Belmont · Mt. Holly · Cramerton · Lake Wylie

Care we'd trust with our own pets.

Dog walking, pet sitting, overnight stays and home check-ins, done in your home by a sitter you've met first. Your pets keep their couch, their beds and their routine.

  • Insured & bonded
  • Background-checked
  • Photo update every visit
Three dogs resting on a living room couch

Sample visit report

Midday walk, done

  • 30 minutes around the block
  • Water bowl refilled
  • Photo sent to your phone

Why we started Porchlight

We boarded our dogs once. Never again.

Our four pets are family. The kennel we tried had good reviews and a friendly tour, but the TV in the room didn't work, the dogs were shut in a small room almost all day, and they came home without a minute on their couch or with their toys, smelling like urine. We vowed never to do that to them again.

Porchlight is the care we wished we'd found: your pets stay home, with their own things around them, looked after by someone you've met, with photos to prove it.

Read our story

What we do

Care for the pets, and the house they live in.

See every service in detail →

A husky on a leash out for a walk

Dog walking

A 30-minute walk at your dog's pace, fresh water after, and a photo so you know it happened. Big dogs welcome.

$30 / 30 min

What’s included
A fluffy cat looking out of a window

Drop-in visits

For cats, seniors and dogs who'd rather stay in. Meals, litter, playtime and medication given as you direct.

$30 / 30 min

What’s included
A fluffy silver tabby cat sitting upright on a scratching pad

Cat sitting

Your cat stays home. Meals, a clean litter box, medication, play and a photo update every visit.

$30 / 30 min

What’s included
Houseplants being watered on a wooden table

Home check-ins

No pets required. Mail and packages in, plants watered, lights and blinds changed so the house looks lived in.

Rides and trips

Getting your pet where they need to go.

A cocker spaniel looking out of a car window

Pet taxi

A secured ride to the vet, groomer or boarding, door to door, with a text at pickup and drop-off.

Starting at $30 by the mile

What’s included
A small dog peeking out of a carrier bag

Flight companion

We fly with your small dog or cat in the cabin, from your door to the person waiting at the other end.

Quoted per trip

How it works
A beagle with its ears blowing out of a car window

Pet transport

Moves, adoptions and long drives by car, door to door, with regular breaks and photo updates.

Quoted by the trip

How it works

How booking works

Only times we can actually keep.

The calendar knows where we already are that day and how long the drive to you takes. If a time shows as open, we can be at your door for it.

Away for a week, or need a walk every weekday? Pick one or more times, choose how often, and send it all as one request.

  1. 1

    Tell us where you are

    Pick your town so we can confirm you're in our service area and plan the drive.

  2. 2

    Meet us first, free

    New clients fill out a short form about your pets and home, then book a free meet-and-greet at your house, where we sort out keys.

  3. 3

    We confirm by text or email

    Every request is reviewed and confirmed personally, usually within a few hours. Then you get a photo update after every visit.

Save $5
Pay by Venmo, Zelle or check and save $5 on your booking.Payment is due when you book. Card pays the standard price.

Book a visit

Pick a service, town and day to see open times.

Service

Optional, but it lets us check real drive times to your door. Or just pick your town below.

Open times (pick one or more)

Each time is an arrival window: we arrive within 30 minutes of it. Crossed-out times are booked, or too far from our previous stop to reach you on time.

How often

Your request

Pick a time above
View from a covered front porch onto a quiet, tree-lined street

Why Porchlight

Local, and small on purpose.

  • The same face at your door

    You meet your sitter before the first visit, and that's who shows up. No rotating roster of strangers, and every sitter is someone we'd trust with our own pets. Read our story.

  • Every size of dog

    Great Danes, shepherds and strong pullers are welcome. We'll talk through handling at the meet-and-greet.

  • Overnights in your own home

    No kennel, no car ride. Your pets sleep where they always sleep and your house isn't left empty.

  • Based in Belmont

    We live here, so we're minutes away, not coming in from across Charlotte.

Pricing

Flat prices, listed in full.

Everyday care has flat prices, listed in full. Weddings, flights and long drives are quoted for each request.

Dog walk30 minutes
$30
Drop-in visit30 minutes, any pet
$30
Overnight stayEvening to morning, in your home
$99
Home check-inMail, plants, lights. No pets needed
$35
Pet taxi, one wayMetered by the mile. We pick up in our area and drive anywhere. Waiting past 10 minutes is $10 per 15
Starting at $30
Pet taxi, round tripCheaper per leg than two one-ways, with 10 minutes of waiting included
Starting at $40
Flight companionFlies with your small pet in the cabin
Get a quote
Pet transport by carMoves, adoptions and long drives
Get a quote
Wedding & event attendantPhotos, ceremony and party care. Packages from $300
Get a quote
Each additional petPer visit or night
+$5
HolidaysAdded per visit / per night
+$10 / +$20
Save $5
Pay by Venmo, Zelle or check and save $5 on your booking.Listed prices are the standard (card) price.

How to pay: in full when you book. The free meet & greet costs nothing. Taxi waiting time past the free minutes is billed afterward.

Service area

West of the lake, close to home.

We serve the area west of the Catawba River and Lake Wylie, from Mt. Holly down to the Celanese Rd area of Rock Hill. Just outside that line? Tell us your situation and we'll tell you honestly whether we can reach you reliably.

The shaded area is where we work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

What people ask before the first visit.

Do we meet you before you have a key?

Always. The first step is a free meet-and-greet at your home, so your pets know us and we know their routine before any visit is booked.

How do you get into the house?

A lockbox or a door code is easiest. If you'd rather hand over a key, it's tagged with a code, never your name or address.

Are you insured and bonded?

Yes. We carry pet-care liability insurance and a bond, and we're glad to show proof at the meet-and-greet.

Will I hear from you during a visit?

After every visit you get a short note and a photo. On overnights, one in the evening and one in the morning.

How do I pay?

Payment is due when you book, and your visit is confirmed once it arrives. The prices listed are our standard price. Pay by Venmo, Zelle or check and take $5 off your booking, or pay the standard price by card. The free meet-and-greet costs nothing. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Pet taxi fares are paid up front, and any waiting time beyond the free minutes is billed afterward. Every payment shows in your client portal, and tips are always optional, before or after your stay.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancel at least 24 hours ahead and there's no charge. Later than that, the visit is billed.

What happens if my pet gets sick while I'm away?

We call you first, then your vet. If we can't reach either, we go to the emergency clinic you named at the meet-and-greet.

What if it's storming?

We still come. In heavy rain or extreme heat the walk gets shorter and the indoor play gets longer, and we'll tell you so in the visit note.

Heading out of town? We'll leave the light on.

Holiday dates fill first. Request yours now.