Home |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Professional Pet Sitter do?
Caring pet owners know that most pets adjust better to their owner's absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain their home environments. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals, exercise, playtime and cleaning litter boxes or cages, professional pet sitters may also administer medications, walk dogs and perform other pet-care duties. That's why in-home pet care is the choice of pet owners and the “pet-preferred” method of vacation and travel care.
Pet sitters may also provide vital home-care services while you are away, including mail or newspaper pick up, plant care and watering, placing trash outside for pickup or rotating the lights and opening or closing the blinds to make your house look lived in. A professional pet sitter provides peace of mind for everyone.
Why should I use your services, when I might be able to get a friend,
neighbor or relative to do it?
It is wonderful to have a friend, neighbor or relative willing to help you
while you are away. However, we are insured, certified through Pet Sitters International, and we won't ask you to watch our pets when we go out of town!
How much does a visit cost?
Here is a list of our fees. Our prices are
based on the number of visits scheduled, number and types of pets cared
for, the services provided and the distance traveled. The final price
quote will be determined at the get acquainted meeting.
How do I get started with AZ PET SERVICES?
First, as soon as possible before you need our services contact us by
calling us at 623-451-8494. We
will then contact you to set up a free Get Acquainted meeting to meet you
and your pets.
We recommend that you contact us as soon
as you know about your trip ensure your reservation.
How many visits a day do you provide for pets?
That is your decision. For dogs, we recommend a minimum of two (2) visits
per day. Most people request 2 or 3. It really
depends on your dog's needs. For cats and other animals, we do a minimum
of one (1) visit per day. We will not skip days.
What areas do you service?
We service the Northwest Valley; primarily parts of Phoenix,
Glendale, & Peoria.
What goes on at the Get Acquainted meeting?
You and your pets will meet the pet sitter and the pet sitter will get to
meet you. We then discuss the pet and house care services needed and the
service period desired, complete the Service Agreement, the Pet Owner
Profile, the Pet Profile and the Veterinarian Release form, and then the
pet sitter will obtain and test two house keys and obtain 100% of the fees.
Is my personal information kept confidential?
Yes!! We do not disclose any client information to any third parties. All
Service Agreements, Pet Owner Profiles, Pet Profiles and the Veterinarian
forms are kept in a locked cabinet at our office. Only the pet sitter will
have access to your personal information.
How long is each visit?
During each visit we take your pets
outside for a potty break; refresh their food and water, clean their
litter box and of course, give them tender loving care! We also fill out a
daily log that lists time in, what your pet is up to and what
services we have performed (getting mail, taking out trash bin, etc.) and
any other comments about your pets that you might be interested in. Most visits are around 20-30 minutes but we charge by service, not time.
How much notice do you need for a cancellation?
Cancellations may be made up to two days in advance of the first scheduled
service. After that period, a cancellation fee equal to one visit will be
charged. During holiday periods, cancellations may be made up to TEN days
in advance of the first scheduled service. After that a cancellation fee
of 35% of the total reservation will be charged.
Do you take "last-minute" reservations?
Yes, ONLY, if you are a current Client, and we already have your key, a
completed original set of AZ Pet Services forms (Service Agreement,
Pet Owner Profile, Pet Profile and Veterinarian Release) and a completed
Service Agreement addendum (can be done over the phone or by e-mail or by
visiting our website). We will make every effort to accommodate you if
time permits. We will make every effort to accommodate last minute NEW
clients, depending on the time and resources available. Additional Charges May Be Applied.
What kind of animals do you care for?
We will care for almost any animal, as long as they do not pose a danger
to the pet sitter’s safety.
Are you bonded and insured?
We are insured through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC for Pet Sitting. Bonding covers theft only,
and our insurance covers theft, loss of a pet, and much more. We are also bonded for your peace of mind.
Do you administer medication to pets?
Yes, we will administer medication pills, drops and/or injections with a vet’s written approval
and directions. However, we will not administer medication to any animal
that poses a danger to the sitter.
Can I hire my Pet Sitter directly?
NO! Please do not place our independent contractors in the uncomfortable position of
offering them employment apart from AZ Pet Services. Our sitters are
contractually prohibited from soliciting or accepting employment directly
from our clients. We think we pay fairly based on the work we do and overhead
that we have. In addition, any tips that you choose to tip your sitter,
either cash, check, or any other form of payment goes directly to your
sitter.
What if my property or pet is damaged while I am gone?
AZ Pet Services agrees to provide the services stated in our service
agreement in a reliable, caring and trustworthy manner. However, we are
only liable for claims arising from negligence or willful misconduct on our part. Due
to the extreme unpredictability of animals, we cannot accept
responsibility for unusual mishaps (i.e., bites, furniture damage, spills,
pet stains, etc.). Additionally, if your pets have access to the outside,
we are NOT responsible for injury, disappearance, or fines.
How am I billed and when is it due?
100% of the fee is expected at the completion of the Get
Acquainted meeting. All Balances must be paid in full prior to service or we have the right to refuse service. We currently only accept cash, personal
checks, and payment via PayPal. We will not accept post-dated checks.
What do you do in case of an emergency?
It depends on the type of emergency. If something was to happen to your
regular sitter, we have a backup sitter that can take over. If an
emergency occurs with your pets, we will first contact your vet and
transport them if necessary. You will then be contacted about the
situation. If there is an emergency with your home, we will call you, your
emergency contact and the appropriate authorities and/or a preferred
repair service.
Will I always have the same pet sitter?
We want you to build a
relationship with your pet sitter so you and your pet(s) feel comfortable so we do our best to keep your sitter the same.
In the event that your pet sitter is not available you will have the
opportunity to meet his or her temporary replacement if you so choose.
Can we contact you while we are away? Or will you contact us?
As part of our service we provide our clients with e-mails or voice mail.
Just let us know how often. After all, we are here to serve you and give
you peace of mind when you are away from home.
What happens if my pet becomes ill or injured?
This is why Emergency Contact and Vet Information is so important!
What happens if my pet gets out of the yard?
All pets must wear identification tags while under our care. We also,
require that all gates on your property be locked while you are away.
May I offer a gratuity to my pet sitter?
Yes, you may offer it directly to your sitter or send it to AZ Pet Services, LLC. 100% of gratuities go to your pet sitter.
How do I get my key back when I return from my trip?
We will NOT leave it in a designated area. We can set up a $25 appointment
to bring it back to you if you prefer not to be enrolled in the Ready Key Program.
What do you do with my key if it is on file?
Your security is important to us, we want to make sure that in case of a
break in, you will be protected, that is why we have a special system of
coding your keys, your name and address are never with your key and they
are locked up when not in use.
Do I have to have another appointment and fill out another service
agreement every time I leave town?
No. Once your service agreement is on file, a quick call to
AZ Pet Services is all you need to book service.
Will AZ Pet Services, LLC ever share my information with any other
company or individual?
Absolutely not! At AZ Pet Services, LLC your privacy is
important to us. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and value the
trust you place in us. If you have any questions regarding the information
we gather about you and what we do to protect it, please feel free to
contact us.
Thanks for booking with us and have a wonderful trip!
Please contact us if you have any other questions.
|