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DO YOU WANT AN HONEST REVIEW OF YOUR SERVICES?Absolutely! I would love to hear how amazing my service was. I also want your fair criticism so that I can learn from my mistakes and do better. If you feel that my service deserves a 5 star review, I will thank you with a $10 gift card to your choice of Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Moka House Coffee, or McDonalds. Google & Facebook Reviews are the best way for my business to get recognized. And, your review will be posted next to a picture of your pet on our Client Testimonials page for all to see.
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IF I REFER YOUR SERVICES DO I GET A DISCOUNT?Definitely! We love referrals! If you refer us and we get a job from it, we will give you a 10% discount on your next booking or a $10 gift certificate to your choice of Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Moka House, or McDonalds.
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ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO PET/HOUSE SIT OUTSIDE OF THE GREATER VICTORIA AREA?Yes & No. With the price of gas these days any location that is outside of a 15 km radius of the V8Z 4B9 postal code area, will have an additional charge of $0.61/km x 2 per weekday, this is to account for driving to and from work. For example, If your postal code is 21 km's from V8Z 4B9, you would be 6 km's outside of the 15 km radius. Thus, an extra charge of $7.32/weekday will be required. Please inquire if you are located more than 30 minutes from the V8Z 4B9 postal code area.
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CAN YOU LET MY PET OUT OR TAKE IT FOR A WALK DURING THE DAY ON WEEKDAYS?Not at this time. Unfortunately this is not possible, for me, during a weekday. Like many of you, I have a full time job Monday - Friday thus, I am unable to leave mid day to return to your home to tend to your pet. However, I do know a few fellow pet sitters that are retired and might be available to do midday checks & pee breaks. If one of them is available I will discuss with you and provide their references. The logistics of fees & payment will be discussed at the Initial Video Meet & Greet.
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DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH RARE OR EXOTIC PETS?Not at this time.
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WHAT IS THE STEP BY STEP PROCESS?STEP BY STEP PROCESS: Completion of the New Client Intake Form - Once received, if your requested dates are available, your dates will be reserved (temporary hold). If your dates are not available I will contact you to discuss. You will be contacted (by email or phone) to arrange the Initial Video Meet & Greet. Video meet & greets are approx. 15 mins. and conducted vial Google Meet, FaceTime (if you have an iPhone), or Zoom. The Initial Video Meet & Greet is for us to make introductions, get a sense of our personalities, and review the details you shared on the Client Intake Form. A Google Meeting will be emailed to you. If our video call is going to be through Google Meet, it will include the link to use on the day of the meeting. If our video call is going to be through FaceTime or Zoom, I will make note of this in the "Location" area. Any additional information may be provided in this email too. After the initial video call you will receive a quote for your reservation. Please review it and the terms closely. Only once you approve the quote will your reservation become a confirmed booking. Once I receive your acceptance of the quote, you will be contacted (by email or phone) to book your 1st In Person Meet & Greet. Prior to our 1st In Person Meet & Greet, you will be emailed 3 Google Forms. Completion of these forms is mandatory. Pet Emergency Form Dog (or Cat) Profile Form Client Profile Form During the 1st in-person meet & greet I will spend some time (approx. 30 - 60 minutes) getting acquainted with you and your pet(s). It is very important that your pet & I are comfortable with each other. Depending on how the meeting is going, we may go for a walk so that you can show me your walk routine. If there is any hesitation, either the pet's or mine, I will suggest finding a different pet sitter or service to care for your pet(s). The Pet Emergency Form will also be reviewed at this meeting and you can share the specifics of your pet's routine as well as show me around your home, let me know about any "quirks" and pertinent security issues. If we haven't already booked your 2nd In Person Meet & Greet, we will do so at the end of the 1st In Person Meet & Greet. The 2nd In Person Meet & Greet is also approx. 30 - 60 minutes. This meeting should be booked a few days before your trip so that the pet and I can get reacquainted with each other. Depending on how your pet is with meeting new people, we may schedule a 3rd or more in person meet ups as this will help with reassuring your pet(s) that I am a familiar face that is welcome in your home. During your 2nd In Person Meet & Greet we will go for another walk. You can also provide me with keys, alarm codes, Wi-Fi passwords, and anything else that might be important. I will also confirm with you that full payment will be received on day 1 of my service. Note: In person meet & greets are highly advantageous and necessary to ensure your pet(s) and I are comfortable with each other. This is why it is extremely important that you complete the Client Intake Form, with your Start & End Dates as soon as possible so that we can schedule at least 2 in person meet ups at your home. If you have a highly stressful or reactive pet and you book too close to your start date, this will not give us the time and patience it takes for the pet and I to feel comfortable with each other.
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DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR EACH MEET & GREET?The first two in person Meet & Greets are complimentary however, if more in person meet & greets are required or requested, there may be a travel charge. We can discuss this at such time that more in person meet & greets are decided on.
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CAN WE DO A TRIAL RUN?Absolutely. If you feel like you would want to do a trial sleep over to see how your pet does, I am definitly open to doing this. Please note that there is an overnight fee for this that will be discussed at such time that you request a trial run.
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DO YOU HAVE PET FIRST AID CERTIFICATION?Effective August 28, 2022 I have my Pet First Aid Certification through the Walks 'n' Wags Pet First Aid Course.
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PET EMERGENCIESAs mentioned, completion of the Pet Emergency Form is mandatory. Please complete the form with as much detail as possible as this information may come in handy in the event of an emergency with your pet or if a natural disaster should happen while you are out of town. Acknowledgement of the form gives DOVI permission to act on your behalf so that I can ensure that your pet(s) receive the necessary care. I also require that you let your vet clinic know that your pet will be in my care we while you are away, it also gives me permission to act on your behalf should you or your pet guardian not be reachable. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: Depending on the severity of the emergency, I will either contact you or the vet clinic first. Should you be unreachable, the emergency guardian will be contacted. In the event the pet is in need of hospitalization; completion of the pet emergency form gives DOVI authorization to leave the pet at the vet clinic or emergency hospital, until the pet can be transported home. If at-home medication is prescribed, DOVI has your permission to administer the directed dosage. SEVERE WEATHER/NATURAL DISASTERS: Primarily severe storms, snow/ice, flood, earthquake, and fire. If you have a specific plan in place, please advise DOVI when completing the Pet Emergency Form. Otherwise, DOVI will use our best judgment in caring for your pet(s) and home at the time of the incident. LOST/ESCAPED PET: In the event that your pet escapes from your property, or in the case of dogs, escapes while on a walk, I will do everything in or power to locate them. I will utilize the services of ROAM, FLED, Animal Control Services, and the CRD.
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EMERGENCY PLAN FOR CLIENT OR PET CARE GIVERSometimes bad things happen to pet owners or pet care givers; having an emergency plan in place should something happen, will ensure that the pet(s) is taken care of. PLAN FOR DOVI PET CARE GIVER: Client will be given the name & contact information for a third party person who will know the DOVI Pet Care Giver's schedule along with the client's contact information. Should there be an accident or death of the DOVI Pet Care Giver, the third party person will contact the client to advise of the incident. The pet guardian will also be contacted to come and care for the pet(s) until the client is able to return home. PLAN FOR CLIENT: In the event that the client has a medical emergency, or untimely death, the DOVI pet care giver will help in their best ability to care for the pet(s) until alternate arrangements can be made.
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MY PET HAS REGULAR VET APPOINTMENTS, WILL YOU TAKE THEM?Yes of course. Please mention this during the meet & greets as an additional charge may apply.
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DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE ADMINISTERING MEDICATION?With dogs, yes. I have given medication via oral and injections. With cats, no but I can learn.
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WHAT ARE YOUR PAYMENT TERMS?Please refer to the Terms of Payment tab.
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DO YOU OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS?I know that finances can be tight for some people therefore I believe everyone should have the opportunity to hire a pet/house sitter no matter their financial situation. I am happy to discuss this on a case by case basis.
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WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?Payment for services can be in cash or via e-Transfer. eTransfers can be sent to dogsofvancouverisland@gmail.com. Please use the last name on the invoice & last 3 digits of your invoice # as the password (ex. Smith006).
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UNFORSEEN PURCHASESIf any additional & necessary costs such as food, litter, or other items that contribute to the health and well being of your pet are required, you will be contacted to pay for the items over the phone or online with the supplier. If over the phone or online payment is not available, I will purchase the item(s) and provide you with receipts to which reimbursement via cash or e-Transfer is required immediately.
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NON HOLIDAY VS. HOLIDAY BOOKINGSNon Holiday = Just your average calendar day Holiday = All observed holidays including their weekends NON HOLIDAY BOOKINGS: Full payment of services MUST be received via cash or eTransfer on day one of the service. Should you need to shorten your booking before your service has started please let us know As Soon As Possible. HOLIDAY BOOKINGS: A 50% deposit of the total booking must be received at least 20 days prior to your booking start date to hold your dates with the balance due on day one of your service. 2022 Holidays: Thanksgiving October 10 Note: Special Holiday Prices in effect Remembrance Day November 11 Note: Special Holiday Prices in effect Christmas Day December 25 Note: Special Holiday Prices in effect Boxing Day December 26 Note: Special Holiday Prices in effect New Year's Day January 1, 2023 Note: Special Holiday Prices in effect Note: See Pricing for Special Holiday Rates
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OTHER INCIDENTALSUNFORSEEN PURCHASES: Any additional necessary costs such as food, litter, or other items that contribute to the health and well being of your pet will be purchased by DOVI if you are unable to pay for the purchase(s) over the phone directly with the supplier.
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WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?EARLY RETURNS: We understand that your plans may change but please understand that other clients may have been turned away for the dates booked for you. Therefore, we ask that you let us know of any changes As Soon As Possible and that you will be refunded 50% of the days remaining. DELAYED RETURNS: We will do everything in our power to accommodate your delay but please understand that we may have already scheduled another client and they may not be able to change their plans. If we are able to accommodate your delayed return, client agrees to pay DOVI for the additional days. Note: a last minute reservation fee may be added but will be discussed at the time the client advises that a delayed return is needed. NON HOLIDAY CANCELLATIONS: We understand that your plans change and we do not charge for cancellations with adequate notice. Adequate notice means a minimum 3 day advance notice is required for cancellations, anything less will result in a cancellation fee. HOLIDAY CANCELLATIONS: Please understand that pet sitting services receive more requests during holiday time periods and we may have turned away other clients because we have booked time for you. A minimum of 10 days advance notice prior to the service start date is required in order to receive your deposit back, anything less will result in no refund of your 50% deposit.
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