FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Before any booked service we like to get to know you and your pets. We will schedule a meet and greet appointment at your home. The pet-sitter(s) will visit you at your pets and will take time to get to know your them, learn their routine, and review every detail of their care needs. After the meet and greet you will be ready to schedule services, easy peasy!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
We believe in hiring dog walkers and pet-sitters who are passionate and enthusiastic about pets and already have acquired pet care experience. We expand on their skills by providing ongoing training and education. Our pet-sitters and dog-walkers attend various seminars and participate in learning opportunities throughout the year, such as dog behavior, dog training, dog play behavior, first aid, and cat behavior.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
There are many people who offer pet sitting and dog-walking, but how do you tell the difference between a reputable company and a hobby sitter? There are a lot of "pet-sitters" and "dog-walkers" who are referred to as "hobbists" because they like the idea of making quick cash, but are not concerned about being a legitimate business. With the rise of tech startups like Rover and Wag, it's easier than ever to hire a hobby sitter. These tech startups are essentially a matching service, similar to a dating website. The people listed on these sites are not employees of that company, the "training" provided is basically an online quiz, and the sitters and walkers may or may not be insured and bonded, may or may not have had a background check, and their levels of experience widely vary. These options, along with other hobby sitters may cost less, making it an attractive option. When you want the absolute best care for your pet, do you choose price, or value? As a professional, award winning, five star pet-care company we believe value prevails. It's like that saying, you get what you pay for. So what does it mean to be a legitimate pet sitter? A professional pet sitting business will be registered as a legal business in the state they are operating. They will have liability insurance, and bonding insurance to protect your home and your pets. They will have employees, not independent contractors. Legally, an employer can not tell an independent contractor how to perform their job, doing so would legally make them an employee, and require the employer to pay payroll taxes, and have workers compensation insurance. To sum it up, it costs more for a business to have employees, and employees are told how to do their job, held to performance standards, and provided training, unlike an independent contractor. They will provide workers compensation insurance for their staff. They operate 365 days a year, no blackout dates. They have backup sitters. They are certified in pet first aid and CPR. Have a service agreement, prepared by an attorney. How to spot a hobbist Charge under the national average, typically because they are not carrying proper insurances, etc. Has independent contractors, not employees. Leave you hanging when they sick, get a full-time job,, go on vacation, etc. May or may not have liability insurance. Do not have a service agreement or it's amateur, clearly not crafted by an attorney. No one to check on them to ensure they actually did the pet's visits. May only accept payments by cash or check. May or may not have a website Offers pet care in their own home without a legally required kennel license.