FAQ
Why should I use a pet sitter?
Many veterinarians and pet experts believe that keeping pets in their familiar surroundings helps to alleviate the stress imposed on them when you have to leave home. Your pets are able to maintain their diet and exercise routine, and enjoy the personal attention provided by a pet sitter. You also eliminate the trauma of being transported and minimize their exposure to illnesses of other animals.
What services do you offer?
Knowing that each animal and home is unique we offer a wide variety of services. Our sitters come to the client’s home to provide service, so that your animals can stay in their familiar surroundings. Our visits include feeding, exercising, and potty breaks. We also spend what we call “TLC time”, just playing with, petting, and loving your pets so they receive the personal attention they crave while you’re away!
Who are your pet sitters?
WALKIES, LLC pet sitters are pet lovers, plain and simple. We are very selective in who we choose to care for your furry companions. Extensive background checks are run on each and every applicant. You will be provided with responsible, fun-loving, professional individuals to love your pets while you’re away.
When you sign up to become part of the WALKIES, LLC community, your assigned sitter will come to your home to meet you and your pets and to become familiar with your home. In the future we will attempt to assign the same sitter to you, however; this is not always possible. You will always have the opportunity to meet your back-up sitter, however a fee may apply.
Can I trust WALKIES, LLC with my keys and my home?
All sitters are screened prior to employment and are bonded and insured. Upon request, we will be happy to provide references. Your name and the content of your home always remain confidential. House keys are coded anonymously. None of our vehicles have company insignia, which prevents people from knowing you’re not home. Our sitters are familiar with alarm systems and work with them frequently.
What time do the sitters come and how long do they stay?
One of our caregivers will come to your home up to 3 times per day to take care of your precious pets. AM visits take place between the hours of 7am & 9am, MID DAYS between 11 & 2:30pm, and PM visits between 6:30 & 8pm. No longer than 12 hours ever goes in between visits. For example, if your pooch was visited at 8pm, the sitter would arrive to your home no later than 8am the following morning. Dog visits are 30 minutes in duration. Cat visits are 20 minutes in duration. We will also stay longer if requested. Look at our complete list of services and tailor your own pet care plan.
What type of payment do you accept and when am I charged?
For your convenience we accept checks or credit cards payments via PAYPA. All payments are to be received and processed before your scheduled service begins.
Do you have boarding facilities?
No. We believe in in-home care, which is why we have chosen not to have a boarding facility. However, we do have pet care providers who can remain at your home should you need to leave town for an extended period of time. Please email us at andrea@iheartwalkies.com or call us @ (215) 806-2945 for more information regarding this service.
Are there extra costs for services performed on a holiday?
We consider the following to be our major annual holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Christmas Eve Day, and New Years Eve. There is up to a $15 surcharge plus the standard charge for the service being provided on these dates. Additionally, we must receive a non-refundable payment for the Thanksgiving service visit by November 6th of that year, and a non-refundable payment for the Christmas and New Year holiday service visits by December 6th of that year. There is no refund for cancellation.
Why is there a registration meeting?
The registration meeting is a visit that allows you to get to know our service. During this visit, one of our pet care providers will perform the following tasks: introduce themselves to you and your pet, pick up keys, confirm pertinent information about you and your pet (e.g. vet information, emergency contact, special requests, etc.), and answer any additional questions you may have.
My pet has been aggressive in the past - can it still be a client?
For aggressive pets, our sitter will interview you and your pet, in person, to determine if there is a good fit between your pet and our services. If additional visits are needed to socialize your pet with our pet care provider, then you will need to be present at all visits and pay the normal service fee until socialized. If at any time our pet sitter or owner, feel that it is unsafe to perform a service, we will reserve the right to discontinue service without notice.
Can you give my pet his medicine?
Due to the stress on the animal, we strongly urge you to administer all medications to your pet. However, when that is not possible and your pet needs its medicine, then we will attempt to administer medicine orally, only. Service fees apply.
How do I drop off or pick up house keys?
Two copies of all keys required to access your home (and pet!) should be given to Pet Nanny during the registration meeting. If you are giving newly copied keys, we ask that you MAKE CERTAIN TO TEST ALL KEYS TO SEE THAT THEY WORK before giving them to the pet care provider.
If you are moving or your locks have changed, we ask that you contact us immediately. At that time, we will request that you leave two sets of all new keys needed to access your home at our office located at 14 N. 3rd Street c/o Bonejour Pet Supply. When you drop the new keys off, please put the keys in an envelope with your name on the outside of the envelope.
If you would rather have your keys picked up and returned to you a $10 fee will apply for each trip made to your home.
How will your pet providers discipline my pet, if necessary?
WALKIES, LLC believes in positive reinforcement for pets. We will never hit, spank, slap, yank the leash, yell or grab your pet. If there is a disciplinary problem, i.e. toilet training issues, running away, etc., you will be informed of the incident(s) and we will implement your suggested disciplinary actions.
What is your “48-Hour Policy”?
WALKIES, LLC utilizes a 48-hour scheduling and cancellation policy to make certain all our clients receive first-rate service. If you call to schedule or cancel a visit (or visits) with less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged an additional fee, as our caregivers must adjust their schedules to accommodate yours. 24 hr notice of cancellation required for Preferred Customers, and Recurring Monthly Fresh Air customers to obtain a credit.
I have a last minute trip suddenly come up! Can you help me?
We will always try to help you on short notice, but we cannot guarantee availability if there is very little time before your service begins. We regularly book up completely at major holidays and end up turning away last minute callers.
What does it mean that you are insured?
We carry a liability insurance policy that protects you from financial loss in the event we are liable for accidents that occur while caring for your pets. Any responsible professional business should carry liability insurance.
What does it mean that you are bonded?
A dishonesty bond gives you peace of mind that you will be reimbursed if anything is stolen from your home. You should make sure that any workers who enter your home carry a dishonesty bond.
What will you do if my pet becomes ill while I am away?
If we suspect that something is wrong with your pet, we will call you at the emergency phone numbers we have on file for you. We will describe the situation with your pet. If you believe the veterinarian should see your pet, we will transport your pet to the veterinarian’s office for examination and treatment. In the event we cannot reach you, we will decide if your pet should be seen by the veterinarian. If necessary, we will take your pet for treatment. You will be billed for any extra time we spend for these services.
What should I expect when I return home?
You can expect to find your pets healthy and happy, as well as an impeccably maintained home. You will find a note from us. The note will give a report on how everything went while you were away. When you arrive home, you need to call us to let us know you’ve returned. The note we leave for you will remind you of this.
