POLICIES
PAYMENTS
Checks and cash are accepted as forms of payment.
Payment for Pet Sitting and Overnight Pet Care is due on or before the first scheduled visit. Days before you leave town, I will reconfirm the visit schedule and send you an invoice.
Payment for Dog Walking and Potty Break Service is due on the last day of service each week.
VISIT POLICY
For your pet’s safety and well being the minimum Pet Sitting requirement is one visit per day for cats and two visits per day for dogs while you’re away from home. Pet lovers with both dogs and cats will be charged a nominal fee per visit for the cat(s). There are no exceptions to this policy.
SCHEDULING & VISIT TIME FRAMES
Pet care visits are scheduled first come, first serve and every effort is made to accommodate all service requests. The day begins with dogs at the top of the morning visit schedule, followed by cats. Mid-days are devoted to dogs and puppies. Evening visits begin with cats and end with dogs and puppies.
Morning Visits: 7 – 11 a.m.
Mid-Day Dog Walk Service: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Evening Visits: 5 – 8 p.m.
LATE BOOKING FEE
There is a $10 late booking fee for all visits scheduled less than 24 hours in advance.
KEY POLICIES
Dog Walking and Potty Break clients are required to provide one set of working keys (and fob where applicable) at the initial meet and greet. If you cannot provide the keys when we meet, I can pick them up for $20.00.
If no front desk or concierge, Pet Sitting and Overnight Pet Care clients have two options:
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You can provide one set of working keys for me to keep in my secure lockup, a practice which worked without issue for 26 years of pet sitting in Philadelphia. Or I can leave your keys and/or fob behind on my last visit. However, if there’s a chance you’ll need my services again, the fee to pick up keys/fobs is $20.
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Utilize a lockbox. The key(s) will be retrieved and returned to the lockbox at each visit. In such cases I would ask that your emergency contact(s) also hold a copy of your keys in the event the lockbox malfunctions. If a garage code is offered to gain entry, you will be responsible for any additional fees incurred due to malfunction or power outage.
CANCELLATIONS
If you need to cancel a Dog Walk or Potty Break visit, there will be no charge for the visit if you cancel before 8:00 a.m. Cancellations received after 8:00 a.m. will be charged the visit fee.
If you need to cancel your Pet Sitting or Overnight Pet Care request before care begins, give me at least 24 hours notice and, in return, a full refund and/or credit will be provided. If cancelled the same day, you will be charged a $25.00 fee, or the cost of one visit, whichever is higher. There are no refunds, partial or otherwise, if you return home early. The time was reserved specifically for your pet(s) and cannot be resold.
See the Holidays section for more information regarding holiday cancellations.
HOLIDAYS
Charlotte City Pets provides service on all holidays. You are encouraged to book far in advance as holiday schedules fill up quickly. The following holidays in 2019 and 2020 will include a $5.00 per visit holiday surcharge:
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New Years Eve & New Years Day (12/31 and 1/1)
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Easter Weekend (Friday–Monday)
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Memorial Day Weekend (Friday–Monday)
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4th of July Weekend (Friday–Monday)
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Labor Day Weekend (Friday–Monday)
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Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday–Sunday)
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Christmas Week (12/23-12/30)
By default regular dog walks are not scheduled during holiday periods, though I am happy to accommodate regular Dog Walking and Potty Break clients as long as walks are requested well in advance.
All holiday service cancellations received at least one week prior to scheduled service will be held as credit or refunded in full. Cancellations received less than 7 days before a holiday will be refunded for 50% of the scheduled visits. No refunds will be given on holiday service after the job has begun. I understand emergencies happen and when they do, I may choose to ignore the policy.
ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS
Charlotte City Pets will administer pill and liquid medications mixed with food or give orally to pets willing to tolerate the handling. Sorry, no subcutaneous injectables and no service to pets with contagious illnesses.
PICKING UP PET SUPPLIES
Under normal circumstances, picking up supplies is not a pet sitter responsibility. Excepting emergencies, a shopping fee of $20 will be charged in addition to the cost of the supplies.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY ASSIGNMENTS
I cannot assume responsibility for your pets and property if third parties are invited to enter the premises during your absence. It is understood that any person with access to Client's home will be notified of Charlotte City Pet's presence and vice versa.
GUEST PETS
It is essential I meet guest pets before service is provided. Guest dogs, in particular, can be unpredictable. I have been cornered by otherwise lovable animals because they were unaware I was expected and felt threatened by the intrusion.
CONTACT FORMS
Forms are for contact purposes only and strictly confidential. Charlotte City Pets does not sell or distribute contact information to anyone.
Charlotte City Pets is a member of Pet Sitters International, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and fully insured by Pet Sitters Associates, LLC.
