Pawlicies and Procedures
After you read our Pawlicies & Procedures you'll think we've accounted for everything, but surely we haven't! We'd bore you to tears if we wrote every possible situation. Below, you'll find the "biggies". If you don't see something covered--just ask!
House Keys
We require two (2) keys during the “Get Acquainted” visit. We prefer to keep your keys on file; however, if you wish to have your keys returned after the pet sitting assignment, we will make arrangements ahead of time to return your keys. We return keys without charge. However, if keys are not left on file with us, after the first pet site visit, Sandy Paws Pet Sitting charges $10.00 to pick up your keys to provide pet sitting services.
Visiting Hours
Unless other arrangements are made, our normal visiting hours are 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Morning visits for dogs fall between the hours of 7 AM & 10 AM, and a second daily visit is made approximately 12 hours later. Cats are visited at approximately the same time each day depending on our pet sitting schedules. If you need to schedule visits at a specific time, please discuss with us.
Length of Visits
All pet visits last an average of half an hour. Shorter visits occur only when that seems best for your pet. For example, if we complete all our duties within twenty minutes and your pet refuses to play or be loved on, we may leave at that point because we can’t do more for your pet.
Number of Visits
All pets must be visited daily. To ensure the health and safety of your pet, we must see all animals at least once a day, including outdoor animals. Cats, guinea pigs, fish, and other indoor pets must also be visited at least once a day.
Shared Responsibility
Many people like to include neighbors, relatives, and friends in pet sitting arrangements. These well-intentioned actions may cause confusion during a shared responsibility pet sitting assignment. Common problems include overfeeding, missed feedings, unlocked doors, property damage, and lost keys.
Others involved in caring for your pets will be asked to use our Sandy Paws checklist for each visit and to leave it for Sandy Paws or the next visitor. Please note, we reserve the right to decline the assignment unless we are completely comfortable with the arrangements made.
Adequate Food Supplies
You must 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 $30.00 will be added to your bill. This charge is in addition to the actual cost of any food or supplies purchased.
Canned or Wet Food
When it comes to picky eaters we never recommend leaving canned or wet food out for the pet more than twenty-four (24) hours. After that period the food should be discarded and dishes should be refilled with fresh food. We wash wet food containers at every visit to ensure cleanliness.
Outdoor Animals
If you have a pet that has access to or is allowed outside unattended or unconfined, we cannot be responsible if your pet escapes or does not return home. If you have a fenced-in yard for your pet, you must maintain the integrity of the enclosure to ensure that there is no way for your pet to jump, dig, or fit through any part of the fence. All gates and latches must be in proper working order.
Inclement Weather
We will make every attempt to keep all appointments—we are just as concerned for the health and safety of your pet as you are! However, when it is unsafe to travel because of icy roads, heavy snow, destruction from tornadoes, etc., visits may be delayed or postponed. To ensure that your pets are cared for under these circumstances, you must make back-up arrangements for inclement weather when you plan your travel, and let us know about them.
Pet Sitting Reservations & Emergency Visits
- Please make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Our schedules become crowded, especially at holiday time. If reservations are not confirmed 3 days or seventy-two (72) hours in advance, we may not be able to provide service.
- Emergency Visits or Same-Day Service requests can be booked, provided we are available. These services cost an additional $10.00 per visit.
- Sandy Paws does not offer on-call service. Please consider this if you request emergency or same-day service. We will do our best to help you, but WE CANNOT GUARANTEE SAME DAY REQUESTS!
Confirmation Process
All reservations will be confirmed by e-mail. If you do not use e-mail, you will receive a telephone confirmation. All costs for services are included in your confirmation.
Holidays
Please add an additional $10-a-day charge for major holidays: Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Eve.
Payment
Payment must be made in full at the time of booking or on the first day service begins. We accept all major credit cards, checks, or cash.
Credit Card Payments
PayPal offers secure online payments. If you plan to use a credit card for payments to Sandy Paws Pet Sitting, please set up an account with PayPal. Visit www.paypal.com for more information and to set up your account. When using PayPal, add a 5% transaction fee to the total on your pet sitting bill. For example, if your bill is $100.00 your payment would be $105.00.
Cancellations
You may cancel service by calling and leaving a message for Sandy Paws Pet Sitting at any time. Not all cancellations can be fully credited to your account. To ensure that services are canceled, please leave a voice mail message with Sandy Paws before 7:00 AM the day of the visit. If you cancel before 7:00 AM, payment for that day’s service and all remaining paid services will credited to your Sandy Paws account and can be used to pay for future services. If you cancel scheduled service after 7:00 AM the day of the service, payment for that day’s service cannot be credited to your account, but payments for other scheduled services after that day are credited to your account. This policy applies to all scheduled services.
Return Check Charge
There is a $36 fee for each check that is returned by your bank, regardless of reason.
The Final Poop
And last, but not least, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL (770) 963-1414 WHEN YOU RETURN so we know you are home safe and no additional visits are needed for your pets. If we do not hear from you and we make a visit after your return, you will be charged at regular rates for that visit.
