Pet Sitting in Pet's Home!

Bill & Peggy's Pet Sitting

 

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  House Keys

We normally keep your house keys until after your return, (or on file), unless otherwise instructed. If you are delayed in returning home we can continue to feed your pets. If you wish us to leave your keys on our last visit, PRIOR to your return home, we must be informed of this in advance. If, for any reason, we must employ a locksmith, as a last resort, this fee will be added to your bill.

Walking Pets

We walk all pets that enjoy walking. This is true for cats on leashes, as well as dogs. Unfortunately, some pets 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, we cannot continue to walk that pet. Each visit includes a walk unless one of these conditions makes it impossible.

Visiting Hours

Unless arrangements are otherwise made, our normal visiting hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily. During a busy time, if you wish your pet visited later, we may be able to arrange your visit last. Normally speaking, all visits are accomplished during that 12-hour period, each day.

Specific Times of Visits

Once a day visits cannot be scheduled at a specific time. We reserve morning and evening visits for our twice-a-day customers. When you think about it, if your pet is only going to be visited once in 24 hours then as long as a regular time is kept, it doesn't matter what time that visit is made.

Twice-a-day customers enjoy having their pets fed near mealtimes both morning and evening. We always space at least eight to nine hours between visits so that pets' days are active. We attempt to get within two hours of normal feeding times, where possible.

Daily Walks

For those pets that may be house bound during the week, daily walks are advisable. This is a ½ hour period, or longer, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday. Your pet is taken for a walk, playtime, potty and perhaps a treat, (with your permission). When you come home you will find your pet very relaxed and happy. This service is critical for families where both parents are away from home during the day.

Length of Visits

On all regular calls our visitation lasts at least one-half hour. Many times, it exceeds this time frame. The only exceptions to this rule are those pets that do not enjoy being played with or loved, during the visit. If we find, for example, that our entire checklist has been accomplished within twenty minutes and the pets do not wish playtime or love, we then may leave at that point. (i.e. A shy cat that hides under the bed the entire length of the visit.)

Pet Care - Part A

Although our service includes brushing on a routine basis we do not include bathing, grooming, flea dips, trimming, ear washing or any other personal hygiene. If your vacation is lengthy and your pet requires a trip to the groomer or veterinarian we can accommodate you if arrangements are made in advance of your departure. A nominal charge is added for this service.

Pet Care - Part B

We gladly give medication to those pets who are under a doctor's care. We will, in the event of an emergency, provide CPR. Further, in the catastrophic event of the death of a pet, we will take that pet immediately to your veterinarian. Please remember that we never charge for emergency care, including transportation, to your veterinarian.

Adequate Food Supplies

We ask at the preliminary interview that you have enough food on hand for your pets' to eat during your absence. If you miscalculate and run out of food, a shopping charge of $25.00, (in addition to the cost of the food), will be added to your bill if we have to purchase food. NOTE: Most people plan to be gone a specific number of days. It is wise to have an extra three days of food on hand for your pets, just in case you do not get back as originally scheduled.

Interview & Instructions

We allow ½ hour for the preliminary, courtesy, interview. During this interview we normally get all necessary instructions on the care of your pets. If you wish additional time spent in background information or care, we can provide that separate time, (another visit), but it will be charged to you at the rate of $17.00 per half-hour spent in this activity.

Destruction by Pets

As a rule, most damage to property, furniture and carpets, is done by pets that get lonely and bored. Most owners don't know in advance what will provoke their pets to such action. We make all attempts to limit any destruction by pets to such action. We make all attempts to limit any destruction by pets of household goods. If, for example, you wish your pet kept indoors and the pet chews on furniture, we will attempt to remove the attractive nuisances. We cannot, therefore, be responsible for any damage done by your pet to your home, yard or property. We use common sense and attempt to limit and restrict bad behavior by pets.

No Charge Policy

There is never a charge for cancellations, change of dates, plans or early returns. However, if you return from a trip early and do not call us to cancel our visit and we show up for the call, you will be charged. Our voice mail is on 24 hours a day for this purpose, same is true with our e-mail: billpeggyspetsitting@yahoo.com Call or e-mail us at any hour, upon your return.

Drinking Water

We change drinking water on every visit. Good, clean, fresh water is mandatory for your pets' good health. In some instances the drinking container is not adequate for the pet to have this constant fresh supply. In this case we may use additional containers to assure your pet has enough water for its' needs. In many cases we move water bowls to new locations temporarily, due to pets' playing, splashing and dumping.

Canned or Wet Food

When it comes to picky eaters we never recommend leaving canned or wet food out for the pet any longer than 24 hours, without dumping it out and refilling the dish(es) with fresh food. If a cat(s) visited once a day, wet food is not advisable unless consumed during the visit and the excess, if any, removed to assure good health of the pet. We wash out wet food containers on every visit to insure cleanliness.

Outdoor Cats 

If you have a cat who remains outdoors all day and comes in only at night, we cannot assure you that we will be able to have your cat indoors at the exact time of our visit. If you want the cat to play outside all day and it does not return for the nightly containment, we will put the food and water outside to assure it eats properly. We cannot, however, wait for the cat to come home!

If you wish, we will feed stray cats for no charge. Our definition of a “stray” is that you do not know the cat's name and you cannot pet it. That is a true stray.

Litter Boxes

Changing your cats' litter box is a matter of personal preference. Unless otherwise instructed, we will change your cat's litter box every seven days; (sooner if it sours), provided you have fresh litter available. We will be happy to change the litter much more often, if so instructed. We sift the litter box or boxes on every visit.

Temperature Extremes

There are times, here in New England , when it is either just too hot or just too cold, to consider taking your pet for a walk, (except for potty). On those days we will utilize good judgment and consider the pets' safety in deciding whether to play outdoors or inside. As a general rule, if the weather warning is for children and old people to stay inside, your pet should stay inside, too.

Shared Responsibility

Many people like to include neighbors, relatives and friends in the pet sitting duties. These well-intentioned actions cause much confusion during a shared-responsibility sitting assignment. Most common among problems is overfeeding, unlocked doors, lost keys or missing some feeding assignments altogether.

We absolutely cannot be responsible for any sitting assignment where ‘others' are going to share the workload. We advise anyone considering this split of duties to make only one person , responsible for the entire assignment. We will not take on assignments where others will be involved. Our liability insurance is only effective where we are the sole caretakers for the duration of the visit.

Sick Pets

We will not knowingly accept sitting assignments with sick pets. We firmly believe that sick pets belong under the constant care of a 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. We never take any chances with sickness. Any pet showing signs of illness it taken immediately to your veterinarian or if your veterinarian is unavailable at the time, our vet, for treatment. (You would always be contacted first!)

Routine & Duties

Almost all pets we have cared for enjoy having a set routine. This means that if we walk a certain path the pet expects and wants to go that same way, every day. Dogs in particular, thrive on having duties. Duties for us may include sitting up for treats, walking properly, having the visit in a certain order or just playing with specific toys while we are visiting.

Many owners are surprised that their pet(s) either mind for us when they don't mind for them – or – vice-versa! This is not unusual. Pets create a different routine for you, as owners, than we experience, as sitters. Many dogs and cats have a preference of one sex caring for them, over another. Over the past fourteen years we have grown to expect and adjust, to all these idiosyncrasies.

The Final Poop

We pick up any and all excrement on every visit. This is true for sifting litter boxes as well. We feel that cleanliness is extremely important to your pets' good health. Rest assured that your yard, litter boxes, and any and all “accidents” are spotted and removed, on each visit.

Fee Schedule 2008

BILL & PEGGY’S PET SITTING SERVICE

P.O. Box 716

Kittery, Maine 03904

(603) 373-8138

email:  billpeggyspetsitting@yahoo.com

  2008 FEE SCHEDULE 

Each Daily Visit (one dog or one cat)..…………………… $20.00

 Additional dog(s) or cat(s) add per visit, per household..      2.00

 OVERNIGHTS………………………………………………    70.00

(Based upon 12 hours, usually 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.)

Mid-day visits in conjunction with overnights……………     15.00

 LIVE-IN (per day/cycle)….………………………………..    100.00

(Based upon 20 hours per cycle)

 On Demand Daily Walks (one dog)………………………      22.00

(Scheduled, weekly, routine will be priced less)

 Scheduled Vet or Grooming Visit (delivery or pick-up)         20.00

 Hotel Visits (potty walks and exercise (1/2 hr. or more)….   25.00

 Hotel Sitting (staying in room with pet(s), per hour……….   20.00

 NOTE:  All visits are thirty (30) minutes or more in duration.

 More than three pets per home will be priced at the time of the initial interview.  Prices based within our sitting radius.

 We reserve the right to refuse any sitting subject to time constraints, proximity and/or the condition/behavior of the pets.   Copyright….2008 – Bill & Peggy’s Pet Sitting

Sitting Information

We will gladly discuss any concern you may have about your pet(s) prior to even the initial interview. We can do this either by telephone or by e-mail as your preference and time dictates.

We do not board pets. All visits from our firm are conducted in the pets' home.

You can contact us by telephone at: (603) 373-8138 or e-mail at: billpeggyspetsitting@yahoo.com