HCPS Policies
Client Key Security Policy:
Howard County Pet Sitting must be furnished house keys prior to service. HCPS maintains strict control of your house keys and security alarm code information. The key tag for your key will only display your pet(s) name(s) and no personal information.
HCPS will retain your house keys on file after the initial consultation and will be returned upon request of the client. (Keys will not be returned by locking them inside the home after the last visit and HCPS is not responsible for any keys mailed back to the client). After first services are performed, if HCPS needs to pick up keys at an additional time, a fee of $10.00 will be charged.
If the client is locked out of their home, HCPS is able to come and provide Lock Out Service, unlocking the door for the client. A fee of $10.00 will be charged.
In the event HCPS is required to employ a locksmith to gain entry due to a malfunction of lock or an additional lock has been placed on the door, it is the responsibility of the client to reimburse all costs.
If you have an alarm, please contact your alarm company and tell them you have a pet sitter. Please provide the code to de-activate and activate the system and password in case of accidentally setting off the alarm. If you are uncomfortable giving HCPS this information, please set up a temporary code and password for our purposes. If an alarm is set and no prior arrangements have been made, HCPS is not responsible for any charges associated with the alarm going off when entering the premises.
Payment Policy:
HCPS accepts Cash, Checks (made payable to: HCPS) and Credit Cards. HCPS uses PayPal credit card systems that are processed through email invoicing only. HCPS will never ask for or keep credit card numbers on file to assure safety of our client's personal financial information.
Payment for services is due within one week of services. Cash and check payments can be left at time of service or checks can be mailed. HCPS will email credit card invoices within one week of services. In the event of a returned check, a $30.00 fee will be charged in addition to the amount due and must be paid within three days by cash or credit card. Balances due after 30 days will be charged an additional $15.00, balances after 60 days will be charged an additional $30.00 and balances after 90 days will be charged an additional $60.00.
Over payments will be credited to future services unless service is terminated and refunds will be issued by payment method.
Services Policy:
Clients will chose a preferred time for their pet(s) visits. The pet sitter will be to your pet(s) within an hour before and an hour after this time. (2 hour window) Pets on medications have priority.
Clients that will be away for more then one day need to leave specific instructions related to the current visits. While we have the instructions in our files from the initial consultation to yearly updates, things may have changed slightly from the last visits. Make sure we have up to date emergency contact information and please leave all necessary items needed for care for your pet(s) easily accessible. Please advise if alarm codes or keys have changed before you leave.
Please contact your pet sitter if someone will be home during the visit, for the safety of your pet and the protection of your home, unless notified, the pet sitter will call the police upon finding anyone in the home.
Services are available 24 hours a day, for services scheduled between 11PM and 7AM (excluding overnight visits), an additional charge of $10.00 will be assessed.
Additions and Cancellations Policy:
For visits that are scheduled less than 6 hours prior to service time, an additional charge of $10.00 will be charged.
For mid-day visits that are cancelled less than 4 hours before service time, vacation visits that are cancelled less than 12 hours before service time and overnight visits that are cancelled less than 24 hours before service time will be charged in full. If visits are cancelled before the time requirements, no charge will be accessed and any payments for these visits will be credited to the client's account.
Holidays Policy:
All services scheduled on holidays will be charged an additional fee of $10.00 per day. The following are recognized as holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day (4th of July), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Out of County Policy:
For clients that are located outside of Howard County an additional $0.50 will be charged per mile round trip from the county line.
Home and Pet Access and Responsibility Policy:
HCPS accepts no responsibility for security of the premises, for any damage to your home, theft or escapted pets, or for what someone else may or may not do if someone else will be accessing your home while you are away. (Such as: Children, Family, Neighbors, Landlords, Cleaning Services, etc.)
HCPS is not responsible for damage incurred by pet escaping because of a faulty leash or collar that is incorrectly fitted. HCPS is not liable for the injury, disappearance, death or fines associated to any pet with unsupervised access to the outdoors. HCPS is not responsible for pets that have electric fences and cross the perimeter.
Pet(s) Health and Safety Policy:
All pet sitting services must be scheduled at least twice daily for dogs and once daily for cats and other animals, in consecutive days in a row, from your departure date to arrival date. (Service is not required the dates you depart and return)
All pets are required to be up to date on rabies vaccines. All dogs are required to be on a leash when outside, except in the secured property of a fence.
In the event that the pet sitter or anyone else is bitten or exposed to disease from your pet(s), it is the pet(s) owners responsibility to pay for all costs and damages to the victim(s). Any animal bites must be reported to the authorities.
The pet sitter will do their best to find and clean up any accidents made by your pet(s) during your absence. However, HCPS, will not be held liable for any damage done from these accidents, or accidents not discovered, or for the quality of the clean up. HCPS will not be held liable for any other damage caused by your pet(s) during your absence.
Aggressive Dogs Policy:
If your dog(s) will not let the pet sitter into your home, or prevent your pet sitter to provide routine duties, HCPS will contact you. We do not provide free or discounted services if the dogs aggressiveness prevents us from performing our regular duties. In the event your dog bites or injures the pet sitter, you are responsible for all medical fees associated with their injury. HCPS is willing to work with you and your dog to ensure entry and services can be performed. Additional charges may apply.
Veterinary Treatment Policy:
In the event of an emergency involving your pet(s), you will be contacted as soon as possible. If contact with the owner can not be made in a timely manner, the pet sitter is authorized to get veterinary attention for your pet(s). The client agrees to pay the veterinary bill and to reimburse the pet sitter for any expenses incurred, plus any additional fee for attending to such emergency.
Return Contact Policy:
Option #1: Client will contact HCPS upon returning home by phone or email to cease services. In the event HCPS is not contacted they should continue to visit and the client agrees to pay for the additional services.
Option #2: Client will not contact HCPS upon return, and HCPS will not be liable for further services or care of pet(s) after last scheduled visit.
Home Temperature Policy:
Client must have the temperature in their home no more than 90 degrees in the summer and no less than 60 degrees in the winter. The pet sitter has the right to adjust the air conditioning or heat in your home if the health of your pet(s) is being affected. Do not leave a space heater on while you are away as it is a fire hazard and will be unplugged by the pet sitter for the safety of your pet(s) and home.
Weather Conditions Policy:
In the event of extreme weather conditions (thunderstorms, extreme temperatures- heat over 90 degrees and cold under 32 degrees, snow storms, etc.) the pet sitter will get to your pet(s) as soon as safely possible and dogs will be walked long enough to relieve themselves with the remainder of the visit spent indoors.
If you are out of town, and an incident happens (winter storm, natural disaster, etc.) that prevents multiple trips of travel to and from your home, unless a neighbor or someone else is available to tend to your pet(s), or the power or water is out for a prolonged time, the pet sitter has the right to bring your pet(s) with them to ensure they receive necessary care.
During the winter, please clear your sidewalks, walkways and driveway from snow and ice to prevent injury to pet(s) and pet sitter.
Howard County Pet Sitting reserves the right to deny or terminate services for any reason, but especially in the case of safety concerns, financial concerns, unsanitary conditions, or inappropriate or uncomfortable situations. Likewise, the client reserves the right to cancel the services agreement at any time.