Frequently Asked Questions

Pet visits are scheduled in two-hour increments beginning between 7-9 a.m. and ending between 6-8 p.m. These visits typically run between 30-60 minutes depending on the service.

Overnight pet sitting services have your sitter arriving between 8-10 p.m. and departing between 7-9 a.m.

By being licensed, bonded, and insured, a pet sitting business demonstrates professionalism and offers peace of mind to its clients. It shows that it is committed to operating legally, fulfilling its obligations, and being financially responsible in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Licensed: To be legally licensed in the city where you are conducting business or the city of your business address.

Insured: Covers your pets and personal property under the sitter’s care, custody, or control. This extends to pets in transit via pet taxis or other transport means and also covers any damage to your property. The insurance policy pays for claims, regardless of the negligence/fault for accidents or injuries to pets.

Bonded: This is actually called a “Dishonesty Bond.” These bonds cover the company against loss caused by employee or contractor dishonesty. When a company is bonded, it protects the company and its customers from damage or acts of theft in your home on the part of your service provider’s employees or contractors.

When you confirm that you will use our services, you will be sent a link to our software system, and your information will be in that system. The system/portal is secure, and all accounts are encrypted.

Our software system and app are the hub of communication between the client and Sitters by the Sea. After each visit, you will receive a visit report that includes a brief summary of our visit, some photos of your pets, and a checklist of what was completed at that visit.

Of course! We insist you meet your pet sitter and require a complimentary meet-and-greet with our new clients and animals. The goal of this meeting is to go over the system and app that we use for you to explain all of your home and pet routines and to make sure that both parties are the right fit for each other.

This also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions in regard to our care and policies that we have in place.

Our goal is to have you set up with a dedicated sitter who is located in your area/zone. We assign you a primary sitter so that you and your pets establish and maintain a personal relationship with them. We also have alternate staff sitters in case of emergencies. This is where our software system works wonders as everyone is on the same page, sees all of the reports and client information, and will be able to go back and see the goings on before their visit with your pet.

All of our sitters will have a photo and bio, so in case you do not meet your alternate sitter, you will feel like you know them from their background information! We will never cancel a confirmed assignment at the last minute and leave you in a bind, and you will always be notified if there are any last-minute changes.

Minimum visits for cats (bunnies, birds, fish, and others) are once per day. Dogs must have a minimum of two visits per day within a 24 hour period. Visits occurring at least three times a day are veterinary recommended.

We are not requiring this to make more money but for the best interest of your pets. When owners are gone for long periods of time, pets tend to remain more idle, with no extra stimulation or exercise.

Under NO circumstances will accept pets who are kept outside, unless, of course we are dealing with farm animals.

Absolutely! All of our staff are fully background checked with local, state and federal agencies and are also fully insured and bonded.

We understand that you are concerned about your pets and want to ensure that not only someone cares for them but that we can get in! Most homes now have keyless entry/electronic door locks, but for those that do not and are a key entry, we ask that you supply a lockbox in a discreet location that is easily accessible.

If you choose to use a garage code, we ask that you also have a lockbox with a key. In the past, we have had issues where we were unable to access the box due to electronic issues.

All instructions MUST be updated in our software system and if you like, feel free to print out & leave for us on the kitchen counter. All of our sitters are experienced and trained in how to administer medications orally as well as through injections.

• All pet medications need to be broken out in small plastic bags or similar with date/visit time/name of pet or left with detailed instructions.
• Each bag needs to be clearly labeled with date/visit time n(am, pm, midday, before bed)/name of pet, etc. We recommend separating each pets’ medications with Zip lock bags and writing on the bag with marker or sticky note.
• For Insulin injections, please provide appropriate needles, exact dose amounts, and details of the location and what times these are to be given.

Payments are due in full before the beginning of services and are automatically charged on their first day of service.

Holiday and longer-term services and overnight care may require a 50% non-refundable deposit to be discussed at the time of booking, with the remaining balance to be paid on the first day of service.

All invoicing and payments are done through the software system. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express or ACH payments. Credit cards are run after the first date of service.

100% of all tips go directly to your sitters. You can tip through the system or leave them cash—whatever works best for you. Our sitters care for your pets as if they are their own, give them a great deal of love, and go “above and beyond” the call of duty.

All clients are required to have a credit card on file due to our automated system processing. No information is stored on our end, and we cannot access your payment information.

Daily Dog Walks OR Visits – Plans change, and we understand. However, our sitters are all working on a part-time basis and expect the work they get each week. We do not offer refunds or credits for services canceled 48 hours before scheduled visits.

Overnights & Vacation Reservations – When these services are reserved, you are reserving the dedicated time with your sitter, and those times are blocked off so that no one else can be scheduled. At the time of scheduling your trip and reserving your space, we ask for a 50% deposit, which will be held. Should you need to cancel, the policies are as follows: 14+ days before—full refund, 7-13 days—50 % refund, less than six days—no refund.

Holidays – These are always scheduled with a non-refundable 50% deposit, and cancelation will result in full forfeiture of your deposit.

Please Note: We do not offer refunds for early arrivals home.

Holiday fees are assessed at 50% of the base price per service. Holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, President’s Day, Veterans Day, Memorial and Labor Days, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

The holiday weekends include Saturdays and Sundays. This policy is subject to change, and notifications will be sent out.

In the event of inclement weather, flooding, or other emergencies, we ask that you add an emergency contact person and/or close neighbor who will be able to access your home and your pets to your profile.

This person should have access to your home (keys, security code, lockbox, etc.). They also must be willing and able to safely attend to your pets or remove them to a safe location if need be. We will do our absolute best to coordinate and help in any situation.