Enriching pets’ lives on Martha’s Vineyard
Thank you for thinking of us!
At Al Fresco Tails, we’re dedicated to enriching pets’ lives on Martha’s Vineyard, and we can’t wait to help you and your pets. Whether you’re looking for dog adventures, kitty visits, or loving care for your furry family members, we’re here to provide support tailored to your needs.
Please review our FAQs and fill out our New Client Form below, and we’ll be in touch soon to answer your questions and help you book the right services for you and your pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! We’re always excited to welcome new pets (and their people) into the Al Fresco Tails family. Availability can vary depending on the season and the type of service you’re looking for, so the best way to get started is by filling out our inquiry form. From there, we’ll let you know about current openings and help you find the right care option for your pets.
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Absolutely! We care for pets year-round here on Martha’s Vineyard—whether it’s sunny summer strolls, cozy winter visits, or holiday adventures. The only exceptions are a few short breaks each year when we take time off. We always notify current clients at least two months in advance so you can plan your pet’s care with confidence.
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From tail-waggers to purring pals—and even fish, birds, and hamsters—we love keeping a variety of pets happy and cared for. We don’t handle exotic pets like reptiles or snakes, but we can happily point you to local experts if needed.
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We’re a small, family-run team—just Cay and Heather—so every visit feels like it was made just for your dog. Cay is a certified Family Dog Mediator, and together we use positive reinforcement and the LEGS approach to understand your pup’s unique personality and needs. Plus, we’re both pet CPR certified, bonded, and insured, so you can relax knowing your furry friend is in safe, capable hands.
We do more than walks—we create adventures. Whether it’s sniffing out hidden trails on Martha’s Vineyard, splashing on the beach, learning new skills, or enjoying cozy one-on-one time at home, our visits are designed to keep dogs happy, confident, and fully engaged. And because it’s just the two of us, we’re flexible, reliable, and excellent communicators, keeping you in the loop every step of the way.
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We get to know your dog through a combination of your input, observations during our Signature Home Visit, and trial walks if needed. We design activities that match their energy level, social comfort, and preferences—whether that’s a beach adventure, group exploration, or quiet snuggle time.
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Once you’re set up in our system, you can request services through our online Client Portal anytime. First-time clients will be scheduled for a trial walk or our signature home visit to assess comfort and fit — we ask that someone is home during this first visit so we can meet your pets and make sure everyone feels good moving forward!
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For new clients, we ask for at least two weeks’ notice so we have time to set up care and get to know your pet. Regular clients can usually book with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, though more time is always appreciated—especially around holidays and busy seasons.
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We do our best to accommodate short-notice requests, especially for regular clients. New clients, we ask for at least two weeks’ notice.
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Yes! Our Signature Home Visit is a paid meet-and-greet where we get to know your pet and their routine. If you prefer, we also offer trial walks while you’re home so your dog can get comfortable with us in a real walk setting.
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We provide regular updates with photos, notes, and highlights from each visit—emailed directly to you and available anytime through the Time to Pet app. Every visit is time-tracked and GPS-tracked, so you can see exactly where your dog has been and how they spent their day. For our pet sitting packages, you’ll receive a minimum of three updates per day, giving you peace of mind and a front-row seat to all the fun.
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We walk in most Vineyard weather — yes to mist, light rain, wind, and flurries, but we may shorten or reschedule walks during extreme heat, heavy rain, snow, or dangerous conditions. Your dog’s safety is always our top priority!
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Our approach works best for dogs who are comfortable with new people and environments. For very shy or anxious dogs, we may not be the right fit, as our services focus on active, enrichment-based visits.
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Both! We work with clients who need consistent, weekly walks and others who book as-needed. Let us know what works best for your schedule.
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We don’t list prices online, but we’re happy to provide details. Reach out and we’ll send you a quote based on your location, service type, and schedule.
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We offer a few perks for recurring clients and VIP members, but we don’t sell bulk packages. Our focus is on consistent care, not locking anyone into something that might not suit their dog long-term.
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Payment timelines vary by service. Some services are billed on the booking date, while pet sitting packages require a deposit at booking and the remaining balance two weeks before care begins. If you’d like a full copy of our payment policies, we’re happy to provide one upon request.
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You can pay online through our secure and easy-to-use Client Portal. We don’t accept cash or checks. Tips can be added manually or set up automatically.
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We’re trained to handle common pet emergencies and will contact you immediately if something arises. Our protocol is to first call you, and if we can’t reach you, we’ll contact the emergency contact on file. Because we cannot transport pets or make medical decisions, having at least one emergency contact is required. In the rare event that neither contact can be reached, we will continue to monitor your pet and take steps to keep them safe while trying to reach someone.
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Yes! Just reach out, and we’ll be happy to send you a complete copy of our payment and service policies.
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Who needs a big company when you’ve got us? Just two humans, lots of love, and a knack for making dogs feel understood, happy, and enriched. Your pup will always see familiar faces, not a new walker every week!
How it works:
Fill out the form below. Share some details about your pets, your needs, and how we can help.
We’ll follow up. Expect to hear from us within 1-2 business days to help you schedule your first service.
Let’s get started! Together, we’ll create a plan that enriches your pet’s life and works for your family.
We’re here to help
If you have more questions or need help right away, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email.