Do you offer services on weekends and holidays?
Yes. Because we book quickly, especially during holiday seasons, we suggest that you schedule any holiday or weekend appointment well in advance. We do not charge extra for weekend or holiday care .
Do you only sit for dogs and cats?
Even though we specialize in customized pet care for dogs and cats, we will also provide care for all other types of pets - horses, birds, fish, reptiles, etc. All breeds of dogs and cats are eligible for our service including those with medical conditions and behavioral problems.
Are you bonded & insured?
Yes. Our sitters are bonded & insured for the care of your home and your pet. We hold a business license as well.
Should I tip my pet sitter?
Pet sitting is a service and like other service industries, tipping is not required but appreciated when a job is well done. If you would like to leave a tip, please place it in an envelope marked TIP. Money left on the counter will not be taken.
What preparations do I need to make for my sitter?
Please go over this checklist before you leave your pet in our care. The time you take can really make a big difference in how smoothly our visits will go:
Make sure the pet sitter has a landline phone number where you can be reached. Cell phones can be unreliable in an emergency.
If inside services are requested, provide the pet sitter with a house key in addition to garage door openers. If the power goes out, we want to be able to reach your pet.
If you have new keys made, try them out to make sure they work. Often, they do not. Check your key before giving it to a sitter.
Clean your pet's food and water dishes before leaving town.
Provide extra food, litter and other supplies just in case you’re not able to return when planned.
Clean out the refrigerator of anything that will perish during the time you are away.
Adjust the thermostat to keep the house comfortable for the pet during your absence. In warm weather, a closed-up house can get dangerously hot in a short time.
Leave a list of phone numbers in case the pet sitter needs to contact service or maintenance companies while you are away such as the plumber, electrician, cleaning service, yard maintenance & pool service.
Tell the pet sitter of any household areas that are off-limits to your pets or to the pet sitter. Secure access to those areas before leaving home.
Leave out in plain view all foods and medications to be administered.
Leave a clean kitchen sink for the pet sitter to use (no dirty dishes, please). Your pet sitter will need a clean sink to wash food and water bowls in.
Make sure pets are tagged and collared and dog leashes are in plain view
Affix both the telephone numbers where you can be reached during your trip and the veterinarian’s telephone number on your kitchen refrigerator.
Write out the specific locations for the water & gas main shut off valves as well as the main circuit breaker location in your home. Leave this information on the kitchen counter for your pet sitter.
Leave a personal item from the laundry hamper in your pet's sleeping area (shirt, hanky, etc.)
If your pet is dirty, bathe your pet before departing, please. Pet sitters, like you, are more likely to get close to your pet with affection if your pet is clean.
Please, lift up off the floor and remove any chemicals or solvents, etc. that your pet could get into. I cannot be held responsible for any illness or death associated with a pet’s tampering of these products if you leave them within reach of your pet.
How long do the visits usually last? What do you do on the visits?
Please refer to our service descriptions by clicking here.
Will I have the same pet sitter every time?
We try to provide you with the same pet sitter when you schedule, however, there will be times when that person may not be available. In that instance, we will provide you with another equally qualified pet sitter who will have all the information about your home and pets.
What kind of qualifications do your pet sitters have?
Please refer to our page entitled "About Our Pet Sitters" by clicking here.
If I find I'm working late, can I call you the same day and have you visit my pets?
If you are a current client with the key keeper program you can! Additional fee for short notice may apply. New clients are excluded from same day service until after they have had a free consultation with us.
What if I'm stuck on a business trip or am coming home early?
Call us! Our phones are staffed 24/7, and we are always awaiting your next call. Once notified, we will begin to make appropriate arrangements.
Do I keep a key on file with you?
Yes. Members of our secure Key Keeper program can schedule pet care at any time. If you prefer to have your key returned to you, we offer DHL return service for a $15.00 fee.
I like what I see so far. How do I get started?
Click here to request a free consultation or call our office at (520) 877-8050.
Can I trust you with my house key?
All sitters are screened prior to employment and are bonded and insured. Upon request, we will be happy to provide references. Your name and the content of your home always remain confidential. House keys are coded anonymously. Our sitters are familiar with alarm systems and work with them frequently.
What type of payment do you accept and when am I charged?
We accept personal checks and cash for payment. All payments are to be received and processed before your scheduled service begins. In 2007, we plan to add credit crd acceptance. Check back with us periodically for updates about credit card acceptance.
What are your Terms and Conditions ?
By submitting any form electronically on this website you acknowledge that you have read & understand the pet care agreement terms and conditions AND you agree with the contents of this form.
Your Pet's Pal, LLC Terms & Conditions of The Pet Care Agreement:
1. The parties herein agree as follows: The initial term of this agreement shall be from the date this form was electronically submitted to the present. In the event of a cancellation or an early return, client must notify Your Pet’s Pal, LLC if Client does not want care to continue. No refund shall be afforded for such a return unless (7) day’s notice was issued either in writing or via email from a Your Pet’s Pal, LLC representative. If (7) day’s notice is given, Your Pet’s Pal, LLC will refund 50% of fees obtained from client. If less than (7) days notice's given, no refund will be issued, and in the event that payment has not yet been made, Your Pet’s Pal, LLC will bill client.
2. Pet Sitter is authorized to perform care and services as outlined on this agreement. Pet Sitter is also authorized by signature below to seek emergency veterinary care with release from all liabilities related to transportation, treatment and expense. Should preferred veterinarian not be available Pet Sitter is authorized to approve medical and/or emergency treatment (including euthanasia) as recommended by a veterinarian. Client agrees to reimburse Your Pet’s Pal, LLC and or Pet Sitter for any and all expenses incurred should such an emergency transpire, plus any additional fees/expenses for attending to this need including but not limited to food, lodging, supplies, and lost income due to attendance. There will be a $25 transport fee added to your final bill should you pet require transport at any time.
3. In the event of inclement weather or natural disaster Pet Sitter is entrusted to use best judgment in caring for pets and home. Pet Sitter and/or Your Pet’s Pal, LLC will be held harmless for consequences related to such decisions.
4. Pet Sitter agrees to provide services stated in this contract in a consistent, reliable, and trustworthy fashion. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, the Client expressly waves and relinquishes any and all claims against Pet Sitter and/or Your Pet’s Pal, LLC except those arising from negligence or willful misconduct on behalf of Your Pet’s Pal, LLC.
5. Client understands that this contract also serves as a pre-invoice and/or receipt. All services provided by Your Pet’s Pal, LLC and all Pet Sitters of Your Pet’s Pal, LLC are to be prepaid by cash, check or credit card. Checks are to be made out to Your Pet’s Pal, LLC and never to the individual Pet Sitter with the exception of gratuity checks. Client acknowledges the Non-Compete clause each Pet Sitter has signed and agrees to uphold such clause. In doing so, no Client may solicit business to Pet Sitter outside of the paid services provided through Your Pet’s Pal, LLC. Your Pet’s Pal, LLC may at their sole discretion offer billing and/or accept credit cards. It is at the sole discretion of Your Pet’s Pal, LLC to provide services to clients who have failed to prepay for their dates of care. Your Pet’s Pal, LLC is in no way responsible for pets left by their owners, when the owners have not paid for the care prior to departure.
6. In the event of personal illness or emergency of Pet Sitter, Client authorizes Pet Sitter and/or Your Pet’s Pal, LLC to arrange for another qualified person to fulfill responsibilities as set forth on this contract. Every attempt will be made to notify client in this case.
7. All pets are to be currently vaccinated. Should Pet Sitter be bitten or otherwise exposed to any disease or ailment received from Client's animal which has not been properly and currently vaccinated, it will be the Client's responsibility to pay all costs and damages incurred by victim/Pet Sitter.
8. Your Pet’s Pal, LLC reserves the right to terminate this contract at any time before or during it's term if, Your Pet’s Pal, LLC, in it's sole discretion, determines that Client's pet possesses a danger to the health or safety of Pet Sitter or Client's home. If concerns prohibit Pet Sitter from caring for a pet, Client authorizes pet to be placed in a kennel/boarding facility with all charges there from to be charged to Client.
9. Client authorizes this signed contract to be a valid approval for future services of any purpose, provided by this contract permitting Your Pet’s Pal, LLC to accept telephone reservations for services and enter premises without additional signed contracts or written permission. Key Keeper Membership authorizes 2 copies of house keys to be on file; one for Pet Sitter during time of service and one for Office.
10. The utmost of care will be given in watching your pet(s) and your home. However, due to the extreme unpredictably of animals we cannot accept responsibility of any mishaps of any extraordinary or unusual nature (i.e. animal bites, furniture, damage, accident death, etc.) or any complications in administering medications to the animal. Nor can we be liable for injury, disappearance, death, or fines of pet(s) with access to the outdoors. All pets are to be currently vaccinated with proof of vaccination(s) available.
11. Client authorizes this signed contract to be valid approval for future services of any purpose provided by this contract permitting Your Pet's Pal, LLC to accept telephone reservations for service and enter premises without additional contracts or written authorization.
12. All major holidays (with the exception of: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day) will require a two week advance notice or a $25 late booking fee will be assessed. Advance reservations are always welcome via our website at www.yourpetspaltucson.com or by calling our office at 520-877-8050. A 50% cancellation fee of your total invoice will be assessed to those who cancel (7) days or less prior to any major holiday listed herein: EASTER, MEMORIAL DAY, 4TH OF JULY, and LABOR DAY. For the following major holidays listed below, we will require a (30) day advance notice or a $30 late fee will be assessed. A 50% cancellation fee of your total invoice will be assessed to those who cancel (30) days or less prior to any of these major holidays: THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY, NEW YEAR’S EVE/DAY
13. You must notify Your Pet's Pal, LLC upon return or you may be subject to penalties.By submitting any form electronically on this website I acknowledge that I have read and reviewed pet care agreement/privacy policy, and I understand and agree with the contents of it.
Email Privacy Policy
We have created this email privacy policy to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy and the protection of your information.
Why did you receive an email from us?
If you received a mailing from us, (a) your email address is either listed with us as someone who has expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future ("opt-in"), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings.
How we protect your privacy
We use security measures to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of data used by our system.
Sharing and Usage
We will never share, sell, or rent individual personal information with anyone without your advance permission or unless ordered by a court of law. Information submitted to us is only available to employees managing this information for purposes of contacting you or sending you emails based on your request for information and to contracted service providers for purposes of providing services relating to our communications with you.
How can you stop receiving email from us?
Each email sent contains an easy, automated way for you to cease receiving email from us, or to change your expressed interests. If you wish to do this, simply follow the instructions at the end of any email.
Do you board pets or have sitters who will take a pet into their own home?
No. We offer only in-your-home pet care. However, we do have pet care providers who can pet sit overnights, in your home, should you need to leave town for an extended period of time. Please click here to learn more about our overnight pet sitting option.
Why is a free consultation required before scheduling pet care?
The free consultation is a meet and greet that allows you to get to know our service, and us to know your pets. During this visit, one of our pet care providers will..
- introduce themselves to you and your pet
- take a medical and behavioral history of your pet
- capture feeding and care instructions
- get a tour of your home and pet facilities
- collect and test your house key
- collect pre- payment
- go over instructions for mail collection, plant needs and other house-related services
- answer any additional questions you may have.
Click here to schedule a free consultation now.
What will you do if my pet becomes ill while I am away?
If we suspect that something is wrong with your pet, we will call you at the emergency phone numbers we have on file for you. We will describe the situation with your pet. If you believe the veterinarian should see your pet, we will transport your pet to the veterinarian's office for examination and treatment. In the event we cannot reach you, we will decide if your pet should be seen by the veterinarian. If necessary, we will take your pet for treatment. You will be billed for any extra time we spend for these services.
If your pet experiences an emergency as defined by the American Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR manual, we will transport your pet directly to an emergency facility for treatment, then notify you once we have arrived at the emergency vet office.
What should I expect when I return home?
You can expect to find your pets healthy and happy, as well as an impeccably maintained home. You will find a note from us. The note will give a report on how everything went while you were away. When you arrive home, you need to call us to let us know you've returned. The note we leave for you will remind you of this, and our phones are staffed 24/7 to await your call.
If we do not hear from you as expected, a sitter will be dispatched to your home on the next visit cycle and you will be charged additional fees.
Is it OK to allow other people to come into our home during your pet care assignment?
We prefer that your home is only occupied by our sitter during our assignments. For obvious reasons, we cannot be responsible for the home and or pet when you allow others to have access to them. Should a problem occur, it could be impossible to prove responsibility. Therefore if you do have others coming in and out of your home during this time, it will null and void our bond and insurance. We do this to protect you, as well as our sitters.
How do I prepare for my free consultation?
When meeting with one of our pet sitters for the first time, there are a few things you can do to ensure a successful meeting:
- Make the time. Set aside one hour to meet with your sitter. This hour should be free of distractions. The info we gather is important to us and we want to get it right the first time!
- No calls, please. Turn off your cell phone, and set your answering machine to pick up any incoming calls to your home phone.
- Gather up the gang! Have your pets ready to meet with your sitter.
- Collect important information ahead of time. You should have these names and numbers ready for your sitter when she arrives: The name and number of your Vet & Emergency Vet preference, your pets' proof of vaccination (or note the lack thereof), & an emergency contact person and phone number.
- Have two copies of your house keys and your checkbook ready. If you do decide to hire us by the end of our meeting, this is when we will collect both your house keys and your payment for services scheduled. Check your keys in the door lock ahead of time - sometimes copies do not work at first.
Why do you require 2 copies of my house key?
We require two (2) copies of your house key; one to give your pet sitter to use during her pet care assignment and one to stay in the office safe. We do this so that in case something happens to the pet sitter (should s/he fall ill or be delayed in traffic) we can dispatch another one of our qualified, professional pet sitters to your home to care for your pets by providing him/her with the second copy of your house key. It also comes in handy for those rare occassions when a pet sitter locks herself out!
Please note: Your house key is closely guarded at all times. Keys are kept behind an alarm, 2 locked doors and a state-of-the-art key safe. Names or addresses never appear on the key tags. All keys are numbered in such a sequence that it would be impossible to determine who each key belonged to, unless you were privy to that information as part of your job with Your Pet's Pal, LLC. All of our associates are bonded and insured.
