20+ years of in-home pet sitting and dog walking in University Park, TX
Official service providers of Microsoft and Oracle
Looking for a Trusted Pet Sitter in University Park?
University Park is the kind of place that looks like a movie set of the perfect American neighborhood — tree-lined streets, manicured parks, families walking dogs past historic homes, and the shaded sidewalks of the SMU campus anchoring the eastern side. Together with Highland Park, it forms the Park Cities — one of the most sought-after enclaves in all of Texas, served by HPISD (ranked #1 among all 5A/6A school districts in the state), with its own police department, its own library, and a median home price north of $2 million.
University Park is also a deeply dog-loving community. You’ll see dogs on every block, at Snider Plaza, along the SMU campus paths, and in every park. But the pet sitting challenge here is the same as in any affluent, tightly knit neighborhood: trust and discretion matter more than convenience. Pet sitting apps send whoever is available — you need someone who understands the Park Cities culture, respects your home, and becomes a recognized presence in your neighborhood. DFW Pet Sitting has served University Park families since 2003 with W-2 employees who live locally and treat every home as their own.
Why University Park Pet Owners Choose DFW Pet Sitting
We’re Not an App — We’re an Employer
Every pet sitter you’ll meet from DFW Pet Sitting is a W-2 employee. That means we handle hiring, screening, background checks, training, insurance, bonding, and ongoing management. You’re not trusting a stranger’s self-written profile — you’re trusting a company that has completed over one million pet care visits since 2003 and carries full commercial liability coverage on every single one.
Your Sitter Lives Near University Park
We assign pet sitters who live within a five-mile radius of your home. Whether you’re near Snider Plaza, along Hillcrest Road, in the Volk Estates, close to the SMU campus, off Preston Road near Preston Center, or in the residential streets between Lovers Lane and Mockingbird, your sitter is local. They know your streets, your parks, and your community rhythms.
One Sitter, One Key, One Relationship
The person you meet at your free consultation is the only person who will ever enter your home. In University Park, where neighbors recognize who comes and goes, this consistency matters. Your sitter becomes a familiar, trusted face on your block — not a rotating cast of strangers. We don’t share your key or access code with anyone else. If your sitter has a true emergency, we follow our published Pet Sitting Emergency Protocol and contact you before making any changes.
Our University Park Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Services
Daily Dog Walking
University Park professionals commute to downtown Dallas, Uptown offices, or corporate campuses along the Tollway and US-75. If your workday leaves your dog home alone, our midday dog walking service fills the gap. We visit on your schedule, provide a walk through the neighborhood or along the SMU campus, refresh water, and give your dog the exercise and companionship they need. University Park’s walkable, shaded streets make it one of the best dog walking environments in DFW.
Vacation & Travel Pet Sitting
University Park families travel frequently — SMU game-day weekends, holiday trips, and business travel are a way of life. Your pets stay in their own home, in their own routine, with a sitter who already knows them. We handle feeding, medication, playtime, mail and package retrieval, light rotation, and daily photo updates. Your home looks occupied and your pets stay stress-free.
Cat Sitting
Cats thrive in their own territory — no carriers, no car rides, no unfamiliar smells. Your sitter visits on your schedule to feed, clean the litter box, provide fresh water, and spend quality one-on-one time. University Park has a strong cat population in both the single-family homes and the condos and apartments near SMU.
Puppy & Senior Pet Care
University Park families love their puppies — and puppies need extra visits for housebreaking, socialization, and energy management. Senior pets may need medication administration, gentle mobility support, or more frequent check-ins. We customize every care plan to your pet’s life stage.
Multiple Pet Households
Many University Park families have dogs, cats, and sometimes birds or small animals. We handle multi-pet households in a single visit with no surprise upcharges.
Pet-Friendly Spots Our University Park Sitters Love
University Park has ten beautifully maintained city parks and some of the most walkable, dog-friendly streets in all of Dallas. Here are the favorites our sitters recommend:
Goar Park (Centennial Park)
University Park’s community hub with open lawns, a gazebo, soccer fields, walking trails, and picnic areas. Host of the annual Park Cities Fourth of July Parade. A go-to for leashed dog walks and a gathering spot for families with pets year-round.
Coffee Park
Recently renovated with a trail system, historical dioramas, picnic spots, athletic fields, and the ADA-compliant Murzin Playground. One of our sitters’ favorite routes for midday walks — shaded, quiet, and well-maintained.
Williams Park
Features lighted pickleball courts, an ADA playground, a fishing lake, walking trails, and the community’s beloved “LOVE” sculpture. A pleasant loop walk for dogs who enjoy a scenic, relaxed outing.
Caruth Park
A peaceful park with a pond, open fields, and walking paths that feel almost countryside despite the urban setting. Popular with dog walkers who prefer a quieter atmosphere.
SMU Campus
The shaded sidewalks and beautifully landscaped grounds of the SMU campus are one of the best dog-walking routes in University Park. Your dog will get plenty of attention from students and professors. Watch for hot pavement in summer — our sitters time walks for mornings and evenings.
Snider Plaza
University Park’s de facto town square. While not a park, many shops welcome leashed dogs, and several restaurants have dog-friendly patios. A great destination for an afternoon stroll with your pup.
University Park Areas We Serve
Our University Park sitters cover the full city, including:
Snider Plaza / Hillcrest corridor
The heart of University Park. Walkable shopping, restaurants, and the library. Dense with families and their dogs. One of our busiest service areas.
Volk Estates
Architecturally distinctive homes on large lots in one of University Park’s most prestigious residential sections.
SMU campus area
Apartments, condos, and refurbished buildings near the university. A mix of faculty, professionals, and graduate students with pets.
Preston Road / Preston Center
The western edge of University Park near the Tollway, with a mix of single-family homes and upscale apartment communities. Quick access to shopping and dining.
Lovers Lane to Mockingbird residential streets
The classic University Park experience: tree-lined streets, historic and renovated homes, and a neighborhood where dogs are on every block.
Northwest Highway corridor
The northern edge of the city, with established homes, mature trees, and proximity to NorthPark Center.
We also serve the surrounding neighborhoods of Highland Park, Turtle Creek, Uptown, Knox-Henderson, North Dallas, Lake Highlands, and Preston Hollow from our University Park branch.
How It Works — Three Easy Steps
Step 1: Contact Us
Call 214-574-7387, text 214-360-7367, or book online. Tell us about your pets, your schedule, and what you need.
Step 2: Free Meet-and-Greet
We’ll match you with a local University Park sitter and schedule a free in-home consultation. You’ll meet your sitter, walk through your pet’s routine, and hand off a key. No obligation.
Step 3: We Take Care of the Rest
Your sitter follows the care plan you set. Our management team monitors every visit in real time. You get photo updates and peace of mind.
What Sets DFW Pet Sitting Apart from Apps Like Rover
| DFW Pet Sitting | Rover / Wag / Apps | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Type | W-2 employees | Independent contractors |
| Background Checks | Company-verified | Self-reported |
| Insurance | Full commercial liability | Limited or none |
| Management | 24/7 on-call manager | No oversight |
| Sitter Assignment | Local, within 5 miles | Whoever accepts the job |
| Visit Monitoring | GPS-tracked, time-verified | Honor system |
| Meet-and-Greet | Always free, in-person | Optional |
| Emergency Protocol | Published, company-managed | You’re on your own |
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Sitting in University Park
How do I know my University Park pet sitter is trustworthy?
Every sitter is a W-2 employee of DFW Pet Sitting Services. We run background checks, verify references, and carry full commercial liability insurance and bonding on every employee. The person you meet at your free consultation is the only person who will enter your home.
Do your pet sitters actually live near University Park?
Yes. We assign sitters who live within five miles of your home. Whether you’re near Snider Plaza, the SMU campus, along Preston Road, in Volk Estates, or between Lovers Lane and Mockingbird, your sitter is local to the Park Cities area.
University Park is a tight-knit community. Will my neighbors see the same sitter every time?
Yes — that’s exactly how we work. The person you meet at your consultation is the only person who enters your home. Over time, your neighbors will recognize your sitter as a familiar, trusted presence on your street. We don’t rotate staff, and we don’t send substitutes without your approval.
Will my home look occupied while I’m traveling?
Absolutely. Our sitters retrieve mail and packages, rotate lights, and come and go without drawing attention. In a neighborhood like University Park where security and discretion matter, we make sure your home looks lived-in at all times.
What if my pet sitter gets sick or has an emergency?
We follow our published Pet Sitting Emergency Protocol. You’ll be contacted before any changes are made, and a backup sitter from our local team will step in — never a random replacement.
How is DFW Pet Sitting different from Rover or Wag?
We are a licensed business with W-2 employees, not a marketplace of independent contractors. We carry our own commercial insurance, monitor every visit, and have an on-call manager available 24/7. In the Park Cities, you need a service that matches the standard of your community — not an app.
Do you administer medication?
Yes. Many of our University Park clients have pets that require daily medication, insulin injections, or supplements. Your sitter will be trained on your pet’s specific needs during the meet-and-greet.
What areas near University Park do you also serve?
Our University Park branch covers Highland Park, Turtle Creek, Uptown, Knox-Henderson, North Dallas, Lake Highlands, and Preston Hollow. We also serve the full DFW metroplex through our other branches.
How much does pet sitting in University Park cost?
Pricing depends on the number of pets, visit frequency, and services needed. Visit our rates page or contact us for a personalized quote. The meet-and-greet is always free.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Jobs in University Park
DFW Pet Sitting Services is hiring pet sitters and dog walkers in University Park. We’re looking for pet lovers with flexible schedules who can accommodate occasional mid-day visits within 5 miles of their home. For more details, visit our Employment Page.
Email: info@dfwpetsitting.com
Phone: 214-574-7387
Text: 214-360-7367