Business Policies & FAQ
Payment
Payment is expected prior to the client's departure for each vacation care session or at week's end(for following week) for daily dog walk clients. Cash, check and money order are accepted. Returned checks are subject to a $45 charge as well. Major holiday's ie Christmas, New Year and Spring Break need to be paid well in advance to conferm reservations. We book up to 1 year in advance. We strongly suggest payment at time of booking.
**Two keys to a client's residence is to be given to Head to Tail at the time of the "meet & greet". If the keys are not available at the time of the "meet & greet" the client must get the key to Head to Tail or we will return to pick up the key prior to the scheduled visit and a $10.00 fee will be added to the client's total.
If the client does not choose to use Head to Tail’s "critter key keeper" program, then a $10.00 fee will added each time the client's key needs to be picked up from client or returned to client. We recommend that clients take part in the secure "Critter Key Keeper" program for future pet visits or in the case of an emergency and the client
cannot get home to care for their pet.
What is your cancellation policy?
Sometimes emergencies can come up. Head to Tail is happy to give you credit for the next time you leave town, provided we get 12 hours notice. We do not give cash back.
Holiday Vacation New Clients: Cancellations get 1/2 credit if canceled 14 days in advance. (Holiday is Monday 12 am to Sunday 11:59pm) Cancellations less than 14 days will not receive a refund nor credit.
Holiday Vacation Established Clients: Cancellations get 1/2 credit minus$15.00 cancellation fee if canceled 7 days in advance. If less than 7 day, no credit nor refund.
For daily dog walking Mon - Fri, we require a call 12 hours before the scheduled visit If we show up and you say you left a message or an email, you might as well let me walk the dog, because I am going to charge you.
FAQ
Q:What do pet sitters do?
Pet sitters offer an alternative to traditional pet boarding services. Instead of taking your pet to a kennel where they'll be in unfamiliar surroundings, and undergoing all the shots just to be boarded, a pet sitter comes to you, and takes care of your pets at your home. This allows your pet to remain in his or her own familiar and comfortable environment, an environment that smells, looks and sounds familiar.
Q:How is Head to Tail different from other pet sitters?
When you hire Head to Tail to provide you with your pet sitting services, you are hiring a reputable company that is licensed with the city, insured as well as a member of Pet Sitters International, PetSits.com, Wishbones For Pets Representative and About Pets yahoo group. I am also the only pet sitter in Valparaiso that has been nominated for the prestigious title of PSI's Pet Sitter of the year. I have an impressive list of references from some very satisfied customers. Many pet sitting services also restrict their services to dogs and cats. However, I have many years of experience with birds, reptiles, ferrets and many other exotic animals. Because Head to Tail is owner-operated, you will always have the same pet sitter every time you travel.....ME!! As a Head to Tail client, you
will also receive a monthly newsletter published by Head to Tail. (I am working on this)
Q:If necessary, will Head to Tail take my pets to their location?
At this time I do not offer pet boarding. In the event that your dog or cat becomes ill, I can set up an extended stay at your residence to monitor your pets well being if needed.
Q:How long is each pet sitting visit?
The length of each visit depends on the types of pets you have, the amount of care they require and how interested they are in playing or being loved. The average visit for a dog is 20-30 minutes. However if your pet is enjoying my company or my work has not been completed in this time frame, I will stay at your home for up to one hour or until my work is complete. Cats usually are done in 15 - 20 minutes.
Q: What happens if my pet becomes ill while I'm away?
We go over illness and treatment during the interview. We will follow your orders. We usually take them to their vet if possible, if not they will go to Dr. McAfee's or Southlane. If it is after hours at the vet clinic we will take them to Westville, they have a 24 hour ER for pets. All bills uncured from said care is your responsibility. There also will be a charge from Head to Tail to cover the extra time and gas to take them to the vet.
Q: What happens if you get ill or cannot make it to our home?
I have a network of sitters in my area, we help each other when needed.
Q:What days of the week is Head to Tail available?
Office hours are from Monday - Friday 9 am til 5 pm.
Pet Sitting hours are Mon - Sun 7 am til 8 pm. There is a surcharge if you need us before 7 am or after 8 pm. $5.00 per visit.
Please note that we have a minimum number of visits per pet. Dogs require 3 - 4 visits per day. We will not come 2 times a day when dogs are confined to a house. When dogs are confined to a crate the whole time you are gone, we require 4 visits a day. Do not even ask if we will do 2 or 3 visits. We will turn you away as a client. Cats can get by with 1 visit per day. We will not do 1 visit every other day or less often. It just is not humane. Cats are usually very friendly and want human contact. If a cat is diabetic we require 2 visits a day as they need to be watched more closely.
Second consultation or key pick/drop
Second consultation or key pick/drop off $10 - $25 charge.
