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Table of Contents
- What kinds of pets will you care for?
- Are you insured and bonded?
- How does pet sitting work?
- How should I expect my pets to act when first meeting a pet sitter?
- My pet has separation anxiety, how can you help?
- How many times a day should a pet sitter come to my home
- Do you offer overnight stays or care for pets in your home?
- How are services paid for?
What kinds of pets will you care for?
We have decades of experience with almost all domestic animals including; dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, fish, and small birds. We also have years of experience with many livestock animals, for example, horses, donkeys, goats, and chickens. If you have an exotic pet please contact us in order to go over your particular needs.
Are you insured and bonded?
We are fully insured through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC., with coverage for care/custody/control issues along with theft/breakage/mysterious disappearance clauses for the pet owners protection. www.petsitllc.com.
How does pet sitting work?
If you are a new customer we will meet with you ideally at least one week prior to your departure date in order to be introduced to your pets and learn as much about their care as possible. Once we have been fully instructed on your pet needs, gone over the details of pricing and policies, have all the contact information on hand, and have set up the key pick up and delivery options; you depart as scheduled with less worries. While you are gone we will visit your home for the number of visits required and perform all items previously discussed. If any emergencies come up in your absence you will be informed immediately. If you would like a daily update by phone that can be arranged for a small fee, if you prefer occasional updates via email those are free. Once you have returned you must call in order for the daily visits to stop. We are aware that travel can be delayed and/or extended, therefore, all pets in our care will remain so at the discretion of the pet sitter until we have confirmation that an owner is in fact at home. Any visits that result from no return home phone call or notice of return will be charged at the contracted rate.
My pet has separation anxiety, how can you help?
It is important to remember that the anxiety is usually experienced more by the owner than the pet but an experienced pet sitter can help on both accounts. The pet will be very comfortable in its own environment and sticking closely to its normal routine so arrange for the pet sitter visits to coincide with your pet's daily feeding and playtime schedule. Some pets benefit from having a radio or tv going. Some pets will eat more when their owner is away and some will eat a little less but a knowledgable pet sitter will be able to adjust things at home to make your pet feel the most at ease. Generally with plenty of exercise, attention, and boredom busters such as chew toys, all pets do well in their owner's absence. To keep pets from getting into mischief it is sometimes beneficial to limit their full access to some areas of the house.
How should I expect my pet(s) to act when first meeting a sitter?
During the initial meeting and in order to promote a healthy relationship the pet sitter should not try to immediately hug, hold, or make over your pets. Instead your pets should be allowed to experience the sitter on their own terms, generally one step at a time starting with scent. This allows the pets the opportunity to go at their own comfortable pace. During the course of the initial meeting, while the pet sitter is talking with the owners, the pets will generally sense very quickly that the sitter is a friend. Pets should be discouraged from being overly excited or hyperactive in the sitter's presence.
How many times a day should a pet sitter come to my home?
For most indoor dogs, two or three visits per day is a minimum. For pets that are higher maintenance, in need of lots of exercise, or those that enjoy loads of attention; four visits per day can be arranged. For healthy cats, outdoor dogs, or small caged animals, one visit per day is adequate. Under no circumstances will pet visits be set up for less than one visit per day. It is our belief that all animals should be checked on at least daily in order to maintain optimum health.
Do you offer over night stays and/or care for animals in your own home?
At this time no over night stays are offered. We also do not provide care for client pets in our home because we believe that pets are most comfortable and secure in their own environments. The only exceptions that will be made are for small caged animals that can be kept securely in their cages while under the sitter's care.
How are services paid for?
All services must be paid in full prior to the first day of duties. For client convenience, payment can be cash, check, money order, or made with a credit card or bank card via PayPal. Any additional charges that may be incurred during the responsible care of your pets will be billed with payment expected within 7 days of receipt of the invoice. Failure to pay timely may result in overdue fees or in the cancellation of pet sitting services.