Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I leave a key on file and can I trust it's kept safe & secure?
A: Most clients choose to leave a copy of their key with us for future pet
sitting needs. It eliminates the hassle of having to schedule a time with
us to pick it up each time you leave town. Keys are tagged with a color
and number code. Our keys are locked in a safe when they're not in use.
Also, the codes are stored in a seperate location from clients' personal
information. Other options include hiding your key or mailing it to us.
Every time we personally pick-up or return your key after our initial
consultation, there is a $7.00 fee. Also, we usually need 7 days notice
prior to you leaving town in order to arrange the key exchange.
Q: What if my cat gets sick while I'm away?
A: We take the health and welfare of the cats in our care very seriously.
Pet emergencies don't happen often, but if they do we'll contact you
immediately and transport the cat to the veterinarian if necessary. This
service is free of charge as long as your vet is within 5 miles and we can
leave your cat there after speaking with a doctor. During holidays and
other peak times we're unable to stay with your cat during treatment. It
is very important to keep your contact information updated so we can
notify you of any issues or concerns.
Q: How long will you visit with my pets?
A: We spend 30 minutes of quality time with your pets each visit. If we are
are in the midst of a pet emergency or major holiday, we may have to
shorten a visit by 5 or 10 minutes. This is a rare occurance. If we must
leave a few minutes early, we'll stay for the full 30 minutes the next day.
Q: Should I call or e-mail to schedule service?
A: Either way is fine. Most clients prefer to call, but e-mailing us is becoming
more and more popular. If we are away from our phone we check our
voicemail frequently. We don't have remote access to our e-mail, so
if it's an urgent matter please call us.
Q: Can I check in with you while I'm away?
A: Feel free to call us anytime if you want to know how your pets are doing.
We can e-mail you an update if you like. This especially comes in handy
if you're using us for the first time or going to be gone longer than usual.
If something happens out of the ordinary or we have any questions or
concerns, we won't hesitate to contact you.
Q: How does payment work?
A: We accept cash or checks payable to Pet Care Extraordinaire (P.C.E.).
We do not accept credit cards. Most clients leave a check at their home
for us to pick up when we pet sit, while some use an on-line banking
system. We ask that any unpaid balance be mailed to us within 3 days
of your return. On our last visit we'll leave you a detailed report with a
receipt and billing information. Please let us know as soon as possible if
your trip is extended and you can send us the balance upon your return.
Notify us in advance if you come home early and we'll either issue a
credit for the next time you use us or we can mail you a refund.
Q: How can I get my cat's picture posted on your web site?
A: Just ask when you call to schedule service. We frequently add new pics to
our photo galleries and Kudzu profile. We enjoy the pictures our clients
e-mail us, but we only post the ones we capture while pet sitting. The
positive feedback we've received since starting this project is awesome!