How does payment work?
For new pet sitting clients payment is due up front at the time of the consultation. For existing clients and dog walk clients, we invoice every 2 weeks and will either leave an invoice at your home or post one to you. Personal Dog Training clients will pay in full for their training package before training starts.

What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex, checks, cash and will consider trading pet sitting or dog walking services in exchange for your service or product. We have happily bartered our services for sailing excursions, yarn for knitting, massage, carpentry work and pet products.

Do you charge extra for holidays?
There is an additional flat rate surcharge of $15.00, in addition to the regular per visit charge on the following holidays: New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Do you keep client information/key/alarm codes confidential?
Your key and alarm codes are always protected and we will never share your information without your expressed permission.

What happens at the free introduction/ consultation visit?
Consultation visits usually take place no more than 1 week before service is to begin so that your pet will not forget who we are. This free visit will take approximately 45 minutes, giving you a chance to meet us and for us to meet you and your pets. We will need to fill out some necessary paperwork which will include information on your pet, a service contract and your contact information. We will also review where to find the items needed for the visits such as food, leashes or litter boxes. We will also be receiving payment in full and a key to your home. Your key will not be marked with any information about you or your address, we label all keys with your pets name so that it cannot be traced back to your door.

Who will be coming into my home to take care of my pets?
Aidan or Trish, usually whomever comes to meet you at the introduction will be your primary pet sitter/ walker. We like to both be familiar with our "regulars" and their animals so that either of us can take care of your pets in a pinch and will also occasionally "swap" clients in order to group dogs for social walks or play. If your pet has special needs, then the person best suited will assume responsibility for your pet. For instance, only Trish takes care of Fluffy who is 80# of jumping and nipping. She and Fluffy struggled to come to terms with each other and have worked out an agreement that only she will come to visit him.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Cancellations may be made up to 7 days in advance of the scheduled first visit. After that period, a cancellation fee of $50 may be charged. During holiday periods there is a flat $50 fee for cancellation. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel a service.


Answers pet sitting info

Why hire a professional pet sitter?
There are several advantages of using a pet sitter: As an alternative to sometimes stressful kenneling, your pet stays in the comfort of home following their regular routine, sleeping in their favorite spot, where all the sights, smells and sounds are familiar and safe. Your pet will follow their customary diet and exercise routine and will receive one on one love and attention while you are away. You will not be imposing on a friend, neighbor or family member and can rest assured that your pet is safe. Because you're not leaving your home unattended while you are away, there is added security and peace of mind knowing that someone is watching out for signs of trouble. We have dealt with basic plumbing problems, dogs escaping the yard, power outages that would have killed tropical fish, insect infestations, small fires and other home emergencies while we were "on duty." We will bring in your mail and newspapers, alter lights, blinds and curtains and take your garbage out, giving your home that "lived in" look. You will also have peace of mind knowing that if your travel plans change, we will continue to take care of your pet until you return.

Do you offer boarding?
We look after pets in YOUR home and are not licensed as a kennel/ boarding facility.

What types of animals do you pet sit?
You name it, as long as the animal is healthy and non aggressive. If we are not comfortable with your pet's condition or demeanor we will either decline your petsit or charge additional fees in order to take care of your pets. For instance, a 50# dog who jumps on us and nips would be $5.00 additional per visit. An animal who requires injections or other complex medications would also be $5.00 additional per visit.

How far in advance do I need to book?
Obviously the more notice we have the better. Holiday periods (spring break, long weekends, summer vacation, Christmas etc.) sometimes book up months in advance. Two weeks in advance for other times of the year is usually sufficient. We do understand that emergencies do arise, so please give us a call and we will do our best to accommodate you. All pet sitting reservations that are not made at least 5 days in advance of our first visit are considered short notice/ emergency visits and have a surcharge of $10.00 in addition to the regular rate for each visit.

How do I book a reservation?
Just call us! Our home office number is 707-553-2591. Tell us who you are, when you're going out of town and when you'll be coming home. Also let us know what kind of animals you have and how we can contact you to arrange a new client introduction meeting.

What happens if I will be delayed in returning home?
It is extremely important that you let us know immediately if you will be arriving home late in order for care to be continued. Please note that you will be charged for extra visits.

Will you charge me for visits if I come home early?
You will not be charged for unfulfilled visits if you return home early, but it is extremely important that you let us know immediately if you will be arriving home early in order for care to be discontinued. If you do not call us and we show up for our scheduled appointment, you will be charged for the visit.

My pet lives outside. Will you come and make sure he/she is okay?
Certainly we can. For outdoor cats we may not be able to confirm kitty is okay, but will certainly refresh food, clean water and litter boxes.

Will you visit my pet every other day?
For cats or other small animals sure- you tell us the frequency of visits you need and we will follow your request. If we find they need more attention and more frequent visits to stay healthy and safe, we will add visits on as needed. For dogs we will NOT visit them every other day.

What happens if my pet gets sick while I am away?
All clients are required to complete a veterinary release form during the initial consultation and we will not knowingly accept sitting assignments with very sick pets. We firmly believe that sick pets should have someone there with them at all times and be under the care of a veterinarian. If your pet does get sick while you are away, we will do everything possible to seek medical attention. We will make every effort to contact pet owners and receive instructions before we take an animal in for medical care however, in emergency situations or when the owner cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to take a pet to the veterinarian. Doggy Detail is not responsible for costs incurred from veterinary visits. Additional time spent transporting the pet and providing extra care is billed at a rate of $25.00 per hour.

What if there is an emergency in my home, unrelated to my pet?
We will do everything possible to resolve the situation without disrupting your trip. We will contact your emergency contact for instruction as needed and we will contact you.

Will you provide updates on how my pet is doing while I am away?
We are happy to update you if you call us and when you return home we will leave you a note telling you how your pet was, what we did, if any unusual behavior was noted etc.

What happens if the pet food runs out while I am away?
We will not let your pet go without food or supplies. However, it is recommended that you purchase extra food for your pet before you leave. If you miscalculate and completely run out of food or litter we will take the time to purchase more and a minimum extra fee of $15.00 (in addition to the cost of supplies) will be added to your bill.

I have a family member that lives close by and will also visit. Is that okay?
Many people like to include neighbors, relatives, and friends in pet sitting duties. These well-intentioned actions cause much confusion during a shared responsibility sitting assignment. Most common among problems is over-feeding, unlocked doors, lost keys, or missed feedings. We absolutely cannot be responsible for any sitting assignment where others are going to share the workload. We advise that anyone considering this split of duties to make only one person responsible for the entire assignment.

How are keys returned?
We can keep your keys on file for the future or we can arrange to drop the key off or leave it in a prearranged hidden spot.