Pet Sitters Plus is pleased to provide you with answers to some of your important questions. We hope this will help. If you have more questions, please send them to beth@vbpetsittersplus.com.
Why hire a professional pet sitter?
Boarding faculties can be traumatic for pets who aren’t used to being in such facilities. Keeping your pet at home ensures you and them that they will not be exposed to any of the possibilities of illness from other dogs as well as their safety from dog fights. But, most of all they receive their own specialized attention and TLC from our team members.
You will not be imposing upon your neighbors, friends, or family to watch your precious pets. Your pets will be safe and sound in their home being cared for by a professional who is:
- Insured
- Bonded
- Background checked
- Receiving Continuing Education
We also take care of your house hold needs such as:
- Taking in the mail, newspapers and special deliveries
- Putting out and bringing in the trash and recycle bins
- Making your house look lived in
Are you insured?
Yes, Pet Sitters Plus is fully insured and bonded through Insurers Of The Carolinas.
Do we really need to have a meet and greet?
Yes. It gives us an opportunity to meet you and your pets in your home, and learn the routine of your pet and their specific needs. It is also a time to make certain we have all necessary paperwork filled out and signed before making the first appointment, and to set up a customized schedule and a service plan. If there are special needs that do not fall within our capabilities. we will refuse the assignment.
Why do we need two keys?
Pet Sitters Plus, LLC.’s sitters keep one key and the home office keeps the other in a lock box. The second key is for emergencies. If something happens to the sitter, we can get into your home to complete the visits in a timelier manner. The keys are tagged with your pet’s name. NEVER do we put the address or name of the client on the tags.
Do you return the keys?
If you choose us NOT to keep the keys, there will be an additional charge of $18.00 for trip involving picking up and returning keys. No keys will be returned by mail, left outside or in homes after last visit. Remember that if we keep the keys, we are available in the future or in an emergency to take care of your pets at the drop of a hat.
How do you collect payment for services?
Pet Sitters Plus, LLC. accepts cash, checks, Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Your credit card can be registered during the Meet and Greet. Information is stored safely in our Power Pet Sitter scheduling program. We require a 50% deposit for overnights and extended scheduled visits when you schedule them. Gratuities can be added to the check or left in cash at the house for the sitter. They receive the entire amount.
Do you charge extra for holidays?
Pet Sitters Plus has an additional holiday fee of $10 added to each visit on these days:
- Easter Sunday
- Fourth of July
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Years Eve
- New Years Day
How are cancellations handled?
Overnights
For extended overnight stays (5 days or more), please contact us at least 7 days in advance to receive a 75% refund. Less than 7 days’ notice no deposit refund is offered.
Overnight stays less than 5 days, please contact us at least then3-days in advance to receive 75% refund of deposit – less than 3 days no refund is offered.
Holidays
Holiday cancellations must be 2 weeks prior to visit to receive 75% refund of deposit. Cancellation with less than 2 weeks notice, customer will be responsible for entire fee.
Dog Walks
Daily dog walks: 24-hour notice or you will be charged for the full scheduled visit.
As you can imagine once reservations are made we build our schedules around our work. It is very important for clients to give proper notice to cancel when those visit times have been reserved. In many cases, we have had to turn down other work for your appointment.
If we return early, do we get a refund?
For overnight stays and associated day walks, there will be no refund for services not used. Pet Sitter Plus will give consideration for emergency situations.
I’m a new customer, how much advance notice do you require?
In order to guarantee service, we must have at least one (1) weeks advance notice. This gives us time to schedule a free meet & greet and to ensure that we have a team player scheduled for your visits.
I have to work late today, can I schedule a walk for my dog this afternoon?
If we already have your key and service contract, we will make every effort to accommodate you. We cannot, however, guarantee service on short notice.
My friend/relative/neighbor will also be caring for my pets while I’m away.
Because we carry industry-specific liability insurance, we must be the only pet care providers visiting the home in your absence. Other visitors to the home for the intention of pet care will null and void our insurance.
Can I hire my pet sitter directly or order service directly from them without contacting Pet Sitters Plus?
No. Our sitters are not allowed to accept orders for services directly from either existing or new clients. We ask that you not put them in an uncomfortable position as this is part of our company policy. They are not allowed to accept future visits directly either. Please contact Pet Sitters Plus directly or they will direct you to do the same. Either phone, email, or text. Thank you for your cooperation on this policy.
While we are away, my cat only needs to be seen every other day. Will you do that?
Pet Sitter Plus is responsible for the pets’ safety and security, thus we require visits every 24 hours for all cats and some other animals. Cats are experts at hiding illness and pain, thus a health issue can become a crisis very quickly. Therefore, we need visits every day to ensure they animals are healthy and safe.
What do you do in case of pet’s illness or injury?
Pet Sitters Plus maintains every pets’ detailed information. This includes the owners’ contact phone numbers, your pets’ veterinarian and medical history. We also will have the contact forms which have been provided to us during the meet and greet.
Pet Sitters Plus will assess the situation to determine what plan of action is best to take. Our concern is always what will be best for your pet. Depending on the situation, we will either rush your pet to the closest veterinarian or, in a non-emergency, we will make every effort to take them to your designated veterinarian. We will always attempt to contact the owner to get their permission for our chosen course of action and to keep them abreast of the situation. However, Pet Sitters Plus is authorized to take what they deem to be necessary medical actions. (Meet and Greet vet release forms must be signed.) Owner is responsible for additional time spent and veterinarian costs.
What emergency plans do you have in place?
Hurricanes
Pet Sitters Plus is not responsible for handling the care of your pets during a Hurricane. All clients are required to have an acceptable Hurricane plan for their pet if leaving town and provide that to Pet Sitter Plus when scheduling a trip during the Hurricane season.
Emergency Pet guardianship
Pet Sitter Plus is ready to help you with emergency life situations the best way we can do this is by having the owner provide us guardianship information and contact paperwork. During the Meet and Greet, this information is to be provided by the owner.
Do your walkers ever take dogs off leash during walks?
Absolutely not. We do not walk dogs off leash. We strictly adhere to all city and local codes. This is for the safety and security of your pet and is not allowed by our insurance carrier. Of course if they are in a fenced yard, they are allowed to run free.
