Do I Have Insurance?

I am insured! If you search my business name on the Pet Sitters Associates, I pop up! I linked my page :)

Contracts

Contracts will be sent out after you fill out your form and will be accessible through your email. Contracts outline my expectations of a service, allow me permission for a veterinary release in case of an emergency, and a key release form. If you do not fill out these contracts, I will be unable to service you.

These FAQ’s reflect my contracts.

Cancelations and Refunds

How they work:

There is a 24-hour grace period for refunds. If you cancel before the 24-hour mark, I will keep only 25% of the price for the visit. Same-day cancellations are non-refundable. If you cancel 3 times in the month, you will no longer be able to cancel for the rest of the month.

Why?

When you schedule multiple things go into effect. You are reserving time that someone else could have wanted to book, causing people to potentially be rejected. You are also changing my schedule and plans around as I try to be available for people when they book, especially if it’s with advance notice. I also can’t have people continuously cancel, as that is not viable for me and my business.

Payment and Tips

Payment Types:

For payments, an invoice will be sent by the “Walkies: Pay Link.” You will be notified and have access to this through the Walkies app, automated text messages, and/or automated emails (this depends on what was filled in your forms or your settings in your personal Walkies account). I accept cash, Zelle, and Venmo. Cash can not be used during the first visit.

Deposits are required for electronic payments when you initially schedule. If we have not met yet, you can wait to pay the deposit after our meet and greet. This secures your reservation. If deposits are left unpaid, I will cancel the appointment.

Requests you send to me through the “Walkies” app may not reflect fees until I edit and confirm the request, which may potentially change the price of your visit. Cash and electronic payments have different expectations; please read through the sections on “Electronic Payments” and “Cash Payments.”

How Payment Works:

Electronic Payments: These rules apply only to electronic payments. A 25% deposit is required to confirm a visit (not including Zelle). This can be paid after your Meet and Greet if we have not met yet; however is normally expected when you book immediately. The due date for the rest of 75% of the payment is 4 days before the first scheduled visit. If unpaid, I will send a warning, then eventually cancel.

Cash Payments: These rules apply only to cash payments. If you will be using cash, please notify me in advance so I do not cancel your appointment due to non-payment of the 25% deposit or tardiness in paying the full payment amount. I require you to either message me where the money will be, leave a thank you note next to the money, or leave the money with written instructions so I know it is for me. If unconfirmed, I will leave the money with you and expect the payment to be labeled during the next visit. If payments are consistently missed, I will only allow you to pay through electronic payments going forward. In the event of a cancellation, compensation is expected electronically. See “Cancellations” for more information on cancellation fees.

• For first-time pet sits while you are on vacation, cash payments are not allowed to ensure that I can service your pet while you are away, while being compensated for my time.

Late Fees: Each week, $10 will be added to your initial service price. If I am unpaid with no communication, I will sadly be unable to service you in the future.

Past Due Invoices:

For electronic payments, if payment fails for any reason and you are unreachable, your reservation will be cancelled.

If cash payments are unpaid, on the first visit, I will stay the entirety of the booked duration; however, the next day, if I am not contacted about payment or compensated electronically, I will only stay until basic needs for the animal are met during that visit, despite the original requested duration. Basic needs include but are not limited to: your pet being fed, given water, given medication, and let out or having a clean enclosure. The initial service price for these visits does not change once I have visited the house and it has not been unpaid for, due to the time still being reserved. If there are any payment issues, please contact me before the scheduled visit.

• If services have been rendered, or I have paid third-party vendors on your behalf, and the invoice for such rendered services or third-party expenses becomes past due, a $1 late fee will be assessed every day that a balance remains. After 30 days, if the total balance has not been paid, I reserve the right to take legal action to recover the balance owed and/or send the account to a third-party collection agency.

• If the total balance for services is not paid for in 30 days, I reserve the right to take legal action to receive the balance owed and/or send the account to a third-party collection agency.

Payment Fees:

There are fees for electronic payments, holidays, and distance. All fees will be calculated under the “Distance Fees” tab in your invoice. Electronic payments have 5% service fee. Listed Holidays have $10 fee. These holidays are: Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day, Thanksgiving, July 4th Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend. Distances on average that are more than 25 minutes away from me have a $1 fee for each minute above 25. (Examples: 26 minutes $1 fee, 30 minutes=$5 fee). To approximate your distance, you can look up Parsippany High School on Beverwyck Road.

Tip:

While tips are not expected, they are always appreciated!

Some general notes on tips: if you pay me electronically, you can add a tip through Walkies while paying your invoice, or leave cash out during your visit.

If you are tipping in cash, please send me a message, leave a thank you note next to it, or leave it with written directions so I know it is for me! I would never want to take your money by accident, so if I am unsure if it’s for me, I won’t take it!

If you are paying me in cash, if there is extra left over, I will assume it is a tip. If you do not want to tip me, please have exact change!

Third-Party Expenses:

I require immediate reimbursement for third-party expenses such as veterinary medical care, pet supplies, and locksmith services if I have paid for such expenses on your behalf. I will make every attempt to contact you to confirm your choice of action in the event third-party expenses are expected or have been incurred. If you cannot be reached promptly, I will use my best judgment for the issue at hand.

Scheduling and Communication

Time Frames

My availability online will show as time frames such as “noon”. I prefer to schedule time frames, since sometimes there are delays while driving, or animals can be unpredictable and make me run overtime. If your pet is on a specific schedule or needs medication, I will not schedule you in a time frame. Just clarify this in your form or message me separately!

If I need to put you in a time frame when you requested a specific time, I will let you know before confirming your appointment!

What I Send Each Visit:

Each visit, I will update Walkies that will: tell you I am on my way, that I am there, how I cared for your animal, and send pictures at the end. If you do not have Walkies, this information will be sent at the end of the visit.

First Solo Visit

Please try to be available to contact for the first visit in case there are any kind of issues. It is hard to predict how a pet will act without their owner present. I may also have general questions that were not clarified in the meet and greet. If I am unable to contact you about a question I will use my best judgement

Email-Based Communication

Scheduling: For email communication, you have to email me to schedule an appointment. I can not promise I will see an email if it is last-minute.

Updates: For email-based communication, my visit notes will be sent altogether either to your email or phone, meaning you may not receive confirmation that I am on my way there. If you are uncomfortable with this form of communication, please consider downloading Walkies or reach out to me if Walkies is incompatible with your phone so we can discuss alternatives.

Walkies App-Based Communication

Scheduling: You can either message me in the app or request a visit with me in the scheduling section of Walkies. I can either accept or deny this, so please look out for that. Just because you requested a visit does not always mean I can cover you!

Communication: You can message me in the Walkies app and also ask for automated updates through email or text message. You are also able to change the notifications that you receive in Walkies, which may be helpful if it is too much for you. Please keep notifications on in case I need to chat with you. Certain updates need to be sent so I can prove that I serviced you :)

Security and Emergency Situations

Home Access, Privacy, and Security: By contracting me to care for your pets, you authorize me to enter your home as needed to perform the services outlined in each reservation. Before each reservation begins, you agree to disclose if, when, and where other people are expected to be on your property. This may include, but is not limited to, landscapers, housecleaners, friends, or family. Failure to disclose this information may result in cancelled services and/or police involvement, if I am not familiar with who has permission to be on your property or in your home. You warrant that all security cameras are within legal placement and do not have a view of any restrooms, toilet areas, sleeping areas, or any other area in which I would reasonably expect privacy. For my safety, you agree to properly secure your property to the best of your ability before leaving the premises. You give me the authorization to employ a locksmith on your behalf in the event of a malfunction of the lock, key, or remote-control entry device. Unless such employment becomes necessary due to my negligence or misconduct, you accept full financial responsibility for the cost of employing a locksmith.

Emergency Contacts/Guardians: If you are unable or unwilling to resume custody, care, and control of your pet during or after a reservation, and/or I am unable or unwilling to complete or extend your reservation, you authorize me to transfer care, custody, and control of your pet to any of the individuals listed as Emergency Guardians/Contacts in your profile. You certify that the individuals listed have been informed of their designation as Emergency Guardians for your pet. If all listed Emergency Guardians are unable or unwilling to accept custody, care, and control of your pet if called upon to do so, your pet may be brought to a kennel or boarding facility at your expense.

Inclement Weather: You agree to provide at least one Emergency Guardian specifically for Inclement Weather emergencies. Your Inclement Weather Guardian should live within walking distance, be home during the dates of your reservation, and be able to enter your home to care for your pet if called upon to do so in the event of severe weather or natural disaster that has caused roadways to be impassable or unsafe to travel, preventing me from reaching your pet.

Pet and Household Supplies: You are responsible for providing adequate pet care and household cleaning supplies for the duration of each reservation. Supplies may include, but are not limited to, food, medication, medical supplies, a sturdy harness or collar, leash, appropriately sized crate, litter, litter bags, cleaning sprays, rags, paper towels, vacuum, broom, and mop. If supplies run out during the reservation, I will attempt to contact you. If unreachable, I will use reasonable judgment and may purchase missing supplies at your expense.

Vaccinations & Zoonotic Disease: You warrant that your pet is currently vaccinated for rabies as required by state law; OR your pet is not currently vaccinated for rabies, but your pet’s veterinarian has provided a medical waiver. You warrant that your pet has no known zoonotic diseases, and should you be made aware of a zoonotic disease, you will notify me promptly and/or cancel your scheduled services.

Pet Abandonment: If you fail to resume care, custody, and control of your pet on the agreed-upon date and time, and extended reservation charges are incurred and remain unpaid for 10 days, and reasonable effort to compensate me has not been made by you or your representative, your pet will be considered “Abandoned”. Paws and Palette NJ is authorized to sell abandoned pets at public or private sale, give the pet away, or turn the pet over to the humane society, animal shelter, or other facility.

Liability: Unless caused by our negligence or willful misconduct, you release me from all liability related to: Any breach of security by a third party that results in loss of or damage to your property and/or pet, such as burglary or criminal trespass; Any mishap of whatsoever nature which may befall your pet while unsupervised; Any damages beyond the control of Paws and Palette NJ, such as damage caused by the elements, severe weather, or natural disaster; Transporting your pet to and from any veterinary clinic, kennel, or boarding facility, and the expense thereof; Medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to your pet sitter, other pets, other people, and property which were caused by your pet. Paws and Palette NJ is not liable for any damages reported 24 hours or more after a reservation has ended. The maximum liability I shall have in any claim will not exceed the sum of the total fees paid to me. You have no right to special, punitive, circumstantial, or other damages.

Veterinary Medical Care: In the event your pet experiences a medical event or emergency and you cannot be reached in a timely manner, you give me the authorization to seek medical attention from the veterinary facility of my choosing, and to make decisions on treatment recommendations from the attending veterinarian(s). You authorize the release of your pet’s medical records from their regular veterinarian to aid in their care. Costs will be incurred for the medical assessment and care of your pet, and you accept full financial responsibility for such costs.

Various Permissions

Pet Photos: These may be used for my website, social media, and/or marketing materials for promotional purposes. If this is uncomfortable for you, in your forms, please indicate this!

Trusted Friends: In your form, if you choose, you can allow a trusted friend to either walk your animal or come into your house with me to help me take pictures. If this is uncomfortable for you, in your forms, please indicate this.

Unlisted services

Overnights

I normally do not do overnights; however, you can try and request them and tell me your expectations for the overnight visit. Since I am not someone who normally does overnights, I may charge more for this service; your expectations of how long I will stay at your house will also impact the price.

If I stay, please let me know where the cameras are located in the house for a sense of privacy. I would also ask for the bedsheets to be cleaned if I am expected to sleep in a bed!

“Boarding”

I have animals of my own, and their needs must come first. Therefore, only well-behaved, calm animals that will not disturb my pets will be accepted, unless we can find an alternative solution. For boarding, I would like to establish a connection and trust with these animals to see if they are a good fit in my home. This could be done during pet sits/walks. I will not consider onboarding new clients.

For anxious pets, I would suggest actually keeping them in your house and just doing drop-ins as they may be more upset in an unfamiliar place!

Medication Administration (Oral)

There is no extra fee for medication administrations. Just request a walk, pet sit, or drop in, and let me know the amount that your pet needs during our meet and greet.

I am only familiar with oral medications. If your animal requires a shot or anything else, please teach me during our meet and greet.

Unfamiliar Animals and Care

During our meet and greet, I would be open to learning about new kinds of animals and their care. I will assess if I am a good fit for you based on what you need. I will always be transparent when I have no experience with what you require.

If you want my care despite my being unfamiliar, I will send out a confirmation contract that you will sign just for a piece of mind on my part!

Grooming

I am working towards getting certified in animal grooming, so until I learn fully, I am only providing baths for pets that I already know.