FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I hire a Professional Pet Sitter?

As a pet owner, it is important that you are cautious when selecting a pet sitter. A Professional pet sitter will have the necessary education, training, and experience to care for your pets. At Pawsome Walks & Care, we have personal and professional experience in pet care. We are trained in first aid and CPR for cats and dogs, and we are trained to administer topical/oral medications, if needed. We also have the training and experience to recognize problems quicker than an average person and take the necessary actions required. We provide customized care for our clients and not only is your pet being cared for, your home will be secured and protected as well!

Additional benefits of using a professional:

1. Pets are happier and experience less stress at home.
2. Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted.
3. Travel trauma for both owner and pet is eliminated.
4. Pet’s exposure to illness is minimized.
5. Untrained or unwilling friends/family/neighbors need not be called.
6. In-home professional pet care provides added peace of mind.

What areas do you serve?

We serve Columbia, Clarksville, Ellicott City, Elkridge, and Laurel (Howard County). Any area outside of a 10-mile radius will incur an additional fee.

I’m ready to schedule services. How do I get started?

Please contact us first to confirm availability and discuss your pet care needs. Then, we’ll create an account for you in our online scheduling system and book your FREE Meet & Greet.

What is the purpose of the meet and greet?

The purpose of the meet and greet is so we have the opportunity to personally meet you and your pets. We will go over all of your pet care needs and discuss our policies with you. If comfortable with our services, we will proceed with scheduling! Additional meet and greets are possible for a small fee.

How do I pay for services?

We accept payment by credit card only and require all clients to have a credit card on file in our online scheduling system. When you make a scheduling request, your credit card is charged when your booking is approved.

Do you accept checks? Can I pay with cash?

We do not accept checks. You may leave a cash gratuity if you wish, but payment for services must be made by credit card.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that unexpected things happen and plans can change. We adhere to a strict no overbooking policy, which means we have to turn away clients once our schedule is full. To ensure that our appointment slots are available to those who need them most, cancellations require at least 24 hours’ notice to receive an account credit for cancelled services. Due to increased demand during holiday periods, cancellations require at least 7 days’ notice to receive an account credit for cancelled services.

Are there any extra fees for services rendered on a holiday?

Yes. We charge an additional fee of $5 per visit for the following dates: December 31st through January 2nd, Good Friday through Easter Monday, the Friday before Memorial Day through Memorial Day, July 3rd through 5th, the Friday before Labor Day through Labor Day, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday after, and December 23rd through 26th.

Why do I need to give you two sets of house keys?

All clients are required to give us two copies of their house keys to keep on file. The only exception to this is if you will be home when we are providing service. One set of keys gets checked out during the service dates you request and the extra key is kept in our office lock box for lockout emergencies. This ensures our access to your pets at all times.

How soon should I book services?

We schedule on a first come, first serve basis and recommend that you schedule services 1-3 weeks in advance. During the holidays, it is best to schedule a month or more in advance.

Would you share your pet sitting responsibilities with my friend, neighbor, or family while I’m away?

Unfortunately, we do not allow job sharing or alternate visits with family members/friends/neighbors/ while you are away. This is to assure consistency in both scheduling and optimum care of your pets while you are away.

What is your inclement weather policy?

Depending on the severity of the weather, there are a few options for making sure your dog gets their exercise and potty break:

1. We can adjust the visit time and come a little earlier or later to avoid the bad weather.
2. If the weather’s not too severe and your dog doesn’t mind, we can go for our usual walk and towel your dog off when we get back.
3. We can shorten the walk to a quick potty break and spend time playing with your dog indoors.

In the event that the weather is too severe and we are not able to drive to your house, we may have to cancel your walk for that day.

For pet sitting visits, we recommend that a neighbor who has access to your home be instructed to make visits, should the weather conditions make it impossible to get to your home. During inclement weather, we take every necessary step to make certain that your pet’s personal care is uninterrupted. Please make sure that we have a safe way to enter your home by clearing sidewalks and stairs.

VIEW OUR FULL LIST OF POLICIES HERE.

If you have any other questions, please contact us today!