Policies
Payment Policy
Payment is accepted via cash, check, Venmo, Apple & Google Pay, ACH, and credit card. If paying via credit card, you have the option of enlisting in automatic credit card payments.
Dog Walking, Relief Visits, Cat Sitting, and Critter Care Visits
- For ad-hoc single services, full payment is due by or upon completion of service.
- For recurring services, full payment is due by or on the last day of service each week (our weekly billing period begins Sunday and ends on the following Saturday).
POLICY NAVIGATION
Overnight Pet Sitting
- 50% deposit required at time of booking to reserve the date.
- Remaining 50% of payment is due by or upon completion of service.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that “life happens” and offer a flexible cancellation policy. However, late cancellations do prevent us from being able to service other customers, thus if cancellations are too frequent this may impact your ability to book with us in the future.
Dog Walking, Relief Visits, Cat Sitting, and Critter Care Visits
Same-day cancellations permitted: You can cancel up until 8:00am the day of the service at no charge. If you cancel after 8:00am, you will be charged 50% of the service (if you’ve prepaid, the difference will be refunded or credited towards the next service, at your discretion).
Overnight Pet Sitting
- 72 hour notice required for cancellations: Bookings canceled with at least 72 hour notice prior to the start of service will receive a full deposit refund. If your overnight service is scheduled to begin 8:00pm on Friday, you must request the cancellation by the prior Tuesday at 8:00pm.
- Bookings canceled less than 72 hours prior to the start of service will result in a 50% cancellation fee (non-refundable deposit).
- Holiday bookings cancelled with less than 72 hour notice will result in a cancellation fee of 100% of the total booking cost.
Cancellations and booking changes can be requested within the Client Portal.
Surcharge Policy
Off-Hours & Weekend Services
Surcharge applies for services scheduled outside of our business hours (M-F 9am-5pm) and on weekends.
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Off-Hours (6-9am & 5-10pm) * +$5
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Weekends +$5
*The Off-Hours surcharge does not apply to Overnight Pet Sitting bookings.
Holiday Services
Surcharge applies for services scheduled during the below observed holidays.
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Holidays (Walks & Visits) +$10
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Holidays (Overnights) +$40
New Year’s Day (January 1)
MLK Jr. Day (January 16)
Easter Day (April 9)
Memorial Day (May 29)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (September 4)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (November 23)
Day After Thanksgiving (November 24)
Christmas Eve (December 24)
Christmas Day (December 25)
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
Additional Pets
Additional pets are permitted from the same household only. Fee is charged per each additional pet.
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Walks - Additional Dog +$10
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Relief Visits - Additional Dog +$7
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Cat Sitting - Additional Cat +$5
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Overnight - Additional Dog +$25
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Overnight - Additional Cat +$10
Meet and Greet Policy
All new clients must complete a free, no-obligation in-home Meet and Greet session. We are unable to offer pet sitting or dog walking for pets we have not yet met. This is your opportunity to interview us and make sure you think we’re a good fit for your furry companion(s)!
The first step in scheduling a Meet and Greet is to fill out a New Client Service Request.
Our Meet and Greets:
- Typically take 15-30+ minutes and are available Monday – Sunday. After you submit your New Client Service Request, if approved to move forward with a Meet and Greet, you will receive a link to schedule a Meet and Greet directly in our calendar based on our current schedule availability.
- Allow us to meet your pet(s) and review their information (temperament/training/health/behavioral issues, etc).
- Familiarize us with your pet(s) routine and ideal service schedule; you can show us where everything is located.
- Give us an opportunity to answer any questions you have as well as address how we’ll access your home (if you are providing a key, please have a key copy ready prior to the Meet and Greet).
The initial Meet and Greet is completely free. Any additional Meet and Greets thereafter (e.g. if a new dog is added to the household) will cost $20 each.
Service Length & Arrival Time Policy
The service length starts when we begin entering your home and ends when we finish securing your home. All entry/exit time is a part of your scheduled visit duration.
We do our best to arrive as close as possible to the scheduled arrival time, however, please allow for circumstances that may cause us to arrive earlier or later such as traffic, road conditions, inclement weather, last minute appointments, and cancellations.
Reactive & Aggressive Dog Policy
We accept most pets that display reactive behaviors (and are experienced in handling leash-reactive dogs), but for our own safety, we cannot accept any pets that have demonstrated aggression towards humans.
A reactive dog provides overexaggerated responses to specific triggers because they are flooded with a heightened emotional state, but they are not typically attempting to cause physical harm as a result. If your dog is reactive, please ensure you clearly detail their known triggers in our Meet and Greet so we can be properly prepared.
Reactive Dogs:
- Have specific triggers (e.g. encountering other dogs) that result in a hyperaroused emotional state
- React with barking, whining, and/or pulling on leash (can be difficult to break their focus from the trigger)
- Don’t cause physical harm or damage towards humans as a result
Aggressive Dogs:
- Can cause damage/physical harm to humans or other animals (typically triggered over people, food, toys, bed, and other resources)
- Demonstrate aggression via snapping, growling, biting, baring teeth and charging/lunging
- Can stiffen and growl when approached or handled, pupils may dilate, raised hackles
Inclement Weather Policy
Services during extremely hot or cold weather may be shortened or made into a hybrid outside/inside visit, for the well being of your animals and pet caretaker. You will be informed if the visit has been adjusted due to heat or cold concerns.
Schedule your complimentary Meet and Greet
Contact Precious Paws to confirm service availability for your address and reserve your spot.
A free, no-obligation in-home Meet and Greet session is required for new clients.
