paws owner Ryan Dempsey loves being around animals. As a kid, Ryan constantly interacted with his family’s dogs and worked on obedience and play.
Shortly after graduating college, Ryan and his wife Kerry adopted their first pet, a cat named Freckles. Because their cat has special needs that makes her quality of life best as a single pet, Ryan’s desire to adopt a dog was put on hold.
During his senior year of college, Ryan began his journey of what has become a passion for running (specifically, half-marathons). He has completed 16 total half-marathons, and has a personal goal of running a half-marathon in every state. Running also helped Ryan lose 74 pounds and gain confidence in life coaching.
In 2018, Ryan’s “puppy fever” was at an all-time high. Although he is still unable to adopt a dog of his own, Ryan realized that he could merge two passions into one dream, and thus Potomac Paws LLC was born…
Since October 2018, Ryan and the Potomac Paws team have provided care for more than 600 families in our community and supported the care for their pets while they are away!
Our Team:
Alana was one of the first Potomac Paws team members, originally joining the team in 2022! After graduating high school, Alana worked with Potomac Paws before pursing her education in animal health. Alana rejoined Potomac Paws in 2026 and in addition to her role with us, is a vet tech at a Fairfax vet office!
Amber joined Potomac Paws in the summer of 2026 and is a homeowner in the Fort Hunt Community. Amber has always loved animals of all kinds and is happiest when I’m around them. She’s a proud dog mom to a silly 65-pound Bernedoodle who keeps her laughing and reminds her that every animal has their own personality and quirks!
Ellen is a member of the Fort Hunt community and provides as-needed and pet sitting care for Potomac Paws! She joined Potomac Paws in 2023, and has an exceptional ability to connect with some of the furbabies that can be a bit more anxious with meeting new humans.
Julia joined the team in fall of 2026 and is a military spouse living in our community! She has a wonderful pup of her own and loves being outside during the day, walking and loving on every pup on her schedule!
Kerry is Ryan’s incredible behind-the-scenes incredibly supportive spouse that assists with administrative duties and pet visits on occasion to our clients. Without Kerry’s support of Ryan to pursue his dream of building this company, Potomac Paws would have never blossomed to the successful business it has become. Kerry is particularly obsessed with kitties and big breed dogs.
Lydia serves as Operatons Manager for Potomac Paws. Lydia is a graduate from UCSB with a degree in Sociology and joined Potomac Paws in 2023. She’s always considered the Ft. Hunt/Alexandria area her hometown, but as a member of a Foreign Service family she has lived in 6 countries! Lydia loves all dogs and cats and provides administrative support to Potomac Paws in addition to care visits!
Meggie joined Potomac Paws in fall of 2026 and is a lifelong dog lover with a big heart for four-legged friends! She loves spending time outdoors, going for walks, playing fetch, and making sure every pup feels safe, happy, and loved.
Melissa joined Potomac Paws in summer of 2026 and is a dog and cat lover who understands how important it is to take good care of pets when owners are traveling, working or just wanting some extra attention to be taken.
Mikayla joined Potomac Paws in winter of 2025. She has a passion for pets and when she’s not working, is pursing her other love; music!
Noor joined Potomac Paws in fall of 2026. She’s a lover of animals and has had dogs, cats, and lizards as pets.
Olivia joined Potomac Paws summer of 2026 and is a senior at West Potomac High School. She’s involved in choir and loves providing care for our pet sitting clients!
Quinn is a senior and joined Potomac paws in fall of 2026. She has 3 pups of her own and understand how important it is to give every pet the love, attention, and care they individually need!
Samantha is a George Mason graduate, earning a degree in events management. Born and raised in the Fort Hunt community, Sam joined Potomac Paws in 2022. She has a pup of her own and in her time away from the team, loves music festivals!
Samuel joined Potomac Paws in spring of 2025 as a junior at West Potomac. Sam is now attending college classes, and is excited to be back to provide care during breaks!
Soraya is a military spouse in the community and joined Potomac Paws in spring of 2026. She loves supporting our midday pups and walking in her community!
Sharon was the the first employee of Potomac Paws in 2021 and previouly owned and operated a successful pet-care business in Bethesda, Maryland for 6 years. Ryan has known Sharon since 2007 and she was instrumental in mentoring Ryan during the creation of Potomac Paws. Sharon provides weekday care to Potomac Paws clients along with spending time with her grandchildren!
Thomas joined Potomac Paws in spring of 2024! He’s a senior in college pursing his degree and has been a wonderful staple to the summer and winter breaks with pet sitting!
Will joined Potomac Paws in fall of 2026. He loves cats and dogs of all sizes and ages and has lived here in Alexandria his whole life! Will is excited to provide outstanding care to your furry friends.
Zoe joined Potomac Paws in the beginning of 2026. She’s a Fort Hunt native and currently attending classes at George Mason University!
Former Team Members:
Every team member, past and present, play an important part of the Potomac Paws mission. Thank you to our former team members who provided love, support and care of the commuity’s furbabies!!
Pictured center is our little angel Freckles (R.I.P.), flanked by my niece pups Fiona and Maggie.
