"Can I have something to do, too?"

It’s the question that every dog in RVA asks. We can help with that. Walks, trail hikes, play dates, the whole shebang. Whether this means getting their workout on the trail so you can live and work without them tugging at your shoe strings, or lounging on the couch and cuddling to cartoons if you’re away, we got you.

As pet parents and lovers ourselves, our goal is to make sure your friend is walked, fed, groomed and cared for as if you were doing it yourself. You’ll get real-time updates about what we’re doing so you never have to worry. We can hike, run, walk, and play. Or we can sit…and stay. And you get a happy, tired pet.

GET IN TOUCH

woman+and+brown+pitbull+sharing+ice+cream+cone

Richmond Capitol building, Pit bull & Rottweiler on walk

MEET OUR STAFF

We're nuts about animals.

Hi, I'm Sarah, Owner of Sarah Sits-N-Stays.

I've grown up with animals my whole life. As an animal lover myself I have modeled my business after the kind of love and care I give my own animals. As a company, we’ve cared for cats and canines from pups and kittens to sick and elderly dogs. We've even cared for the occasional rabbit, fish and bird. Regardless of the pet, you can be sure you'll receive the best care and love a human can give.

DumpTruck

2009-2024

The real boss. The one that made it all happen.

Maybe your dog is one of his core group of OG’s whom, from 2016-2024, he led along the trails, hiked the city, and hosted for social outings. Or maybe your dog is one of the several who could ONLY be friends with DumpTruck, no other dog- he is special like that. When someone - really animal or human- wouldn’t listen to someone, they’d listen to DumpTruck.

Or maybe they were a member of his playgroups, where he lovingly but strongly kept everyone in check. The Enforcer, as he is called.

He’s the reason your dogs can get out, make friends, and exercise here, or the reason your cats have care from us because this Company only exists because of him. Or maybe he even visited your cat, because that was also his forte.

Maybe you’re not a client of the Company at all but a human who was touched by his fearless love, and he uplifted you when you needed it most. He’s the reason I’d argue some people are alive today, because of the joy and support he brought them, including me. He healed and lifted the spirits of people in hospital beds, unable to move from illness.

He’s the reason anyone ever had a job here, because he’s the reason we kept the business going.

He is not a pet, but a force of love, my soul mate, best friend, and a healer and teacher of so many people and animals. He was my protector more times than I can count.

And he did all of that after a rough start in life of being neglected and abused as a young dog before I was able to snatch him up. So, I didn’t teach him these loving, courageous qualities- that was all him. He was born that way, as you’ll notice many pitbulls are. Unconditionally loving, forgiving, courageous, fearless, and gentle, even tho they disproportionally get mistreatment in this world. He embodied that purity plus more.

God had a huge role for him here. He was unstoppable on earth and I imagine unstoppable in heaven. Now in Jesus’s arms, he’s doing whatever role God has for him in heaven because he always wants a job, and God’s the one who made him that way. Oh to imagine what it’s like for him seeing the fruits of his labor now in heaven, people and animals whole again after he helped them here on earth. He’s too big of a being and will never be replaced.

Here’s to the Enforcer, still the reason for it all.

-Sarah

owner of business in winter hat cuddling her cute brown pit bull

Sarah hays

I’m an animal nut. I started Sarah Sits-N-Stays in 2010 because I wanted to do what I love...spend my day with animals...but also because I saw a need for a service that has a standard so high that the animals in its care are treated like family. DumpTruck (my dog) is my right-hand man, I grew up with dogs (and goats) as siblings, and I worked as a Vet Assistant for almost two years. During Katrina I volunteered for animal emergency relief, and I have a Bachelors of Science in biology. I have a passion for rescues and rescue work, a weak spot for pit bulls and the like, and I've never met a better friend than a dog.

sarah gaskin

I can't recall a time in my life when I wasn't involved with animals. My baby pictures are with our Siamese cats, we always had dogs (and all the neighbors’ dogs) in our home, and I sneaked strays into my freshman dorm and eventually found homes for them (shhhh…). I’ve been volunteering with shelters (currently RACC) since I was 12 and have a soft spot for shy dogs and pitties. I’m also working towards certification in wildlife rehab. I love dogs, and I love being outside; so this is my dream life!

monika knecht

Dogs have been a massive part of my life for as long as I can recall, and animals in general have been my core passion. My love for them has stood so strong that, as a young kid, I had already decided to dedicate my life to spending as much time with them as possible. Working with them every day is a gift that keeps giving. I really started to take my passion seriously when I began working as a veterinary assistant and began my path in veterinary medicine. While in school, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work for Sarah Sits-N-Stays, feeding my passion. It’s truly a blessing to work everyday with not only amazing people, but amazing animals.

Elizabeth Berg

Bio to come

Rachel redding

Bio to come

Lucy Gibaldi

Bio to come

Shealor Raikes

I feel most at home when I am surrounded by animals - my family always had dogs and cats growing up; we even had bunnies and chickens for a large part of my childhood, and later on my mom raised goats and sheep as well. Animals have been some of my best friends and greatest companions in life. They have given me so much, especially when it comes to my mental health, that I knew from a young age I wanted to give back to them. Since starting at Sarah-Sits-N-Stays, I truly feel like I have that opportunity to give back to our furry, and sometimes even feathered or scaled, friends. In college I volunteered with the Blacksburg SPCA, and I obtained my BS in Biology as well as worked with the wildlife department across various research projects. Currently, I have two dogs and three cats as my four legged children who mean the world to me. When I’m not out walking dogs, I am usually out looking for wildlife to photograph or spending time with my own pets. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to care for your companions with Sarah Sits-N-Stays, and I already can’t wait to meet your pet!

Jonathan Hatten

Bio to come