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What kind of pets do you care for?
Home Sweet Home cares for most kinds of animals kept as household or barnyard pets: Dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and even horses. Please let us know if you have a special pet, and we will do our best to meet your needs.
What should I expect during our initial consultation?
Is there anything I need to have ready before the appointment?
The free initial consultation usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. We will come to your home and visit with you and your pet to ensure that Home Sweet Home is a good match for your pet. Things to have ready for this visit are contact information for you while you're away, contact information for the pet's veterinarian, and a working copy of your house key. It is also advisable to have contact information available for a trusted neighbor in case there is an emergency or unique situation, such as a snow storm, and we are unable to access your home.
How many visits are recommended for my pet?
The number of daily visits varies depending on the type of pet as well as the age and health of the pet. The minimum recommended visits are:
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Cats - at least 1 visit per day
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Dogs - at least 3 visits per day for indoor dogs and 2 visits per day for outdoor dogs
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Birds - at least 1 visit per day
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Small mammals - at least 1 visit per day
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Fish and reptiles - at least 1 visit per day
For older or ill pets, please ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
What occurs at each visit?
The tasks completed at each visit will be determined by the needs of your pet during your initial consultation. A typical visit consists of providing your pet with fresh food and water, a potty break, playtime, and a lot of love and attention. Your pet care provider can also retrieve your mail, rotate lights and blinds, water house plants, and take out the trash. If there is another task that you need completed, please discuss this with your pet care provider.
Will I have the same pet care provider on an ongoing basis?
We make every effort to ensure you get the same pet care provider on an ongoing basis. At Home Sweet Home one of our main goals is to create a bond between your provider and your pets so they always feel safe and loved, even in your absence. In the event your primary provider has an emergency, we are able to provide a backup provider.
Can I check in with you to make sure my pet is doing well?
Yes! Home Sweet Home will always provide updates after the completion of visits. There are a variety of forms these updates can take. For those who are tech savvy, we can provide email and text message updates. Of course, we can also provide updates by telephone or a daily written log that can be kept in a designated area within your home. You are always welcome to call or email us to check in.
What happens if there is an emergency while my pet is under your care?
Our primary goal is to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. We focus on recognizing signs of illness and other problems before an emergency situation occurs. If an emergency does occur, however, we will make every effort to get in contact with you and/or your emergency contacts. The Veterinary Release Agreement, which will be made available at our initial consultation, provides us with information on how you would like your pet’s medical needs addressed. If it is a medical emergency, we will take your pet to the nearest veterinary office or 24-hour vet facility.
Can I have my neighbors or relatives check on my pet as well?
You are more than welcome to have a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative check on your pet while you are away. We only ask that you let them know that Home Sweet Home will be doing the primary pet care (feeding, administering medicines, etc). We also ask that you provide us with information about the person who will be checking on your pet so we will be aware of their occasional presence in your home. This will help provide coordination of care and oversee the well-being of your pet.
What happens to my key?
Keys are picked up by us at the initial consultation. When not in use, your key is locked in a safe place. When a pet care provider is using your key during the day, it is kept on a key chain labeled only by our secure key coding system. For your security, your name, address, and phone number will never be kept with your key. It is recommended that you leave a copy of your key on file with Home Sweet Home. If you prefer not to keep your key on file with us, it can be returned once you are back home. We do not leave the key at your house on the final visit in case there is a delay in your arrival home. We want to be sure we can continue caring for your pet in the event you are not able to return home as expected.
What other pet-related services do you provide?
Home Sweet Home offers transportation services for your pet. If you have a pet-related appointment and do not have transportation or cannot take your pet due to time constraints, we will provide a ride to the appointment and a ride back home. We also offer in-home bathing and ear cleaning as well as nail trimming.
Are you bonded and insured?
Home Sweet Home Pet Care is fully bonded and insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas. We take responsibility for your pet and home seriously. Being bonded and insured provides you with the peace of mind that your property and your pet are fully covered should anything occur while in our care.
What kind of guarantee is there if something happens to my home?
You know your pet better than we do, so if you have a pet that is prone to chewing or getting into the trash when bored, please take the proper precautions to ensure that your pet does not have access to these things. If something were to happen to your home that is due to an act of Home Sweet Home, we are insured and bonded. This means that if a pet care provider with Home Sweet Home is responsible for damage to your home due to negligence, the insurance company will cover the loss.
How far in advance do I need to make reservations?
It is best to contact us as soon as you anticipate the need for a pet care provider. For new clients, we need time to set up the initial in-home consultation. For established clients, we prefer at least two weeks notice but can usually accommodate last minute requests, especially if we have your key on file. Holidays do book up quickly, so it is best to give us as much notice as possible to ensure pet care availability.
What happens if I cannot make it home in time to take care of my pet?
Home Sweet Home's primary concern is for the health and well-being of your pet. If for some reason you will not be able to make it home by the designated time, give us a call and we will make sure your pet is taken care of. If Home Sweet Home is not able to reach you at the time of your scheduled arrival to ensure you have returned home, we will assume that you have been held up and will continue care at the agreed upon price until contact is made.
What if I run out of pet food or supplies while away or don't have time
to stock up before I leave?
We can purchase food or supplies. You will be charged for the items along with a $20 service fee.
Is there a cancellation fee?
Home Sweet Home does not charge cancellation fees, even if services are cancelled last minute.
Can I make last minute arrangements?
Yes. If we are unable to provide you with the service you request, we will do our best to find a solution to meet your needs. Most important is that no animal goes uncared for.
When is payment due?
Home Sweet Home Pet Care sends out customer invoices on the 1st and 15th of every month. Payment is due within 10 days of invoice date.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and PayPal payments.
What is your privacy policy?
All of your information will be kept private and confidential. Home Sweet Home Pet Care highly respects your trust in us to take care of your pet and home.
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