Frequently Asked Questions
I offer a referral bonus of $15 to existing clients when they refer me to a new client in my service area.
No, my rates are competitive with other professional pet sitters in the area and very reasonable for all the services I provide. In addition out of fairness to all clients particularly those who do not request a fee reduction, I do not negotiate.
This varies according to many different factors, the biggest of which is the time of the year. Holidays and Spring Breaks are the busiest times for pet sitters so I recommend you make your reservations as soon as possible. For new clients, during non-peak times, please contact me at least one week prior to when pet sits are needed to allow time for the meet and greet. New clients are also required to pay a 50% non- refundable deposit for services during a peak time (holidays and spring breaks).
In the case of dogs it is not healthy (or comfortable) for a dog to go 12 hours or longer without a potty break. For cats, litter boxes need to be scooped at least once a day and fresh water needs to be provided at least daily. The majority of cats also need and enjoy human interaction and companionship. An insufficient number of visits may result in accidents and damage to the home for which Amy’s Critter Care, LLC cannot be held liable.
I will walk your dog in the rain as long as it is not a heavy rain or not thundering or lightning. Due to safety concerns, your dog will not get as long of a walk if it is extremely cold or extremely hot. Dogs will not be walked in icy conditions. The breed, age, health, and other factors may also determine whether or not I will walk your dog as well as the length of the walk. This will be discussed in advance. In all of the above cases, I will take your dog outside long enough for a potty break.
I do not have employees or use independent contractors. I want to stay more involved in the care of my clients’ pets so when you hire me as your professional pet sitter, I will be doing the visits myself.
Yes a “meet and greet” is required. We will be able to ask each other questions that were not asked when you first contacted me. It is also an opportunity for me to bond with and get to know your pet(s). Also we will go over instructions for your pet(s) and make sure we are a good match.
Yes. For safety reasons, I will not enter an unlocked home. I am also unable to rely solely on a garage door for access to your home. They may fail for many reasons, including but not limited to a power outage, defective parts, or mechanical failure. The key will be provided at the meet and greet.
No, I have discontinued providing house sitting services only. My insurance does not cover house sitting when a pet is not present in the home. However, fish do count as pets.
No, I require a 2-3 hour window for visits. However, I will always do my best to do my visits closer to your desired times. If you have a puppy or pet with specific medical needs every effort will be made to accommodate those needs and their visits will be done within a smaller window.
I will communicate with you on a regular basis via text or in some cases email. Most clients want an update every visit while others choose only once a day. I have found that many clients also enjoy photos of their pets and I can do that as well.
No, my services are primarily pet sitting.