A. Online policies supersede print policies. You can read all current policies HERE

A. First and foremost, APS is a professional service. That means that this is all APS does for a living. Full time. APS carries insurance and bonding, has trustworthy pet sitters, and ensures that if anything happens to your personal pet sitter, your pet care will continue, uninterrupted. With many years experience in caring for pets, APS participates in continued education regarding pets and their care (Pet First Aid course offered by the American Red Cross, regularly reading about things that may present hazards to your pet, etc.) APS belongs to professional organizations in the industry (Pet Sitters International, Professional United Pet Sitters) that provide ongoing information about pet-related issues and provide APS with updated information for improving services. APS sitters truly LOVE what they do! More than a profession, pet sitting is a vocation. APS sitters are drawn to the care of animals, and as such, they are concerned, compassionate caregivers. Unlike the part-timer, the errand service, or the kid-next-door who pet sit for extra cash, APS sitters have devoted themselves to providing your pet the best possible care. APS spends a great deal of income on furthering the quality of services, and making you and your pet happy! (Sitters leave framed photos of your pets, give them occasional gifts, provide you with important pet care information they feel you may benefit from, and leave you personal notes about how much they enjoy being with your special fur-kid!).

A. Normally, the sitter will schedule a "Meet & Greet" at least 3 days prior to the first pet sitting visit, to meet with you and your pet. This gives everyone involved (especially your pet!) a chance to be acquainted.

A. No. In-home pet sitting is an alternative to boarding. APS is committed to providing your pet with the most humane, safe, comfortable, and personal care. However, if you specifically require boarding, please contact APS anyway, and someone will be happy to refer you to a boarding facility in the area!

A. Not in the traditional sense. However, APS provides an alternative to doggie daycare, which is suitable for pets that have been turned down by doggie daycare facilities. If your dog needs stimulation and activity to help prevent boredom and destructive behavior, a midday break or dog walk just might fill the bill. The purpose of a doggie daycare is to occupy your dog with activities that will enable him to deal with monotony and excess energy. APS can fill this need with either a brisk walk or a fun-filled activity such as fetching a ball or frisbee. The result is a happy but tired dog, who is likely to sleep the rest of the afternoon until your return!

A. APS does not charge for the initial phone consultation, as it is a vital part of providing personalized service. You will need to provide your home address and answer specific questions, in order for APS to match you up with a pet sitter. This will allow APS to ascertain that a sitter can provide you with the best possible service, and to calculate your rate. During the phone consultation, you will provide information about your particular situation, how many pets you have, what types of pets, whether they are indoor, outdoor, or both. You will need to provide information about your yard: is it fenced? If so, what type of fence do you have? You'll be asked whether your pet(s) is on medication, and what type. There are quite a few things that APS must know before scheduling your Meet & Greet.

A. Yes, the meet and greet charge is equal to the rate you would be charged for one pet sitting visit. Every visit the sitter makes involves time and gas. Your sitter must be paid for their time and travel. The Meet & Greet takes approximately thirty minutes to an hour. During the Meet & Greet, the sitter will provide you with a contract to review and fill out. The sitter will also complete a checklist which allows them to customize services to your particular needs and desires. This will include such things as when and how much to feed your pet, where your pet prefers to sleep, where you keep your pet's leash and toys, if you want potted plants watered, mail and newspapers picked up, etc. During the Meet & Greet, the sitter will also instruct you in the use of the lock boxes used to secure your keys.

A. Puppies, kittens, dogs, cats, ferrets, fish, turtles, mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, non-poisonous snakes, lizards, frogs, pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats... If you don't see your pet listed here, please call! (Due to the constraints of liability insurance, APS cannot pet sit for horses or cattle, unless it is an individual animal that is a pet, and not breeding or show stock.)

A. Your pet(s) should be current on all of their vaccinations with the exception of the vaccination for Bordetella (Bordetella Bronchiseptica--common name, Kennel Cough). The Bordetella vaccination is only required if you are boarding your pet(s) in a kennel.

A. APS no longer keeps client keys. Lock boxes are used to secure client keys. The lock boxes used are extremely easy to operate. They have a code that the client can choose and provide to the sitter for the times when they visit your pets. The code can be changed at any time, if necessary.There is a one-time deposit of $15 for the lock box. Please inquire for more details.

A. This is why you are asked to place TWO keys in the lock box. If the sitter should accidentally lock the key inside the house, there will be an extra key that can be retrieved in order to re-enter the house to provide un-interrupted care for your pet(s).

A. When your sitter visits your home each day, there is a Daily Scoop form that is left behind, with notes to show what transpired during each visit. The sitter notes the time of day she/he arrived (AM, Midday, PM), if your pet was fed at that time, how your pet behaved, whether the plants were watered, pet accidents were cleaned up, etc. APS feels this is the best way to provide you with a detailed account of services rendered. Of course, the fact that your house should look pretty much the same way you left it will be a good indication that your sitter has been visiting regularly and performing duties!

A. Absolutely! That is the main focus of the APS service. It's about providing love and affection, so that your pet will not be stressed by your absence. Each time the sitter visits your home to care for your pet, they will spend quality time with your pet. The sitter will take your pet for a walk or outside in the backyard, talk to your pet, and play games. This is the fun aspect of the service, and your sitter enjoys getting to know your pets! :)

A. APS hopes this will never happen, but there is a plan for this, just in case. One of the questions you'll be asked when your services are scheduled, is who your pet's veterinarian is, and whether the sitter has your permission to have your pet treated, should the need arise. The sitter will also ask that you inform your veterinarian that you use a professional pet sitting service. There is a Veterinarian Release form for you to sign and give to your vet, to keep on file. This form will provide your vet with your information about your wishes and your financial arrangement, thus allow your sitter to have your pet treated in your absence.

A. APS is licensed to do business in the cities the sitters service.. APS carries liability insurance and bonding, providing protection for your pet and your personal property.

A. First and foremost, the pet sitters that provide your service are individuals APS knows personally and/or has screened thoroughly. Knowing the sitters, APS is confident that your pet and your home are in good hands. As a deterrent for burglars, your sitter can bring in your mail and newspaper, put out your trash on trash day (and return cans afterwards). The sitter can open and close curtains, and alternate lights/TV/radio to give your home a "lived in" look and feel.

A. Vacation pet sitting services as well as occasional dog walking services require payment in advance. Regular (daily) clients pay for services weekly or monthly (mid-day potty breaks and daily dog walking), in advance.

A. Whether you receive a refund or credit depends on several things. If you are a regular clients, and your sitter visits your pet several times on a weekly basis, year-round, APS is very flexible. Daily dog walk or potty break clients need only contact APS before 8am to cancel for that day, and you will be given a credit for the cancelled visit (if you are not a prepaid voucher client). APS realizes that due to illness or other emergencies, you may not have the luxury of giving very much advance notice of a cancellation. For all other clients, APS requires a minimum 72 hours of advance notice to cancel. You will receive a full refund if you cancel with 7 days or more notice. If you cancel 3-7 days prior to start of visits, you will be refunded 80% of your payment. If you cancel with less than 72 hours before visits start, you will not receive a credit or a refund. Exception: during the holidays, APS does not offer credits or refunds for cancellations. This is due to the fact that the sitters are usually booked up for several weeks prior to the holidays, and once their schedules are full, APS has to turn away business. If you return early from your (non-holiday) trip, you will not receive a refund or credit unless you have contacted APS to cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) prior to returning. If you have questions about cancellation policies, please call.

A. For the most part, yes. However, if the location is far, or an overnight stay is required, a sitter is allowed, on occasion, to take a family member or an assistant along. This is for the sitter's safety and peace of mind.