30-minute check-in
Feeding, fresh water, companionship and a basic home-security check.
£15
About Karl and Sumi
Sumi’s Safe Haven was created by Karl in loving memory of his beloved pet Sumi. Karl provides kind, calm and dependable care around each pet’s routine, personality and comfort.
Qualifications include animal care, dog walking, pet sitting, pet first aid, animal behaviour and animal welfare. The service is disabled-friendly, with flexible arrangements discussed around each household’s needs.
Home care can be a reassuring alternative to kennels or unfamiliar surroundings, especially for nervous, elderly or routine-loving pets.
Pet care services and prices
Choose a listed service and time on the booking page. Please contact Karl before booking if you need to check the service area, suitability or a discount.
45-minute check-in
A longer home visit with feeding, fresh water, companionship and playtime.
£22
1-hour pet sitting
Gentle care, playtime and cuddles in your pet’s own home.
£30
90-minute pet sitting
Gentle company, care and playtime for your pet at home.
£33
2-hour pet sitting
Extra time and attention for pets who benefit from a longer visit.
£35
3-hour calm sit-in
Quiet company for nervous dogs, separation worries or fireworks, up to 3 hours.
£60
Calm sit-in care
Quiet company for nervous dogs, separation worries or fireworks, up to 6 hours.
£100
Discounts: 50% off care is available for disabled clients and for assistance dogs. Please message Karl on WhatsApp before booking so the reduced amount can be confirmed; Setmore does not automatically apply these discounts.
How booking and payment work
1. Make an enquiry
Choose a service and time on our Setmore booking page, or message us on WhatsApp with your area or postcode, dates, pet details and any special instructions.
2. Share the essentials
Before care, we need the care address, access information, routines, safety details, emergency contact and veterinary information.
3. Check suitability
Please check the service area and suitability with Karl before booking if you are unsure. Setmore confirms appointments online; it does not hold them for manual approval.
4. Pay before care
Payment is by bank transfer and must be received before the service starts. Bank details are provided after booking.
Service area and opening hours
Based in Guildford, Surrey, with a usual service area of approximately 2.5 miles from the business base. Postcode-area guides are only approximate; send the exact postcode before requesting care.
Privacy: the residential home address is kept private and is not displayed on this website or the booking page.
Care is arranged for suitable homes in the local area. Please check availability, access, timing and your pet’s needs with Karl before booking.
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00am–7:00pm; Sunday closed.
Meet-and-greet
A calm introduction helps Karl understand your pet, their routine and how they feel about a new person in their home.
Before a first visit, a meet-and-greet may be arranged where appropriate. We can go through access, feeding, toilet routines, triggers, emergency contacts, veterinary details and any safety instructions. This is also a chance to decide whether the requested care is a good fit.
Bring to the conversation
Your pet’s normal routine, preferred approach, food and equipment locations, alarm or key instructions, and anything that helps them feel secure.
Preparing for pet care
A little preparation makes visits calmer and safer.
Before the first visit
Provide accurate pet, health, behaviour, access, emergency and veterinary information. Tell us about medication, allergies, escape risks, bite history, contagious illness and household hazards.
For each visit
Leave food, water, leads or other agreed equipment accessible; make sure keys, alarms and instructions work; and tell us promptly about changes to your pet or home.
During care
Visits follow the agreed routine and are never rushed. If anything unexpected happens, the owner or emergency contact is contacted and the appropriate procedure is followed.
Policies and safety
These plain-language points help keep pets, homes and visits safe.
Services, suitability and safety
Home visits can include feeding, fresh water, playtime, companionship and a basic home-security check. Please disclose bite history, aggression, escape risk, separation distress, contagious illness, household hazards and other safety concerns. A request may be declined if the care, access, timing or location is not suitable. Dog walking and medication support are not provided.
Payment, cancellations and changes
Bank-transfer payment must be received before the service starts. Please give at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or change a visit. Late cancellations or unavailable access may be charged up to 100% of the affected service price, unless exceptional circumstances are agreed.
Emergency veterinary care
If a pet becomes ill or injured, the owner or emergency contact will be contacted as soon as possible and appropriate veterinary care may be arranged. Essential treatment may be authorised without prior approval where waiting could put the pet at risk. Veterinary, medical, treatment, transport and related costs remain the pet owner’s responsibility.
Animal welfare and abandonment
Animal welfare is the highest priority. Abuse, cruelty, neglect, deliberate harm and abandonment are not accepted. Where there are reasonable concerns for an animal’s safety, the service may be refused or ended and relevant authorities, a veterinary practice, the RSPCA or police may be contacted. This information is not legal or veterinary advice.
Photography and information
Photography is relaxed and wellbeing-led at £15 per hour. Photos are supplied by email or WhatsApp with no editing included. Please provide accurate care, emergency and veterinary information before visits begin.
Pet photography
Natural portraits
Relaxed sessions designed to capture natural expressions, personality and meaningful moments without putting your pet under pressure.
Photography is £15 per hour. Photos are supplied by email or WhatsApp with no editing included. Message for availability and suitable locations.
Ask about photographyFireworks advice
Seasonal pet advice
A little preparation can help dogs, cats and small pets feel more secure when fireworks are expected.
Before and during fireworks
- Set up a familiar, cosy hiding place with bedding, water and favourite toys; let your pet choose where to settle.
- Walk dogs in daylight and keep cats indoors after dark; make sure doors, windows and garden gates are secure.
- Close curtains and windows, and use familiar music or TV to soften outside noise.
- Stay calm and nearby. Let frightened pets hide or seek comfort; don’t punish, force them out or take them to a display.
- Keep small pets with their usual companions and provide extra bedding to hide in. If they live outdoors, follow trusted veterinary guidance on safe shelter and ventilation.
- Never give human medicine or change prescribed medication without speaking to your vet.
If your pet has severe or lasting fear, speak with your veterinary practice well before the next fireworks season. This is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
How far do you travel?
The usual service area is approximately 2.5 miles from the business base in Guildford. Send the exact postcode so the area and travel can be checked. The home address is not published.
Do you care for nervous dogs or fireworks worries?
Yes. Calm sit-in care can provide quiet company for nervous dogs, separation worries and fireworks season, subject to a suitability check.
Do you provide dog walking or medication?
No. Dog walking and medication support are not provided. We can discuss the listed home-care services and suitable routines.
Can I book immediately online?
You can book a service and time through Setmore. Online appointments are confirmed by Setmore, not held for manual approval. Payment is by bank transfer before the service starts; online card payment is not set up yet.
Guildford pet resources
A starting point for local walks and veterinary practices. Please check current access rules, lead requirements, opening hours, appointments and emergency arrangements directly before travelling.
Dog-walking places
Explore local commons, nature reserves, woodlands and secure dog fields around Guildford, including Whitmoor Common, Chantry Wood, Bailees Field and Surrey Hills Dog Park.
Veterinary practices
Guildford has practices including AURA Veterinary, The Guildford Vet, Hunters Lodge, Alder Veterinary Practice, Vets Now and Guildford Veterinary Centre.
This is general information, not an endorsement or emergency service. Contact a veterinary practice directly for current details.
Reviews
Reviews from the Guildford area
These reviews were originally shared on the former Happy Paws Surrey Google profile. Names have been removed, while the wording remains from the original reviews.
“Our experience with our dog walker has been absolutely fantastic.”
5-star Google review · Guildford area“The use of the ‘walkies’ app helps us to check in on her during the walk.”
5-star Google review · Guildford area“Everything went smooth on her walks, she came back home safely.”
5-star Google review · Guildford areaAccessibility
This site aims to be usable by as many people as possible, with clear headings, keyboard navigation, visible focus styles, readable contrast, responsive layout and reduced-motion support.
Some linked booking, map and third-party services may have their own limitations. If anything is difficult to use, please tell us on WhatsApp what happened and we will try to provide a practical alternative.
Privacy
Information shared for a booking is used to arrange safe, suitable pet care and communicate about the request.
Details may include your contact information, care address, access instructions, pet routines, health and safety information, emergency contact and veterinary details. Please do not share more personal information than is needed. Information is kept private and is not published on this website. The home address is not displayed publicly.
To ask about information connected with your enquiry, contact Karl on WhatsApp. External booking and messaging services have their own privacy terms.
Privacy contact
This is plain-language information, not a substitute for formal legal advice.
Contact Karl
Tell us your area or postcode, dates and times, pet details and any special instructions.
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00am–7:00pm · Sunday closed
Support animal charities
If you would like to help animals, you can donate directly to one of these charities using its official website. Your donation goes to the charity you choose, not to Sumi’s Safe Haven Pet Care.
Dogs Trust
Support dogs through care, rehoming and help for dog owners.
RSPCA
Support the RSPCA’s work to rescue, protect and care for animals.
PDSA
Help provide veterinary care for pets whose owners are struggling with the cost.
Volunteer with us
We welcome enquiries from people aged 18 or over who would like to support Sumi’s Safe Haven Pet Care and help local pets receive kind, calm care.
Pet Care Assistant
Support gentle, practical pet-care visits and help pets feel comfortable in their own homes.
Senior Pet Care Assistant
Help support the care team and encourage calm, reliable and thoughtful care.
Pet Care Assistant Team Leader
Help coordinate the team and support consistent, dependable pet care.
These are volunteer roles for people aged 18+. Message Karl to ask about the roles, arrangements and current availability.
What to expect when applying
- Applicants must be aged 18 or over and choose one of the three volunteer roles.
- The form asks whether you have a current clear DBS check, and about your pet-care experience and interest.
- You will need to provide two references, including their contact details and signatures, as well as your own signature.
- You can optionally upload a CV or supporting documents.
Your information will be used to review your application and contact your references, as explained on the form.