Policies
Our policies are for the safety and protection of your pets. We thank you for understanding and abiding by our policies.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The life of a pet-sitter is not a 9 to 5 job! We’re always working, and the best way to reach us is by phone. We endeavor to answer all your messages on a same-day basis. You can also reach us by email at petmail@aol.com
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Upon contacting The Happy Pet and arranging a time to meet, we offer a free initial consultation for us to get to know one another, see if it’s a good fit, and learn your pets routines. Should you require subsequent consultations, we bill at a rate equal to our drop in visit rate for your area. Further details you wish to provide us about your pet can always be communicated in the form of a note left in your home, or an email sent to us.
BOOKING
Although we will always try to accommodate you and your pet in whatever circumstances, here are our booking guidelines. For overnight service we recommend 30 days notice. For daily visit services we recommend 1 week notice. For service of any type over a holiday, we recommend 60-90 days notice. No notice is required for dog-walking—we will accommodate you as we are able. We require written confirmation of all dates and times for pet-sits. This can be provided to us on paper during our consultation, or by email for future bookings. We request that you call or email us to confirm your travel arrangements a few days prior to your departure.
KEYS
Your key must be provided to us at the time of our initial consultation. Otherwise you must make arrangements to bring it to us. A surcharge of $10 will be in effect if we need to come pick up or drop off your key at a later date. When not in use, your key remains secure in our safe, except for clients who have regular daily visits in which case the key will remain with the pet-sitter.
PAYMENT
Our current methods of payment are cash or checks. Checks are to be made out to:
The Happy Pet
For Dog Walk Clients: Due dates for payments are bi-weekly on every second Friday for service performed during the 14 day period prior. For Pet-sit Clients: For new clients, a minimum of 50% of the total amount of the pet-sit will be due on our initial consultation. For existing clients, 50% of the total will be due on the first day of the pet-sit. The remaining amount due should be left at your home in the form of a post-dated check, dated for the last day of service. Many existing clients wish to pay for the entire bill in advance, however this is solely at the discretion of the client. A late payment fee of 2% per month will be incurred after 14 days.
VACCINATIONS
We ask that your pet be current with their vaccinations for the safety of your pet and other people’s pets, especially if he/she is frequently walked in public places. However, this may be discussed and exceptions may be made at the time of your consultation.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
At The Happy Pet we pride ourselves on our customer service and professionalism. Your feedback is important. Please contact us if you have any concerns or questions.
NOTES ON OVERNIGHT SERVICE
The Happy Pet must be informed of the date and time anyone will be coming into your home while we are caring for your pets, (ie: Cleaning person, repair person, etc). Please provide them with our phone number so they can call us prior to their visit. We will refuse entry into your home to anyone other than those persons mentioned to us by you, and we will not release information about your animal or your travel arrangements to anyone not authorized by you. You, however, are more than welcome to call or email us during your time away to check on your pet. Many clients ask if they are required to stock the house with food for our stay. This is thankfully appreciated, but certainly not required. Our sitters will provide their own food and bedding. If you wish to leave behind some money, we would be happy to purchase milk or bread (etc) for your return home. We make every effort to leave your home in the same condition it was in when we arrived. Please inform us where your cleaning supplies are located. Please make sure you’ve left sufficient food, litter, and medications (etc) for your pet for the duration of your trip. Any purchases we have to make must be reimbursed.
VETERINARIANS
Please inform your veterinarian that you will be away and let them know that The Happy Pet will be acting on your behalf while you are away. We have 24 hours a day access to a veterinary clinic in case of an emergency, and we ask that you would inform us of the amount of expenditure you are willing to cover in case of such an emergency.
SURCHARGES
Major holidays (Christmas eve and day, Thanksgiving, 4th of July)
are subject to a holiday surcharge. Please contact us as these fees vary.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we hope that your experience with The Happy Pet will be a relaxing and positive one. A recent study has shown that the number one reason why people don’t go on vacation is because of their pets! That’s where we come in. We are honored to be able to care for your pets—whether it’s for their daily exercise or when you go away on vacation. We look forward to getting to know you and your pet!
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