Professional Pet Sitting Frequently Asked Questions

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What can I expect when I hire a Pet Sitter?

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Will a pet sitter care for my pets in my home or theirs?: Our pet sitters will visit your pets in your own home. This helps maintain their routine as much as possible and makes them more comfortable in familiar surroundings.
Do pet sitters just take care of pets while people are out of town?: Pet sitters are available to care for your pets while you're out of town, but they are also available for dog walks, mid-day breaks, pet taxi services, and shopping services.
How many times a day should I have the pet sitter come?: It's best to have a minimum of two visits per day for dogs; but three visits (or more) are recommended. One visit per day for cats is usually sufficient. Other pets, such as birds, fish, and other small animals will vary.
How long does each visit last?: This will vary with the pet sitter but normally visits last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.
How much do you charge?: Prices vary depending on the type of service and number of pets. Check out our Services page for more information.
Do I pay before or after my return?: We require payment in advance either at initial consultation. For subsequent reservations, payment must be received in the office before the start of your reservation by mailed check or credit card. See Payment Policy for details.
What days do pet sitters provide their services?: We work 7 days a week.
Will the pet sitter keep my key?: We will offer to keep your key for future services. PetCare Group keeps all client keys in a locked and secure location when not in use.
What if my pet becomes ill while I'm away?: The first choice is to take your pet to your usual vet. In case of an emergency however, we might need to use an alternate vet or emergency clinic. Emergency instructions will be reviewed at the service consultation.
Should the pet sitter be insured and/or bonded?: Yes. Liability insurance protects you should there be an incident while you are away. Your pet sitter should be able to show you proof of insurance and/or bonding.
Should I ask for references?: Most definitely! Ask for references and check on them.
Do pet sitters ever stay overnight?: We offer overnight stays should you request these services.
Do pet sitters work on holidays?: Yes. However, there is an additional fee for each holiday visit.
Just what will a pet sitter do at my house?: Generally, the visits will consist of providing fresh food and water, play time, outdoor time, and special loving attention for your pet. Other services may be provided such as taking trash out, rotating lights, bringing mail in, etc.
Should I call before I leave or when I get back?: Absolutely! Give your pet sitter a call right before you leave to confirm that you are leaving as planned. Another call is in order when you return home to let the pet sitter know your pets are safely in your care once more.
What do I need to do to start pet sitting service?: First, give us a call and set up a service consultation. We'll talk about your pet's special needs and develop a plan for caring for your pets. When you leave on your trip, just leave your pet's food, snacks, medications, bedding, toys, or other special items and we'll do the rest.
If necessary, will the pet sitter take my pets to their location?: Sorry. We don't offer boarding services, but in the event that your pet becomes ill we can transport them to your vet and set up an extended stay at your residence to monitor your pets’ well being.
If I need it, can we arrange for longer or more frequent visits?: Yes, this can be arranged.
How much notice do you need to schedule a visit?: We ask that you contact us a week in advance to set up a service consultation. We can accommodate last minute arrangements if necessary.
What if I run out of food while I'm away?: We can purchase the same food your pet eats and charge you on your return.
What happens if I will be delayed in returning home?: It is extremely important that you let us know immediately if you will be arriving home late from your vacation in order for care to be continued. Please note that you will be charged for extra visits.
Will you charge me for visits if I come home early?: Clients are responsible for the entire initial reservation fee, even if they come home early. Please make sure to keep us updated if your schedule changes at any time.
My cat lives outside. Will you come and make sure they are fed?: We would prefer to look after indoor cats only. We cannot be responsible for the care and well-being of your outdoor cat. Anything can happen and we feel it is just too risky. We may not even see your cat for the entire time you are away if we are only there for 30 minutes each day. If your cat is an outdoor cat, we request that you keep the cat indoors for the time while you are away.
What if there is an emergency in my home, unrelated to my pet?: We will do everything possible to resolve the situation without disrupting your trip. We will contact your emergency contact for instruction and, if necessary, we will contact you.
Will you provide updates on how my pet is doing while I am away?: We will maintain a daily report of the happenings in your home while you are away. We will document everything that we did and everything that happened with your pets. We will also let you know if there was any strange behavior with your pets or their eating habits.
Can I bring my pet to your home?: No, we provide services in your home only, where your pet is the most comfortable.
Is it ok if I have a family member also stop by?: Many people like to include neighbors, relatives, and friends in pet sitting duties. These well-intentioned actions cause much confusion during a shared responsibility sitting assignment. Most common among problems is over-feeding, unlocked doors, lost keys, or missed feedings. We absolutely cannot be responsible for any sitting assignment where others are going to share the workload. We advise that anyone considering this split of duties to make only one person responsible for the entire assignment.
Do you keep client information/key/alarm codes confidential?: Yes, we do not share client contact information for marketing or any other purpose.
How are keys returned?: You can arrange to have the keys returned, but please note that there is a charge for this service. We do not leave keys in your home on the final visit in case you are delayed in returning home.

Please feel free to contact us if you have more questions.

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