Cape-Cod-DOG

Spotlight: Upper Cape Pet Services

Cape Cod Dog  /  DOG Annual 2025 /

Writer: Leslie Hatton

Spotlight: Upper Cape Pet Services

Cape-Cod-DOG

Cape Cod Dog  /  DOG Annual 2025 /

Writer: Leslie Hatton

The excitement of getting away from the daily grind for a vacation or just being able to leave your daily routine can quickly turn into stress when you’re faced with the challenge of finding the right person to care for your pet. Looking for a pet care service on Cape Cod that treats your furry friend like family while you aren’t able to be there? Upper Cape Pet Services is the answer—offering a variety of amenities and unparalleled care and attention makes them the best choice for local pet owners.

Owner Lisa Schott had always loved animals, and in her role in a large corporation, she had the opportunity to witness many of the back-office aspects of veterinary services, satisfying a bit of her “pet fix.” Over time, Schott grew weary of corporate policies and decided to make her passion for animals her new career—and since then it’s been all gas, no brakes. She shares, “The demand was there, and we simply took off. We quickly added more employees as we continued to grow and add services. The combination of people moving to the Cape during COVID as well as adding pets to their families were two factors that created a perfect storm for Upper Cape Pet Service (UCPS).”  

An influx of pets to the Upper Cape area even led to a demand for more groomers Schott says, “When I opened the salon, I had one groomer, Karla Mattioli, and now along with Karla’s help and training skills, we have five—and are often times booked solid with 3-to-4-week waitlists.”  The UCPS grooming facility isn’t like others: each Pet CPR certified groomer remains with your pet from check-in, through their grooming and ending with check-out. Upon check-in your pup enters an open-air holding suite before being escorted to their bath. Open-air suites offer a less stressful introduction into the salon and provide ample space for your four-legged friend to get acclimated. Further, the salon is by appointment only with one dog per groomer at a time—this reduces noise and confusion—for all parties involved! Once a grooming session is complete, pets are picked up promptly, allowing the same focus and attention to be placed on the next client. Thanks to a sophisticated online booking software system, the service is efficient and thorough: notes from subsequent visits are stored, confirmation texts are sent and communication through a two-way text line is available.

Schott shares that her groomers are valued, non-commissioned employees, which fosters a collaborative team environment and ensures a strong sense of ownership in their work. This approach makes for a positive, supportive atmosphere where everyone is compensated fairly for their time, even if a client needs to cancel. From the salon with its clean, washed floors, sanitized tubs and tables and pleasantly scented candles burning—it’s a truly luxurious and positive spa experience for pets. 

Offering a comprehensive range of services, Upper Cape Pet Services distinguishes itself from other providers through its exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and thorough commitment to the well-being of pets. Whether you’re in need of dog walking, pet sitting, or overnight care, Upper Cape Pet Services has earned a reputation for being the best choice for local pet owners. With safety protocols in place in all 3 divisions of the company (pet sitting, grooming and luxury cat resort), this level of attention ensures that pets are not just cared for, but are also comfortable and happy during their time with UCPS. 

As Upper Cape Pet Services grew, Schott even added a luxury cat resort to the repertoire so your furry feline friends can experience the fun as well. With mounted televisions, elaborate cat trees, snack and social time and one-on-one attention, this private and secured facility is full of purr-sonality. Each individual cat suite is outfitted with a glass door an escape-proof ceiling. The staff is adept at handling every type of medical issue and can administer medications, some of which have been extensive such as insulin shots or thyroid medication. Stainless steel litter boxes are properly sanitized between visits and tilted stainless steel feed bowls help alleviate any possible issues. All cats at the luxury resort receive fresh bottled water, another special feature which leaves them feline fine. 

These comprehensive services make it easy for pet owners to have peace of mind knowing that all their pet’s needs are being taken care of by a single trusted service. Upper Cape Pet Services’ reputation within the Cape Cod community speaks volumes. The business has built strong relationships with local pet owners, and many customers return time and time again due to the trust and satisfaction they experience. Word-of-mouth referrals and glowing testimonials are a testament to the exceptional service provided. 

“The journey over the years has been a labor of love and I have learned so much,” Schott shares. Like any small business owner, the road hasn’t always been easy, and Schott is thankful for the unwavering support she receives from family members who have supported her dream. She laughs that her two sons, Chatham and Ryder, have often had to make dinner for themselves due to her demanding schedule. “We have grown to over 20 employees and each one contributes in a unique way. I am proud of what we have accomplished and excited about our future growth. We are so grateful for the most amazing, caring and generous clients. They invite us into their lives, and we get to experience their ups and downs,” she beams. 

Upper Cape Pet Services433 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536(508) 540-8277uppercapepet.com

Leslie Hatton

Leslie (Horne) Hatton enthusiastically joined Cape Cod Life in October of 2022. Educated in Mashpee and Falmouth, she graduated from Assumption College and received her Master of Education degree from Lesley College. A former teacher, she has taught middle school, preschool and most recently, fifth grade. She and her husband Tom have three children: Aidan, Colin, and Erin. Their newest family member is Millie, an outgoing, outrageously happy chocolate lab. She loves to talk about all of them so better not ask. One neat tidbit about Leslie is that she is the author of the locally best-selling children’s book Cape Cod ABCs, with over 10K books sold on Cape Cod, the Islands and across Massachusetts. Happiest in the summer with a little sun on her face, she loves being with friends and her family, laughing, drinking and eating all over beautiful Cape Cod.