Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Professional Pet Sitter do?

Caring pet parents know that most pets adjust better to their owner's absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain in their home environments. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals, exercise, playtime and cleaning litter boxes or cages, professional pet sitters may also administer medications, walk dogs and perform other pet-care duties. That's why in-home pet care is the choice of pet parents and the "pet-preferred" method of vacation and travel care.

Pet sitters may also provide vital home-care services while you are away, including mail or newspaper pick up, plant care and watering, placing trash outside for pickup or rotating the lights and opening or closing the blinds to make your house look lived in. A professional pet sitter provides peace of mind for everyone.

 

Why should I use your services, when I might be able to get a friend, neighbor or relative to do it?

It is wonderful to have a friend, neighbor or relative willing to help you while you are away. However, we are insured, bonded, and certified by the American Red Cross in PET FIRST Aid. We also won't ask you to watch our pets!

We have many pet sitters so we can cover our own petsitters vacations, illness or emergencies too! You can be rest assured that your service will be covered by your regular sitter or if needed by one of our professional back up sitters.

 

 

How much does a visit cost?

Our prices are based on the number of visits scheduled, number and types of pets cared for, the services provided, if it is a holiday rate, and the distance traveled. The final price quote will be determined at the FREE meet and greet .

Please note 30 miles round trip is included for free!

 

How do I get started with Aunt Penny’s Pet Sitting?

First, as soon as possible before you need our services contact us by calling us at 724-515-7790 or request a sitter on our website. We will then contact you to set up a  FREE Meet and Greet to meet you and your pets.

We recommend that you contact us as soon as you know about your trip to ensure your reservation.

Please understand that ALL reservations  MUST be placed thru the website or the office phone number at 724-515-7790.

Pet sitters can not accept ANY requests by phone unless given thru the office manager. This is for your pets safety and piece of mind.

How many visits a day do you provide for pets?

That is your decision. For dogs, we recommend a minimum of three (3) visits per day. It really depends on your dog's needs. For cats and other animals, we do a minimum of one (1) visit per day. We will not skip days.

 

 

What areas do you service?

We service Allegheny, Beaver,Butler,Lawrence,Washington and Westmoreland counties. There are several Aunt Penny sitters throughout these counties.

What is a FREE Meet and Greet?

You and your pets will meet your pet sitter. You will then discuss the pet and house care services needed and the service period desired. We request that you completely fill out the forms prior to the meeting.

If your sitters feels a trial visit needs to be done due to a fearful or aggressive animal then a visit charge will be accessed for that trial visit.

 

How long is each visit?

During each visit we take your pets outside for a potty break; refresh their food and water, clean their litter box and of course, give them tender loving care! If requested, we  fill out an online daily note that lists , what your pet is up to and what services we have performed (getting mail, taking out trash bin, etc.) and any other comments about your pets that you might be interested in. Most visits are a half an hour. If the weather does not permit us to spend a lot of outdoor playtime then we will play indoors with pets.

Do you take "last-minute" reservations?

YES! We will make every effort to accommodate you if time and resources permit. There must be time for a meet and greet for the pet parents and pet sitter.

What kind of animals do you care for?

We will care for almost any animal, as long as they do not pose a danger to the pet sitter’s safety.

Are you bonded and insured?

We are insured through Pet Sitters Associates LLC for Pet Sitting. We are also bonded for your peace of mind.

Unlike most sitters we are ALSO  insured for care, custody and control of your pets.

Do you administer medication to pets?

Yes.

Can I hire my Pet Sitter directly?

NO! Please do not place our sitters in the uncomfortable position of offering them employment apart from Aunt Penny’s. Our sitters are contractually prohibited from soliciting or accepting employment directly from our clients. We pay fairly based on the work we do and overhead that we have. In addition, any tips that you choose to tip your sitter, either cash, check, or any other form of payment goes directly to your sitter. The sitters are ONLY insured thru Aunt Penny's when dispatched thru Aunt Penny's.

How am I billed and when is it due?

50% is due at time of reservation and the balance is due 7 days before any service starts.For your convenience you can pay online with a credit card or Paypal account. We will not accept post-dated checks.

Holiday reservations must pay 50% at time of reservation and the full balance no later than 30 days before service is to begin. Please review the holiday cancelation policy.If your holiday reservation is made with less than 30 days notice then 100% will be due at time of reservation.If your reservation is made less than 14 days before service begins then you must pay by credit card thru our paypal system.

If you would like the convenience of online paying with paypal/credit cards please inform Penny.Penny will send you an online invoice at which time you can then make your payment.We do add 3% processing fee  to all invoices paying by paypal or credit cards.

Acceptance Mark

What do you do in case of an emergency?

It depends on the type of emergency. If something was to happen to your regular sitter, we have a backup sitter that can take over. If an emergency occurs with your pets, we will first contact your vet and transport them if necessary. You will then be contacted about the situation. If there is an emergency with your home, we will call you, your emergency contact and the appropriate authorities and/or a preferred repair service.

Will I always have the same pet sitter?

We want you to build a relationship with your pet sitter so you and your pet(s) feel comfortable so we do our best to keep your sitter the same. In the event that your pet sitter is not available you may have the opportunity to meet his or her temporary replacement if you so choose.

Can we contact you while we are away? Or will you contact us?

As part of our service we offer written notes at your house for no charge or online daily reports for $3. If you request online notes you will be given an access code to retrieve your pets daily report. After all, we are here to serve you and give you peace of mind when you are away from home. All phonecalls must be made to Aunt Pennys office at 724-515-7790. Thank you for respecting the sitters privacy for their phonelines.

 

What happens if my pet becomes ill or injured?

This is why Emergency Contact and Vet Information is so important! We will contact you and transport to the vet.

May I offer a gratuity to my pet sitter?

Yes, you may offer it directly to your sitter or send it to Aunt Penny’s Pet Sitting. 100% of gratuities go to your pet sitter.

What do you do with my key when I join the Ready Key program?

Your security is important to us, we want to make sure that in case of a break in, you will be protected, that is why we have a special system of coding your keys, your name and address are never with your key and they are locked up when not in use. All keys are also insured.

If you do not have the two sets of keys ready to hand to the sitter at the time of the meet and greet then a visit charge will be charged for the sitter to return to your house to pick up those items.

If you have only one key for the sitter , the sitter can make another key for a fee of $10.

What does each visit include?

Visit includes:

Do I have to have another appointment and fill out another service agreement every time I leave town?

No. Once your service agreement is on file you may fill out an online existing client form. Please note that you will receive an email confirming your request.

 

Thanks for booking with us and have a wonderful trip! Please contact Penny if you have any other questions.