Frequently Asked Questions

😺 Are your sitters bonded and insured?

We are bonded and insured through Pet Sitters Associates to ensure your pets and home are protected if an accident or damage occurs. The team is comprised of a small group of employees who have worked in the field of animal care. Every employee is covered under the same policy and must complete a successful background and reference check.

🐾 When I schedule a meet and greet, are my requested service dates confirmed?

We tentatively block off requested visit times and confirm them at our meet. However, the meet is an opportunity for both of us to assess if we are the best fit for your cat’s needs. We reserve the right to decline services if we cannot adequately attend to your cat’s medical needs or your cat demonstrates aggressive behavior during the meet.

😺 I feel my cat does not need a daily visit. Can you provide services every other day?

Unfortunately we no longer accept bookings that do not include a daily visit. We highly encourage you to book daily visits for your cat because they benefit from social interaction when you can’t provide them the love and attention they are accustomed to. Moreover, vet and household emergencies can occur at any time and are best handled as soon as they arise.

🔑 How will you access my home?

We collect a key at the meet and greet which we label with your cat’s name for security purposes. If you have a garage or front door access code, we keep it on file as a second means of entry. However, a code on its own is not sufficient in the event there is a loss of power. If key entry is the only means of accessing the home, we require a back up key on file for emergencies. We will make a copy if one is not provided prior to the start of services for a $10 fee. There is a $20 fee for keys or key fobs that must be picked up or dropped off by a sitter. We are always happy to arrange for you to pick up or drop off keys at Callie’s residence in Fairfax at no additional charge.

🐾 How do I know a scheduled visit with my cat has been completed?

We provide detailed visit reports with photos of your precious furballs after each visit so you can rest assured your kitty is healthy and happy! Visit reports are sent to your email and are also available to view through the Time to Pet app. Please note, although we try to stay within a two hour window for visits each day, there may be fluctuations due to high demand times (like holidays) and pet health issues/emergencies that arise. During busy times, cats with time-sensitive medications and those waiting for meals are scheduled for the first visits of the day.

💊  Do you administer medications? 

Yes. We can administer liquid, pill, and transdermal forms of medications as well as insulin injections. However, if your cat becomes aggressive when handled by a sitter or is prone to hiding in difficult-to-reach spots, we cannot guarantee they will receive their medication each visit. If you anticipate this will be an issue, please discuss it at the meet so we can determine if a sitter is a good fit or if your cat will be better off in the hands of a vet.

🐾 Are there additional costs for giving medications or caring for multiple pets?

No. We care for all pets and administer medications as part of the visit. If the care routine is complex and takes longer than a standard visit, we will advise you to consider longer visits to allow for playtime and snuggles. 

✗  Do you offer cat boarding services? 

We do not offer boarding services. We believe cats do best when they remain in their home environment. However, if we are unable to meet your cat’s medical needs or you prefer boarding, we recommend you reach out to your local vet or a licensed boarding facility. 

✗  Do you visit share with other pet sitters or pet sitting companies?

No. We do not share responsibility for the safety and security of your pets and home with a third party we are unfamiliar with because of the liabilities involved in doing so and the potential for miscommunication to occur. Caring for your pet is our top priority, and we have strict policies and procedures in place to ensure your cat’s care routine is followed and emergencies are handled in a responsible, timely manner. We are bonded and insured, but we do not assume other sitters will take ownership of mistakes or damage that may occur between our visits. The last thing we want is for a door to be left unlocked, which could result in theft or a pet escaping from the home. Please inform us if any family members, friends, or housekeepers will be entering your home while you are away so we are aware of their presence.

📬  What housesitting services do you provide during the visit? 

We can provide basic housesitting services while we care for your cat which include: turning on/off lights, bringing packages inside, checking the mail, watering indoor plants, putting the garbage bins outside for pickup, and tidying up your cat’s litter box and food areas. However, the time spent to complete additional tasks should be minimal and not exceed the time spent with your cat. Pets are our main focus, and we want to give them the attention and love they deserve!

☀️ Will my cat be allowed to go outside if they are accustomed to it?

No. Unless we are providing care for feral or primarily outdoor cats, your cat will not be let outside to explore. We know some cats love to bask in the sun and feel the grass beneath their paws. However, we cannot control environmental factors that pose a threat to your cat’s safety. For this reason, we keep them indoors until you return. 

⛄️ Will you visit my pet during inclement weather?

We monitor weather conditions, and we will make every effort to adhere to the visit schedule. However if road conditions turn hazardous and jeopardize our safety, we will postpone visits until those conditions improve. We aim to be proactive by putting down extra food and water to last your cat into the following day. Nevertheless, you need to have an inclement weather plan in place for your pets. This entails designating a neighbor who can check on your cat or arranging for your cat to stay at a boarding facility if it has medical needs. During winter weather we also ask that you keep your driveways and porches clear of snow and ice if possible. 

🚑 What happens if my pet has a medical emergency?

During the meet and greet we formulate a plan for handling medical emergencies. We will have paperwork on file that includes contact information for your cat’s veterinarian, your preferred emergency vet hospital, and written permission for us to obtain care from those providers. We also will have you designate a temporary guardian, which can be a trusted person or a vet hospital, that can provide continuing care if we are unable to meet your cat’s aftercare needs. 

🏠  What happens if there is a household emergency?

If a household issue arises that would cause extensive damage to the home (pipes freeze, sump pump malfunctions, etc.), we will notify you immediately. If we cannot reach you in a timely manner, we will contact a repair company to ensure the safety and comfort of your cat. You will be responsible for the cost of repairs in addition to the sitter’s time spent handling the issue. If you use a particular repair company frequently, we encourage you to leave their contact information where the sitter will see it.

Please note: We may adjust the thermostat depending on the weather for the comfort of both the sitter and your cat. We require homeowners to keep the temperature above 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter and below 80 degrees during the summer months.