Q: What types of animals are cared for?
A: We care for most animals, as long as they are not a danger to us. We do not care for animals that have a history of biting, fighting or attacking other animals or people.
Q: Do you board pets?
A: Sorry, we do not offer this service. We offer traditional pet sitting for daily visits and we home sit in our client’s homes. Your pets do best in familiar surroundings.
Q: What are your service hours?
A: Pet Sitting and dog walking visits are generally between 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week. Other times can be arranged.
Q: Are you insured?
A: We carefully screen all the individuals that represent us. Not only are we fully insured, but the company also only works with sitters that have passed a criminal background check prior to employment.
Q: What is the charge for the initial consultation?
A: Our initial consultation is FREE. There is a $10 trip charge if we need to follow up to retrieve keys or paperwork.
Q: What information is collected at the initial consultation?
A: This meeting is the foundation of a great relationship between your pets, home and us. We want this session to be a “getting to know you” and trust building session for your pets and you. With this in mind, we will email the vet release form and service agreement prior to our consultation so you have plenty of time to read over our policy guidelines and fill out the information we need to know about your pets and home. Expect the initial consultation to run around 30 minutes. We will want to learn all we can about your pets and home, pets daily routines, (learning about where to find supplies, bowls, leashes, litter boxes, hiding places, “no go” areas, walking paths, etc.). Any special needs for plants will also be discussed.
Q: My schedule may be too tight to meet before I leave town, will you take care of my pets without meeting them for an initial consult?
A: For the safety and contentment of all concerned we do require an initial consultation before taking care of pets. Meeting each other is the key ingredient to a successful sit and greatly reduces stress for your pets.
Q: Keys, Keys, Keys:
A: We ask for two keys at the time of the consultation or just one key, if using a numeric keypad. One key is for the professional pet sitter to carry and one is kept in the office. Keys are coded and kept in a locked file cabinet. By using this ready key service, keys can be retained by the pet care provider and the office allowing all future service to be handled by phone, on line in the portal or text. Our clients enjoy knowing that if an emergency occurs (a last minute trip or late night at the office) we can step in quickly and provide care for their pet.
Q: Is it OK to book my visits through my pet sitter directly? Do you have an online scheduling software program?
A: Visits need to be booked through our office directly or through our "Time to Pet" portal to insure that there are no scheduling conflicts. Time to Pet, our software program, is a wonderful tool for exchanging conversations between all of us ( pet sitter included), scheduling/changing future visits and a great source for both of us to update pets/home/plant care instructions. During each visit we make to your pet, you will receive an update and a picture of your buddy in your personal account.
Q: Can I count on having the same pet sitter for each visit?
A: We try to provide the same pet sitter each time. However, if the sitter is not available then a equally qualified and well informed substitute sitter will be available for backup.
Q: How is payment handled?
A: We require 50% payment in advance of our service for first time clients. This payment may be made at the time of the consultation or any time up to 24 hours prior to the first service. We accept cash & checks only. Once established, leaving a check on the kitchen counter is fine and will be collected during the first visit.
Q: Do you accept tips?
A: Yes. If you feel we have gone above and beyond your expectations, tips are certainly appreciated, but not expected. Tips will go directly to the sitter.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Daily dog walks - please cancel by 9am on the day of the walk. Vacation visits & vacation overnight stays - 72 hour notice. Holiday visits & holiday overnight stays - 10 days notice. Less notice may result in a 50% charge of the estimated fees.
Q: What happens if I did not leave enough food or supplies for my pets?
A: We will notify you if we need more food. If we do need to make a trip to purchase food there will be a $10 trip charge plus the cost of the food, and a travel charge of 60 cents per mile.
Q: What happens in case of an vet emergency?
A: During the initial consult we have you provide us with your instructions in case a vet visit is needed. We will be asking you to complete a vet services authorization form.