There’s roughing it, and there’s ruffing it in style.
Pet ownership is on the rise — the US had 89.7 million pet dogs and 73.8 million pet cats in 2024, according to Fortune Business insights — and these luxury, indulgent care and amenities have mushroomed to service them.
Ride in style
Elliott Levenglick founded Pet Cab NYC during the pandemic, when a lot of folks, especially the elderly, were worried about getting their dogs to and from appointments without them.
“Vets wouldn’t even let the public into their offices,” recalled Levenglick.
Pet Cab NYC offers a white-glove car service dedicated exclusively to pets. (Uber Pet requires that owners ride along, and large dogs are often disallowed.)
Today, his company transports around 15 pets per day, mostly around town or between NYC and the Hamptons, upstate New York, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Pricing varies, but local rides within Manhattan start at $60 one-way, and commutes between NYC and the Hamptons begin at $295.
If pets are relocating, “We also drive to the airport, fill out paperwork and handle cargo stuff,” said Levenglick.
Home sweet home
An overnight, in-home pet sitter for one week of care can set owners back upwards of $900, so it’s important to get the right one.
TrustedHouseSitters.com is a subscription-based platform that matches verified pet parents and background-checked pet sitters. Every kind of critter is cared for through the global community of 360,000 members.
A basic pet parent membership starts at $149 yearly. For sitters, joining the community costs $129 annually.
“Pets are kept safe in their own homes, which is wonderful for any pet that can’t be boarded, like rescue pets,” said Angela Laws, head of community and charitable partnerships for the site. “It’s a win-win, but the ultimate winners are pets, as nothing in their life changes.”
Come to heal
If your pet is experiencing separation anxiety, or needs to decompress, Manhattan resident Alex Petrullo will perform reiki on your pet via Zoom.
The practice, of Japanese origin, is considered a form of energy healing, by which a practitioner can center, clear and smooth aura. During her sessions ($50 to $150 for 15 to 30 minutes with pets and/or owners), she helps facilitate bonding and healing.
Petrullo views herself as a conduit of energy. “I don’t have to be physically present, as the energy work goes through time and space,” she said. Plus, “clients get to be in their own space, relaxed.”
While she’s been certified since 2021, her dog’s illness inspired her to shift focus.
“My childhood dog was dying, and I started reikiing him. All of the doctors were amazed at how long he went on with his condition, as he should have passed sooner,” said Petrullo.
The more frequently you do it, the more likely you will see growth, she said.
“If something is going on that’s stressful, pets pick up on it — a move, a death. Pets and humans are so connected already, often what the owner is going through, the pet is too,” she said.
At your service
For one-stop luxe services shopping, try Hound Honey, a premier, membership-based pup concierge service for canine care.
“Our canine crew members (68 total employees) become yours in perpetuity, and take all of the responsibility out of pet-parents hands, so they can enjoy their pet without doing all of the things that have to happen for their pet,” said Candace Jarkow, the company’s CEO.
“We’ll make sure your dog’s meds are stocked and up to date, we’ll drive them to Cape Cod and literally get on a plane to transport your pet,” said Jarkow.
A six-month family membership ($400) grants you access to preferred vendors encompassing acupuncturists, puppy nannies, holistic vets, dog walking, boarding and much more. A la carte services include pet-sitting at hotels ($65 an hour and up), dog training and poop patrol, said Jarkow.
“We find creative ways to literally do anything a client requests,” said Jarkow. “We had a client who didn’t want their dog in a dog park, so we bought gates and created a pet run in Central Park, so their dog could run free without a leash,” she said.
Wag the dog
Parting doesn’t need to be sweet sorrow if Happy Tails is looking after Fido. The 3,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Tribeca facility offers doggie daycare ($60 per half day; $85 full day); full boarding ($140 and up); training ($200 for obedience); and grooming (from $125). They opened last December and aims to create “next level” experiences for dogs and owners, said Teddy Tawil, co-owner.
“We’ve created a place where pets can thrive, socialize and receive exceptional care,” he said. “Vets come to vaccinate and treat any injuries, we host puppy birthday parties ($2,000 and up for two-hours) and pet-friendly events like singles paint and sip, and puppy bowl, a week prior to Superbowl.” Even pet psychic Shira Plotzker has been on-site.
Two more locations are on the way on the Upper East Side and Brooklyn — something to bark about.
