Today we’d like to introduce you to Cesar Vallejo.
Hi Cesar, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to where I am today wasn’t something I carefully planned — it grew organically from relationships and a real love for animals. I spent many years working in restaurant management in New York City. While I learned a lot about service, leadership, and responsibility, I always felt a deeper pull toward working with animals.
It all really began when I started dog walking for a friend. What started as a simple favor quickly became something much bigger. I realized how much I loved not just being around dogs, but building trust with them and with their owners. One client turned into a few, and before I knew it, I had built my own steady clientele purely through word of mouth and community connections.
As the business grew, I reached a point where I needed support. I brought a close friend on board so I could take the occasional day off — something I hadn’t really allowed myself before. That was the first moment I saw it becoming more than just “me walking dogs.”
Eventually, I trained my brother and he joined the business as well. Working together allowed us to expand thoughtfully and maintain the level of care and trust that our clients rely on. What started as helping a friend turned into a family-run business rooted in relationships, reliability, and genuine love for animals.
Today, Woofs & Wags is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s not just about dog walking — it’s about building community, supporting families, and making sure every dog in our care feels safe, stimulated, and loved. Looking back, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today, but I’m grateful it grew the way it did — step by step, person by person.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road — like any small business, there have been growing pains along the way. In the beginning, the biggest challenge was stability. When you’re building a clientele from scratch, income isn’t predictable. There were slow weeks, cancellations, and moments where I questioned whether I had made the right decision leaving a steady job.
Another challenge was learning how to shift from being ‘just me’ to leading a team. Bringing on a friend — and later my brother — meant I had to grow as a leader. It’s one thing to care for dogs yourself; it’s another to train others to deliver the same level of care, reliability, and trust. I had to develop systems, communicate expectations clearly, and learn to let go of control while still protecting the quality of the service.
There were also the physical and emotional demands of the work. Dog walking sounds simple, but it’s physically intense and requires constant attentiveness. On top of that, you build deep bonds with the dogs and their families — so when a dog passes away or a family moves, it’s personal.
And of course, navigating unpredictable moments — bad weather, last-minute changes, or broader challenges that affect small businesses — has required flexibility and resilience.
But each challenge pushed me to become more organized, more patient, and more intentional about how we grow. Looking back, those struggles are what shaped Woofs & Wags into a business that’s not just about walks, but about trust, reliability, and long-term relationships.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Woofs & Wags is a Brooklyn-based, family-run dog walking and pet care company built on trust, consistency, and genuine connection. We specialize in personalized dog walking, small group walks, solo walks, puppy support, and dependable day-to-day care for busy New York City pet parents.
What sets us apart is that we’re not a gig-based service or a large rotating team of walkers. We keep our circle intentionally small. When someone hires us, they know exactly who is walking into their home and caring for their dog. That consistency builds real trust — not just with the dogs, but with their families.
Over the years, many of our clients have become real friends. We’ve gone to concerts together, shared dinners, celebrated birthdays, and even attended weddings. We’ve also taken part in neighborhood block parties and local community events. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of — we’re not just a service; we’re part of the fabric of the neighborhood.
Because we grew organically — starting with me helping a friend and expanding through word of mouth — our foundation has always been community. We’re known for being reliable, communicative, and deeply attentive to each dog’s personality. Some dogs need structure and training reinforcement, some need patience and confidence building, and others just need joyful exercise and stimulation. We meet them where they are.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Woofs & Wags has remained personal, even as we’ve grown. We’re fully insured, professional, and experienced — but we’ve never lost the warmth that made people trust us in the first place.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about walking dogs. It’s about showing up consistently, in all weather, and caring for animals as if they were our own — while building real, lasting relationships with the people behind the leashes
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to work with us is simply to reach out and start a conversation. We love meeting new dogs and their families, learning about their routines, and seeing how we can support them. Whether someone needs consistent weekly walks, puppy guidance, or occasional support while traveling, we try to create a plan that feels personalized and reliable.
We’re also always open to collaborating within the community. That could mean partnering with local businesses, participating in neighborhood events, supporting block parties, or connecting with fellow pet professionals who share similar values around care and responsibility. Because we’re community-rooted, collaborations feel most meaningful when they strengthen the neighborhood we all live and work in.
And honestly, one of the biggest ways people support us is through word of mouth. Referrals have been the backbone of our growth since day one. When someone trusts us enough to recommend us to a friend or neighbor, that means everything. Following along, engaging with our work, and simply sharing our name with other dog parents goes a long way.
At the heart of it, we’re always looking to build relationships — with dogs, families, and our community.
Pricing:
- Dog walks from $19-45 depending on length of time.
- Dog training from $75-150 on a sliding scale
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.woofsandwags.nyc/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woofsandwagsnyc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woofsandwagsnyc
- Other: https://share.google/eiROdUdbu0cG31tQs
