POLICIES/FAQ

We are delighted that you are considering us to care for your pets! If you have not used our services before, please submit a service request to let us know what dates/services you need. Services and rates are provided on the Services page of this website. We will review your form, then contact you to discuss your needs and our availability. If we "fit," you'll receive an invitation to create your account and profile on our software, Pawsitively Precise. Please note our minimum service requirements for a first schedule outlined below. Once your profile is created, we'll schedule your New Client Consultation ($30 fee). At our meeting carefully go over your pet(s) needs, routine and caretaking items, answer any questions, and pick up your key/determine other means of entry. Please see Rates section below for our key policy, and all payment policies. We are very up front and transparent with our policies and procedures. 

We want you to be absolutely secure and confident in your decision to leave your pet(s) with us! 

In order to build rapport and confidence in both clients and pets, a 5-visit minimum for check ins/walks, and 2 nights minimum for overnights and live-ins is required for the first booking/schedule. Subsequent bookings are not subject to these minimums.

Our Care Standard requirements:

Dogs - with dog door, minimum 2 visits per day, any length

Without dog door, minimum 3 visits per day, any length

Cats - minimum one 30 minute visit per day, 

All other animals - minimum one  30 minute visit per day

We are devoted to your pets' care and comfort, and your sense of security. Your profile in our secure software, Precise Petcare, enables us to create a custom plan for your pets. We communicate with you, with pictures, at each and every visit. 

Basic check in services include, but are not limited to:

Dogs: 

* overall health check

* feeding, bowls cleaned; water bowls cleaned, refilled; 

* yard picked up each visit; yard/home inspected for pet damage, areas tidied

* playtime, or walk if booked.  Use of enrichment toys when indicated

Cats:

* overall health check

* litter box cleaned/refreshed, litter box area cleaned

* feed/water/clean bowls 

* playtime . Use of enrichment toys when indicated 

Caged pets (hamsters, gerbils, birds reptiles, etc); 

* water and food checked

* bedding cleaned/replaced as necessary.  

Additional Complimentary Services (upon request) :

* pick up mail

* water indoor plants

* watch for/retrieve packages

* turn lights on/off

* take out/bring in trash containers

PLEASE NOTE: Check In Services provided are limited to the time frame of the visit selected. If extra time is required (excessive clean up of in-home accidents, emergency services, etc), an additional fee commensurate to the time spent may be assessed.

Extra Pet Fee: We assess an additional fee for more than 2 pets per visit. We add time to these visits to ensure that ALL pets receive basic care (feeding/cleaning, etc) as well as dedicated engagement and attention. 

Overnight and live in services provide all the basics, plus the extra care and attention given with extended time.  There's a lot of petting, belly rubs, and quiet "conversation" during all of our visits. We go for walks, play, and enjoy puzzles and other games.

While The Pawsitive Pets Sitter is caring for your pets, no other persons are allowed in your home. This is an insurance requirement; we cannot "share" petsitting duties with other providers, family members or friends.  If you have housekeepers or other inside services, please do not schedule them while your pet is being cared for. Outdoor services may also be put on hiatus during pet sitting. This is to ensure the complete safety of your pet(s).  Other persons on/in your property void our liability. 

Our new software system, Precise Petcare, provides easy, all-in-one place communication. We "clock in" to each visit, then provide details via a checklist and journal. Once the visit is complete, we "clock out," and you are notified to review at your convenience. You can easily respond via a comment link. We also are happy to provide additional communication via text if requested.  

Please message via Precise Petcare or text upon return to your home so that we know your pets are safely back in your care. Please keep us posted if anything changes in your schedule. We will do our best to accommodate. Fees for any additional services  will be due upon your return.   

We appreciate your feedback after service completion. 

Pet sitting services are provided on a 24-hour a day basis. Business/contact hours  are 7-days a week, 6am to 7pm.  All calls, texts, emails and messages are returned promptly. 

. 

Areas We Serve:  Ahwatukee, zip codes 85044, 85045, 85048, within 7 miles of our business address; outside of 7 miles incurs an additional mileage fee of $1.00/mile RT.

Drop in pet sitting visits are scheduled within the following approximate windows of service; Morning, 6am-9am; Midday, 10am-2pm; Evenings, 4pm-7pm.  Each client is scheduled with an eye to how many hours between visits are desired.  Requests for visits earlier or later than posted hours may be honored, with an additional fee. 

For Overnight Services,  arrival and departure hours (such as arrive at 8pm, depart at 6am),  are set with a grace period of approximately one hour, with minimum hours met or exceeded.

Live-In service guarantees a minimum of 16 hours in-home during each 24-hour period, starting from first check in (i.e., service starts 7am first day, ends 7am final day). If additional hours are needed due to later return, we are happy to provide coverage for an additional fee.

Our basic rates and fees are available on the services/rates page of this website.  Rates are subject to change. Should rates increase after you book your service, the rate at which the service was invoiced is honored.

A deposit of 1/2 of the balance of services at the time of booking is required to confirm dates, with the balance due on or before the first day of service.* No deposit is required prior to the New Client Consultation. Deposits are non-refundable, and may be carried over to the next service within the same calendar year, with the exception of holiday bookings, and those cancelled with 72 hours or less notice for check in services; or 14 days or fewer for Live In and Overnight Services. 

Balance of Payment is due on or prior to the first day of service. Clients will be invoiced via Wave; we accept checks, cash,  Zelle;  and all major credit cards are accepted  with a 3% processing fee.  We prefer payment via Zelle (many clients ask me this). A late fee may be assessed for payments sent after the first day of the pet sit. 

Key Pick Up/Return: If we receive a key for entry to your home, you will have the option of our holding it for you for future service at no charge. If you wish your key returned after service, a $15 return fee applies, as well as a $15  fee for any future pickups. 

Gratuities:  Pet Sitting is a service;  although gratuities are neither required nor expected, they are always greatly appreciated. Tips may be included when you make your payment;  you may send a payment via Zelle after the service, or leave cash/check directly for your sitter. Sitters receive 100% of their tips (of course!).

HOLIDAY DEPOSITS *Effective 8/10/2024, All holiday bookings (bookings that include the Federal Holidays listed below, as well as  "Spring Break" and "Fall Break" on Kyrene & Local school calendars) require a non-refundable 1/2 balance deposit upon booking. Deposit may be credited to future service if cancelled 45 days or fewer prior to the start of the booking. 

HOLIDAY  RATES Effective 8/10/2024 Pet sits that take place on the following holidays are charged at 1 1/2 times regular rate: Thanksgiving; December 24, 25 and 31; January 1; Federal Holidays: Martin Luther King Day (Jan), Washington's Birthday (Feb), Memorial Day (May), Juneteenth (June), July 4, Labor Day (Sept), Columbus Day (Oct), Veteran's Day (Nov). 

CANCELLATIONS/EARLY RETURNS

We use your reservation to plan availability to our clients.  When you book our services, we reserve exclusive time for you and your pets and have likely turned away other clients during your scheduled time. 

Please notify us as soon as you can if you must cancel service.

Deposits are non-refundable, but will be credited to a future service within the same calendar year if cancellation is made within the parameters noted above. No credit is given for less than 72 hours notice. Please note, there are no credits for clients returning home early.  

PLEASE NOTE: when gas (unleaded) goes over $5/gallon in our service area, we may add a $1/visit fuel abatement fee.