Why should I use a pet sitter?
When you are away your pets’ routine
is disrupted, by engaging a pet sitter your
pet can stay in familiar surroundings and
receive plenty of love and attention while
in their own home. Sending your pet to a
boarding facility can be a traumatic experience
for both you and your pet. They will be
exposed to unfamiliar surroundings and possibly
the illness of other animals. For some pets
being transported can be stressful. In addition
a pet sitter will watch over your home while
you are away. A pet sitter can water plants,
bring in the mail, turn on/off light, open/close
blinds and notify should there be a problem
with your pet or your home.
I’ve heard that pet sitters should
be bonded, insured, and licensed. What does
that mean to me and my pets?
Bonding, insuring, and licensing are all
steps we take for your safety and security.
Bonding protects you from theft by a pet
sitter. Insurance protects you, your home,
and your pet. Licensing guarantees that
your pet sitter has agreed to work up to
the standards set forth by Pet Sitters International,
the National Association of Pet Sitters,
or both. All DogsGoWalking pet sitters are
bonded, insured, and licensed, and can provide
you with their documentation.
Why should I use your services,
when I might be able to get a friend, neighbor,
or relative to do this?
These are the kinds of friends and neighbors
we all love to have. However, these people
are busy and may not be able to devote the
time and attention that your pet will receive
from a professional pet sitter. We are bonded
and insured for your peace of mind and we
are better able to handle an emergency with
your pet. If your travel plans change we
will be available to continue to take care
of your pet until you return. And when we
go out of town, we won’t ask you to
watch our pets!
What services do you offer?
We recognize that the needs of each animal
and home are unique. To accommodate your
needs, we offer a wide variety of services.
• Daily dog walking: We walk your
dog while you’re at work during the
day. We can also accommodate running exercise
or taking your dog to a park.
• Short-term daytime pet sitting:
We can visit your dog multiple times per
day while you’re out of town. We will
maintain your dog’s usual daily routine,
with play, feeding, and exercise.
• Overnight pet sitting: We provide
the usual daytime pet sitting services but
also stay the night at your house so your
dog or cat is not left alone.
• Home boarding service: If your pet
likes more attention and gets along with
other pets, we can take care of him or her
in our home. Playing well with others is
essential, as we usually have more than
one pet in our home at one time.
• Dog taxi service: We can transport
your pet to the groomer, veterinarian, airport,
or other location.
Will my pets and I meet the pet
sitter before service starts?
Yes. Every client schedules a free introductory
visit with a DogsGoWalking pet sitter before
services begin. During this visit, the pet
sitter meets the pets and owners and reviews
policies and guidelines.
Does the pet sitter I meet with
personally take care of my pets?
Except in an emergency, the pet sitter you
meet at your introductory visit is the person
who will be taking care of your pets. If
your pet sitter will be unavailable because
he or she is going on vacation, you will
be notified in advance so you can meet with
the substitute pet sitter. The substitute
will also be a licensed DogsGoWalking pet
sitter. Except in an emergency, as described
above, DogsGoWalking pet sitters are not
permitted to bring family, friends, or even
another pet sitter into your home without
your prior permission.
What information will I need during
the introductory visit with my pet sitter?
Your pet sitter will arrive with a DogsGoWalking
packet. The packet will contain a service
agreement, proof of bonding and insurance,
a daily visit sheet and a business card
for your purse or wallet. You and your new
pet sitter will fill out the service agreement
together. Information and items that you
should have readily available are as follows:
• Your personal contact information:
cell phone number and email address, if
you will not be carrying a cell phone or
a cell phone will not work in the area that
you are staying please provide us with the
name and phone number of the hotel or place
of stay.
• Emergency Contact person: In the
event of an emergency and we are unable
to reach you
• Veterinarian name & number:
For emergency purposes
• Pet Information: This includes the
daily routine of walking, feeding and playing.
Also tell us about your pets’ favorite
treats, toys hiding places and any behavioral
problems.
• Medical History: If medication is
to be administered please provide detailed
instruction from the veterinarian. Please
be aware that DogsGoWalking pet sitters
cannot administer medication to a pet that
poses a danger to the pet sitter.
• Security Company phone numbers &
codes if applicable. Just in case your pet
sitter sets off the alarm
• Key to your home: Please test it
before giving it to your pet sitter
• Names & number of others who
may be entering the house: Cleaning person,
Pool service, friends
How are my keys are handled?
Your pet sitter keeps your key in a secure
location in his or her home. For your security,
keys are labeled with your pet’s name
only (not your name, address, or phone number).
What does a pet sitter doing during
a pet visit?
During an average visit the pet sitter provides
fresh food and water for your dog, takes
the dog for a walk , ore lets the dog out,
and plays with the dog. At your introductory
meeting with your pet sitter the two of
you will discuss the length of each visit
and what services are to be provided.
Can my dog’s walk include
a trip to an off-leash dog park?
Yes; we’re happy to take your dog
to a local off-leash area. Even in legal
off-leash areas letting your dog run free
raises additional liability for DogsGoWalking
pet sitters. Therefore, we ask that you
sign a permission form if you want this
service for your dog. Your pet sitter can
discuss the details of this service with
you at your introductory visit.
My cat is very shy. What will you
do if you can’t find her?
DogsGoWalking pet sitters are experienced
with pets of many temperaments. If your
cat is shy, we ask that you acquaint your
pet sitter with your cat’s favorite
hiding places. When your pet sitter arrives
for a visit, we will search for your cat.
If she can’t be found, your pet sitter
will still stay at your house for the full
visit time that you stipulated in your contract.
Your pet sitter will also check that your
cat is eating and using the litter box to
make sure that your cat is just being shy
and is not injured.
When I go out of town, how many
visits per day shall I schedule?
Generally, we recommend three visits per
day for a dog and one visit per day for
a healthy cat. Of course, you know best
how often your pet is used to going out
or being fed. Your pet sitter work with
you to set up a schedule that’s comfortable
for you and your pet.
Is there anything special I should
do before I leave?
Please make sure you have left enough supplies
such as pet food, cat litter, medications,
and treats for your pet to last the duration
of your trip. Also, please leave out your
pet’s leash and bowl. Be sure to show
your pet sitter where to find cleaning products
in case a mess needs to be cleaned up. Please
be sure to inform you pet sitter of any
changes in the health or routing of your
pets.
What will you do if my pet has
an emergency while I’m away?
If we suspect that your pet is ill, your
pet sitter will follow the emergency instructions
you provided on the service agreement. This
usually entails taking your pet to the veterinarian
unless you request otherwise. We will also
try to contact you immediately.
What if my pet sitter has an emergency
while I’m away?
Each DogsGoWalking pet sitter has a partner
who can access the primary pet sitter’s
schedule, keys, service agreements, and
client contact information. If your pet
sitter has an emergency, we will make every
effort to contact you for your approval
before sending the partner in to take care
of your pets. If this makes you uncomfortable,
you can cancel the current service and make
other arrangements. Please keep in mind
that all DogsGoWalking pet sitters are properly-screened
animal lovers and are covered under our
insurance and bonding.
What should I expect when I return
home?
You should return to happy, healthy pets.
We will leave a note for you that includes
a report on our time spent with your dog
and an invoice for our services. We ask
that you call us when you return home so
we can be certain you have arrived and we
no longer need to visit your pet. Delays
often happen therefore, we assume that you
have not arrived home until we hear from
you. For your pets’ safety, your pet
sitter will continue to visit your pet until
you confirm that you are home.
Do DogsGoWalking pet sitters work
every day?
Yes. For the convenience of you and your
pets, we work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What happens if I need to cancel
or reschedule a visit?
We’re happy to reschedule a visit.
We do not charge a cancellation fee.
How do I get started with DogsGoWalking
pet service?
You can call or email us to set up a free
introductory meeting. If you email us please
include:
• Where you live
• When and how often your need our
services
• What kind of pets you have and how
many
How much advance notice do you require
before service?
Two weeks notice is standard. To ensure
availability it is best to contact DogsGoWalking
as soon as you anticipate you will need
pet sitting services. If a last-minute need
arises please do not hesitate to call; we
will always try to work with your schedule.
Existing clients whose contracts and keys
are already in our files can be accommodated
on short notice.
Do the pet sitters have any special
training? Before joining our pet
sitting team each DogsGoWalking pet sitter
has to pass a written test on pet safety
and care and attend a class in pet first
aid and CPR.
Do you have references?
Yes. DogsGoWalking is happy to provide references
for each of our pet sitters. For a sample,
please read our testimonials page.
How much does each visit cost?
Does it cost more if I have multiple pets?
DogsGoWalking pet sitters are independent
contractors who set their own prices. Prices
generally start at $15 per visit, which
includes up to 3 pets. Your pet sitter will
give you a list of services and pricing
at your initial consultation.
When do I pay for the service?
Clients generally pay for pet sitting services
when they return home. Clients who have
paid late in the past may be required to
pay before leaving town.
What forms of payment do you accept?
DogsGoWalking pet sitters accept cash, PayPal
payments and checks.
Can I work with you as a DogsGoWalking
pet sitter?
DogsGoWalking is always expanding our team
of qualified pet sitters. Please click here
for more
information.
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