Holidays. There are no extra charges on holidays.

Payment Policy 

• Full prepayment for the initial set-up meeting and all scheduled visits is required at the time of the set-up meeting for new clients.

• After the first trip, payment can be left on the kitchen counter on the first visit date.

• Within three days of returning, owner agrees to make full payment for any additional or delinquent charges/fees. NSF checks will incur additional bank fee charges and owner will be required to make all future payments by cash or money order.  

Cancellation/Change Policy. I understand that clients sometimes have to cancel or change their dates, but please keep in mind that these result in a loss of necessary income and extra paperwork time for me. Clients are allowed two cancellations and five changes without a fee. After that, the fee is 25 percent of the canceled visits and $2 for each change, payable before future services are provided. If you must cancel your reservation completely or if you must cancel individual visits at either the beginning or end of your trip, please give me as much notice as possible. If you will be returning early from or need to extend your trip, please contact me immediately. Email is always the best way to reach me as I check email most frequently. If I receive your email before I leave for my visits, I will reply to it so you know I got the message and, for visit add-ons, that I can accommodate your request. If I get to your house and find a visit is not needed, you will be charged for the visit. No refunds are given for canceled visits that have already been paid for; balances are held on credit for future service only. Please be as sure as possible that you need my services on the dates and times contracted for.

About Your Reservation

I want to use your services. Now what? Email me with a brief description of your pet(s) needs and let me know the dates you need service. If I can provide service, you will be asked to fill out the New Client Reservation Form. After reviewing your form, I will email you with any questions I have and arrange for our set-up meeting. For subsequent trips, fill out the short, easy Existing Client Reservation Form rather than calling or emailing, as it contains all the info I need. For subsequent visits, there's no need to check with me first for availability; I will email you within 24 hours to confirm such.

How much advance notice do I need to give you? Make your reservations as soon as you have set your travel dates. New clients should make reservations with a minimum of 7 day's advance notice so there is time for the set-up meeting.

What happens at the set-up meeting? After we all meet, I will see where everything is, go over my checklist of things to do, practice giving meds, give you my Pet Alert card, pick up two copies of every key I need (house, gates, apt bldg) and check each in the closed locked doors, and collect your prepayment for the set-up meeting and the scheduled visits. The set-up meeting usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, charged at your normal visit rate, and is normally done on Sundays between 3 and 5 p.m. I will email you three days prior to confirm this meeting.

Will you confirm my reservation? I will email you a confirmation three days before you leave to make sure the dates and times are still correct. Confirmations are made religiously, so it’s not necessary to contact me prior to three days before your departure. However, if you don’t hear from me within two days of leaving, please call me!

Will you make a trial visit before I leave on vacation?  If I feel a trial run is needed due to your pet's personality or for complicated medical attention, a second appointment will be set up while you are still in town but out of the house. Trial runs are charged at your applicable rate.

Do I need to report my return home? Yes! Your pets are very important to me. I need to know someone is caring for them after my last visit. If I don't hear from you by the time stated in the confirmation email, I will make emergency visits until I do hear from someone! If you are there when I arrive, you will be charged for the visit. Please wait to report your return home until you have actually entered your home instead of calling from the road. Carry the Pet Alert Card, which is on back of my business card, with you when your pets are in my care.

How do you handle emergencies? If I am unable to care for your pets due to a serious illness or injury, I will either enlist the help of a trusted assistant or will call you or your emergency contact person to make other arrangements. If you contact someone else to continue care, the remaining portion of your payment will be refunded. If road conditions are dangerous, I will use my best judgment as to whether the visit must be made. If it does, the visit length could be shorted or I may even stay longer at your house until roads clear (n/c). If your pet would be okay, you will receive a credit for the missed visit. In case of a natural disaster, every attempt will be made, as soon as possible, to ensure your pets are safe and your possessions are cared for. If necessary, you or your emergency contact person will be contacted. For problems with your furnace, AC, refrigerator, pipes, etc., I will call you or your emergency contact person for further instructions or will use my best judgment.

Preferred Method of Communication. Always fill out the reservation form if you need my services. Emails are best for last-minute changes. Phone calls should only be made to report your return home or in emergencies. Be sure to check your email within 24 hours of any contact with me and within three days of your departure for the confirmation email.

About the Care of Your Pets

Can you give my pets medication? I am happy to administer medication (liquid, pills, creams, insulin shots, subcutaneous fluids) to your pets if they will easily accept it from me during our set-up meeting (or trial visit). If  pets will not accept medication during your absence, you, your emergency contact person, or your vet will be called for advice and/or veterinary care. 

Will you clean up any “accidents” my pet may have? Yes, as soon as I notice them. To determine if a possible medical problem exists, let me know which pets regularly vomit or which may not always use the box.

What if my pet gets sick or needs emergency treatment while I’m gone? Although I have had some basic training in pet first aid and CPR, I have had no formal veterinary training and I may not notice a health need. It is important that you advise me prior to leaving if your pet has any medical concerns that I need to monitor. If I notice any medical condition that causes me concern, I will either make note of it, call you/your contact person, or seek veterinary advice or care, depending on my understanding of the severity of the situation. If your pet does require emergency medical treatment, you authorize me to transport and obtain medical care, are responsible for calling the vet with your credit card number and/or reimbursing me for all related charges, and authorize me to approve any emergency treatment recommended by the vet. If your vet is not available, I will utilize an alternate vet in an emergency. Every attempt will be made to try to reach you or your emergency contact person before treatment begins and to stay within your authorized dollar limit as noted on your reservation form, if possible. If you or your emergency contact person cannot be reached in an emergency, you agree to accept and be responsible for any decisions made by me in my good judgment regarding the care of your pets and home. I recommend that you schedule me for either longer visits or shorter more frequent visits if you have a terminally ill/medically unstable pet.

Are there any pets you will not care for? I must be informed in advance if your pet has a communicable disease (ex: FeLV) so I can take appropriate precautions. I will not care for any pet who has bitten or attacked another pet or person in the past. If your pet displays major aggression toward me during my visits, service will be immediately terminated and you or your emergency contact person will be contacted so other arrangements can be made (refunds will not be given). If your pet does bite me, you will be responsible for all medical charges and lost income. Law requires that bites be reported to authorities.

About the Care of Your Home

Will you set my alarms? Yes. If possible, I prefer to be given my own access code and password. For your security and peace of mind, I am insured and bonded.  

How will you give my home that lived-in look? I will bring in your mail/newspapers and alternate lights/shades. I strongly recommend light timers for additional security. Do not leave fans running or Christmas tree lights on.

Will you shovel snow? No! It is important for you to find someone who is willing to shovel and salt for you while you are away. Shoveled walks make it appear that you are home and are safer for me.  Also arrange for grass cutting if necessary.

Will you bring anyone with you while you’re caring for my pets? No one will accompany me into your home except in an emergency. 

How do you feel about sharing petsitting duties or about my authorizing someone else to be in my home while I’m gone? I prefer that no one else have access to your property while I am there for liability/security reasons. If you have authorized others to be in your home (housekeepers, etc.), let me know, advise them of my arrival timeframes, and ask them to be extra careful with regard to your home and pets. If someone else will be sharing petsitting duties, I require that person to follow my duty chart (comprised of the instructions you have given me) and that I be provided with that person's phone number. I will not share duties with anyone under 21 years old.

Liability

Owner agrees to be responsible for resulting charges due to emergency veterinary care, problems that occur during the odd day of "every other day" visits, animals who constantly try to "escape" when the door is opened, problems that occur when others have access to your home, decisions made in emergency situations, actions of/damages caused by your pets, stains from pet "accidents," emergency repairs, malfunctioning keys/locks, medical bills and lost wages due to pet bites, etc. Owner expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against I Care Petcare, except those arising from proven gross negligence on my part. Negligence claims must be reported within 24 hours of your return home. I am bonded and insured. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover damages caused by your pets and/or by factors beyond my control.