Potty Central has compiled the following list of the most frequently asked questions for our pet sitting and dog walking services. If your questions are not answered here, please feel to contact our knowledgeable staff.
Q: Why should I use a Potty Central sitter?
A: Your pet will remain in his or her familiar, secure environment and follow his or her customary diet and exercise routine. Your pet is not exposed to illness of other animals. Most importantly, your pet receives lots of love and personal attention while you are away. Our sitters are Pet First Aid Certified. We have NO black out dates! Our sitters are completely backed up by one of our other sitters in cases of emergency, illness or sitter vacations. All Potty Central sitters have passed a background check. We are loving, dependable and trustworthy!
Q: What do you do on a visit?
A: Our pet sitting visits include: Feeding per your instructions, fresh water, dogs walked, love and play time, litter box cleaned, medication given if needed, mail and newspaper brought in, indoor plants watered, lights on and off. Lots of TLC.
Q: Do you take care of any other pets besides dogs and cats?
A: Yes but not all. Please email us at info@pottycentral.com to inquire about animals other than dogs and cats that we provide services for and pricing.
Q: Do you always visit at the time we ask for?
A: We book your visits within a time frame and will be there during that time. If you are booking a cat visit for the morning and it is during peak times such as holidays we will be there in the later mornings due to the fact that we need to get to dog visits first, unless of course you have a cat that needs medicine at a critical time. If time is critical, please let us know.
Q: If my pet has an “accident”, do you clean it up?
A: Yes, we will clean up after your pets to the best of our ability. If there are always accidents, we will ask you to book an additional visit in the day. We will do a walk through to check for accidents.
Q: What information do I need to provide at the initial consultation?
A: Prior to the consultation; you will need to fill out your profile completely. We will then have all the information we need about your pets allowing us to spend the consultation time getting to know you and your pets. We do ask that your pets are up to date on vaccinations. We need 2 keys so the sitter can have one and the other kept in a locked filing cabinet in case of emergency.
Q: Do I always have to give you 2 keys?
A: We ask that all clients give us 2 keys. Remember we are bonded & insured. If you want to avoid the pick up and drop off charges and are truly against giving us a key, we can provide you with a lock box during the consultation. During the consultation we will come up with a plan as to where the lock box will be attached and at that time put your key in it. We will not provide you with the code so as to ensure the key will be there when we arrive. The cost for this program is $35 for the one time use only.
Q: Do you charge for the initial consultation?
A: The initial consultation is FREE
Q: May I give my pet sitter/dog walker a gratuity?
A: Absolutely. We much prefer you to leave cash for your sitter at your home and leave a note so they are aware it is for them. Gift cards are also a great idea and appreciated. You may add a gratuity to your bill but taxes will have to be taken out and be reported.
Q: Do you pick up my dog’s waste when you are walking?
A: Yes, we do and we BYOB (bring our own (poop) bags). Just let us know where your trash can is located to dispose of the waste please.
Q: May I book my visits through my pet sitter directly?
A: No, All visits should be booked through our online booking system. You may have your sitter’s cell phone #, but please contact the office for bookings and cancellations. It is fine if you would like, as a courtesy to let your sitter know you may not need a visit, but please realize we do have a cancellation policy and it is not up to your sitter to give you a credit.
Q: What hours do you provide services?
A: Pet Sitting and dog walking visits are generally between 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Our office hours are 9:00-5:00pm Monday-Friday.
Q: Can I be assured of same pet sitter each time?
A: We prefer to have the continuity of the same pet sitter each time. However, If the sitter is not available then a fully informed substitute sitter will be available for back up.
Q: Do you offer any sort of satisfaction guarantee?
A: You want to know that your pets will be cared for just the way you specify. We will guarantee it every time! If you are not 100% satisfied with the service that was provided, we will be happy to address your concerns. We believe in lasting client relationships, so our service is only complete when you return home and are completely satisfied.
Q: I am leaving in two days and don’t have time to meet one of your sitters. Will you take care of my pets without meeting them?
A: No, we do require an initial consultation before taking care of your pets.
Q: Can I have every other day cat visits?
A: No, all cats will be visited no less than once every 24 hours. No exceptions will be made. This is for the health of your fur-baby.
Q: What happens in severe weather?
A: Potty Central requests the name and phone number of a person living nearby. If the Potty Central pet care provider is physically unable to reach your home due to impassable roads, we will contact that person. Your pets’ health and well-being is our utmost concern and we will contact you as soon as possible to keep you informed of these events.
Q: Can you let me know how my pet is doing while I’m away?
A: Yes, absolutely. We are happy to send you a text or pictures when we visit. Plus, we upload pictures to our FB, instagram and website for everyone to enjoy.
Q: Do you charge a holiday fee?
A: Yes, we do. We pet sit 365 days a year and charge $10.00 extra per visit the day before, day of, and day after, all major holidays, including New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. $5.00 extra per visit the day before, day of, and day after, all major holidays, for the “Pit Stop” visit only.
This is a way for us to reward our pet sitters who are giving of their holiday time.
Q: Are you insured and bonded?
A: Yes
Q: Do you board pets?
A: We do not board pets in our home. We do provide daily visits for your pets and we will customize a schedule to fit your pet(s) needs.
Q: How is payment handled?
A: We require for everyone to have a credit card on file.
Your credit card will be charged 2-3 days before your visits begin, except for holiday visits we charge 7 days in advance. Please make sure you add your credit card to your profile 3 days before your visits begin.
Q: Will I receive a refund if I leave later than expected or return early?
A: No, please understand that we have made time for your visits and may have turned other people down to allow time for your pets. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. There will be no refunds.
Q: Do you have an overnight sitter available?
A: We do not provide over night sitting at this time.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: In order to best serve your needs, the strict cancellation policy is follows: Daily Walks: subject to a 4 Hour cancellation period (no later than 7am the morning of the scheduled walk). Most of our commitments are made weeks in advance. Vacation Visits: subject to a 48 hour cancellation period. If you cancel after our cancellation periods you will incur a 50% charge.
Q: Will I get a refund if I come home early?
A: No, as stated above, once service begins, there are no refunds or credits. Even though early returns and last minute changes are common in daily lives, please understand that Potty Central carefully schedules our time to service you as well as our other clients.
Q: What happens if I did not leave enough food for my pet(s)?
A: We will notify you that there is not enough food so that you are aware and perhaps you have more food in another place in your home. If we do need to make a special trip to purchase food we will be glad to do so. There will be a $25 trip charge plus the cost of the food. Your credit card will be charged. If an extra trip to your home is needed for an extra visit to feed your pets, then that will be charged as well.
Q: How will I get my key back if I move or discontinue service if you are keeping my keys on file?
A: We will be glad to mail your keys upon your request if you have kept your keys on file with us as a ready key. The fee will be $5. If you need them to be dropped off, we can arrange that as well. There will be a trip charge of $18 for this service.
Q: What is your privacy policy?
A: Potty Central will safeguard the confidentiality and security of the information we obtain from you. We are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information we collect for the purpose of your pets visits and to process your credit card transactions. This notice describes our privacy policy as it relates to the collection, protection and disclosure of such information resulting from credit card transactions and client registrations and profiles.
The credit card information provided by you to Potty Central will be stored in a confidential manner.
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