FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DOES PET SITTING WORK? 
Your pets stay in your home, and I come to visit them at regular intervals.  Please see the RATES page for schedule offerings.  My goal is that your pets stay totally happy and in their normal environment and routine while you are away.  I will arrange a complimentary meet and greet with you at your home prior to your absence to take careful notes on your pet's routine and discuss the details of your home and your pet's care.  

DO YOU BOARD DOGS AT YOUR HOME? 
No, I do not board at my home.  I have a busy home with three kids and a large breed, high-energy dog.  It's simply not a good idea to bring in guest dogs, not knowing how personalities will mix.  My clients' pets' safety and emotional well-being is my priority, and YOUR home is your pet's favorite place. 

HOW MUCH DOES PET SITTING COST? 
Please see the RATES page. 

HOW LONG ARE YOUR VISITS?
Dogs - 30 minutes
Cats - 20 minutes 

HOW DO YOU BILL ME?
I email an invoice upon your return with a convenient tap-and-pay link accepting debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, and ApplePay.

DO YOU STAY OVERNIGHT? 
I do offer overnights if that is important to you.  Overnight bookings cost quite a bit more, $100 per night, which includes a stay from 10 pm-6 am, and regular 30-minute visits at midday & dinnertime are billed at the standard $25 rate.  Most pets do perfectly fine without me there in the overnight hours, but some clients really prefer the extra peace of mind.  

DO YOU PROVIDE LIVE-IN CARE? 
I cannot commit to staying at one client's home literally around the clock.  I have a family of my own, and I am typically caring for multiple clients at once, so it is important I have the flexibility to come and go.

DO KIDS COME ALONG ON VISITS? 
I am a mom of three school-age kids, and they love pets, but NO, I do not bring my children to pet-sitting visits ever.  This is one big difference in hiring a professional versus a neighbor or hobby sitter.  Pet sitting is my full-time job, and I take it seriously.  I am the only person coming into your home and caring for your pets.

DO YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES? 
At this time, I do not have employees.  I am the sole owner and operator.  The benefit for you is that I am the only one coming into your home and taking care of your pets.  Hiring a large company or using a service like Rover or Wag (please don't, I'll expand on that further), the person you meet is likely not the person or people who will be actually coming into your home and caring for your pets.  That being said, because I am only one person, particularly for holidays and peak travel times, I do have to stop accepting reservations once my schedule is fully booked, so I encourage clients to not procrastinate to make sure you get a spot! 

ROVER, WAG, THE NEIGHBOR'S TEENAGER...THEY'RE CHEAPER...
Yes, there are a number of cheaper options for pet care while you're away, but this is very much a situation where you get what you pay for.  Rover and Wag have numerous horror stories which started with people doing pet sitting as a side gig with no training or responsibility with animals.  Similarly, if you search for a pet sitter on NextDoor or a neighborhood Facebook page, you're likely going to get a number of responses from teens or college students willing to pet sit for cheap.  Please keep in mind these people are not insured, bonded, trained, or guaranteed responsible in any way.  

WHAT IF MY PLANS CHANGE? DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY? 
I do not have a cancellation policy.  I have always tried to be flexible with my clients, and I absolutely understand that life happens.  Many other pet sitters require pre-payment and charge a cancellation fee.  I have never felt right about that.  I do ask that if your departure or return times change, please let me know with a text so that I'm not making an unnecessary trip to your home.  

ADVANTAGES OF A PET SITTER INSTEAD OF BOARDING
-  Similar cost
-  Extended hours. I typically start visits at 6:30 a.m. and finish bedtime visits at 10 p.m.  Most boarding facilities close up for the night at 7 p.m. 
-  Your pet stays in their home.  It's quiet and calm.  The caregiver is the same consistent person (me).  Their routine is disrupted as little as possible.  There are no other dogs to potentially cause emotional stress, constant barking, spread illness, or cause injury.
-  Frequent communication. I communicate with you as frequently as you prefer.  I text you photos and updates.  I will honestly let you know if there's a problem as soon as it appears.  A boarding facility will communicate far less, if at all.
- Personal and dedicated attention. He/she is the center of attention!  A boarding facility typically takes a group care approach and is far less invested in individual interaction.