- Is Paw Pals licensed, bonded and insured?
- Is Paw Pals certified in Pet CPR and First Aid?
- Why choose a pet sitter or dog walker?
- Do you board dogs at your home?
- Will I always have the same pet sitter or dog walker?
- What time will you visit my pets?
- Do you walk dogs in packs?
- Do you walk Pit Bulls?
- Do you let dogs off leash?
- Do you pick up after the dogs?
- My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can you still walk him?
- What happens if it snows?
- Will my dog be walked during extreme temperatures?
- Can I be notified/advised once my pet has been walked/visited?
- My pet needs medication daily. Can you accommodate this?
- My dog only needs one visit a day to feed him while I’m away because I have a doggie door.
- Can I have someone share pet sitting responsibilities?
- What happens if my pet becomes sick or injured?
- How do you handle pet accidents and destruction of property?
- What supplies should I have on hand?
- Why do you need two sets of keys?
- Do I have to sign a contract?
- Do you have references?
- How do I pay for services?
- How are gratuities handled?
- What is the purpose of the e-mail service confirmation that goes out?
- If I get a confirmation and need to adjust the dates of service or services being delivered, what should I do?
- Should I do anything upon my return home?
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
We have heard this question many times before, and we highly suggest that no matter who you are contracting to work for you for whatever job, you always ask this question. Yes, we are fully bonded and insured. Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC is also licensed through the State of Virginia. However, there are no professional licensing requirements for this line of work, and anyone who wants to become a pet sitter or dog walker can do so without any sort of formal training. Paw Pals has over 10 years of pet sitter and dog walking experience, and take pride in striving to learn more and more each day.
Are you certified in Pet CPR and First Aid?
Yes, we are certified through the PetTech PetSaver program in Pet CPR, First Aid & Care. PetTech requires re-certification every two years to maintain proficiency.
Why choose a pet sitter or dog walker?
- Benefits for your pets
- Pets are content and less stressed being safe and secure in their own environment
- Diet and exercise remain constant
- Favorite toys and chew treats are within paw’s reach
- Medications are delivered on schedule
- Pets are not exposed to illnesses and parasites from other animals
- Pets are not traumatized by a car trip and an unfamiliar environment
- Pets receive love and personal attention while you are away
- Full attention is given to the details and well-being of your pets
- Benefits for you and your home
- You are greeted by your pets upon your return
- There is no inconvenience of having to transport your pets
- There are no guilt-ridden good-byes at the kennel
- Your home is made more secure by crime-deterring measures taken by your pet sitter
- You feel secure knowing your pets are in capable and caring hands
- You have access to contact your pet sitter to check on your pets at home
Do you board dogs at your home?
We offer services in your home where your pet feels most comfortable. We will walk your dog around your neighborhood, visit your pet at your home, and even sleep at your home and house sit as well as pet sit while you are away should you desire. (Please see our overnight services.) Occasionally, if you choose and we have sitter availability, a sitter may take a pet into their own home and treat the pet as one of the family. This would be for a single client at a time. (Please see our Bed and Biscuit services.)
Will I always have the same pet sitter or dog walker?
Our goal is for you and your pets to have a long-term relationship with your pet sitter or dog walker. On your consult, you will meet your primary sitter so that they can become familiar with your pets and their routine. In the event your sitter is ill, injured or on vacation, a back-up sitter will be trained and made aware of all your needs. You will have the opportunity to meet your backup pet sitter or dog walker should you so choose.
What time will you visit my pets?
We want to maintain your pets’ routines, including the times they are let outside, as closely as possible. In general, specific visit times cannot be guaranteed, but we try to keep within an hour on each side of your requested time. For pets with time-sensitive medication issues, those visits will take priority.
Do you walk dogs in packs?
Unlike the stereotypical city dog walker with eight dogs in tow, Paw Pals offers private dog walking, so only your dog(s) will be walked at your scheduled time. We walk your dog(s) around your neighborhood where they are familiar with the sights, sounds and smells. Or if you prefer, we can spend the time with play in your backyard.
Do you walk Pit Bulls?
Yes – We do not discriminate against breed, size or age. However, for liability purposes we do reserve the right to decline service to pets that have a history of being dangerous to people or other animals.
Do you let dogs off leash?
Yes and No. If the client has a complete secured fenced-in yard, the dog will be allowed access to the yard off leash when in the presence of your pet sitter. If the dog does not have a secured yard and is used to going on the property off leash, a 30 foot leash will be used at the time of service. This way the dog has freedom to run around, while the pet sitter has control of the dog at all times. For regular dog walks, a leash will be used at all times.
Do you pick up after the dogs?
Always! Beside it being the law to do so, we hate stepping in doggie poop as much as the next person, so we always remember to pick up after your pet on a walk or visit. Just let us know where to dispose of your doggie bags. If you require more thorough or regular pet waste disposal on your property, please consider our “Poopie Patrol” services.
My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can you still walk him?
Yes we can. Paw Pals Sit Sitters are experienced with dog aggressive dogs and many other behavioral issues. While on our walks, your dog will never interact with other dogs in the neighborhood. Even if your dog is not dog aggressive, one cannot predict the temperament of another dog. This also cuts the risk of any sort of disease or infestation your dog might catch from greeting another dog.
What happens if it snows?
We will be there weather permitting. So long as the roads are safe to drive on and we can still access your home, your dog will be walked and your pet will be cared for. We ask that at least one of the emergency contacts you list on the client information page be a neighbor or someone who lives close by. In the event we cannot get to your home (road closures, SEVERE weather conditions or ice) you will be notified and we will reach out to your emergency contact to care for your pet.
Will my dog be walked during extreme temperatures?
If it extremely hot (heat index above 100 degrees), or extremely cold (wind chill factors below 20 degrees), or if there are strong storms with thunder and lightning, your dog will not be walked. Instead your pet sitter will take your dog outside long enough for him to relieve himself, and spend the remainder of the visit indoors. If the temperature in your home is too warm or too cold for your pets we will adjust the thermostat.
Can I be notified/advised once my pet has been walked/visited?
After every walk or visit your pet sitter will leave a “pawgress report” letting you know how the visit went. Daily texts, picture messages or phone calls can also be arranged if desired.
My pet needs medication daily. Can you accommodate this?
Of course! We have experience from administering oral medications to insulin shots. Depending on the type and difficulty of administration, a small extra charge may be assessed. Please see our medication schedule.
My dog only needs one visit a day to feed him while I’m away because I have a doggie door.
Our insurance does not cover pets that become lost, injured (fatal or otherwise) while given access to a fenced-in yard or doggie door while the pet sitter is not present. Therefore we require that the pet only be allowed access to the doggie door while the pet sitter is there. For the safety and well-being of your pets, Paw Pals provides a minimum of 3 visits a day for dogs if you are going to be away.
Can I have someone share pet sitting responsibilities?
Our insurance does not cover the presence of visitors or other caregivers in the home. In the interest of our safety and that of your pets, we request that you contract solely with us. Your pet is our number one priority. We will work with you to create a solution that works for your needs.
What happens if my pet becomes sick or injured?
We are dedicated to the excellent care of your pet. In the event of an emergency, we will take your pet to the nearest animal hospital or to your own vet. We will also contact you or your designated emergency contact. The pet sitter will stay with your pet until you are reached and appropriate action is taken.
How do you handle pet accidents and destruction of property?
We will make every attempt to clean accidents with supplies you have on hand for this purpose. If you have no suitable supplies, we will purchase them for you, adding them to your bill. Please be aware that not all accidents can be completely erased, no matter what product is used.
What supplies should I have on hand?
You should have plenty of supplies on hand, including food, treats, litter, waste bags, pet bedding, bird cage lining, etc., for the period of time you will be away. If supplies run out, we will purchase additional supplies and bill you accordingly.
Why do you need two sets of keys?
Occasionally, the unexpected happens (sitter becomes suddenly ill, car troubles, etc.) and we need to ensure we can have the pets cared for no matter what. Also, sometimes during longer service schedules, two sitters may be assigned to care for your pets. Therefore, we ask for two sets of keys.
Do I have to sign a contract?
Yes, we need a signed statement that you agree to let us into your home to care for your animals and that you are aware of and agree to our policies and procedures.
Do you have references?
Yes, we can provide you with a list upon request.
How do I pay for services?
We accept cash, checks, and credit cards through Paypal. We will email you a service confirmation / invoice prior to your service. There is a Paypal button to click on just right of the total due.
Checks are to be made payable to: Paw Pals Pet Sitters.
How are gratuities handled?
Gratuities are accepted and may be offered directly to your pet sitter. If you would like to include a gratuity with your payment for pet sitting services, you may and the full gratuity will be given to your sitter.
What is the purpose of the email service confirmation that gets sent when I book a service?
The schedule confirmation messages are primarily for your peace of mind. Having the dates of service correct and the services to be delivered clearly documented eliminates any possible confusion or misunderstanding. The service confirmations also keep you updated on the status of any credits or balances you may have from returning home early or by extending your trip. Please look over the confirmation and make sure the dates are correct.
If I get a confirmation and need to adjust the dates of service or services being delivered, what should I do?
You can email the changes to us, or you can call our office. We will make the adjustments in our system and send you an updated confirmation.
Should I do anything upon my return home?
We ask that you call Paw Pals Pet Sitters to confirm your return home.
