FAQs
Why use services?
Advantages for the pet include:
• The pet remains in the comfort of your own home, where all the sights, smells & sounds are familiar.
• Animals left at home are much less likely to suffer anxiety and stress.
• The pet follows his or her customary diet & exercise routine.
• The pet is not traumatized by travel in a vehicle.
• The pet is not exposed to illness of other animals.
• Most importantly, the pet receives love and personal attention while you are away.
• You are not inconvenienced (or traumatized!) by transporting the pet.
• You do not have to impose on a friend, neighbor or relative.
• Your home is looked after as well since we provide crime deterrent services, such as adjusting blinds, lights, TV & radio, bringing in mail & removing papers from the driveway.
• You can leave home worry-free, knowing your pet is in good hands.
• You can return home at any hour of the day & find your healthy, happy pet eagerly awaiting your return.
What are your hours?
Generally, phone hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday-Saturday. Pet sits are generally 7:00 am – 10:00 pm daily.
Do you only care for cats/dogs?
No, we offer care for all animals including livestock, horses, exotics and pocket pets.
How long are visits?
Visits are a minimum of 30 minutes, but they are customizable to fit your needs. Overnight visits are a minimum of 12 hours.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 24 hours notice to avoid a cancellation fee of $5 per visit/overnight cancelled. We require 50% non-refundable deposit on all holiday bookings.
How am I protected?
We have been professional pet sitters for a combined 39 years. We are city licensed, meaning we are a legitimate business. We provide excellent references upon request. We carry liability pet sitter insurance to protect your pet and home. We conduct a police background check on all of our sub contractors.
What is the typical routine for dogs?
We typically adhere to the pets regular routine, doing 2-3 visits/day (am, afternoon & night) and/or overnights. All services include feeding, walks, yard play/exercise and administering medications if needed.
Hiring process?
In order to provide personalized care for your pets, an introductory meeting is required of all new clients. This meeting is a free consultation, to take place at the clients’ residence and set up at a convenient time for both the sitter & the client. Please be sure we can have your undivided attention for our consultation. It is a chance for both the client & their pet to meet the sitter, on the pet’s “turf”. This enables the sitter to detect whether or not a pet might be territorial, or otherwise pose a threat to the sitter. Also, at this time, the sitter will go over in detail the services provided as well as information on fees, discounts, policies and references. Information is left with the client for future perusal. If the client agrees to do business with Claws and Paws Pet Sitting Service, the client & sitter are required to sign a contract, and it is requested that a spare house key be made available for the sitter to keep. The key will be kept in a lock box in the Claws and Paws office and taken out only when needed. The pet’s routine will also be discussed, including diet, restrictions, (if any), regular walking routes, location of leashes, toys, food, bowls, etc. Payment is required before services are rendered.
In order to reserve the dates & times for pet care, it is suggested a client book the time at least a week in advance, and two months in advance for holiday bookings. Claws and Paws is noted for flexibility, and we understand that last minute trips are sometimes unavoidable, but there are times when not everyone can be accommodated, especially during the holidays. Please take this into consideration and book early.
It is Claws and Paws policy to call the client before the client leaves for a trip. This call is to confirm the dates that were booked. If there are any discrepancies with the dates, please let us know immediately to avoid any disruption in the pet’s routine.
It is requested that all clients “check in” upon returning home from a trip. A simple phone call to the sitter is all that’s required to let the sitter know that the clients’ pets are in good hands. This is to ensure that the clients have returned home safely & no further visits are needed to care for their pets at this time.
Any Additional Costs involved?
There is a $10 fee per visit/overnight for all federal holidays. Our 12 Observed Holidays
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Easter Sunday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve
We charge $10 pet supply delivery fee if client requests items to be picked up or if an unscheduled trip to the store is required.