Get acquainted consultation

The first step for a new or potential client is to schedule a free get-acquainted meeting.  This
allows me to meet you and your pets, answer any questions and discuss your individual needs. If you do decide to book a reservation during this meeting, I will go over all the necessary paperwork, take a deposit to hold your reservation and will pick up your keys. It is highly recommended that I interact with all the pets that I will be caring for including walking the dogs outside the home.  I reserve the right to ask that other arrangements be made for dogs that growl or show other signs of aggression.   I work on a first come, first serve basis.  If you do not book during your consultation, I reserve the right to book your requested time with another client.

I allow ½ hour for the preliminary, courtesy get acquainted consultation.  During this
consultation, I normally get all necessary instruction on the care of your pets.  If you feel that
additional time is necessary to be spent with the pets to gain further background or supervised, complex instructions are needed, I can provide that time but it will be CHARGEABLE at the rate of $20.00 per ½ hour.

Reservations

Reservations must always be confirmed by telephone or email within 24-48 hours prior to
departure.   I take reservations on a first come, first serve basis - please remember, holidays
book quickly!  I will always do my best to accommodate your last minute requests, but booking at least two weeks ahead of your departure is greatly appreciated.  A 50% deposit is required at the time of your reservation.

Holidays

There is a one-time $10.00 a surcharge for services provided during holidays.  Also, due to the high demand for pet sitting during these times, the deposit for reservations made over the following holidays is NON-REFUNDABLE:  Easter, Memorial day, Fourth of July, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Business Telephone Hours:

I'm available from 8am - 7pm 7 days a week.  Often, I'm out in the field, but if I miss you,
please leave a message and I will return your call promptly. (usually within 1 hour of your call).

Deposits

For all clients, a 50% deposit is due at the time your reservation is made. This enables me to
hold your requested dates.

Payment

Payment of a pet sitting service contract is due in full on or before the first day the contract is
to commence.  Payment in full is expected at the time reservations are made for any
reservation made with less that 48 hours notice.  I accept cash, personal check and PayPal for payments and deposits.

Billing

All billings are due upon receipt by client.

Cancellations & Refund of Deposits

I understand that plans change and if cancellation is necessary, I ask for your courtesy and
please cancel your reservation as far in advance as possible.  *Cancellations made with at least
48 hours notice will receive a full refund of deposit.  Cancellations made less than 48 hours
prior to the start of a pet sitting service contract will incur a $25.00 fee .

*Please see the holidays section above regarding refund of deposit for reservations made over
holidays.

Returned Check Fee

A $25.00 fee will be charged to the client for each check returned by the client’s bank
regardless of the reason

Keys

Urban Paws will retain two working keys at the time of your initial consultation.  Your
keys will be returned to you by mail within one week of the end of your pet sitting contract
unless you request they be kept on file for future visits. Urban Paws cannot be held
responsible for keys lost in the mail.  If you would like your keys returned in person, there will be a $10.00 charge.  Alternately, we can make arrangements to leave your keys in a secure location of your choosing on the last day of the assignment.  

Key Ready Program

Should you choose, free of charge, Urban Paws agrees to keep your keys in a secure
location so I will more easily be able to serve you and your pets for future visits.  Most of my
clients are in the key ready program.

Access to your home

I understand that you may have relatives, neighbors and cleaning or repair services that could
have access to your home while you are away or at work.  Urban Paws is not responsible for any damages incurred to your home or pets by said persons or businesses.  If other people will be in your home during our scheduled service contract, Urban Paws’ insurance may not cover losses incurred.  

Substitute Pet Sitters

Urban Paws reserves the right to substitute a caregiver if I am not able to perform my
duties during the course of your contract due to illness or injury.  You will be notified as far in
advance as possible.   I only use persons well known to me and that I entrust to take care of my own pets while I'm away.  They will abide by all policies and ethical practices utilized by the company.

Secured Areas

Urban Paws does not assume and has no liability for any injuries your pets may sustain
while in their own home/property.  It is the pet owner’s sole responsibility to pet-proof the
home and or property that the pets have access to. It is the pet owner’s responsibility to inform Urban Paws if there are areas of the home and property that pets are not allowed
access.

Unsecured Pets

Urban Paws will not be held liable or responsible for free-roaming pets or pets left in
backyards, especially small dogs.  For your pet’s safety and well-being while in my care, I would prefer small dogs (those under 30 pounds) not have access to a doggie door
that leads to an area that can be accessed by predators.  Too many times in working at animal
emergency hospitals, I have seen the effects of the A,B,C’s on free roaming pets. A=Automobiles, B=Big Dogs & Bad People &  C=Coyotes.  Please, please, please keep your
pets confined to your home and/or a safe, secure yard.  They are unable to defend themselves
against such predators and situations.
 
Identification Tags

All dogs should be fitted with collars and identification. During your service contract,
free of charge, Urban Paws will provide identification tags with our contact
information.

Daily Diary Updates

I will keep a daily diary and log of what took place during each of my visits to your home.  I
will leave this for you at the end of the service contract so you can catch up on what your pets were up to while you were gone.

E-mail Updates

Should you choose, I will periodically e-mail you updates and pictures of your pets activities.

Telephone Updates

If at any time you would like to check on your pets, you may call Urban Paws between
the hours of 8am cst - 8pm cst daily.  In case of emergency, please call at any time.

When you return

I request that you call within 2 hours of your expected return home so I can assure the safety
and well being of your pets and home. Alternately, if your trip is extended or you return
early**, please call within 2 hours of what would be the next scheduled appointment time.
This will also ensure no additional charges to you for unneeded visits.  I will continue with
your pet sitting service to the best of my ability until I have spoken with you and confirmed
that you are home safely and are able to resume your pets care.

**There is no refund of fee if client chooses to return early from a trip.  

Inclement Weather

Urban Paws reserves the right to cancel a schedule walk, turn-out or outdoor play
session due to inclement weather.  Whenever possible, an alternative form of exercise will be
utilized.  Inclement weather can include unhealthful air quality, temperatures above 90
degrees or heavy wind and rains.  

In Case of Emergency

In case of medical emergency, Urban Paws will transport your pets via my vehicle or through Animal Ambulance Service (whichever is the most appropriate) to a Veterinarian as soon as possible.  Every attempt will be made to take your pet to the Veterinarian of your choosing.  I will notify you immediately should this situation occur.

Walking Dogs

I walk all dogs who enjoy walking.  Unfortunately some dogs just don’t know how to go for a walk.  If a pet fights the leash, chokes themselves, or just plain does not know how to walk
properly, I CANNOT continue to walk the pet.  Each visit includes a walk unless one of these
conditions makes it impossible.

Visiting Hours

Unless arrangements are otherwise made, my normal visiting hours for visits are from
approximately 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

Specific Times of Visits

I reserve morning and evening visits for my twice-a-day clients.  Twice-a-day clients enjoy
having their pets fed near mealtimes, morning and evening.  I always space at least eight to 12
hours between visits so the pet’s days are active.  Preference is given to those pets requiring
medications at specific time and/or need to be allowed out of the house for a potty break.  **If your pet is only going to be visited once in twenty-four hours, then I establish REGULAR time for their visit between the hours of 6:00 AM and 7:30 PM.  

**Unless medications are needed, then I will do my best to accommodate a schedule to
coincide with the time medications/treatments are to be given.

Length of Visits

On all regular calls, my visitations last AT LEAST ½ hour.  Many times it exceeds this time-
frame.  The only exception to this rule, are those pets who do not enjoy being played with or
loved during the visit.  If I find, for example, that my entire checklist has been accomplished
within twenty minutes, and the pet does not want to play or be loved, then I may leave at
that point as to not stress the pet with unwanted attention.

Pet Care

My routine service includes brushing on a routine basis.  Bathing and nail-clipping can be added for an additional charge.  I do not provide flea dips or trimming.  If your vacation is lengthy and your pet requires a trip to the groomers, I can accommodate you if arrangements are made IN ADVANCE of your departure.  A Pet Taxi transportation charge will be made for this service.  Please see my Services & Rates page for details on these additional option charges.

Ill or sick pets

I do not knowingly accept sitting assignments with sick pets.  I firmly believe that sick pets
belong under the constant care of you veterinarian.  However, if you have aged, infirm or
medicated pets, this is not a problem if you discuss with us the special needs of the pet.  I never take any chances with illness.  Any pet showing signs of illness is taken immediately to your vet or if unavailable at the time, a qualified veterinarian for treatment.  Additionally, if a pet requires medication, but is extremely shy, scared or aggressive towards being medicated, that pet may be better off at your treating veterinarian’s office while you are away.

Adequate Food Supplies

If you miscalculate and run out of food, a shopping charge of $10.00 will be added to your bill if I have to purchase food or supplies.  This is IN ADDITION to the actual cost of the food
and/or supplies.

Destruction by Pets

As a rule, most damage to property, furniture and carpets is done by pets who get lonely and
bored.  Most owners don’t know in advance what will provoke their pets to such action.  I
make all attempts to limit any destruction by pets or household goods.  If for example, you
wish you pet kept indoors and the pet chews on furniture, I will attempt to remove the
attraction.  If the problem continues, I cannot empty your pet’s entire area of attractive
temptations.  I cannot, therefore, be responsible for damage done by your pets to your home.  I use common sense and tried-and-true methods to attempt to limit and restrict bad behavior by pets.  If your pet is routinely destructive, this will be noted on my pet diary/log and I will discuss behavior modification services with you. 

Drinking Water

I change or top off drinking water on every visit.  Good, clean, fresh water is mandatory for
your pet’s good health.

Yard Clean up

I pick up and dispose of any and all excrement on every visit.  I feel that cleanliness is extremely important to your pet’s good health.  Rest assured that your yard and any and all
accidents are spotted and removed on each visit. This does not mean however, that you should allow the excrement to “build up” until my visit.  I’d appreciate starting off each assignment with a clean yard.