Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you spend with a pet on an average visit?

The average visit time is ½ hour.  However, this varies dependant on the number of pets in the household and their routine.  After completing all the jobs that need to be done, we allow sufficient time for lots of TLC and to ensure that your pet is happy.  Our prices reflect the amount of work involved and length of time we believe is appropriate.  Of course, if you’re worried your pet needs a longer visit that can be arranged too.

Is exercise included in the price of a petsitters visit for my dog?

Absolutely!!!  We believe the key to having happy dogs at home is exercise!  If you request 2 visits per day, then your dog can have 2 walks per day.  If you’re booking falls on a week day, then we will automatically upgrade your dog to our Doggie Days Out! (See our dog walking service for further information, this is also dependant on where you live)

My cat is very timid and I’m worried you may not see him

To do this job day in and day out, you have to have a certain bond with animals!  Quite simply, most animals love us!  Plus when you’re not around, they are more inclined to see who is getting their next meal!  It doesn’t take long for them to understand that we are at their service and happy to oblige in giving them all the food, fuss and cuddles they require!

I’m worried my neighbour’s cat may come inside and eat my cat’s food.

This can be a problem whether you are at home or not.  However, as we don’t just feed your pets and leave, we are able to ensure that your pet gets their allocated amount of food. 
It is best not to have food close to the cat door or outside as this can make much easier pickings for the neighbour’s cats.  Also your cat can still maintain its territory while you are gone, instead of returning home to find another cat has taken over.

Will my pets get lonely once you have gone?

Of course your pets will miss you.  However, it isn’t any different than you going to work every day and coming home.  The beauty of leaving your pets at home means they know you are coming home!  We try to come at around the same time every day and keep their routine as close to their existing one as possible.

We can leave the TV or radio on overnight and there are also remedies available to calm pets if you are concerned.  Just ask us or your vet for further information.

Most cats are independent and will come for food and cuddles on their terms, but if your cat is a smoocher and loves to have soppy kisses and cuddles, then that makes our day!!  We love smooches!

With dogs we basically tire them out so they pretty much sleep the rest of the day!  If your dog joins our Doggie Days out, it means that they can be out of the house from 2-4 hours a day!  If you have an elderly dog, they just appreciate being left in the comfort of their own home and having a walk, food and cuddles then bed!

Can you give my pet medication?

Yes, we are happy to administer medication at no extra cost including insulin.  We will not sit for acutely ill pets, but recomend they be boarded with a vet.

Will you come and visit my cat every 2nd day?

We will not take on bookings where we are asked to visit every second day. All pets need care and attention on a daily basis.  They need to be checked that they are in good health and appropriate action taken if they are not.

My friend / neighbour has offered to help out. Can you do some visits and they do others?

We will not take on bookings where we have shared care of customer’s animals, visiting one day and not another day.  This is not fair on the pets or us, who don’t know for sure if anyone has been to see them that day or not.
Also, if something was to go wrong, then there is the question of who is responsible. As we carry insurance and are a professional company it could having a very damaging affect on Pet Sitters for something that may have had nothing to do with us and our service.

My dog needs looking after but my cat will be fine / neighbour will feed the cat.

Again, we will not take on one pet in a household and not another.   If your cat ‘who will be fine’ turns up with an abscess or takes ill, then we can’t be expected to ignore it, but nor should we have to deal with a pet that a customer doesn’t wish to pay or render our services for.  It costs a few extra dollars to have your cat cared for, less than a cup of coffee.
We genuinely love and care for all animals and seeing a cat that hasn’t been given fresh water for days, is fed off the same plate without being washed and has had very little interaction with a human is very disturbing for us.  Of course we will get it fresh water, but we may not have access to its food, nor is it our responsibility and we wouldn’t have allocated the extra time, meaning we therefore run late for everyone else’s pets.

Why should I use a pet sitter instead of a neighbour / family member?

Hiring a professional pet sitter means you no longer have to impose on friends, family or neighbours!
Our team of Pet Sitters are mature, honest and reliable.  They are able to follow instructions and any additional requests you may have, such as watering the plants.  They have very high standards and treat your pets and home with the care and respect they deserve.  They have initiative and are trained to deal with any problems that may arise and have backup if it is needed.
We will text you updates of your pets to let you know how they are getting on and one thing we do ask, is that you text or call us when you return home from your trip because our job isn’t complete until we have confirmation you are back home safely with your pets.

The dangers of using friends / family / neighbours

Friend, family and neighbours may have the best intentions of caring for your pets, but with the business of everyday life, it doesn’t take much for your ‘carer’ to completely forget all about your pets for a day or even longer.  What if they were to become ill, who would care for your pets then?
We often hear of cases where friends have agreed to housesit or care for people’s pets, only for something to come up and they are no longer able to help out.  Usually this is at the last minute and by that late stage, we cannot arrange to do a consultation with adequate time before your departure and therefore would not be able to care for your pets.

What if my pet becomes ill while I’m away?

At our initial consultation, we take details of any medical conditions your pet may have and the veterinarian you are registered with.  If we believe your pet needs the attention of a veterinarian, then we will take them.  We will ask the clinic to charge your account and we will send you an invoice for the extra time/travel involved.