Frequently Asked Questions

How does this service work?

Your personal pet sitter arrives at your home for a minimum 30 minute visit. During this time, your pets are played with, cuddled and loved. Dogs can be walked upon request and all standard pet care is administered: feeding, watering, litter scooping for cats and clean up of cages or accidental messes in the house.

Home care is included in the fee which means that your mail and newspapers and any package deliveries left at the door will be brought in.  In addition, indoor and outdoor plants can be watered and your trash cans taken out and brought back in on pick-up days.  We can help maintain that "lived in" look that may keep your home more secure while you are away.

What types of pets do you care for?

We can care for your dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, “pocket pets” (i.e. gerbils, hamsters), birds (including parrots), reptiles and even your pet goat, miniature horse or pot-bellied pig!

How many visits a day will my pet need?

The number of visits a day your pet(s) require will be determined according to the type of pet(s), how they are confined and if there is availability of pet doors. Special needs, such as medications or special treatments and the time schedule for these are also taken into consideration. Some homes require one visit per day, others two or three. We will consider bringing small dogs or puppies home with us upon request, but we are not a kennel.

These details will be discussed with you during your initial consultation to decide whether one or more visits are needed on a daily basis.

How will I be charged for services & when do I pay?

Services are charged according to the type of service and our fee schedule. All services include pet and home care. You save money by having one to three  pets covered in the fee (caged birds and aquariums are considered one pet each). There is a nominal surcharge for each pet over four. If your pet is something other than a dog or cat (i.e. a parrot) we will be happy to discuss rates with you on a case-by-case basis.  If your parrot travels well and doesn't mind change, we would be happy to bring him home while you are gone so that he has plenty of company and attention.  Our birds would welcome someone new to talk to!

We prefer payment to be made prior to the first visit.  We will not deposit your payment until you return and express satisfaction with the job we've done.

What specific services do you offer?

PHC specializes in caring for your pets in your whenever you need to travel. We also look after your pets during times of owner illness or injury where routine care for your pet might be disrupted or impossible to give until your recovery. We offer:

*  Personalized pet sitting in your home.
*  House sitting within a limited radius. (ask for fees)
*  Midday dog walking and new puppy care.
*  Administration of medications, including insulin injections, during pet         sitting visits.
* Transportation of your pets to and from vet and grooming
   appointments while you are working or otherwise unavailable.·

Will my pets and I meet the pet sitter before service starts?

Yes!  In fact, this is a requirement before pet sitting services can begin. All new clients will be scheduled for a free initial consultation and interview. During this time, the pet sitter will meet the pet owners, have an opportunity to interact with the pets and be able to go over all contracts, policies and guidelines. Home care and pet care details, including number of visits per day, will be discussed and your pet sits are scheduled accordingly.The consultation and initial paperwork will only need to be done once.  Once we have met and gone over your specific requirements, we will prepare a quote for you on the total fees involved.

First time clients receive a 5% discount on their first contract.

What happens when I get back from my trip?

If you have been out of town on a trip, we ask that you call upon your return to let the pet sitter know that you are taking over the care of your pets.

If the pet sitter does not hear from the owner or other designated responsible party, pet sitting services will continue as previously scheduled and will be charged at the applicable current rates.

For your peace of mind, if you are stranded due to airport delays, poor weather or other reasons that delay your expected return home, you can know that your pets will not be abandoned and care will not be suspended. Please make every attempt to contact the pet sitter by telephone or email immediately if a problem arises to update the status of your situation.

Will people I don't know come to my home?

Absolutely not!  We take the security, safety and privacy of your home very seriously. Currently, there are two owner-operators (Richard Willings and Terri Baines) who personally perform services for the care of your pets and home. No one else will enter your home or have contact with your pets.