The following is a list of my policies and procedures for both In-Home Pet Sitting, Dog Boarding & Doggie Day Care. I know it’s a bit overwhelming and I don’t publish these to come off as a stickler, but to avoid any misunderstandings or surprises. I want my clients to be as fully informed as possible. Please read through in it’s entirety before using my service(s). If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

IN-HOME PET SITTING Policies/Procedures:

Getting Acquainted Initial Consult:

This initial meeting consists of my visiting your home (if the service is in-home pet sitting) to get acquainted with you, your pet(s) and your pets routine. I will also give you some information to keep, along with some forms to fill out and a contract to sign. You will then offer me a copy of your key to keep through the duration of the pet sit. * It is preferred that you make an extra copy of your key for me to keep if you are expecting to use my service in the future. If you decide to have me return it each visit, there will be a charge of $16. for pick-up and drop off of key each time you use my service in the future; unless you prefer to either hide it in a safe place or drop it off at my home. I will also be collecting a deposit of 50% of the total fee during the consult and booking of service. Please see Payments & Charges below.

Reservations

Please fill out my on-line contact form in its entirety and I will contact you to confirm your reservation. If you leave a reservation request by voice mail or e-mail and have not yet spoken to me directly over the phone or in person, you will then need direct confirmation by me that I have received it. This is to prevent pets being left alone because of a mixed or missed message.

After making an advanced reservation for a pet sit (does not apply to dog walk/play times or regularly weekly visits) with myself over the phone or by email, I will call to confirm the dates 24-48 hours ahead of time. If you do not hear from me, you must call me and reconfirm the dates. This is very important. We are all human and there could have been a mis-communication on either side and I do not want any pets to suffer because of it.

Current Clients – My preferred method for you to book pet sitting dates is for you to use my on-line contact form. This way I have the complete information I need and in written form. Please do not send me a regular e-mail as I get a large volume of e-mail in my in-box and lots of spam and your request could easily get lost or deleted. Thank you!

New Clients – Please use my on-line contact form to book an initial consult at least a few weeks before your intended trip. I will then call you to schedule either a In-Home Pet Sit consult or a Temperament Screening for Boarding. None of my services can be provided until we have met and all paper work has been filled out. Initial consults are scheduled around my pet sitting appointments and can’t usually be set up last minute.

 

In-Home Visits: Visits are scheduled from 8:00AM to 10:00PM. I can’t guarantee specific visit times. You can give a preferred time of morning, afternoon, or evening and I will do my best to stay within the perimeters of that time-frame. My schedule is always changing from hour to hour and all depends upon what other sits I have that day, how those sits go, the weather and any personal plans I may have. Therefore, visit times may vary. I will only make early morning appointments for diabetic pets that need insulin shots at a certain time; sick pet’s that need their medicine or dog’s without access to a doggy door that need to be let out at a certain time. All other general pet sit visits will be done starting at 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., if you are requesting morning visits. Also, On occasion I may have a personal obligation during regular evening hours. If that occurs I may do an extra free late afternoon visit and then a late night visit.Visits average about thirty minutes long. However, visits may run shorter in specific cases such as a shy or nervous cat that is waiting for me to leave. On the occasion where I’ve gotten behind schedule or have time constraints and have to cut a visit short, I try my best to make up that time in the next visit. In some cases I’ve been known to stay longer than thirty minutes, if I feel the pet seems extra lonely or needy that day. I must be notified of all pets in your household and they will all be considered under my care unless other approved care is arranged for them.In the case of bad weather conditions I will be unable to provide walks for your dog; in this case I will spend our time in other ways, such as cuddling together on the couch while reading or playing safely inside. If you are going away during the monsoon season or winter season, please know that I do not approve of pets being left outside in the cold and rain; unless it has some kind of shelter like a garage or shed to keep warm. This does not apply to outdoor cats.All cats and other small pets must be seen at least once a day. All dogs must be seen at least twice a day. Crated dogs: I do not approve of crating a pet the entire time you are gone on a trip. I believe it is a form of cruelty. If you are crating your dog during work hours and either have myself coming by during the day to let them out or by yourself that is fine. Or, if I am sitting for you and you would like your pet to be crated at night only, this is also acceptable.

Forms of Payments Accepted at Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care:

We accept Personal Checks, Cash and Credit Cards Visa & Mastercard accepted through PayPal. If you wish to use a credit card, please just let us know and we will gladly forward you a invoice for payment through Paypal.

Payment & Charges

There is a deposit of 50% of the total charge of all services due at the time of booking, so that you may secure your reservation for both In-Home Pet Sits; Dog Walking or Cage-Free Boarding.  This can be paid in person; by check through mail, or by Paypal.  The remainder of the service charge is due at the time of service for existing, ongoing regular clients.  If you a new client and have scheduled my In-Home Pet Sit, Dog Walking or Cage-Free Boarding Service, you may pay the initial deposit, as well as the 2nd half of payment by mailing  a check to my home/business address or, if you prefer I can invoice you through Paypal.

If for any reason I must stay extra time at your home that wasn’t by choice, but instead due to pet illness or injury, extensive clean up or due to a problem with your home or any other unforeseen circumstance, then you will be charged the regular rate of $20 per 30 minutes. If I deem any extra visits are necessary for the safety and well-being of your pet(s) they will be charged at the regular rate as well and added to your bill. There will be a $10-$20 charge, in addition to visit fee, for the pick up of any needed supplies including food, cat litter, paper towels etc. Please make sure you leave enough food and supplies.

It is recommended that the client should inform their veterinarian that they are using this pet sitting service and check veterinary policy for payment. All emergency veterinary charges will be the full responsibility of the client. Client will be billed $40/hour by the pet sitter for any emergency trips to the vet.

Cancellations

Cancellation of regularly scheduled daily visits must be given by 7:30 a.m. or you will be charged as usual. As much advanced notice as possible is greatly appreciated as it affects my daily schedule, can determine whether I can add another client if needed or can affect my personal plans. Thank you.

For all other sits, cancellation must be given 72 hours before first scheduled visit or you will lose your deposit, which is 50% of the fee at the time of booking. This time was specifically reserved for you and not available for other clients or my personal plans I would have had the opportunity to make, had I not reserved the time for you.

Holiday’s: It is recommended that you make holiday bookings EARLY. This also goes for school vacation weeks. It is first come, first serve and I can only take a certain number of clients for in-home sits and a maximum of five (5) for doggie day care & boarding. The following holiday’s May have an additional fee of $5.00 per visit, depending on how busy I am for that particular holiday: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, 4th of July and Easter Sunday. Again, a deposit of 1/2 of the total charges is required at the time of booking all major Holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter & 4th of July vacation sits to hold your reservation; The remainder is due at the start of service. No refunds for early returns, as I have taken that time out of my personal and work schedule for you. There is an insufficient funds returned check fee of $25. There will be times when I decide to take a holiday off and or a week-two weeks vacation some time during the year, plus a few weekends. As soon as I know the exact dates, I will publish them. I don’t arrange anyone to fill in for me, but I can give you the names of other area pet sitters that may be able to help you out if you need pet sitting services during those times.

Job sharing & Third Parties

Please notify me of any other person (relative, neighbor, contractor, cleaning service, child away at college, etc.) having permission to access your home while you are away. This is very important. If anyone else is there, I will need to contact the police for my safety and the safety of your home and pets.

Heidi Historic Home & Pet Care prefers not to job share due to conflicts, problems and liability that can occur. Under special circumstances I may agree but can not be held responsible for the pet(s) being cared for improperly, doors being left unlocked, pets getting loose, items being lost or broken etc. It is much harder to observe the health of a pet with more than one care giver. I ask for written reports on any food given, potty breaks, activities and behaviors to help me give the best care I can.

Heidi Historic Home & Pet Care is not liable and is completely indemnified for any and all liability stemming from the act(s) or failure to act(s) of third parties, whether known or unknown, including but not limited to, friends, neighbors, pool persons, landscapers, housekeepers, utility persons, etc.

Pet & Home Safety

Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care will not be held liable for free roaming outdoor cats in the event of injury, illness, loss or death. For their safety it is strongly advised that they remain inside your home during your absence.

All dogs are required to be on a leash when outside except for when in secured owner’s property (fenced in yard) or under special circumstances with owner’s instructions, such as scheduled trips to off-leash doggie park.

It is the client’s sole responsibility to pet proof any areas of the home and property to which the pet has access. This includes thoroughly inspecting fences, gates and latches. As well as keeping the pet confined to a certain room/area, if the pet has displayed any previous signs of behavioral problems such as chewing/destroying items within your home.  Unfortunately, although I do my best to monitor all pets at all times, it is impossible to do so each & every minute of my visit within your home.  And, for this reason, I need to be made aware, prior to a visit, if you pet exhibits any type of behavioral problems, such as: chewing/destruction of items within the home or outside of home, and or any aggression towards other people/animals on walks outside of home.  Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care has no liability for any injuries the pet may sustain while in their own home/property nor any property damaged by the pet or injury to other people/pets on their walks, unless the damaged property, or any unforeseen injuries were caused directly by myself or one of my staff members.

I reserve the right to adjust heat or A/C in your home if I think the health of your pet is being affected. Please never leave a space heater on while you are away. They can be fire hazards and I will need to unplug them for the safety of your pets.

I will do my best to find and clean up any accidents made by your pet(s) during your absence; however I will not be held responsible for any damage done by these accidents or by any accidents that are not discovered during a normal walk through of your home. Additionally, while my best will be done to clean any accidents found, I am not a professional carpet/floor cleaner and as such can not be held liable for the quality of the clean up. Please note that Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care will do it’s best to clean up an appropriate amount of waste in back yard area. However, if you have neglected to clean prior waste left by your pet(s) over time, Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care is not responsible for the clean up of such waste.

Invisible Fencing: If you use invisible fencing you understand the risks involved and that the fence or collars may malfunction, that your pet may get excited or frightened by something and cross anyway and that the fencing does not prevent other animals from entering the yard and possibly harming your pet. Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care will not be held responsible for any injury, illness, loss or death of any pet using invisible fencing. The client understands all risks and will take full responsibility for any incidents that may occur, including but not limited to, the injury to any person, damage to any property or injury or death of any other pet.

Sitters & Service

Pet sitting visits are usually done by myself, Heidi D’Angelo, but in the event of a personal situation, time off, illness or injury to myself, another qualified individual may fulfill the responsibilities set forth in the service agreement. On occasion I will now be taking some days off and may have another qualified pet sitter providing some visits.

Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care reserves the right to deny service or terminate service for any reason, but especially in the case of safety concerns, financial concerns, unsanitary conditions, or inappropriate or uncomfortable situations.

Any dog bites must be reported to local authorities as provided by law.

DOG BOARDING & DOGGIE DAY CARE Policies/Procedures:

Age/Behavioral Requirements: All dogs must be between the age of Eight (8) Months or Older. All dogs must be completely potty trained, aggressive free, and well trained. We do not accept dogs that have any type of behavioral problems, including but not limited to: excessive barking, chewing, and aggression of any kind towards other dogs.

Getting Acquainted Initial Consult/Temperament Screening:

All clients must set-up an initial consult/temperament screening with myself, Heidi, before I can accept your pet here at my home for both Dog Boarding or Doggie Day Care. (please see below under temperament screening for requirements). The consult and screening can take anywhere between 30-60 minutes, depending on how many pet’s you are bringing. At this time you will also be signing some paperwork/contract; showing proof of all vaccinations required and providing a 50% deposit of the total fee for service, which is due upon booking reservation for all of my services (please see Payments & Charges above) .

Check-in & out time:

Doggie Day Care Hours:

Hours of operation for Play Dates/Day Care are 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. You are welcome to schedule a play date/day care anytime between those hours, either for a full day, half day, or by the hour.

Dog Boarding Hours:

Hours of operation for Sleep Overs start at 6:00 p.m and end at 8:00 a.m. Unless you have opted for our Around the Clock Care, which is a twenty-four hour day.

Items to bring for your pet’s stay: We do not provide food or treats for your pet’s here at Heidi’s Historic Home and Pet Care, as it’s best to maintain a consistent diet for your pet and liability reasons due to allergies, etc. Therefore, you should remember to bring exact portions of food/treats for the entire day’s visit. Also, pack any medicine/vitamins that needs to be given to your pet, unless you choose to administer that before hand at home. It is not necessary to bring personal toys, as I believe this creates possible territorial, aggressive behavior. However, if you have a certain blanket or doggie bed you would like to bring, that is fine. However, Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care is not responsible should another pet destroy any personal belongs, as I cannot monitor the other dog’s for chewing the entire day and or night. There are plenty of comfy dog beds and fun toys available for your pets here.

Reservations Required

There is a maximum of five (5) dogs accepted in our care at one time. This is a intimate, small environment and we want there to be enough time and attention given to each pet. Therefore, all day care visits need to be reserved at least 24 hours in advance. This is necessary to ensure adequate staffing and to determine whether or not there is room for additional doggie visitors. During Holidays you must make your reservation at least Fifteen (15) days in advance; please see below under Holidays.

Use a Leash: For the comfort and safety of all our customers, neighboring businesses and their clientèle, please keep your dog held on a leash when entering or exiting our dog day care/boarding facility.

Take Care of Business: As a courtesy, please have your dog “take care of business” in the morning before arriving at our facility.

Staying Home Sick: If your dog appears to be ill, please do not bring him/her into our Day Care. If he/she appears ill while at our facility, we will call you to pick him/her up or separate the pet from others.

Holiday Reservations

Reservations for all holidays must be made at least Fifteen (15) days in advance. If you are reserving space during any major holiday period a $50 deposit will be required for each dog/space that is held. This deposit will be applied to your final bill. Cancellations made less than 10 days prior to scheduled check-in date are non-refundable, as I have reserved that spot for you and therefore turned away possible business that I would not be able to fill at that late of notice.

Vaccination Requirements

DPP (Distemper, Parvo virus, and Para influenza), current in the last year; Bordetella, current in the last 6 months; Rabies, current in the last year for puppies and in the past three years for adults Flea and tick monthly treatment; the last one is equally important, as Arizona is known for it’s high desert flea & tick problem. If you choose to come stay here at my home, Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care is not responsible for any incurred flea or tick problem, as I can only ask if you have given your pet the proper protection from both.

Responsibility for Your Pet during His/Her Day Care/Over night Boarding Visit(s)

Should your pet, for any reason, destroy any said property of my home, ie. chewing of doggy beds or other items, please be prepared to reimburse Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care for the item(s) destroyed. Unfortunately, although I try my best to monitor all pets at all times, it is impossible to do so each & every minute of the day/night. Therefore, to avoid any possibilities for any type of  destruction of property, should your dog exhibit any type of behavioral problem, such as chewing, this would be an immediate disqualification for entering any type of service within my home for both day care & overnight boarding. It is your responsibility to let me know, prior to arriving for a temperament screening, if there is any type of behavioral problem I would need to be aware of. While your pet is under my care, I have the authority to care for the pet as I see fit within the time the pet is in my home and as such, in my care and under my instruction, as you are giving me permission to care for your pet when entering into contract for and under any of my services provided to you.

Temperament Screening

• Please, No dogs under Eight (8) Months of age.

•  We normally only accept small to medium sized dogs- up to Twenty 20 pounds, as a rule. In-take of larger breeds are based upon the specific dogs breed, disposition/behavior & age.

• Dogs must be spayed or neutered.

• Dogs must be completely potty trained, accident free…as a rule (although we are aware there will be an occasional accident once in a while). And Marking is unacceptable.

• Dogs must be well behaved, displaying no signs of Aggression.

For the safety of all our clients, we require a temperament screening for all pets that come here for our play dates or sleep-overs. We will not accept any pet that is aggressive in any manner, be it through people, food, other dogs or toys. We do acknowledge, however, that all dogs can rough house and play a little aggressive at times, as long as it doesn’t get dangerous, out of control or hurt anyone. We must be informed before hand of any behavioral problems, as we do not want any surprises during the visits.

The temperament screening consists of a 15-30 minute evaluation of your dog’s behavior prior to their enrollment for day care or over nights. There may be a need for a over night trial run for first time visitors staying a period of three days or more.

On your first visit please be prepared to stay with your pet for this evaluation and bring a copy of your pet’s vaccination history. This is a free evaluation. If necessary, we may require your dog to spend a full day of day care in order to fully evaluate your dog’s behavior/temperament.

Our environment is different from other Arizona dog care or Arizona boarding kennel facilities. Therefore, Heidi’s Historic Home & Pet Care reserves the right, at any time,to turn away or send home any dog whose temperament we determine to be incongruent with our environment.

The temperament screening is done by appointment only, Monday through Saturday between the hours of 10:00 am – 5:00 p.m.