Requirements for Arranging Services

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Note: Before you roll your eyes at these requirements and decide to move on, please consider that these are for your benefit and your pet’s. If you are a responsible, loving pet owner, you will quickly see that you already meet them. Any boarding facility or pet sitter that does not care about these things should be suspect. I respect and care about you, your pet and myself. These requirements will ensure that we all have a very positive experience.

General Requirements for All Services:

1.) You must be the owner or legal guardian of the animal to receive services, or present a signed statement from the animal’s owner that you are authorized to make the arrangements on behalf of the owner.

2.) You must be at least eighteen years of age to make arrangements for service. I have no problem providing service for a pet owner under eighteen years of age, but the actual arrangements and payment agreement must be made by an adult parent or legal guardian.

3.) Required forms that must be completed for all services are the Intake form, Agreement for Service form and Permission for Emergency Treatment form.

4.) Dogs and cats must be up to date on all vaccinations.⋇ For dogs, this includes DA2PP, Bordetella & Rabies. For cats, this includes FVRCP, FELV & Rabies. Other animals must be up to date on any vaccinations specified/recommended by the State of California, Riverside County and veterinarians specializing or with expertise in the particular species. Documentation of vaccination status must be submitted with the Intake Form.

5.) All animals served must be clean and free of any active infections (respiratory, fungal, etc.), ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, mites, etc.) or endoparasites (worms, flukes, etc.). Pets will be inspected for ectoparasites upon the initiation of service and, if infected, the service will be cancelled, until pet can be appropriately treated. During the course of service, if feces or vomit reveals any endoparasitic infection, the service will be discontinued, until pet is appropriately treated.

6.) If the pet is taking medication(s) that must be administered during the service period, such medication(s) must be provided, in the original prescription container, in the amount necessary for the entire length of the service period, with clear veterinarian/pharmacy use instructions. I will administer oral medications, topical medications, eye drops and nasal sprays. Injectable medications, whether subcutaneous or intramuscular, and suppository medications must be administered by a qualified veterinarian or veterinarian nurse/technician.⋇ If the administration of injectable/suppository medication(s) requires me to take the pet to the veterinarian during the service period, Authorization for Transportation and Authorization for Representation forms must be provided at the beginning of service. It is also recommended that the veterinarian is notified that a visit will occur. Some veterinary offices accept walk-ins for simple injections, but others may require an appointment. If an appointment is required, the owner must schedule that appointment prior to the beginning of service, by arrangement with me and the veterinarian.

7.) If there are any exercises or specific physical movements of a medical or physical rehabilitation nature, prescribed by medical or physical therapy personnel, that must be performed during the service period, I must have your permission and the professional’s permission, as well as complete written instructions/graphic depictions of the exercises. See Special Physical Exercises form on Forms page.

8.) Dogs must have a current, valid license. The license tag must be securely attached to the dog’s collar.⋇

9.) Only services specifically indicated on the Agreement for Service form will be performed. Any additional services desired, requested and agreed upon subsequent to the beginning of service must be specified in an addendum to the original Agreement for Service form.

10.) I do not provide grooming services (e.g., nail clipping, regular bathing, coat trimming, etc.). Any such needs must be taken care of by pet owner or a professional groomer. I do not provide any medical/health services, except for the administration of prescribed medications, and prescribed physical exercises, as described in paragraphs 6 and 7 above.

11.) This is not a requirement for service, however, I strongly recommend that cats also have a collar, of the “breakaway” type, and that, for both dogs and cats, the pet has a tag on the collar that lists the pet’s name, owner’s name and phone number. It may also be beneficial to include the notation “reward for return” on the tag. Further, I always recommend that any pet owner, whether they ever plan to use a service like mine or not, has a microchip with their contact information implanted under the skin of the pet’s neck. It is easy to find places to do this online. I also try to keep a current list of chip providers on the Special Services page, so check there. I am very experienced in pet behavior and I take extraordinary precautions to protect your pet from escaping the premises. However, the remote possibility of an escape is always present, whether from you or from me. Cats can be especially nervous and anxious when there is any change to their environment or routine, and they are fast, agile and cunning, so are therefore more likely to escape. And I learned long ago that some cats are “bolters”, i.e., they will clandestinely wait for someone to open a door, then bolt out quicker than the blink of an eye. (This is an example of the type of information that should be provided under Unusual or potentially disruptive behavioral issues on the Intake form.) These measures will greatly improve the probability of your precious pet being returned safely to you. They will facilitate both of us in our efforts to immediately communicate with appropriate agencies, provide important information and help the personnel to search for and locate your pet. There is also new pet tracker technology, which might be a wise investment for any owner who’s pet is a “chronic escapee”. Look for information on this online or on the Special Services page of this site.

Additional Requirements For Pet Sitting:

1.) I have certain universal items and equipment necessary and desirable for general pet care at my home. I also have a variety of toys/mental stimulation items. These items are cleaned/sanitized after each pet sitting session. The pet owner shall bring the pet’s food, treats, personal food/water bowls, favorite toys, etc. These are to be specified in the designated space on the Intake form.

2.) I maintain a pet-safe, pet-friendly home and yard. I also make any alterations I feel are appropriate for the safety and comfort of individual pets prior to their stay with me. Before leaving your pet with me, you, the owner, must examine my home, to ensure that you approve and are comfortable leaving you pet in my care. If there are any toys or other items you do not wish your pet to use or have contact with, these must be specified in the Additional Information space on the Intake form. Once you are satisfied, you will be asked to sign the Environment Approval form.

3.) Other forms may need to be completed, depending on your individual circumstances, such as the Special Physical Exercises form.

4.) For group (multi-dog) dog sitting, all dogs must be comfortable and friendly around other dogs. Any potential behavioral issues must be listed in the prescribed space on the Intake form. Dogs with a history of biting, attacking or fighting with other dogs or people cannot receive dog sitting services.⋇

5.) Dogs must be clean (bathed) and free of any active infections (respiratory, fungal, etc.), ectoparasites (fleas, ticks) or endoparasites (worms, etc.). Dogs will be inspected for ectoparasites upon arrival and sent home if infected. During the course of dog sitting service, if feces or vomit reveals any endoparasitic infection, the client will be contacted and dog must be taken home.

Additional Requirements for Care Visits and Hybrid Visit/sits:

1.) For care visits and hybrid visit/sits, where I come to the client’s home, if the pet owner is not also the home’s owner, the home’s owner must fill out a Permission to be on Premises form.

2.) I have pet sitter insurance. However, the homeowner/renter must also have homeowner’s/renter’s insurance that includes liability insurance.

3.) Cats and certain other animals that naturally have the run of the home may be free in the home. Animals that are normally kept in a cage or other enclosure must be in that cage or enclosure.

4.) Written instructions must be left in a prominent location (e.g., on refrigerator door, on kitchen bar or cabinet countertop, etc.). Instructions must specify location of food, treats, bottled water if used, etc. Instructions must specify the amount of food to be dispensed at each visit. Instructions must specify type of cleaning requested for litter box, cage, etc. The instructions must specify any other chores to be done, items/locations to be checked, etc.

5.) If anyone else, such as a family member or friend, is expected to be at the client’s home during the time when I am scheduled to visit, I must be informed of this prior to my visit. If I arrive and find an unexpected person on the premises, I’ll attempt to contact you before I will provide service. (See below.)

General Information/Procedures:

1.) I keep a log of my visits.⋇ For information on this, see the Services Offered and Fees page, and the FAQs page.

2.) When I arrive at a home to provide services, if anything appears unusual or out-of-place, or if an unexpected person is present, I will contact you before beginning service. If I cannot reach you, I may have to cancel/postpone service for that day. If, when I arrive, it definitely appears that the home has been broken into, robbed, vandalized, etc., I will immediately call 911 for police assistance. After that, I will contact the client/homeowner to inform him/her regarding the circumstances.

3.) If, when I arrive, the pet appears to be ill, suffering from an immediately problematic medical condition, or similar distressing condition, I will attempt to contact the client. If I cannot contact the client, I will transport the pet to its listed veterinarian or, alternatively, an emergency veterinary hospital, using the client’s Permission for Emergency Treatment form for authorization. If the veterinarian determines that immediate action is necessary to save the pet’s life, I will again attempt to contact the client for authorization. If I still cannot reach the client, I will authorize the treatment on client’s behalf. If immediate treatment is not required, I will leave the pet at the veterinary clinic/hospital and continue to attempt to contact the client.

4.) In the tragic event that I should arrive and find that the pet is deceased, I will attempt to contact the client for instructions. If I cannot reach the client, I will take a video and photos of the scene, leave the pet as it is, secure the home and leave. As soon as I am able to reach the client, I will return to carry out whatever procedures the client instructs.