The Rover alternative Oak Forest dog parents actually trust.
If you've used Rover or Wag in Oak Forest, you already know the problem: a different stranger every visit, no real accountability, and a 1099 contractor who may or may not show up. Shaggy Chic is the opposite: a small, owner-run, employee-based dog walking and pet sitting team built for wide quiet streets, generous front yards, and a neighborhood that still waves at the dog walker. A consistent team that knows your dog. Real reports. Insured and bonded. Run by Kristen Parkhurst, Fear Free Certified, since 2010.
What you get in Oak Forest
- W-2 employees, not 1099 gig contractors
- Familiar faces: trained employees your dog learns to trust
- $2M business liability insurance + bonded. Rover hosts are not
- Full background checks, in-person training, ongoing supervision
- Real photo + GPS report after every walk
- You can call Kristen directly. There is no app support tier.
- Oak Forest clients who switch from Rover tend to be experienced dog owners who know exactly what good care looks like — and exactly what they've been missing
- What matters here: consistent personnel, real in-person training, and a report that tells you what actually happened on the walk — not just a GPS pin
In Oak Forest
Oak Forest clients who come to us from Rover or Wag tend to be experienced dog owners who know exactly what good care looks like — and exactly what they've been missing. The things that matter here: consistent personnel, real training, and a report that tells you what actually happened on the walk, not just a GPS pin.
Why Oak Forest pet owners pick us
Sixteen years walking Houston dogs. Owned and operated by Kristen Parkhurst, Fear Free Certified Professional, Certified Professional Pet Sitter. Insured, bonded, and built around an employee-based team that actually shows up.
Call Kristen Directly
832-868-8430I love that I know exactly who is in my house: familiar, trained employees, not strangers from an app. Real photo report after every visit. After years of gig-app stress, this is what we should have had all along.
Oak Forest · Frequently asked
What Oak Forest dog parents ask when switching from Rover.
Do you actually serve Oak Forest, or just list it on a map?
We actually serve Oak Forest. Our walkers and sitters work this neighborhood on foot, not from a contractor pool across the city. We've had clients here since 2010 — we know the streets, and we're genuinely local. Booking starts with a free meet & greet in your home.
What's the real difference between Shaggy Chic and Rover?
Rover is a marketplace — every walker is an independent 1099 contractor who sets their own rules, holds their own (or no) insurance, and gets matched to you by an algorithm. Shaggy Chic is an employee-based team. Everyone on our team is a trained, background-checked W-2 employee covered under our $2M business liability policy. You get the same familiar faces, not whoever happens to be available.
If something goes wrong, who do I call?
You call Kristen directly at 832-868-8430. There is no app support queue. Kristen Parkhurst owns and operates Shaggy Chic — she is not an account manager or a bot. If there's a situation with your pet, you have a real person who knows your dog and can respond.
How do I switch from Rover to Shaggy Chic?
Easy. Send us a note or call, and we'll schedule a free meet & greet in your home. After that visit, you're set up for ongoing care. Most clients find the transition seamless — we handle everything through the meet & greet and take it from there.
What does a 'real report' look like compared to what Rover sends?
A Rover GPS ping tells you a route was recorded. Our report tells you how your dog did — energy level, behavior on the walk, anything unusual, which sniff spots got the most attention, and at least one actual photo from the walk. It's written by the person who walked your dog, not auto-generated. Oak Forest clients who've made the switch consistently say the report alone is worth it.
More in Oak Forest
All Shaggy Chic services in Oak Forest
- Dog Walking
- Pet Sitting
- Cat Sitting
- Rover Alternative
- Almost Overnights
- Staycations