Annie has the answers

If your question is not here, contact Annie

Interested in hiring Annie as your Tucson Pet Sitter?

Please contact Annie by email or phone for an initial conversation to discuss your exact dates of care, number and types of visits you’ll be needing along with your location and other specifics. If all the logistics work out, the next step is an in-home consult to assure compatibility, often complimentary. Because every situation is personalized to meet your specific needs, the rates for services are determined after these steps, but are always fair and competitive. An extensive service agreement, current shots and veterinarian authorization-to-treat form is required prior to start of each job to assure the best possible care for your pets and home.

Serving Central Tucson, Foothills & Surrounding Areas
Overnights or visits requiring less frequent visits, may allow for the perimeters to be expanded, with a nominal mileage surcharge. Please contact Annie via email with your details or by phone to discuss your needs. She makes every effort to call back within a few hours in most cases and always within 24 hours.

Contact

Before Pet Care Questions

Will you be the one caring for my pets?

Yes, I do not have employees. I will be the only one in your home. However, in the very unlikely event of an extreme emergency, I have a colleague who would be covered under my liability insurance.

What happens if my pet becomes involved in an altercation, gets ill or injured?

This is why I am very specific during our meet-n-greet about the temperament/ behavior/ socialization of your pets as the first step in taking all precautions to avoid these circumstances. However, in the event of an emergency, I will take your pet to the nearest animal hospital or your own vet and stay with your pet until you or your emergency contact are reached and appropriate decisions/actions have been taken.

Will you care for my Pit Bull, German Shepard, Doberman, Rottweiler, or feisty Chihuaha?

Some of my best, and favorite clients, are the above breeds, because they have a gentle nature, are not known to bite, well socialized and comfortable walking on a leash and encountering other animals along the way. I am not trained nor do I have skills that allow me work with aggressive breeds who have been known to bite, are unable to easily be leashed and walked, or react aggressively to strangers or other animals. In this situation, it is in the best interest of your animal’s well-being that you work with someone other.

What supplies should I have on hand?

If supplies run out, new supplies will be purchased and billed for expenses plus time.

What time will you be here to feed and walk my pets?

Due to the unpredictability of animals, my service agreement provides for a 2 hour window, so if you’ve requested an early a.m. visit and early evening visit, they will be anytime between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., Specific times are not guaranteed, though every effort is made to keep to a routine time.

Why do you need 2 sets of keys?

Life happens. To be assured your pets are able to be cared for in a timely and professional manner without delay, we require 2 sets of keys. One key is used as a backup for emergencies, lockout or faulty keys; If a locksmith is required to gain entry due to malfunction of lock, failure of a working key, etc., it can cause critical delay and anxiety to the pets in the home. Keys are kept in separate secure locations, coded without any of your personal or address information on them. If you are unable to provide 2 keys, a service charge of $7.50 will be applied to final bill to have a key made.

Should I leave your information with anyone else?

You should leave my information with at least one of your most trusted neighbors, so they can contact me in the event of an emergency. This is part of our discussion during initial meet-n-greet.

How do we transfer keys?

One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to get keys back and forth. I can arrange to pick them up before first visit (usually during our initial meet & greet), and drop them after, certified mail or you can drop them off – however, all keys MUST be tested. Due to liability, keys may not be left in a hidden spot at a home for me to find. The charges vary, depending on what options we agree upon.

During Pet Care Questions

How do you handle mishaps and accidents?

It is not uncommon for pets to have accidents or damage property in absence of their owners. All efforts will be made to clean with supplies that have been left. Please note, feces, vomit and other stains may not be able to be entirely eliminated. If potty mishaps are daily, I will increase visits and charge accordingly.

Is it okay to have a friend stop in and check on everything while we are gone?

Due to liability, no other sitters may be in the home at the time I am responsible for your pets and home. Also, if I walk into a home that has been disturbed from the way it was left after my last visit, the police will be called immediately.

Why do you need 2 sets of keys?

Life happens. To be assured your pets are able to be cared for in a timely and professional manner without delay, we require 2 sets of keys. One key is used as a backup for emergencies, lockout or faulty keys; If a locksmith is required to gain entry due to malfunction of lock, failure of a working key, etc., it can cause critical delay and anxiety to the pets in the home. Keys are kept in separate secure locations, coded without any of your personal or address information on them. If you are unable to provide 2 keys, a service charge of $7.50 will be applied to final bill to have a key made.

Can you stay longer during monsoon storms?

Yes, if your dog gets anxious or scared during storms, every effort will be made to go sit with or do a welfare check during or immediately following a storm to assure their well being. The visit will be charged accordingly. Dogs will not be walked during storms of this nature, though they will be escorted outside to take care of business with me being present and then we will spend the remainder of the time indoors together.

What happens if you don’t need 30 minutes?

If you have agreed to a 30-minute visit and I am able to get everything accomplished prior to that time, the remaining time will be spent nurturing and socializing with your animals. If we have agreed to 45 minute visits and find it’s not necessary and all can be completed in 30 minutes, the final bill will be adjusted accordingly.

Can you send me pictures or text me when you’ve been to the house?

Yes – this has become the preferred method for most clients and is part of every visit. Other clients may receive a note with times and details is left in the home upon each visit. The time for this is included in the 30, 45 or 60 minute visits. If extra time if required to complete this beyond the normal expectation, it is billed at $1.00/minute.

Why do you take pictures?

The primary reason for this is identification, should an animal get out and I need to be able to identify them. However, most pets also get a starring role on my website, though to protect their identity, their full name is not used.

Can I just text you if something changes and we don’t need you give our pet his medicine?

No…PLEASE make sure any changes in care are done via live conversation or written and signed communication that you acknowledge has been received.

After Pet Care Questions

Can you just hang on to my keys?

For established/frequent clientele, I am happy to hold keys, to allow for ease of booking and short notice. Keys are always kept in a safe area and unmarked for your protection. If we do not maintain keys, fees for pick up and delivery charged accordingly.

What happens if we come home early?

Please provide 24 hour notice in this event to receive a credit of the remaining amount for future services of the same nature, which must be booked/used within a year. You will be charged amount of service visit originally agreed upon without 24 hour notice.

Why must I notify you upon my return home?

To ensure your animals’ well-being, it is a vital part of our agreement that you contact me via text, email or voice ONLY upon returning home and finding your home and animals, safe, healthy and happy. For the safety of your animals, do not do this while enroute, in the event of traffic delays or travel delays.

Are gratuities expected?

Not expected, but always greatly appreciated.

Why do you request a testimony after every job?

Trying to build a small business requires great marketing and positive reviews with social media. If you’ve had a great experience and are willing to share a few words, they are worth their weight in gold. Those who support my business and provide these testimonies to help me succeed will also receive priority booking in the future.

If for any reason, you’ve not had a good experience, PLEASE let me know and have the opportunity to resolve any issues before posting negative feedback on social media, which can ruin a small business in a heartbeat. I strive for those great reviews and will always be accountable, fair and reasonable.

How and when do we let you know we are home?

Do NOT call/text/message while enroute. Please wait until you have physically walked into your home and found your pet and home to be safe and secure and then please let me know promptly.

If I’ve not heard from you, I will continue to care for your animal on the same schedule until I hear from you and you will be charged accordingly.