Question 1

What can I do to prepare my pet and home for my absence?

Accepted Answer

The best thing you can do to prepare your pet for your absence is to completely inform your PWP sitter of all the details of your pet's needs.

It is important to pet proof your home and pick up things that could be harmful if swallowed. All chemicals in areas where your pets have access should be put away. Unplug unused appliances to avoid a fire or even electrical shock to pets.
If your pet needs chew toys, pick ones that are too large to swallow. Even tennis balls have been found to cause choking.

Inform your pet care provider of your pet's behaviors and do whatever is necessary to take preventative measures to ensure that your valuables are safe from your pet. Remove valuables in windows before a trip to avoid pets who knock things down when trying to look out windows.

Secure your pets, make sure your pets are inside when you leave. Pets left in yards should also be checked for any pet hazards and secured before you leave. Check fence perimeters. Make sure gates are secured. We recommend locks on the gates while you are gone.

Keep all your pet supplies in one location. If you end up moving pet supplies be sure to leave a note for your pet sitter as to where you have moved them. Make sure your pet sitter has enough pet food and supplies to service your pets for the duration of your trip.

It is always a good idea to inform a close neighbor or relative that the pet sitter may need to contact them in an emergency, such as a natural disaster or inclement weather preventing the pet sitter from accessing your pets.
Please do not leave keys hidden outside, as the security of your home and pets are extremely important.

Question 2

Should I leave a collar on my pet?

Accepted Answer

As another layer of safety, we do place tags with PWP contact information on your pets in addition to whatever ID is presently on the animal. This way, if something were to happen all applicable contact info is available. If the collar is not safe and well fitted, leave it off.

Choke collars should NEVER be left on pets. Remove bandanas or things that can get caught up and cause injury to your pet. If you leave a collar on your pet, please choose a flat collar that is snug, but loose enough for you to place two or three fingers underneath.

Safety collars are really the most ideal collar to leave on pets during your absence. ID tags are very important and a good added precaution during your absence. We do recommend pets wear collars if safe ones are chosen.

Question 3

What kind of information do you need from me if I get the PWP voicemail and how often do you check your messages?

Accepted Answer

We check our messages often throughout the day so if you get the voicemail please know we will call you back soon! Please leave a detailed message with your dates of travel or which days you are interested in having weekly dog walking service.

Please also leave the town where you are located and any other important pet information we might need to better assist you when we call you back. Also if you have a cell phone or number you can be reached at directly this will better help us contact you quickly. We do return ALL of our calls.

Question 4

Why choose Pet Watchers Plus as you professional pet sitter?

Accepted Answer

Most pets, especially cats and dogs, like routine. As professional pet sitters, we will keep your pets on their normal schedule for eating, playtime, exercise, sleep and even medications.

\Your pets stay in their own home where they are most comfortable and won't be stressed by being transported to a kennel where they could be exposed to illness or the hazards of interaction with others of questionable behavior. And it will save you drop off and pick up time to the kennel.

Pet Watchers Plus will come to your home and act as a crime deterrent by bringing in the mail, turning lights on/off to make your home looked lived in. In an event of an emergency they can contact you immediately rather than you having to come home to a problem. We can be reached 24/7 and can arrange overnight stays.

You won't have to inconvenience your family or friends. Their good intentions may fall short of your expectations. PWP creates a professional business relationship with our clients with clear expectations for both.

PWP is always continuing to further our education and skills to give your pets the best care possible. We are certified in pet CPR and first aid and are current on taking pet behavior and training seminars.

As a pet owner and home owner, your pets will receive consistent and personalized care. We are insured and bonded for your further peace of mind.

Your pets will be waiting for your return, safely at home and happy to see you.

Question 5

Will Pet Watchers Plus do other services other than when I go on vacation?

Accepted Answer

PWP is also available for midday dog walks, trips to the vet or groomer and our Pet Taxi service. Please contact us for more info.

Question 6

Will PWP require that my pets have their vaccinations?

Accepted Answer

Only rabies is mandatory. Each case will be weighed separately concerning vaccinations and your vet's recommendation for your specific pet and their needs.

Question 7

If my pet becomes ill, what are the emergency procedures?"

Accepted Answer

We should know the vet's name and contact info, a phone number where you can be contacted, the name and number of anyone you trust to make decisions on emergency care and how much money you authorize to be spent.
This info will be recorded on the pet sitter contract you will sign.

Question 8

Can I use a neighbor or friend in combination part time with the pet sitter while I am gone?

Accepted Answer

We do not share responsibilities with anyone else but an associate of PWP. This is for your pet's and your home's safety.

We are insured and bonded and cannot be held responsible for other acts of someone else in your home in case problems arise. Our insurance protects you should there be an incident that involves your pet or property.

Bonding insures against theft or other illicit abuse of your property. If you plan to also have someone else in your home while you are away, please discuss this with us upon our initial meet and greet at your home.

Question 9

What if my pet is aggressive?

Accepted Answer

We do not take clients who have "known to be" aggressive animals. We love all pets, but have to decline some for safety reasons.

We must be able to handle the pets to properly care for them during your absence.
We do have a policy in place for the rare contingency that your pet suddenly does become aggressive and uncontrollable and we are unable to properly care for him/her.

First, we will contact you for a solution or upon mutual agreement, and at your expense, transport your pet to a reputable boarding facility for safer and more appropriate care or supervision until you return home.

Question 10

How are my house keys handled?

Accepted Answer

To make it easier for PWP and our clients we offer a "Key Safe Program".

The key is usually handed over at the initial Meet and Greet. If we are required to pick up the key there is a $7 pick up fee.

Your key or security code information is kept in our safe and the key is color coded to a wrist band or lanyard.

Your personal information for the key is kept in a separate database. This allows you to phone and arrange a pet sitting engagement as an established client and your key is already in our safe.

Question 11

Does PWP have references?

Accepted Answer

Yes we can supply references. Please ask.

Question 12

What days are PWP available?

Accepted Answer

PWP is available for bookings 24/7/365 days of the year.

We do book on a first come, first serve basis so if you know your dates for vacation or a requested service, it is best to notify us of your needs as soon as possible to ensure coverage.

For trips, it is asked that you call just before you leave and then again when you return home.

Question 13

How is payment handled?

Accepted Answer

Different services are billed differently.
 
Daily scheduled visits/dog walks are billed monthly.
 
Cat and dog vacation visits and overnight sitting reservations are estimated and billed after you have met PWP at your home.
 
First time clients require a 50% deposit.
 
If you have previously met a PWP sitter, then a bill is mailed at the time you make your reservation.
 
You can either mail us a check when you get your bill or simply drop it off at 192 Country Club in Stansbury Park.

Question 14

Do you board dogs or cats in your home?

Accepted Answer

We do not board dogs in our home.

We do provide daily visits for dogs (either 2 or 3 visits a day depending on the needs of your pet(s) or we can provide an overnight sitter to stay in your home with your dog(s) or cat(s).

Question 15

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

There is a 3-day cancellation policy for overnight pet sitting and vacation visits.

Please call us 3 days before your departure if you need to cancel in order to get a full refund.

Cancellations made less than 3 days before your departure date are subject to a 25% cancellation fee.

Cancellations made during the reservation causing interruption or early cancellation the client will pay 100% of the entire fee.

Dog walking/daily visit cancellations require a one day notice for each cancelled visit or a $10 cancellation fee will be charged.

If a client is home and neglects or forgets to cancel a visit, full price of the service will be charged.

Question 16

Is the information I give to PWP confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PWP is committed to keeping all information we receive from our clients confidential.

We will not disclose any of your personal information including your mailing address.
We will only use your information as a means to take good care of your pets and home while you are away.

Question 17

Do your dog walkers take dogs off-leash on walks?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, PWP will not do off-leash walks with your pet.

The safety of your pet is our top priority. When applicable and in acceptable areas (with client approval), we are able to use lead lines for extra exercise. These 30 foot leashes allow the dog that little extra freedom but still allow the PWP representative to have full control.

This is a very workable solution for dogs that need that little extra roaming capability during a walk. Depending on the needs of your specific animal, the lead line might be a great solution.

Question 18

Do you have a minimum number of days that I would need in order to sign up for weekly dog walking services?

Accepted Answer

We provide dog walking service Monday through Friday.

We do require a minimum of 2 days a week.  We ask these be set days so that your dog and the walker can have a regular weekly schedule.

At this time we do not provide walks for clients that need a few days here and there.

Question 19

What kind of animals does PWP care for?

Accepted Answer

We care for a variety of pets as long as they do not pose a threat.

Please ask. We are able and willing to prepare special diets for a macaw or exercise your ferret while you are gone.

Question 20

I'm going to Europe for 2 months.  Do you provide long-term overnight sitting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We specialize in long-term sitting and are available for overnight in your home for up to 3 months.

We offer a package price if you will be traveling for an extended period of time.
We are committed to providing the best care for your pet and home while you are away as well as leaving your home neat and tidy when you return.

Question 21

Will you take care of my pets without an in-home meeting?

Accepted Answer

We are sorry, but unless we have had a prior meeting with you in the company of your pet(s, eg: dogs), we do not feel it's safe to take charge of them.

This is for both your safety and the safety of the sitter who will be coming in your home while you are away.

However, if we can arrange a last minute interview meeting before you go and we are not already booked, we will be happy to help you.

Question 22

What is PWP's privacy policy?

Accepted Answer

PWP enforces the most rigorous and demanding standards for maintaining both our customers and website visitors information security and privacy. PWP guarantees our customers that we will never to sell, exchange or trade any of their personal or pet information to any other 3rd party for any reason, save and except under the demands or requirement of a legitimate court order for the purposes of law enforcement or with trusted veterinary personnel in an emergency. All personal information entrusted to PWP shall be maintained by us only in customer number-encoded password protected database files stored on separate computers or removable media held and guarded in separate secure locations.

No personally identifying information of any sort is kept on our web servers, forms on this site all send email to our offices which is stored and processed with the utmost of care and never left on any web server awaiting delivery for more than 1 to at maximum, 5 days. You, as a customer are assured that your address information will be stored separate from your name identification and all tertiary information about your home, schedules or pets in a third file, and that these three file tables will always be kept separately with the former two held in the safest of separate secured locations. The only exception to this rule may be a limited, daily work order bearing minimal information kept on the person of individual pet sitter and treated as cash.

This site may employ the convenience of third party payment processing (PayPal) systems, and as such does not have access to nor details of any of your financial arrangements. Where a check is accepted as payment, our banking institution may acquire and maintain details about your address and bank account as a result of NSF or other dishonor, which is beyond our control and may result in us sharing such information for the purpose of account settlement, however all regular transaction statements or other information about our customers in good faith will be held in the strictest of privacy.

Under no circumstance shall PWP or its employees discuss any customers identity, location or other information with anyone, save and except regarding the condition or behavior of a pet in his/her charge or to provide minimal contact information under agreement with a customer who freely chooses to serve as a PWP reference, or offered us their comments to be used as a testimonial.

As a small family run business we are certain that we can maintain the quality and integrity of our security promises to you, and you can rest assured that you shall never be reading of a "lost laptop" containing any copy of serious unsecured portion of the data of our customers falling into unknown hands. We may from time to time change this privacy policy for the purposes of improving it beyond the stated promises and assurances given above, but no update of this policy will ever mark a diminishment of our privacy and security promises to you.

FAQ's