Contents

Vaccination Policies
New Client Meet & Greets
Booking, Schedule Changes & Cancellations
Cameras & Audio/Video Security Devices
Biting/Aggressive Pet Policies
Job Sharing/Guests in the Home
Pet Mess Cleanup
Non-Consecutive Visits (Skipping Visits)
Home Safety & Hygiene
Pet First Aid & Medical Care
Privacy and Asset Protection Policy

NOTE

Updated 5/2023. By using this website, and my services, you agree to the policies below.

Vaccination Policy

I require that pets such as cats and dogs (and exotic pets such as foxes, skunks, ferrets, etc) are kept current with their rabies vaccinations, as required by state and local laws.

I may make exceptions based on the pet’s age, titer levels, general health, or living arrangements. For example, if there is an active pet door that could be used by an outside mammal to enter the home, or allow pets to go outside with no supervision, we will require rabies vaccinations for all cats and dogs under my care.

Other vaccinations have some leeway. If you choose not to provide core vaccinations (or to adjust vaccination schedules due to antibody titer test results, etc) I respect your choices. However, because I care for so many animals with varying vaccine status, and visit homes that include health-compromised pets, I STRONGLY recommend that you provide at least the core vaccinations your cats and dogs need. I cannot be held accountable for any pet illnesses resulting from unvaccinated pets.

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Meet & Greet Visits with New Clients

I will schedule a free Meet and Greet with you and your pet/s at least 7-14 days prior to booking new client services. This allows us to get to know each other and see if we’re a fit for working together. Subsequent home visits are $45 per 30 min.

I reserve the right to refuse booking services during the meet and greet visit if anything dangerous, unhealthy, or negative is perceived during this visit (‘hoarder’ or unhealthy homes, aggressive pets, homes with chronic indoor smokers, foul urine and feces odors/presence, shoddy/dangerous animal enclosures, etc).

Existing clients: I reserve the right to refuse service or adjust our contracted services, as needed.

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Booking, Schedule Changes & Cancellations

NEW CLIENTS: Before our meet and greet, you will be quoted the rate of the total payment prior to the first home visit. Payment in full is due at the time of the first home visit (or other arrangement we’ve settled on in writing, if the total is over $500). I reserve the right to adjust your quote, based on our meet and greet visit, if additional care or services are needed.

EXISTING CLIENTS: Payment in full is due by or before the first service date. You may leave cash on the counter, or pay ahead of time via Venmo.

DEPOSITS: All bookings over $500 and/or bookings made over 2 months in advance require a deposit (amount based on total service fee) at the time of booking. Sits scheduled during peak months (Oct-Dec, April-July) may also require a deposit, based on dates and length of scheduled sits.

Rate changes: For first-time client visits, I reserve the right to adjust quoted service fees after the first sit is completed, based on the actual level of care required for pets. This also applies to existing clients, if care and medical needs change or new pets are added.

Late/missed payments: An additional late fee of $25 will be assessed at my discretion for late payments or for each instance of failing to provide your payment before you leave.

Returned Check Fee: A handling charge of $35.00, in addition to any bank charges/fees, will be assessed for each occurrence.

Cancellation Policy: BatCo cancellation and refund policies are non-negotiable. In addition to basic pet sitting services for dogs and cats, I provide medical care and supportive health services for senior pets and special needs animals, and services involving outdoor animals, livestock, and exotic pets. Because of this specialized care, my services are in high demand. Cancelling services with no notice, especially during peak months (Oct-Dec, April-July), prevents me from booking that time for animals in need of medical and advanced care.

Holiday Bookings/Cancellations: Bookings for existing clients over the following holidays require a 50% deposit (of the total fee) to hold your dates, with the second 50% due at the time service starts. This holiday deposit is payable at the time of booking: Easter weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, New Years Eve/Day.

I require at least 30 days notice of cancellation for holiday bookings, otherwise the remaining 50% service fee may be charged, at my discretion.

Non-Holiday Cancellations: I require at least 21 days notice of cancellation. $25 (non-medical booking) to $50 (medical booking) fee per incident during peak service months may be applied.

Last Minute Schedule Changes: Please do note that any prior bookings with other clients might make it difficult or impossible to accommodate your last-minute travel changes, but I will do my best to accommodate you. Thank you for your understanding.

Credits: Should you need to cancel services, you will receive a non-transferable credit, which expires 12 months from the date credit is applied. There are no cash refunds.

Travel Fee: An additional $15 travel fee will be charged per holiday for services occurring on the following holidays: Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day.

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Biting Dog/Aggressive Pet Policy

I will not accept a sit with aggressive pets of any type, breed, or size that require hands-on interaction or getting into their space to feed/care for (some exemptions include caged/contained exotic pets and birds that do not require direct interaction or handling). This includes aggressive dogs or dogs with a bite history, cats who attack (this is different from a friendly cat who might attempt to bite or scratch during playtime), horses that attack, bite or kick, large goats that aggressively headbutt, etc.

If any pet shows signs of aggression, or attacks me (whether or not a bite occurs), I will immediately terminate the sit and notify the client. In cases where the client is not accessible, BCPS will contact the emergency contact.  In these circumstances, the emergency contact will then take over responsibility for the animal. If I determine that any of your pets are aggressive during the initial home visit, I reserve the right to refuse service.

Refunds/credits will not be given for sits terminated due to animal bites/attacks. Pet owners are responsible for medical bills and lost wages of BCPS staff resulting from an animal’s aggressive behavior.

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“Job Sharing” / Guests Staying in Your Home

“Job sharing” with anyone not affiliated with BatCo is not allowed under any circumstances. If the client allows any other person(s) access to their home, pets, or property during the relevant contract period, BatCo cannot and will not be held liable for any theft/loss, damages to property, or injury/loss/death of pets as a result of BatCo not having sole access to the client’s home during our contracted service time.

Bat Country Pet Sitting politely declines to provide pet sitting services in ‘job sharing’ situations or if clients have family or guests staying in your home for any length of time while they are gone. Read more about how pet sitter insurance works.

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Major Pet Messes & Clean Up Jobs

I understand that accidents do happen, and sometimes may be the result of sudden ill health, etc. I will make every effort to contact you for direction in incidents like this, but because long clean-ups can negatively impact the day’s calendar and affect my ability to serve other clients, I must charge extra time for clean-up over 20 minutes at a rate of  $35 per 1/2 hour.

Cleanup for major indoor accidents such as excessive vomiting, excessive incontinence, diarrhea, blood from an injury or illness, etc may need specialized cleaning products or equipment. I cannot be held liable for any damage to floors, rugs, or surfaces soiled during an unexpected pet health crisis, soiled while I am not present, or soiled by pets who have free-roam of the house 24 hours a day. If the clean-up needed is significant, I may suggest that the client hire a professional cleaning service instead.

Some pets may not adjust to your absence right away and may have an accident in your home. This is normal and BCPS will make every effort to clean up after your pet. However, I reserve the right to increase the number of visits per day and/or charge for extra clean-up time if your pet is consistently soiling your home between visits. These extra visits will be added to your bill.