For Amy Duggan, dog walking began as a part-time job after college.
Today it is a full-time passion with Bow Waus, providing dog walking and pet-sitting services in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Olde Kensington, East Kensington, and Port Richmond.
Duggan grew up in South Jersey with a whole gamut of animals, including four dogs, two cats, two turtles, and two ferrets.
After working for another pet care business, she decided to branch out, starting a pet care business of her own in October 2019. She rebranded with a new structure, name and logo in 2023. A local artist designed the logo.
With the rebrand, her boyfriend Steve Riley joined to help Duggan full time. He grew up in and around Philadelphia with fish, dogs, and cats.
“I had always been there helping out to a certain capacity,” Riley said. The couple moved to Fishtown in 2017. They have a 9-year-old black cat they call Meow Meow and an 8-year-old dog named Shepherd, a super mutt. They rescued Meow Meow and Shepherd from the SPCA when they were young.
Building lasting relationships with pets and their families is at the heart of Bow Waus, where some clients have been part of the business for years.
With Bow Waus – a bonded, insured and certified business – pet owners have a dedicated team of neighbors who adapt to an ever-changing schedule, so there never needs to be a choice between a career and a pet’s happiness, according to its website.
What started as a part-time job has grown into a business of about 10 staff members. Clients and their pets have become family.
“We have had clients for so many years now,” Duggan said. “We see their dogs grow up and it’s nice to see them get additions to the family.”
Duggan and Riley said the bonds they make with their clients’ animals are rewarding.
Bow Waus provides cat/small animal care, dog walking, and overnight stays.
Cat/small animal care: Offered once per day, or in a bundle of two visits per day. A single visit is typically 15 minutes and includes feeding, fresh water, litter boxes, medication, and affection – but longer time intervals are available.
Dog Walking: Available at a variety of intervals. From fifteen minutes to an hour. Or, perhaps even, a custom option. No scheduling minimums required. Feel free to schedule several times a week or every few months!
Overnight Stays: Offers several pet sitting options to choose from – from overnight stays, to multiple check-ins throughout the day. Boarding is not currently available at this time.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, pet care services were scheduled Monday through Friday. Today, schedules are essentially “all over the place,” Duggan and Riley said.
“Everyone has the hybrid schedule,” Riley said, noting many healthcare clients have varying schedules. Sometimes they get called into work.
Schedules may have changed since the pandemic, but the need for pet care services is still there.
Every Bow Waus relationship starts with a complimentary meet-and-greet at a client’s home, with one of the team’s experienced team leads. This isn’t just a quick introduction.
“It’s where we learn your pet’s personality, routine, and preferences while you get to know us,” according to the website.
After the meet-and-greet, the team’s lead will personally introduce other team members to a pet during their first few scheduled visits, ensuring everyone knows your furry family member before working independently, the website states. This team approach means pets always have familiar, trusted caregivers, even when schedules change.
The meet-and-greet will include a complete routine discussion – feeding, walking, quirks, and preferences.
Clients – who come to Bow Waus through Google searches, word of mouth, and/or local Facebook groups – will then be introduced to the scheduling system and process.
While dogs and cats are most of their clients, Bow Waus is open and has serviced other animals, including snakes, rabbits, fish, birds and rats.
Visit Bow Waus on Facebook, Instagram and www.bowwaus.com or say hello at info@bowwaus.com and (215) 999-7036.
