ABOUT US

It is best to book in advance to ensure the booking dates you desire. Peak times are holidays and the summer months.  An in-home consultation, as well as required paperwork and two house keys are necessary before any services can be provided.

A $50 non-refundable scheduling fee is required for all vacation pet sitting scheduling. This scheduling fee will be applied towards the trip at its completion. We will email an invoice for $50 at the time a booking is requested and this must be paid to get your dates on our master calendar. This is non-refundable if your trip is cancelled.

• Because we feel it is necessary for your pet’s welfare, we require a minimum of three visits per day for dogs and one visit per day for cats.  In order to maintain our level of service, these minimums will not be adjusted for any circumstances.  We offer several visit options.  Our most common is the 30-minute visit.  There are longer visits available in the event that your pet needs additional care.
• For all new clients, we require a deposit of 50% of your total bill.  The remaining balance will be due after your return.  An invoice will be provided to you at the end of the month with your remaining balance and may be paid online through our website or by check.  Existing clients will be provided with an invoice upon their return for the entire length of services.
• Cancellations must be provided 24 hours prior to the first visit during non-peak times; a two week notice is required for peak times. If a cancellation is received after the required notice, Latchkey Pets retains the full amount of the deposit.  Cancellations must be provided by text or call directly to our office during office hours OR by email if it is after hours. 
• When vacation pet sitting clients return home from a trip, we ask that they contact their pet sitter immediately. If a client is delayed in returning home, Latchkey Pets will automatically continue making visits until we verify from our client that the pets are being cared for.  If you do not let your sitter know of your return, and we make an unnecessary visit, you will be billed for the visit.
• A $50 non-refundable scheduling fee is required for all vacation pet sitting scheduling. This scheduling fee will be applied towards the trip at its completion. We will email an invoice for $50 at the time a booking is requested and this must be paid to get your dates on our master calendar. This is non-refundable if your trip is cancelled.

• Our most common daytime dog walking visit is 30 minutes.  We also offer 45 minute or 60 minute visit options.  Most of our visits involve a 20-25 minute dog walk.  However, we do have clients that prefer their dogs play in the backyard or inside instead.
• All daytime dog walking clients will be billed once a month.  An invoice will be emailed during the last week of the month for the entire month of service.  Your bill will be due by the 5th of the following month.
• A 24 hour cancellation notice is required for all daytime dog walking services.   Failure to provide the required notice will result in the scheduled visit being charged, as we will not be able to rebook your time slot.  Cancellations must be provided by text or call directly to our office number during office hours OR by email if it is after hours. 

• Latchkey Pets most common visit is 30 minutes at a rate of $24.  Our 45 minute visit is $30 and our 60 minute visit is $37.  Our overnight visit is $130. Payments can be made through the Pay Now button on our website or by check.  A $30 fee will apply to all returned checks.
• Holiday rates are the standard rate plus an additional $10 holiday fee for each visit. For overnight visits the holiday rates are the standard rate of $130 plus an additional $35 holiday fee.  For example, a 30 minute visit would be $34.  An overnight visit would be $165. These rates will apply on New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  

We send out all invoices once a month, at the end of the month.  All invoices will be due on the 5th of the following month.  A late fee of $25 will be assessed if we do not receive your payment by the 10th of the month.

We feel that communication with our clients is very important.  Our pet sitters are happy to provide clients with one email/text per visit and subsequent conversation regarding that visit.  This will typically include a picture of your pet.  If you have additional information you would like us to provide or any concerns, please contact our office during office hours.

Our daytime dog walking clients will communicate with their assigned walker on a regular basis.  Please contact our office if you are not receiving regular updates regarding your dog from your walker.

• Latchkey Pets takes your home security very seriously.  As much as you want your home to be safe while you are away, we want it to be safe when we are entering it.  We keep all keys on a key chain with your pet’s name identifying the key.  We will never put your last name or address on your key or on your personal information forms.  We are able to operate your home alarms and the same applies to your alarm code.
• All dogs are required to be walked on a leash. If you have a dog that struggles with walking on a leash, please let us know.  There are specialized products available to make walks more enjoyable and safer for your pet.  We would be happy to provide recommendations upon request.  If the home has a fenced in backyard, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to ensure the fence is safe and contains your specific sized pet.  All dogs with electronic fences are required to wear their collars (unless taking a walk outside of their yard) and for the units to be in proper working condition.
• In order for Latchkey Pets to ensure the safety of your pet, we cannot accept any shared pet sitting services with your friends, family or neighbors.  We are unable to provide pet sitting services if you have family or guests staying in your home while you are away.

EXTREME SITUATIONS:

• The length of the dog walk may be shorter due to certain situations (ice, thunderstorms, heavy rain, high humidity, dangerous street conditions or if your sitter has determined it is in your dog’s best interest.) For these conditions, dogs will be let outside for a potty break, play inside and then have another potty break at the end of the visit.
• We strongly advise you to give a house key to a nearby neighbor in the event that your pet sitter cannot get to your home due to closed roads (i.e., fire, flooding, snow, etc.). Additionally, in the event of a natural disaster, Latchkey Pets will do our best to ensure your pets safety and secure your home.
• If your regularly scheduled pet sitter becomes ill or has an emergency arise, another qualified pet sitter on our team will fulfill the responsibilities.  We love that we have a team of outstanding sitters to provide backups when needed.  If this situation occurs, you will be immediately notified of the change and provided all information regarding the replacement sitter.  Typically you will meet two sitters at your initial consultation so that you will already be acquainted with who will be in your home.

SECURE ENTRY INTO THE HOME:

• The sitter will enter your home either through your garage or front door with a code to a keypad. We do require you to have a hard key to the front door hidden securely in your backyard for emergencies (ex, the power is out, the keypad is frozen, etc.).  If you do not have a garage code or front door code, we require you to have a key lock box on (or near) your front door knob.  We are happy to provide one for you at cost ($15) which will simply be added on your invoice.  

RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE

• Latchkey Pets has the right to refuse services to animals who appear to be aggressive, ill, or could cause harm to the Latchkey Pets team or others, or if we feel that we cannot provide adequate care for your pet.  Just as it is important for you to be comfortable with who will be caring for your pets in your home, it is important for each sitter to be comfortable with the pets they will be providing care for.