We are always doing our best to look to the health and well-being of our clients' pets and that of our human team members as well. Considering this, as a policy when temperatures or windchill fall below 15F, we modify outside type visits (dog walks, etc.) to a short "potty break" and then spend the remainder of the time engaging with them, and generally getting their mind's going and body active. Please, if you have pet jackets or booties or any other protective wear for your pets, have them available so we can see to the safety of your pet while he or she is outside. ALSO, when we are forecast to see significant snow fall, we do make all scheduled visits, however, the timing may not fall within our typical time frame of arrival due to slow or dangerous travel conditions. In this type of weather we prioritize visits as follows:

• Priority 1: Pets on LIFE SUPPORTING medications - these visits must be made as close as possible to the regular time frame. Other visits may have to be moved to earlier or later in the day to accommodate these visits.
• Priority 2: Dogs (non-life support meds & non - medicated) - Dogs obviously require more interaction in the sense that a human typically needs to take them somewhere to potty (as opposed to cats and caged animals) - these visits should fall as close as possible to typical time frames but will not hinder a visit(s) for pets in priority 1 category.
• Priority 3: Cats and Small animals (non-life support meds & non - medicated) - cats and caged animals are very self sufficient. They are able to relieve themselves and are generally ok for longer periods of time without human involvement. The visit will still be made but timing may be significantly affected.
• Priority 4: House Only visits - these visits are without pets and are just house check ups. They may be made only when severe weather subsides.
• Priority 5: Pet Waste Management - These visits will be rescheduled as necessary.

We also ask that you take a moment to make sure that the emergency contact information we have for you is updated and correct. IT IS EXTREMELY RARE for us not to be able to complete a visit at all. This would typically happen during or after a natural disaster such as tornados, floods, or blizzards. Thank you for your time and consideration of this message.

People always appeared to be shocked when I tell them I had to ‘fire’ a client.  Who turns business away, right?  They don’t seem to understand that providing a service is a two way street and we do occasionally have to tell people we will can no longer provide service to them.  We hate to do it and we don't want to, but sometimes there is just no other way around it.  We provide a premium service and want only the very best for your pets and expect that you do too. Following are six reasons that we may fire you as a client:

1. You Disrespect Our Policies

We have policies for a reason.  It makes sure that things run smoothly and there are no misunderstandings.  When someone disrespects our policies, they disrespect our service.

2. You Schedule Services And Then Repeatedly Cancel

We understand that schedules change and that occasionally life happens and you need to cancel your pet sitting services.  However when it happens every single time you schedule service we will tell you the next time you want to book you will need to pay in full, in advance, non-refundable before we will put you on the schedule.  If you continually schedule then cancel, schedule then cancel you may be denied service.

3. Your Pets Are Too Aggressive

This is a main reason we meet with clients before they go away so we can assess how your pets will react to our presence.  Most of the time they are fine but every once in a while we’ll run into a pet that acts COMPLETELY different with mom and dad not home.  Oddly enough, we’ve had more attack cats than problems with dogs.  It’s stressful and dangerous and it’s just not worth risking our lives or well-being over.

4. Your House Smells So Bad It Makes Our Eyes Water

I’m no Home & Garden expert so please don’t think we’re talking about messy or cluttered homes here.  Our policy is as long as the pets are taken care of and it’s safe for us to be there who are we to judge?  Once in a while though we run into a home that is just so dirty it’s a health hazard.  If it smells so badly of urine soaked carpet that it makes our eyes water, we will not sit for you again.

5. Constant Unwarranted Complaints

I’m sure we all know people that just LIVE to find fault.  They thrive on it.  We do our best to rectify the occasional complaint we get but sometimes they’re just over the top.  No one is going to die if the leash is hung up on the third rung of the coat rack instead of the second.  It’s also not our fault the litter box was full when you got home 36 hours after our last visit because you have three cats and one litter box the size of a small shoebox for all three of them to use.   If your complaints are consistently unwarranted, you’ll be denied service.

6. Too Many Non-Pet Sitting Demands

We are pet sitters.  We take care of PETS.  We are not home health aides.  We will not help you put your socks or bra on every day.  We will not scratch off lottery tickets for you or open your mail.   We will not carry in the groceries from your car or curl your hair for you.  We will not babysit your children.  We are not cleaning people; although we DO intend on your house being as clean if not cleaner when you get home than when you left.  We are not personal assistants.  We will not drive your dogs in your car to the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru to get you an iced coffee because it’s raining and your dogs don’t want to walk in the rain.  If you ask too many ridiculous things that are not pet sitting related we may just have to let you go. The above were all real life examples of circumstances we have encountered with over the years! So there you have it!  Six reasons we may fire you as a pet sitting client.