The Rover alternative Timbergrove dog parents actually trust.
If you've used Rover or Wag in Timbergrove, 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 winding ranch-home streets and direct access to the bayou trails. 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 Timbergrove
- 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.
- Most Timbergrove clients came to us through a neighbor at the bayou trail who had already made the switch — word-of-mouth in a small neighborhood travels fast
- The difference is simple: same trusted face, on time, who knows your dog — versus whoever accepted the next request on the app
In Timbergrove
Timbergrove is a neighborhood where dog owners tend to know each other at the bayou trail. Most of our Timbergrove clients came to us through word-of-mouth from a neighbor who'd already made the switch. The difference they describe is simple: the same trusted face, on time, who actually knows their dog — versus whoever accepted the next request on the app.
Why Timbergrove 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
832-868-8430The Fear Free piece is the difference. Our reactive dog has done so much better with handlers who actually know how to read him. Worth every penny.
Timbergrove · Frequently asked
What Timbergrove dog parents ask when switching from Rover.
Do you actually serve Timbergrove, or just list it on a map?
We actually serve Timbergrove. 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.
We know several neighbors who use Shaggy Chic — how do we get started?
Send us a note or call 832-868-8430 and we'll set up a free meet & greet in your home. The meet & greet is how we confirm it's a good fit, introduce your dog to the person who'll be walking them, and walk through your routine before any booking is locked in. Most Timbergrove clients are set up and scheduled within a week of reaching out.
More in Timbergrove
All Shaggy Chic services in Timbergrove
- Dog Walking
- Pet Sitting
- Cat Sitting
- Rover Alternative
- Almost Overnights
- Staycations