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What can I expect from your service?
How does your cat-sitting service work?
Where are your service areas?
How far in advance should I call to reserve your service?
How many cats will you look after?
Do you look after unusual or exotic pets?
Will you make visits to my home to look after my dog while I’m away?
What about keys to my home?
When do I pay you?
What are your rates?
When will you come to my house?
Could I arrange to have you visit my cat every other day?
I have cats that go out every day. Is this OK?
What if my cat is on a regular medication schedule?
What if my cat gets sick while I’m away?
My cat is really old and I'm afraid s/he might die or need to be euthanized while I'm away?
Do my cats need vaccinations in order for you to visit?
What happens if you get sick and can’t visit my cat?
What if there’s a bad snow storm or hurricane and you can’t get to my home?
What if you notice damage to my home during one of your visits?
What if I come home sooner than planned?
Are you bonded and insured?
What can I expect from your service?
I provide visits to your cat(s) as regularly as you require, usually once or twice a day. I’ll ensure there is ample food and fresh water daily. I clean food and water bowls and the litter box daily. I’ll clean up any cat accidents that may have occurred. Any medications your cat is taking will be administered at regularly scheduled times. Depending on your cat’s personality, I’ll play with, cuddle or brush him / her.
I’m also happy to bring in mail, rotate lights, open and close drapes to give your home that lived-in look. If you have a few indoor plants, I’d be pleased to water them. Watering large numbers of plants or out-door plants, however, requires extra time. We can discuss charges for this service during our introductory meeting.
How does your cat-sitting service work?
When you call or email me, we’ll set up a meeting at your home and at your convenience. During the meeting I’ll have you tell me all about your cat(s), personality, feeding, litter box location, likes and dislikes, favourite hiding places and so on. This time will allow you to determine if you are comfortable with me coming to your house and looking after your pet.
If you’d decide to hire me, we’ll then look at how often I’ll visit, how long each visit will be, and the cost of my service. This introductory consultation takes about ½ hour . There is no charge for this visit and no obligation to hire me.
Where are your service areas?
My immediate service area covers Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Visits to Halifax, Bedford, Fairview, Spryfield are a slightly higher price to cover the bridge tolls and distance. I can visit homes beyond the core of HRM but my rates must be higher to cover time and car expenses. Please call me for pricing. View service area
How far in advance should I call to reserve your service?
If you call as soon as you know you’ll need my service (especially during holidays) that would be ideal. However I leave enough flexibility in my schedule for emergencies. Even if you have to call at the last minute, I will do my best to get your information and keys and start my visits. If you’re a regular customer and I keep your keys at my home, then just a quick phone call is all it will take. Contact information
How many cats will you look after?
During a 15 minute visits I can look after 3 or fewer cats with time left over to play. I find I can adequately care for up to 6 cats in a half hour visit. More than 6 cats and I will need to stay another 15 minutes for which there will be an extra charge of $5.
Do you look after unusual or exotic pets?
No, sorry, I don’t know anything about caring for exotic pets. However, I’d be happy to check in on and feed minimal-care fish or small non-exotic pets (mice, hamsters, etc.) while I’m visiting your cat(s).
Will you make visits to my home to look after my dog while I’m away?
Not necessarily. I don’t believe dogs can be adequately cared for during short visits. However your situation may be something I could help you with so give me a call to discuss it.
What about keys to my home?
At our introductory meeting, you will give me a key. I’ll mark your key with an identification code known only to me. If a key is not available at our first meeting, you may drop it off at my home at some other time. There is a charge of $8 for me to return to your home to pick up your key.
If you think you might hire me regularly, I can keep your key in a secure area in my home. Next time you go away you only need to call me to make arrangements – key pick-up or delivery is already taken care of! If you’d like to have your key returned, I can leave it in an agreed upon location outside your home or you may pick it up at my home. There is a fee of $8 to have me return it to your home.
When do I pay you?
You may pay me during our introductory meeting, or leave payment for me to pick up during my first service visit. For now, I am only able to take a cheque or cash for which you will receive a receipt. At present I do not have a post-service billing system. For a short while, there are no tax charges.
What are your rates?
My basic service is a 15 minute visit for $10. Please go to the link “Services and Prices” for more detail.
When will you come to my house?
Generally my once-daily service visits are conducted between noon and 5 pm. If you decide to schedule two visits daily, we will discuss the times you’d like me to be at your home.
Could I arrange to have you visit my cat every other day?
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. 48 hours is a long time to leave a cat alone.
I have cats who go out everyday. Is this OK?
I would prefer that your cat(s) stay inside while they’re under my care. Even if they’re very good about coming home, the sudden change in human might encourage them to leave home. If your cats must go out, I am not responsible if they get lost, killed or injured. Please see Waiver of Liability.
What if my cat is on a regular medication schedule?
I will schedule my visits to coincide with the times your cat regularly receives his/her medication. I am able to administer all types of medication including needles. There is no extra charge for this service.
What if my cat gets sick while I’m away?
We will talk about this at the time of our introductory meeting. Unless you instruct me otherwise, I will take him/her to your veterinarian as soon as I suspect something is wrong. If your vet is closed, I'll take your cat to the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic in Dartmouth (www.maec.ca) My decision will be based on a lifetime of caring for cats and recognising when they are not well. I will err on the side of caution. You will be informed as soon as possible if your cat becomes ill. There is a charge of $25 if I need to take your cat to the vet, and you are responsible for the cost of the visit to the Vet and any medications prescribed or procedures done. Please see the Waiver of Liability. If you cat is sick enough that he/she needs 24 hour supervision, I will take him to my home where I can keep an eye on him/her. My regular overnight boarding charges will come into effect.
My cat is really old and I'm afraid he might die or need to be euthanized while I'm away?
We will talk about your concerns and wishes at the time of our introductory meeting. You might want to consider leaving instructions with your Veterinarian about how he or she is to proceed if your cat becomes terminally ill or incapacitated while in my care. I've added an "Instructions to Veterinarian" (for an elderly cat) letter template under the "Forms" page of my website that you may find helpful in making your own decisions. The form is in Rich Text Format so you may edit in your own word processor.
Do my cats need vaccinations in order for you to visit?
No. This is one of the benefits of having a cat-sitter come to your home. Since your cats won’t be coming in contact with other animals they won’t be exposed to parasites or disease. You are required, however, to let me know whether your cat has been vaccinated or not and any medical conditions your cat(s) has.
What happens if you get sick and can’t visit my cat?
I have a back-up sitter who will take over for me if I can’t be there.
What if there’s a bad snow storm or hurricane and you can’t get to my home?
I keep my eye on weather forecasts. If it looks like we’re in for it, I’ll leave extra food and water. I will go to your home as soon as it’s humanly possible.
What if you notice damage to my home during one of your visits?
My service questionnaire asks you to provide the name and phone number of a local neighbour, friend or relative who will take responsibility for any problems that might arise in your home. If I discover a problem, I will call your contact immediately. It is your responsibilty to discuss with your contact, before you leave home, how to deal with any difficulties that might arise.
What if I come home sooner than planned?
Call me as soon as you get home (or at least the next morning). I will refund your money for the remainder of time you hired me. If I arrive at your home for my regular visit and find that you’re home, there will be a normal charge for the visit.
Are you bonded and insured?
Yes. I am a member of Pet Sitters International (petsit.com) and carry insurance through them. (http://www.binks.ca/commercial/programs/pet-sitters/)You will be also asked to read and sign a Waiver of Liability.