We provide critter sitter services in your home. When critter sitting, we take all precautions possible to ensure that your home does not appear as though you are on vacation. With your permission, we can check your mail, check voicemails and emails, retrieve deliveries, check houseplants and gardens, alter lights, rearrange curtains and turn on and off the stereo.
We recommend that cats, small animals, birds and fish be checked at least once daily. For the safety and wellbeing of your critter, we require at least one visit within a 24 hour period.
Dogs will need to be checked approximately three to four times daily.
Single Visit - $18 per half hour, 1-2 critters.
Double Visit - $35/day 1-2 critters.
Triple Visit - $50/day 1-2 critters. (Additional visits are $15/visit)
Each additional critter is $5. Larger animals and "non-domestic critters" start at $35 per visit.
An additional $5 per visit may be charged for major holidays.
We do not charge extra for routine litter box scoops (waste removal only) or insulin administration.
Overnight Critter Sitter Services in your home in special circumstances. Rates start at $50. Please call to discuss this option for critters with special circumstances. We do not offer boarding in our home with the exception of small caged animals on a case-by-case basis.
Please note we do NOT do boarding/doggie daycare in our home. If you are looking for in-home boarding, please make sure the owners are properly licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to operate a boarding facility, have insurance for pet sitting/boarding, hold certification in pet first aid/CPR and are members of PSI and/or NAPPS.
Due to the fluctuating cost of gasoline, all prices are subject to change.
Special [critter sitter] Benefits:
Daily Log - We leave you a note after each visit to let you know how your critter is doing and how much fun we had together! We will notate any changes in behavior, eating habits, etc. and also let you know if you're running low on any food, supplies, etc.
We're Virtual - Email updates are available upon request.
Flexiblilityand Personal Attention -We cater to your needs. Have a special request? Just ask!
We're Ready to Handle the What-If's - We are trained in pet first aid and CPR through the American Red Cross. In the event of an emergency, we will notify you immediately, stabilize your critter and seek care from a veterinarian.
We Love What We Do - We are dedicated to providing the best care possible for critters in our care. We see our critter friends and their humans as 'our extended critter family.' We're here when you need us! We're also seeking ways to improve our services and participate in ongoing training, education and remain up-to-date with pet health, nutrition, products and industry trends!
All critter friends are required to be up-to-date with their vaccinations and health care. The PA Dog Law requires that all dogs and cats three months of age or older, including indoor cats, be vaccinated for rabies. We also strongly recommend vaccinating for distemper, canine cough and Lyme disease.
If you need assistance with low-cost vaccinations, please contact your vet or the Chester County SPCA for information on upcoming low-cost vaccination clinics.
PA Dog Law also requires that all dogs three months of age or older have a current PA license. A license may be purchased at the Chester County SPCA, Chester County Treasurer's Office, your vet, certain pet supply stores or see me. Lifetime dog license applications are available through your vet. Your dog will be required to be microchipped in order to qualify for a lifetime dog license. Microchipping is a safe and inexpensive way to protect your pet in case of he or she would become separated from you. We highly encourage our critters to be microchipped!
We reserve the right to not enter into a contract if an animal is deemed aggressive and we feel uncomfortable handling your critter or if we are not comfortable with the 'care' that you ask us to provide (i.e. asking us to leave your dog unattended outdoors, skipping visits, suspected abuse or neglect). Please understand that this is for safety reasons for both your critter as well as our your sitter. If your animal has a history of biting or aggression, please let us know.
Run out of food? Did Max chew through his leash - again? Out of treats? We can help!
Going on vacation and don't feel like coming home to an empty fridge? Leave us your list!
We can also be an extra pair of hands in a pinch!
Base rate for errands $20 per hour plus the cost of third party services/goods.
Pet waste removal from your yard upon your request. Rates vary, depending upon the size of your yard and frequency.
Are you a small business owner or contractor? Do you need your voicemail and/or email checked, calls returned, light administrative duties performed or someone to keep the line of communication and back office operations going while you're away? We can keep things running while you're out of your office. Please visit contact us for more information regarding Virtual Assistant services and rates.
Walkies and Playdates
Walkies and Playdate Services are ideal for the busy executive, families on the run, homebound seniors, etc. They're also perfect for those four-legged pals who are personality-plus and require a little extra exercise to help eliminate their knack for mischief!
30 Minute Walkie - $16 per visit, $20 weekends and holidays.
60 Minute Playdate - $30 per visit, $35 weekends and holidays.
Dog Park Field Trip - Depending upon our schedule and availability, we can take your pup to the dog park for an hour of fun and play! Starting at $35 per trip. Please call for more information!
The above rates are for clients who schedule services Monday through Friday or the same day (i.e. every Monday, every Wednesday, etc) on an ongoing basis. Daily clients also receive the same rate for critter sitting as they do for their daily walkies and playdates.
Critter Sitting
Pet Supply Pickup and Human Needs
Fees, Payment and other Human Odds and Ends
All rates, services and procedures are discussed during the initial consultation.
You will receive a contract outlining services agreed upon and payment terms. We also ask that you provide emergency contact information for you and your pet, as well as detailed instructions regarding their care.
Scheduling
We ask that as much advance notice as possible be given when scheduling your critter sitter or walkies. We limit the number of critters in our care at one time to ensure that your critter receives proper care and attention, in addition to safety reasons. Holidays and weekends tend to book up fairly quickly, so please book early!
We check voicemail and email consistently throughout the day. Please feel free to email us with your critter sitter requests, questions and comments. Please understand that we are in and out throughout the day caring for critters and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, please try again.
Payment
A 50% deposit may be required for long term pet sitting contracts. This will be refunded if cancellation occurs prior to one week before your scheduled date.
We accept cash, check and money orders for your convenience. Additional costs may be incurred for late payment and returned checks.
We typically do not do 'formal invoicing.' This helps us keep costs down, be eco-friendly and be able to spend more time with your critters - and our family! Please leave payment before you leave. To determine your rate, simply multiply the number of visits x the rate per visit.
Payment for daily dog walks should be made at the end of each week.
Your prompt payment helps us to continue doing what we do best - caring for your critters!
Additional Fees
An additional charge of $10 may be assessed for key pickup/return due to the rising cost of fuel. We encourage long term clients to keep a spare key with us. This saves you time and stress in case of an emergency. It also helps conserve fuel and protect the environment!
Cancellations - Due to the amount of time that we schedule with each critter, it is important to give us as much notice as possible if you need to cancel a service. Cancellations fees will apply if less than 48 hours notice is given with the exception of illness, cancelled flights, emergencies, etc.
An additional charge may be assessed for last minute bookings, holidays, etc. Please try to schedule your visits with as much advance notice as possible. We limit the number of critters in our care to ensure proper safety, attention and care.
Privacy Policy
Your safety and privacy is our top priority. When your critters and home are in our care, we treat them as if they were our own. We value the safety of our clients, which also includes your personal information, property, etc. No other adult is permitted in your home in your absence other than the sitter. We cannot be responsible for third party vendors (i.e. a plumber, repairman, etc.) and ask that they be scheduled at another time as much as possible. We do not utilize advertising means such as car magnets or stickers that include a company name or logo, which we feel would alert others to your absence. A copy of our Privacy Policy will be given in writing to all new clients as part of their "New Client Packet."
For the safety of both your critter as well as their sitter, we use common sense with regard to the weather.
Dogs will be taken out only as long as necessary in cases of excessive heat, rain, cold, winter storms, severe weather threats, etc. The remainder of the time will be spent indoors where your critter will be given lots of TLC!
Your critter's health and safety is always our first priority!
Romeo (Above) and Blackie
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