Good questions, plainly answered.

Better Bark Bureau is a personally coordinated dog-walking network serving Southern Marin. Rather than asking you to sort through a directory, your Care Coordinator learns about your dog and household, then recommends a vetted professional suited to both.

Every professional must pass six checks before their profile goes live: identity verification, a background check, insurance, a pet-care reference, a scenario-based interview, and a conduct review.

We currently serve Mill Valley and selected Southern Marin communities, including Tiburon, Sausalito, Corte Madera, and Larkspur, subject to professional availability.

Just outside the current service area? Tell us where you are. The Bureau is growing thoughtfully, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Tell us about your dog, routine, and schedule. Your Care Coordinator reviews the details and recommends a vetted professional in your area. Once the introduction is approved, you’ll receive a simple link to confirm the booking and pay securely. No app required.

Continuity is a priority. Whenever schedules allow, bookings stay with the same professional, so your dog can build familiarity and trust. When availability changes, your Care Coordinator helps arrange the closest suitable fit and keeps you informed.

Every professional must complete all six Bureau checks before their profile can go live:

• Government-issued ID verification
• Background screening
• Proof of insurance
• Pet-care reference
• Scenario-based interview
• Agreement to the Bureau’s conduct standards

Requirements are reviewed periodically, and Bureau Vetted status can be suspended or removed when standards are no longer met. Reviews shown by Better Bark Bureau come only from confirmed bookings.

A short, relaxed introduction between you, your dog, and the recommended professional before the first walk. It takes place on your dog’s familiar ground and gives everyone time to review routines, access instructions, and the little details that help your dog feel at ease.

The visit is $15, credited in full toward your first walk.

The walk follows your dog’s rhythm: their usual pace, familiar route, favorite pauses, and the “we absolutely must sniff this tree” moments.

Afterward, you’ll receive a photo and a thoughtful update, so you know how the walk went even when you can’t be there.

Visits come in a few lengths: a 20-minute potty break, a 30-minute walk, and a 60-minute walk. Each professional’s rate is shown clearly before you confirm, alongside Better Bark Bureau’s separate Care Coordination charge.

The full total is always shown before you confirm. Care Coordination is added to the walk price and is never taken from the professional’s rate.

No app or traditional account setup is required to get started. Your phone number or email is enough.

When you return, your dog’s care profile, booking history, and preferred professional can be kept together, making future arrangements simpler.

Once a booking is confirmed, you’ll receive the professional’s contact details for walk-specific communication. Your Care Coordinator also remains available for scheduling, payments, changes, or anything that needs broader attention.

Cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled walk and there is no cancellation charge. Later cancellations may be charged according to the policy shown before booking.

If your professional becomes unavailable, your Care Coordinator will help arrange the next best option. If suitable care cannot be arranged, the affected walk is refunded.

For now, the Bureau focuses on dog walking and potty breaks across Southern Marin. As we grow, we will look at thoughtful ways to do more.