Are you insured?
I recently left my insurance carrier for reasons I will be happy to discuss with anyone if they are interested. I am having trouble finding another one that fits certain criteria, which again I will be happy to discuss with you if you are interested. When I find another insurance company that suits my need, I will get insured again. If anyone has any concerns about this beyond the scope of what is covered in my contract, I would be happy to discuss it with them. Feel free to contact me.
Are you First Aid/CPR certified?
Yes. But also, I have been a veterinary technician since I was 17 years old and therefore possess over a decade of experience practicing life-saving techniques. In other words, in an emergency, I do know exactly what to do to save your pet's life. But more importantly, I know how to avoid preventable emergencies altogether.
Do you belong to any Professional Pet Sitting organizations?
I am a member of the Professional Pet Sitters of Austin, but I am not a member of any of the national organizations. If you'd like to know why, feel free to ask.
Can my pet(s) stay at your house?
Generally speaking, no. While there are very rare exceptions to this rule, I usually do not allow clients' pets to stay in my home. For one thing, I rent, and my landlords would not be happy about turning the property into a boarding facility. But more importantly, I simply don't have the space and setup to adequately house most pets, and do not want to put them in harm's way by leaving them unattended in my home while I'm away and unable to monitor them. That would be both irresponsible and dangerous.
Is it too late to ask you to watch my pet(s)?
It's never too late to ask! That doesn't necessarily mean that I will be available every time you call, but if you suddenly find yourself in need of a sitter, feel free to shoot me an email or give me a call. I'm happy to take care of last-minute emergencies whenever and wherever I can.
Are your prices negotiable?
As a rule, no. With gas being what it is these days, and my schedule being what it is, I can't afford to cut everyone a break. However, I know what it's like to be on a tight budget, and if you're really in a bind I am open for discussion. There are also some discounts that could help you bring down your costs, and I'm also open to bartering!
Will you do every other day visits?
No. No exceptions. Even if your cats or birds or caged pets are very low maintenance and have automatic waterers and feeders, there are too many things that can go wrong in a 48-hr period. What if the feeders stop working, or the cats knock their water over and spill it? What if the water gets contaminated? What if the pet gets caught in something and can't escape? What if your pet gets sick and stops eating and drinking? If any of these situations were to occur, being left in that situation for more than 24 hours would be life-threatening, and having worked in clinics as long as I have, I've seen it happen more than once. One of my favorite kitty patients died from hepatic lipidosis when he got sick and the pet sitter was gone for too long. I am not willing to take that risk with my clients. The minimum I will do is once daily.