Today we’d like to introduce you to Catie Auchter.
Hi Catie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When the world slowed down during Covid, so did my pursuit of an acting career. Like so many people, I was left wondering what came next. The one thing that consistently brought me joy was being around animals. Whether it was walking a dog through an app or spending time with my own pets, those moments brought me so much happiness. A close friend finally said, “Why don’t you start a business with dogs? You light up when you talk about them.”
At first, I laughed it off. With so many big dog walking apps out there, I didn’t think I could compete. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized what I could offer that they couldn’t: a personal touch. The kind of connection that comes from meeting each client face-to-face first, and being the familiar person their pet sees every single time.
So, I built a website and began running ads, hoping that someone would need me. After my very first client, I knew that this was exactly where I was meant to be, and that I couldn’t wait to meet more dogs! Within just a few months of starting Austin Dog Walking, I’d met the most wonderful people and their pets, each one giving me purpose, and quite honestly changing my life. It’s the best job in the world, and I still can’t believe I get to do it every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting my own business was one of the most daunting things I have ever done. But I think that every job, as well as my experience in theatre, prepared me for each curveball that has come my way. I’ve always known animals, but learning the business side was something new that I had to consistently work on. Ultimately, the safety, health, and happiness of all my little doggy and kitty friends is the most important thing. And that will never change.
There have definitely been challenges, from navigating scheduling and marketing to building a team that I fully trust. Hiring the right people has probably been one of the hardest parts about owning a business, because I have such high standards. I pride myself on hiring the best of the best. My team includes experienced pet sitters, vet techs, and animal shelter workers. Beyond experience, I look for that special IT factor: someone who will do the right thing when no one is looking. When a client gushes about how much they love their new walker, that’s how I know I’ve chosen the right person. Those little moments make all the hard work worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Austin Dog Walking?
Austin Dog Walking is a small female-owned business that operates in central and south Austin. Our services include full walks, visits for less active pets, and overnight pet sitting. We don’t offer group walks, because we find that each pet deserves that one-on-one attention. And we don’t discriminate! We work with not only dogs, but cats, horses, chickens, rabbits, fish, lizards – you name it!
I’d say I am most proud of how much we have grown over the years. I started this company with just myself and one client – shoutout to Achilles and Millie! Now we have over 150 clients signed up, 6 incredible walkers and sitters, and we have expanded to Denver, Colorado with House Sitting Denver. We have very loyal clients who have been with us since the beginning, which confirms our reliability and genuine care for their pets.
I can’t take all the credit for the success of Austin Dog Walking. I have to thank the incredible clients, my kind team, my sweet furry friends, and of course, my friends and family. My encouraging parents taught me that I could do anything I set my mind to – and I’ve done just that.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Absolutely! We use an app called Time to Pet, which is a software made for small pet care businesses. It handles scheduling, payment, and communication all in one easy to use app! After every walk or visit, the client receives a report card with an update, pictures, and a GPS stamp – so they can see how happy and safe their pet is. It’s such an incredible tool that I love recommending it to other small business owners in the pet care world. If anyone is thinking about starting their own company, I’m always happy to share what’s worked for me — there’s plenty of room for all of us at the table. You just have to be brave enough to start.
Pricing:
- 30 Minute Walk $30
- 30 Minute Visit $25
- 60 Minute Walk $55
- 60 Minute Visit $45
- Overnight Pet Sitting $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austindogwalkingtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austindogwalkingtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/austin-dog-walking-100083051664848/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-dog-walking-austin-3?osq=austin+dog+walking&override_cta=Get+pricing+%26+availability
- Other: https://share.google/PbljVHQCr08NZSd1m
