Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC: Policies and Procedures

Free Meet and Greet Consultation

Prospective clients considering our services are offered a free consultation. Barbara Murray, the owner of Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC, will visit the prospective client’s home to meet the pets and learn normal routines, such as feeding, exercise, potty and bedtime schedules. During this meeting, the company’s policies will be explained and the client authorization form will be completed, any questions will be answered and the pets will get a chance to become acquainted with their sitter.

Pet Sitting Services

A basic pet sit visit includes but is not limited to potty breaks, meals, exercise and playtime that follow the pet’s normal routine as much as possible. Water bowls are refilled. Litter boxes are cleaned. Any prescribed medications are administered as directed. Lighting in the home is changed if requested. Indoor plants are watered if requested. Trash is taken to the curb or containers removed the street, if applicable.

Special Note on Medications

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC will dispense medications as prescribed by a licensed veterinarian but cannot be held responsible for any complications caused by medications. If the client has an excessively shy or aggressive pet, Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC reserves the right to decline providing this service.

Health Records and Vaccinations

All pets must have up-to-date vaccinations. If the sitter is bitten or exposed to any disease from the client’s animal(s), the client agrees to pay all costs and damages incurred by the victim.

Requirements for Minimum Visits

In order to provide proper pet care, Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC requires that all puppies and dogs must be visited no less than three times in a 24-hour period. This is the veterinarian recommended minimum. All cats must be visited at least once each 24-hour period as this too, is the veterinarian recommended minimum.

Pet Sitting Visiting Hours

Our earliest morning visits begin at 6:00 a.m. Our latest evening visits are at 9:00 p.m. Visits requested outside these hours will be billed at twice the normal pet sit charge. We do NOT do overnight visits at this time.

Restrictive Devices and Equipment

All areas of the client’s property that the pet(s) have access to should be inspected and deemed safe for the pet by the client before departing the home. Special attention must be paid to fences, gates, crates, leashes, collar and halters that will confine the pet’s movements during the client’s absence.

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC does not assume responsibility and has no liability for any damages the pet may cause or any injuries sustained while at the client’s home.

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC does not assume responsibility and has no liability for pets that become lost or injured when pets are left out or given access to a fenced-in area, regardless of the fencing type.

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC does not accept responsibility and has no liability for any pets that become lost or injured when pets are left in a crate or kennel unattended.

All dogs under the care of Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC will be required to wear a properly fitted collar or halter with identification and be on leash during outdoor walks. (A well-fitting halter is recommended for dogs that require walks.)

Emergency Veterinary Services

Should a client’s pet suffer a medical emergency while under the care of Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC, Barbara is authorized by the client to seek emergency veterinary care and released from all liabilities related to the transportation and treatment of the animal. Should the client’s choice of a veterinarian be unavailable, Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC is authorized to find and approve emergency medical treatment as recommended by a licensed veterinarian. (Obviously, this does NOT include euthanasia.)

House Keys

We ask for two methods of entry to the client’s home in case one method fails. It is up to the client’s discretion to provide working methods of entry.

Copies of the client’s house keys must be provided. These keys will be tested at the Free Consultation. We will not accept garage door openers as the only means of entry to the client’s home.

The client may choose for Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC to keep the house keys on file in a secure lock-box or have client keys returned upon completion of our contract.

Home Alarm Systems

If a client has a home alarm system, the client will contact the provider prior to leaving home and inform the provider that Barbara’s Pet Care Services has access to the home during the scheduled service period. The client will provide Barbara with pass codes necessary to deactivate and reactivate the alarm system.

If the client is uncomfortable giving Barbara the pass codes, we ask that a temporary code be set up for our use during the client’s absence. If a home alarm system is activated and no prior arrangements have been made, Barbara’s Pet Care Services is not responsible for any costs resulting from the alarm system going off and requiring service to be reset.

Access to Client Home by Others

Note that if other persons are entering the client’s home during the service period, Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damages to the property or the client’s pet(s)

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC asks clients to inform Barbara at the Free Consultation of anyone who may be entering the home during the client’s absence. This includes, but is not limited to, family, friends, neighbors, contract workers such as cleaning services, repairpersons and others. In addition, at NO time should anyone be permitted in the client’s home during the scheduled pet sit visit unless prior notice has been given.

For accountability and liability reasons, no other persons should be providing pet care services during the same time period Barbara’s Pet Care Service is contracted for services, unless arrangements have been discussed and approved by Barbara during the Free Consultation.

Cleanup

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC is not responsible for carpet, flooring or furniture stains created by the client’s pet(s). We do request that client provide plastic trash bags, cleaning supplies, and paper towels, as Barbara will clean up and dispose of waste from an accident. The client should inform Barbara where to dispose of the waste if an accident occurs.

Necessary Purchases

If Barbara must purchase necessary supplies for your pet in your absence, such as food, litter and cleaning supplies, a receipt will be provided and the client will be charged the cost of the actual purchase plus an additional $25 trip fee. The client agrees to reimburse Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC for the cost of these services.

Aggressive Animals

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC does not accept responsibility and has no liability for aggressive animals that will not allow the sitter into the client’s home. In the event that this should occur, Barbara will contact the client or the client’s emergency contact listed on the Authorization and other arrangements for pet care will be made. Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC does not provide free or discounted services if an aggressive animal prevents Barbara from providing scheduled services. In the event an animal bites or injures the pet sitter, the client is responsible for all medical costs resulting from the injury.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, if we are unable to reach your home safely, you are required to have a back-up plan in place. If we are unable to reach your home and your service needs to be altered in any way, you will be contacted and made aware of the plan. 

Reservations and Payments

Advanced payment in full is required when reserving our services for specific dates. For all major holidays as well as services contracted for three or more consecutive days – 50% of this advanced payment is a nonrefundable deposit required to hold the client’s requested dates.

Please note that the client’s unexpected early return during a scheduled service time does not qualify the client for refunds or discounts, as this time cannot be booked for another client.

Short Notice Requests: Barbara will accept short-notice reservations from established clients if scheduling allows. Extra charges for short-notice reservations may apply.

Cancellation Policy

Regular Daily Visits

Any cancellation of scheduled services with less than 24 hours notice will not be refunded or credited. Emergency situations beyond the client’s control will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Holiday Services Cancellations and Rates

For any cancellation made less than 14 days prior to scheduled services that include major holidays the 50 percent deposit will not be refunded or credited. The holidays under this policy include: Memorial Day Weekend, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday); Independence Day Weekend, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday); Labor Day Weekend, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday); Thanksgiving Weekend, (Wednesday through Sunday); and Christmas/New Year’s week, beginning Christmas Eve day and going through January 2.

In addition, holiday rates apply for the major holidays listed above, which amounts to an extra charge of $5 per pet visit above normal rate.

Authorization of Future Services

The client authorizes this contract to be valid approval for future services provided by this contract permitting Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC to accept telephone or text reservations for service and enter the client’s home without an additional signed contract or written authorization.

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC agrees to provide the services stated in this contract in a reliable, caring and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, the client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC except those arising from negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC.

Upon The Client’s Return

Barbara’s Pet Care Services, LLC asks all clients to contact Barbara upon returning home by texting or calling (502) 682-4318.

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