Coddled Critters takes the responsibility of caring for your pet seriously, not only for you but, more importantly, for the welfare of your pet. We understand that your pet is a member of your family and you are entrusting us with their safekeeping. Our goal is to make your furry/feathered/scaly, family member(s) as comfortable and as happy as possible while you are away. We hope that you enjoy having your pet(s) coddled by Coddled Critters . If your experience is satisfactory please feel free to refer us to your friends and neighbors. If you have time, a letter of reference is always appreciated. Here are our policies. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Your comfort is our goal!

Coddled Critters Promises to:

• provide unconditional love to your pet
• provide excellent care to your pets and home
• conduct ourselves with with honesty and integrity
• be conscientious, thorough, dependable and helpful
• coddle and cuddle and care for your pet while you are away

In order to provide the best service, for you, your pet and others, we have established the following policies:

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY

PAYMENTS
Unless prior arrangements have been made, payments for services may be paid in full at the time of booking or on the first day service begins for new customers. See specific service sections for monthly or block payments. Repeat Pet-Sitting customers have the option of paying 50% at the time of booking or on the first day service begins, with the balance due within 3 days of the completion of services. Bi-monthly or monthly billing may also be arranged for frequent customers.

We accept cash, checks (made out to Coddled Critters), and electronic-payments through Zelle (this is your bank's 'Send Money' service...I think not offered through credit unions) made to my phone number 281-728-9001. This is a VERY secure transaction as it is through your bank.
We can only accept credit cards through PayPal. Please set up an account with if you are interested in using a credit card, this is a secure site. Note you must add an additional 5% convenience fee for using this payment method.

While tips are not necessary, they are ALWAYS appreciated.

Failure to make prompt payments will result in a late charge of $10.00 or 10% of the total bill if the total bill exceeds $100.00

CANCELLATIONS 72 Hour notice is required. Cancellations made with less than 72 hour notice will be subject to a $25 cancellation fee. Any key drop-off fees will still apply. Cancellations made after 12 noon the day before a service is scheduled, or a series of services is scheduled to begin, are subject to a $40 cancellation fee.

UNLESS... you are a KeyedPet client - then you only have to pay for a visit if you forget to cancel BEFORE we show up!

HOLIDAY PAYMENTS & CANCELLATIONS Because Holidays are generally a pet-sitters busiest time, and once we are booked we will have to turn away additional clients, some different policies and payment procedures apply.

 

HOLIDAY FEES: There ARE additional fees for working on nationally recognized holidays including but not limited to: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.
ADD
$15 per visit
$25 on overnights
$45 on extended overnights

SERVICE REQUESTS should be made as far in advance of the date service is being scheduled for as possible. We suggest at least a week's notice but it is possible we may be able to accommodate last minute requests for service. You should note that we book up fast during busy times. I will be happy to assist you in finding another local pet sitter if I am unable to help you.

SAME DAY SERVICE REQUESTS All services booked the same day as service need to be received within three (3) hours notice to be placed on the schedule and are subject to an additional surcharge of $5 per-visit for the 1st day. Any service booked less than (3) hours notice are subject to an additional surcharge of $10 per-visit for the 1st day.

KEYS We must be given 2 working keys at the time of the consultation or you may give the sitter $5 to make a copy for the office. If there is an emergency (storm, accident, illness, or the like) which prevents the scheduled Pet Sitter from making it to your home, this allows another Pet Sitter to retrieve the backup key from the office and take care of your pet(s). Key drop off/pick up charge of $10 will apply for those not on our KeyedPet Program.

If you choose to participate in our KeyedPet Program, we will keep both keys on file for future visits. You may request the return of your keys at any time. There is a $10.00 service fee, for returning your key, if you choose to discontinue using the KeyedPet Program.

KeyedPet Program Sometimes your work or busy schedule does not allow you a lot of notice, or perhaps you are too busy and simply overlook making a pet sitting reservation. For added convenience many clients who travel frequently choose to leave their keys in our care. Keys are safely stored in a locked box when not in use. Keys are labeld with a code known only to us; never with your name or address. Keeping keys on file with us allows for convenience and ease when repeat clients book in-home services. Other benefits of the KeyedPet Program include:

• NO extra fees for same day service requests
• NO need to pay $10 drop-off or pick-up charges

ADDITIONAL

1) You may call or text Coddled Critters at any time to check on your pet. Someone will respond to your call ASAP. This may take up to 24 hours.
2) Call, text or e-mail within the 48 hours before you leave to ensure there have been no human or computer errors with the scheduling.
3) Call, text or e-mail when you get back. TEXTS are usually BEST.
4) Always confirm your reservation with us. We can not accept a message left as a reservation. If you have made a reservation via e-mail, voice mail or text, it is not considered confirmed until you receive a reply stating it is. This ensures that we won't miss your message and your pet won't be left alone.
5) MINIMUM VISITS: DOGS with a dog door MUST have at least one (1) visit per day – without a dog door MUST have a minimum of two (2) visits per day – three (3) is recommended. CATS SHOULD have at least one (1) visit per day – you MAY sign a Waiver of Liability and opt for every other day visits. We will not do less than the minimum, please do not ask.
6) Payment for dog walking services is expected weekly on the Monday of that week. Coddled Critters reserves the right to refuse service for non-payment. Services will continue as soon as payment is made.
7) Visit times are approximate and will vary according to daily schedules. Morning 8:30am-10:30am. Mid-Day 11am-1pm. Afternoon 1pm-4pm. Evening 7pm-9:30pm. Visits required outside normal business hours will incur additional per hour fees. While we will make an effort to accommodate specific time requests, please understand that due to the nature of pet care, this may not always be possible.
8) Petsits do not include walks. Dogs without a yard will be taken out to potty, but are not guaranteed more than a quick trip out. Extended walks and exercise walks may be added for additional fees.
9) Additional charges of $10 per hour (charged in full hour increments) will be incurred for visits required before 8:30AM or after 10PM.
10) Coddled Critters will allow for you to have friends and/or family to come in to visit your pet(s) but we are not responsible for any damages incurred to your home or pet by said visitor. PLEASE notify Coddled Critters if there will be anyone else having access to your home.
11) There will be a $10.00 delivery fee (pluse receipt cost) if petsitter needs to pick up supplies for your pet. Please remember to leave adequate (or more!) food, litter, treats etc. for your pets needs.
12) UNSECURED PETS- Coddled Critters will not be held liable for free-roaming outdoor pets (i.e. cats) in the event of illness, injury, loss or death. It is strongly advised that all pets wear an ID tag with a contact number and that they remain inside the home or confined for their own safety and welfare in your absence.
13) SECURED AREAS- It is the pet owner’s sole responsibility to pet-proof any areas of the home and/or property to which the pet has access. This includes thoroughly inspecting fences, gates, latches, doors and other devices meant to keep pet inside of, or away from, any areas pet may have access to. Coddled Critters does not assume, and has no liability for, any injuries the pet may sustain while in its own home/property.
14) EXCESSIVE WAIT TIME: If you do not provide us with access to your gated community, you will be billed for time we have to spend waiting to get in that is more than 5 minutes. You will be billed $5 per each 10min of wait time.
15) EXCESSIVE CLEAN-UP: $5 per each 10min of clean up time will be billed for excessive messes and/or accidents
16) Yard/Poop Cleanup: Please keep in mind that we are only responsible for scooping poop that occurs on our watch. We are not responsible for picking up a week or a month's worth of waste that occured before our services began. Even with daily services, we are not responsible for the waste that occurs when we are not there. If you would like for us to be resposible for said waste, we DO offer that as a service, for an additional charge, and will be happy to schedule you for regular clean-up services.