Your P.S. Questions Answered...

• What are the advantages of using a Pet sitter? 
• What makes P.S. Pet Sit stand out from the pack?  What gives you "a leg up" on the competition? 
• How do you keep my home and possessions secure?
• I see that you are bonded and insured.  What does that mean exactly?
• Have you ever had to make a claim to your insurance provider?  
• You are Accredited by Pet Sitters International.  What does that mean?
• What areas do you service?
• What if you dont service my area? 
• How do I inquire about setting up service?
• What is the next step?  How does all of this work? 
• Where should I get my keys copied?
• Will I get to personally meet my sitters before they care for my pets?
• What if my pet sitter is sick or unavailable?  Do I have a backup sitter in place?
• What if the weather is horrible.  Will you still come visit my pet?  What if my dog hates the rain?
• There are other companies that say they are provide pet care services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Do you? 
• So what are the exact hours that you can visit or walk my pet? 
• What is the difference between pet sitting and dog walking?
• Will my dog be walked with other dogs?
• Do you visit or walk aggressive dogs?
• Are you an "on-call" service?
• How much notice do I need to give you?
• How much do you charge? 
• How do I pay you?
• What if I need to cancel?
• Do you require a deposit?
• What if I want to check in via email or phone to see how my pet is doing while I am away?
• Are you trainers as well?  Can you help me train my puppy? 

What are the advantages of using a Pet Care Provider? 

It can be tough deciding on what to do with your beloved pet when you are gone long at work, planning a business trip or vacation. Should you impose on friends or neighbors in hopes that they will just be "alright" until you get back? Take them with you? Many times taking them with you is not an option, or may even cause more stress if your pet is not used to travel.

A lot of animals are territorial as well and moving them from one environment to the next is stressful and compensates their state of well-being. Although some pets do quite well in a boarding situations, many exhibit signs of stress and nervousness, causing behavioral problems and/or illnesses. Instead of the alternatives such as kenneling and doggie day care, employing pet sitting services allows your pets to stay in its comfortable and secure surroundings , with familiar sights, smells and sounds, play toys, and food bowls. Pet sitters help to provide consistent routines that your pet and you can rely on.

In addition, pet sitters provide a measure of crime deterrence. As we check in and care for your pets, we are checking in on your home at the same time. Simple things in addition, such as alternating drapes and lights, and taking in the mail can make the house appear "lived-in," and will deter criminals from entering your property.

Hiring a pet sitter can alleviate several problems. If left without sufficient loving attention and exercise, pets can become anxious, nervous and develop unwelcomed behaviors. A bored or lonely pet can become a "problem." And by hiring a pet sitter, you are promising your buddy knowledgeable care, loving attention and exercise.

P.S. PET SIT is here for you!

>>Click here to Contact Us

What makes P.S. Pet Sit stand out from the pack?  What gives you "a leg up" on the competition? 

We want you to be comfortable and well taken care of  -- just as much as we want your pets to be well taken care of -- like a members of our family.  We make every effort to create a pleasing experience with using us as pet sitters.  We not only want to do depend on us for quality care, our goal is to make it FUN in the process!  Not only can you now leave your pets behind and feel unstressed about it.  You can NOW say "I feel GOOD to be gone!  I know my pets will get 100% attention from their care givers.  What a sigh of relief!

We understand what you want out of a pet care service:  

Our business model is set up so that YOU ARE are our priority.  You and your pets's safety, comfort and happiness.  

* We dont send random and new sitters in to your home every week or month.  We do our absolute best to give you consistent caregivers so that a long term, trusting and fun relationship can be built - and that takes time.  After all, they are going into your home and taking care of the things YOU care about most.  We take that to heart and structured our business as if we were in YOUR shoes.  

* We dont wear or display our business name on our persons or car.   We dont believe this is a safe way to advertise and our sitters are instructed to wear normal clothes, with their keys and P.S. Paraphenalia covered or tucked away.  This is to keep you, your pets and your home SAFE.  Our marketing strategy is to provide you with the most positive experience possible.  Our goal is to keep YOU as a client -- not obtain more.  We are committed to quality - not quantity - and our valued and loved clients benefit tremendously from that fact.

* Before services begin, you get to meet the owner or area manager as well as the sitter(s) assigned to taking suberb care of your pets.  If we have to introduce you to a new sitter within the first 6 months, it is free of charge.  That way, we as a company KNOW YOU.  You arent a number in the system - you are YOU, with your unique preferences and needs.  And we are here to provide you with what you and your pets deserve:  Dependability, Devotion and Dedication to making you both happy and stress free.

* At P.S. Pet Sit, we hire Employees, and not Independent Contractors.  What does this mean? -  It means that you will be assigned mature, dependable, knowledgeable sitters that commit to caring for your pets with the highest of standards.   How do we know this to be true?  -- Because WE train them!  We are legally able to train and test our staff on how to excel at their profession: pet care, dog walking and house sitting.  As a team, we work together, with our clients and with dog trainers  to become the best pet care professionals imaginable.

We have won the following awards, touting our commitment to providing the best pet care in Philly and earning a superior reputation and at the same time, taking steps to help save our planet:  

2009    The Women's Opportunity Resource Center Awarded P.S. Pet Sit with having the best business in its class when concerning the Triple Bottom Line otherwise know as:  People, Planet & Profit (and for us, Pets and Pet Parents!) We wowed them with our ability to provide stellar care to all of our clients with a strong commitment of giving back to the community and making green business choices along the way. To read more, go to The Community Page under "About Us".)

2008    The Greater Philly Tails Magazine Reader's Choice Award - for Best Pet Sitting, Dog Walking & Overnight Care.  

2007    The Greater Philly Tails Magazine Reader's Choice Award - for Best Pet Sitting, Dog Walking & Overnight Care.

Our Credentials

Accredited by Pet Sitters International.  (We are tested on the knowledge of what we know about pet care, company management, cleaning methods, house sitting, insurance, etc) 

Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. (By Pet Tech and/or The Red Cross) 

Three years of experience with Philadelphia's pets and their parents. 

We work with Dog Trainers to improve our dog behavior knowledge and our handling, walking and aggression-prevention skills. 

Technology

We use a secure scheduling system that operates online.  You can schedule services yourself and receive a confirmation within hours.  Not only is your services then guaranteed - its FUN!

Security

We are insured by Insurers of the Carolinas and bonded by Treasurer's Insurance.  This can provide our many clients with the feeling that their home and possessions -- and pets -- and 100% secure.  If anything happens on our watch, we can help solve the issue with confidence.

Customer Service

We provide Customer service 6 days a week (Mon- Sat) and 7 days a week for those who have pets in our care on Sundays.  

Voicemails are transcribed immediately and sent to our email address which provides the most efficient way to return your call.  Leave a clear spoken message and BAM - we will get back to you as soon as humanly possible!

If thats not enough, ask for our list of references.  We have countless clients who have volunteered to be references -- and they can answer any questions you may have about their experience with us.

How do you keep my home and possessions secure?

Your home, possessions and family members mean as much to us as they do to you. We make every effort to secure your home from invaders.

• PS. Pet sitters NEVER wear promotional or advertising clothing while on visits (such as T-Shirts, Hats & Sweatshirts with our logo/contact information on them).
• Our vehicles do NOT have promotional signs or banners on it. While this may benefit a company by advertising their presence to potential clients -- it certainly is not a safe practice for your home. Advertising pet sitting via clothing or cars while making pet care visits simply sends a clear sign to would-be-intruders, "This person is not home." Your safety and security is our #1 priority so instread, we choose to focus our time and attention on YOU and your pets.
• Each P.S. sitter is bonded and background checked so you can feel at ease with our staff of professional pet sitters and dog walkers. They are trained to keep your house, pets and possessions safe with examples such as: While on visits, our sitters are trained to lock doors immediately after they enter your home securing it from those that may see that as an opportunity to get in.
• We offer free added services to make your home looked lived in. When you are away on vacation or business trips, we're happy to alternate lights, turn on/off tv and radio, take in your mail or any other task that you wish. Simple changes made to alter the appearance of your home is proven to ward off potential intruders. We are happy to oblidge.
• Your keys are coded in such a way that no one would ever be able to decode them. Your keys are kept safe in our satilite office under lock and key and no key codes are kept written down on any paper or computer file.
• Alarm codes are completely safe in our online scheduling system. Even so, if you would like to omit that information from your online profile, we give you that option. We want you to feel incredibly safe while your pets and home are in our care.
• You are a valued client -- You and your pets are treated with the same respect and care as any family member would be. After all, you are our family.

I see that you are bonded and insured.  What does that mean exactly?

Your pets and your home are covered!  We have business insurance that is designed specifically for pet care, pet sitting and house sitting.  We have a limit of $100,000 of accidental damage to your home or injury to your pet.  Our insurance branches off to include even more coverage including:  Coverage while they are in any P.S. Pet Mobile or in our homes for In Home Boarding (Stay at Our Place Services).

Have you ever had to make a claim to your insurance provider?  

No.   Prevention and Training is our best weapon against accidents and mistakes.

You are Accredited by Pet Sitters International.  What does that mean?

We are tested and approved by Pet Sitters International's Accrediation Program.  We study a very thick course book that goes over a long list of details every pet care company should know:

Pet Care (for ALL animals including birds, chinchillas, ferrets, rabbits, horses, chickens & other foul, caged and barnyard pets, livestock, reptiles and amphibians.)

Health & Nutrition for all pets (including Pet First Aid, Animal Diseases, Parasites & Control, Medical Terminology, Canine Behavior, Feline Behavior, Puppy & Senior Care Requirements, Exotics and their specific needs and Sanitation.)

Additional Pet Care Services Protocol (Including Light Grooming,  Overnight Care, Dog Walking and Training Techniques, House Sitting and In Home Boarding)

Business & Office Procedures (Including Client Interviews/Meet n Greets, Customer Service Standards, Employee Hiring & Management, Ethics & Legal Issues, Disaster Planning, Insurance and Bonding, Marketing & Promotions, Media Relations, Networking and Office Procedures)

What areas do you service?

>>Click here to view our service areas

In Center City...

• Fairmount / Art Museum
• Girard College
• Brewerytown
• Francisville
• Spring Garden
• Poplar
• Northern Liberties
• Fishtown
• Olde & New Kensington
• Old City

In Northwest Philadelphia...

• East Falls
• Germantown
• Penn Knox
• Wissahickon
• Blue Bell Hill

If you would like our services and do not live in the areas mentioned, by all means ask us! We would love to accommodate your needs if we can.

***Stay-At-Our-Place Service: Because your pet would come to us, it doesn't matter! We can board pets who live anywhere in the country, as long as they pass our requirements. (Review our requirements under "Stay At Our Place" on the Services & Rates Page.)

What if you dont service my area? 

To see our recommend services:  Go to the Recommended Pet Sitters Page, on the drop down menu under "Resources".  

How do I inquire about setting up service?

Please go the "Contact Us" page.

In the online form, you can request to be called back if you wish to speak over the phone first.  If you reach voicemail, leave a detailed message including your name, your pets' names and breeds, and the services you are searching for, and we will call you back promptly.

What is the next step?  How does all of this work? 

After sending the "Contact Us" Form, we will email you back requesting you to do three things:

1.  Fill out your Online Profile.  Go to our website, Click Sign In / Schedule Care.  Click to Register and fill out the entries as comprehensively as possible.  Create files for each pet under "My Pets."

2.  Prepare 3 sets of keys for us to collect at the Meet n Greet.  We don't mind picking up keys at a later time or date, but there will be a small charge for this service ($10). 

3.  Fill out and Review the paperwork that is sent to you via email.  

We require you complete all of these items before our Meet n Greet, as it enables for a more efficient and comprehensive meeting, that will enable use to connect with you and your pets instead of being consumed with paperwork.

4. We will set up a Meet N Greet at your convenience - just let us know when you are generally available. This meeting usually lasts about a half hour and is our opportunity to get to know each other. We also gain information from you about your pet's routine and feeding schedule, commands your dog knows, games your cat likes to play, what treats your bird likes, where food is located, potty spots, dog parks or walks your buddy is used to, etc.   

*You are not bound to using our services after the Meet N Greet-- Just meet us and see how you feel.  We bet you wont be able to resist!

5. You are then ready to schedule services!  Just log online by clicking "Sign In / Schedule Care" and schedule at-will.  If you need to schedule with less than 48 hours before the first scheduled service, you must email the office with the request.

>>Click here for more information

Where should I get my keys copied?

Will I get to personally meet my sitters before they care for my pets?

Absolutely.  Depending on when you expect to need care, we will assign you between 1-3 sitters.  If you need care at random times at any time or day of the week, we will most likely assign you with three sitters (A primary weekday sitter, a backup and evening sitter and a weekend sitter).  That way, you have the most flexibility when scheduling.  All sitters will be present at the first Meet n Greet.  If you have NOT been able to meet them, or a new sitter is introduced to you and your pets, you will have the opportunity to meet them prior to them sitting for you -- with a FREE supplementary Meet n Greet.

What if my pet sitter is sick or unavailable?  Do I have a backup sitter in place?

Yes.  We prefer to only send sitters that you have already met into your home -- even if its an emergency.  However, if you only requested to have ONE sitter assigned to your pets and that person get sick or otherwise unable due to an emergency, our manager on duty would fill in as the back up sitter.

What if the weather is horrible.  Will you still come visit my pet?  What if my dog hates the rain?

Yes, of course!  We may shorten the walk to allow enough time for drying off and cleaning up -- but will walk long enough for our legs to stretch and to potty.  We can then come in early and play or cuddle the rest of the time.  Visits are never cut short.  

* If your dog hates the rain, we will do our best to make him comfortable while out -- or adhere to your instructions (such as only take him out back, use a raincoat, go to a specific covered area, etc.)

* If your dog loves the rain, then so do we!  We will walk as long as they are happy and remain healthy and safe.  We will only shorten walks slightly to allow time for drying off and cleaning up.

When do you offer services?

We offer services on weekdays only.  If you book a month in advance, we may be able to offer services on the weekend. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can inform you of our availability.

Keep in mind that we are vigilant to never let a new sitter enter your home without you getting to meet and approve of them first.  So, this takes some forethought on your and our parts, to schedule care when as much in advance as possible, as we are unable to have all of our staff be on call all day, 7 days a week.  You should be safe with at least 48 hours notice for dog walks and with 7 days notice for pet sitting or boarding services.  We are able to provide scheduled care every day of the week, round-the-clock for our lovely clients from our consistent, reliable, and dedicated staff -- but ample notice allows for ease in scheduling and the security of an emailed confirmation well in advance of departure.

So what are the exact hours that you can visit or walk my pet? 

Regular Visiting Hours are 9am-5pm, on Weekdays.  We will no longer available to provide dog walks or pet sits for new clients on weekends as of January 2010.

If a visit is scheduled during extended hours, a small surcharge is applied. ($5)

We offer Overnight Care (Slumber Party) and In Home Boarding (Stay at our Place) Services on weekends at these times: 

Available only with advanced notice.  We recommend booking with at least a month ahead to increase availability.

*Overnight Care from 8pm-8am (through the night, because we sleep over)

*In Home Boarding, 24 hours a day (they sleep in our home, so we are able to monitor them -- and sometimes pretty well because they are sleeping at the bottom of the bed!)

 What is the difference between pet sitting and dog walking?

Dog Walking:  A service ranging from 30-60 minutes, scheduled during the mid hours of the day (9am-5pm), Monday-Friday while you are gone at work.

Pet Sitting:  Visits scheduled to be completed in your home while you are away from Philadelphia, on business trips of vacation. 

Will my dog be walked with other dogs?

It's up to you.

If your dogs like the company of other dogs, we can schedule your dog to be walked during a "play group" session, when we take a small group of dogs to a nearby dog park. This ensures great exercise because there are other dogs to play with. Our walkers are very hands on and provide safe and exciting playtime!

One on one dog walking allows the ultimate in attention for your dog and is required for those that do not generally get along well with other dogs. On walks we encourage on-leash socialization with other dogs and humans if we feel that it is safe. We also gladly help maintain obedience training (upon your request) with such tasks as sitting at every corner, remaining calm when greeting passersby, practicing walking with a relaxed leash, etc. We will happily take walks to the dog park for added exercise if you and your dog desire.

>>Click here for more information 

 Do you visit or walk aggressive dogs?

It depends.

If your dogs has bitten humans before -and with no warning - it is unlikely that we will put our staff in harm's way.  We find most other aggression problems manageable as long as they are well trained in most areas and give "warnings" for us to pick up on.  (Stiff body, bearing teeth, tension, vocalizations)  Its decided upon on a case by case basis, so if you have an aggressive dog, please fill out the Contact Us form and explain in detail what triggers your dog to be reactive and what issues you face with training, socialization and care.  We can then give you a call to discuss if we can provide fun, safe and comprehensive care for your pooch.

*We do not oppose caring for any specific breeds.  We love them all! 

There is an added fee of $3 for handling dogs with aggression problems.  They will not be taken to the dog park and socialization will be limited to guaranteed non-reactive interactions. 

 Are you an "on-call" service?

Simply, it depends on if we are available.  We cannot guarantee service with short notice, but we will if our schedules allow, absolutely!

Due to our sitter-to-client ratio and our intensely high standards, we are unable to have your particular sitters on call all day, 7 days a week.   It depends on when (and how far in advance) you request services.  If your assigned sitter(s) are not fully booked for the date/time frame that you request, and we are able to give them enough time to accommodate you, by all means, we do everything we can to secure the booking.  Scheduling in advance pretty much guarantees that your walkers will be available, so its best to book with as much notice as you can.

In general, for pet sitting requests a minimum of 7 days notices is recommended and preferred.  If less is given (we know some of you are spontaneous creatures!), we do our best to accommodate you, but we cannot guarantee it.

For dog walking services, a minimum of 48 hours is recommended.  "Day-before" and "Same Day" requests are often accommodated since your pup is often in our schedules.

Slumber Party Service (Overnight Care) requires as much notice as you can give.  Since only one sitter can be assigned to each Overnight, they book up quickly.  We recommend scheduling this service weeks or more in advance to optimize chances of our availability. 

Stay-At-Our-Place (In Home Boarding) also requires as much notice as you can give to secure availability.  This is a very popular service and we sometimes book up weeks to a month in advance, but feel free to check in to see if there is availability.  Theres no way to know unless you ask ;-)

All of that said, you are WELCOME to ask about our availability at any time, even if it is the same day.  We want to make you happy -- so we will do everything we can to accommodate your requests. 

How much notice do I need to give you?

If possible, we appreciate when clients can book with a month advance notice -- Or at least book the calendar month prior to needing us (For example, book sometime in November for December services).  If not, you can book by the week, by the day or as needed.

 If we are able to accommodate request with less booking time, there are small fees associated with last minute scheduling.  ($10-15 per visit, $15 for Stay At Our Place and Slumber Party Services.)

*When booking with P.S. Pet Sit for the first time, no short notice or same day fees will apply for your first booking.  So, no worries! We are here to help. 

 How much do you charge? 

It depends on what service you book, on what days and for how long.   For rates and services, see our "Service & Rates" page.

How do I pay you?

Payment: When your services have been confirmed, you will be emailed an "Invoice-Confirmation."  This email details the services just booked, their prices, the total amount due and our payment address.  These confirmations are the ONLY invoice you will receive.

Due Dates: For most services, payment is due by the FIRST day of services.  If you are a mid day dog walking client who books one month at a time, your invoices are due on the LAST day of walks within any one appt confirmation.

Methods of Payment:  We only Mastercard and Visa Debit/Credit Cards.

What if I pay Late?  This can only happen if your card expires or is declined and you choose to not correct the problem.  However, we will contact you with the issue and ask you to update our scheduling system.  If for any reason you decline to provide payment or update your information so that we can charge you, there is a $10 fee for late payment and a $20 fee for each month an invoice remains overdue.

 What if I need to cancel?

Here is our Cancellation Policy:

Call and leave a clear-spoken message AND/OR email the office.  We will get back to you with a cancellation confirmation and inform the assigned sitters. 

Dog Walking Clients, who book same days/same times for an entire month at a time:  

You get one Freebee per month!* -- as long as you contact with enough time to contact your sitter so that he/she does not make the trek to your door.

Dog Walking Clients, who book randomly: 

Canceling with at least 48 hours notice: No fee. 

Canceling the Day before a walk:  A flat fee of $10 per walk canceled.  

Canceling Same Day of a walk:  Account billed for 100% of services. 

Pet Sitting Visit Clients: 

Once services are confirmed, the total is due in our office by the FIRST service scheduled.  

If canceled last minute, the portion of payment received not applied will remain on your account for use at a later date.

Canceling with at least 48 hours notice: No fee. 

Canceling the Day before a visit:  A flat fee of $10 per walk cancelled.  

Canceling Same Day of a visit:  Account billed for 100% of services. 

PLEASE NOTE: Canceling services on holidays are NOT refundable and will be billed at 100%. 

Stay-At-Our-Place & Slumber Party Services:   

Due to the nature of how these services work, when you book these services, we reserve that space for you and you alone.  If you cancel with less than 5 days notice, other clients have likely already been turned away.  To cover our costs, we must charge 100% of the total of the invoice.

PLEASE NOTE: Canceling these services on holidays are NOT refundable and will be billed at 100%.  

Do you require a deposit?

No.  However, if you book services on any P.S. Holiday, or cancel with less than the required time (it varies by service), we will bill you those services at 100%.

Refer to "What if I need to cancel?" above. 

What if I want to check in via email or phone to see how my pet is doing while I am away?

Of course!

Call our office at 267-202-4200 and leave a clear-spoken voicemail message OR email the office.  We will get back to you with a report from your sitter on the next business day that falls on a weekday.

Are you trainers as well?  Can you help me train my puppy? 

We are not certified dog trainers. 

We have learned a lot about dog behavior in the past years as dog walkers and pet sitters.  We are knowledgeable in the basics of dog training.  But when dealing with raising a puppy, with aggression issues or if you have adopted a dog from a shelter, there is no substitute for a certified trainer.  We are happy to support your efforts in training your dog with the help of your chosen trainer.  We will even go to a training session with you if you like (the First Session is FREE).

We recommend dog trainers on our Resources Page - Go check them out!