Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I sign up for dog walking or pet sitting services?
A. You can call Jennifer at the Claws N Paws Petsitting office at 818-986-8740 or send an email to jennifer@clawsnpawspetsitting.com and she will be happy to discuss your custom pet care needs. We will set up a consultation to provide us with all the necessary information we will need while caring for your pet(s) in your absence.
Q. Where do you walk my dog(s)?
A. We walk each client’s dog(s) in your own neighborhood. We do not gather dogs from different clients and walk them at the same time. We believe our time and attention should be focused solely on your dog(s).
Q. Are you insured and bonded?
A. Yes. Everyone working with Claws N Paws Petsitting is insured and bonded through Claws N Paws Petsitting.
Q. When do I give a key to my pet sitter or dog walker?
A. Most clients give a key at the consultation. If you are not able to do so, we charge a $15 key pick-up fee unless other arrangements are worked out.
Q. What is the best way to reach Claws N Paws Petsitting?
A. Calling the office at 818-986-8740 or sending an email to jennifer@clawsnpawspetsitting.com are both great ways to contact us at Claws N Paws Petsitting. If you want to speak with us right away, please call and we will be happy to talk to you about how we can help with your custom pet care needs.
Q. What kind of information do you need from me if I get the Claws N Paws Petsitting voicemail or send an email and how often do you check your messages?
A. We check our voicemail and email messages often throughout the day. So if you don’t reach us directly, please know that we will return your call or reply to your email as soon as possible. Please leave a detailed message with your dates of travel or which days you are interested in having weekly dog walking service. Include the city where you live and any other important pet care information we might need to better assist you when we get back to you. Also, please be sure to let us know the best phone number(s) to reach you. We return ALL of our calls and emails even if we are not able to help you with your specific request.
Q. How is payment handled?
A. Different services are billed differently but all payments are due before services are rendered. Regular daily dog walks may be billed twice monthly or monthly. Cat and dog vacation visits and overnight sitting services are billed at the consultation. If you have previously used your sitter with Claws N Paws Petsitting, then future bills will be mailed at the time you make your reservation for that sitter. You will be provided with a self addressed and stamped envelope for all payments to be mailed back to us.
Q. What is your cancellation policy for overnight stays and vacation dog and cat pet sitting services?
A. We have a 7-day cancellation policy for overnight pet sitting and vacation visits. Please call us 7 days before your departure if you need to cancel in order to get a full refund. Cancellations made less than 7 days before your departure date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 3 days before your departure date are subject to a 100% cancellation fee.
Q. What is your cancellation policy for regular daily dog walking services?
A. We have a 24 hour cancellation policy for regular daily dog walking. If you cancel with more than 24 hours notice, then we will be happy to credit the walk(s). Walks canceled with less than 24 hours will not be refunded.
Q. Is the information I give to my sitter confidential?
A. Yes. Claws N Paws Petsitting is committed to keeping all information we receive from our clients and staff confidential, and will not disclose any of your personal information including your mailing address, phone numbers, and email address. We will only use your information as a means to take good care of your pets and home while you are away.
Q. Will I get the same sitter each time I am away?
A. We prefer to keep the continuity of the same sitter with the same pets and will do everything possible to make that happen for additional trip requests. If the sitter is not available, then a substitute sitter will be available. Should a different sitter be providing you with pet sitting services, we can set up a complimentary meet and greet to go over any information.
Q. Can I hire my sitter directly without Claws N Paws Petsitting first?
A. Please do not place our staff in the uncomfortable position of offering them pet sitting or dog walking employment apart from Claws N Paws Petsitting. You are sometimes given the private cell phone of our sitters as a means to reach them in an emergency while you are away. We ask that you do not contact them to set up future sits when you return. Our staff is prohibited from soliciting or accepting employment directly from clients and they sign a contract to this effect. Thank you for respecting this policy.
Q. Can I have an overnight sitter stay at my residence if there are other family members or people staying there at the same time?
A. No. Due to liability issues we can not provide overnight pet sitting services if there are other family members or room-mates in your residence at the time of the overnight stay.
Q. Can you administer medication to my animals while I am away?
A. Yes. As long as you let us know of your pets individual needs when you first contact us, we can provide you with the proper staff member who is able to administer medications as long as your pets do not pose a threat to the sitter.
Q. Will you take care of my pets without meeting the sitter?
A. Unless we have already met you and your pets, we will not take care of them without a consultation. If we have availability for last-minute sits and time to set up a consultation, we will be happy to accommodate you.
Q. Do you board dogs in your staff member’s homes?
A. No. We do not offer boarding services in our own homes.
Q. I have never used an overnight pet sitter in my home. Can you tell me how this service works?
A. We will match you with the staff member we feel is best suited for you and your pets’ needs. Overnight stays are offered in different increments depending on how long you want the sitter to be away from your pet(s) and home during the day. If you would like a mid-day walk or additional time spent with your pet(s) during the day time, we will do our best to match you with a staff member who has more availability. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs and dates. All of our staff members go through an extensive interview process, including but not limited to, reference and criminal/background checks. We are committed to providing the best care for your pet(s) and home while you are away. They will also launder towels and sheets and leave your home orderly for your return. For more details on the services we may offer during please see our services page.
Q. Do you need us to contact Claws N Paws Petsitting when return from our travels?
A. Yes. Please contact us when you return home. You may do so by phone, email or text. All our contact information will be provided to you at the consultation. Should your return be delayed or extended please let us know ASAP so we may coordinate to extend your stay.
Q. What kind of notice do you need for our pet sitting and overnight reservations?
A. In order for us to guarantee our availability for your usual sitter or an alternate, please give us as much notice as possible. Keep in mind the holiday season is always the busiest and our sitters book up quickly.
Q. How are late returns handled for overnight stays?
A. If you return late at night and need your overnight sitter to return in the late afternoon or evening, we will charge the full daily rate. This may be discussed further at the time of the consultation or on a case by case basis for future overnight stays.
Q. What areas do you service for dog walking and pet sitting?
A. We service Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Valley Village, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys.
Q. Do you have a minimum number of days that I would need in order to sign up for weekly dog walking service?
A. We provide dog walking services Monday through Friday. We do require a minimum of 2 days a week and we ask that these be set days so that your dog and the walker can have a regular weekly schedule.
Q. Do your dog walkers take my dog(s) off-leash during their walk?
A. No. We do not walk dogs off leash. We do this for their safety.
Q. What kind of timeframe do you need for our scheduled dog walking or pet sitting visits? Do you come at an exact time?
A. We ask for a minimum of a two hour timeframe during which you want your dog walker or pet sitter to arrive for their visit.
Q. May I give my sitter or dog walker a gratuity?
A. Absolutely. You can give gratuities directly to the sitter or dog walker or you can mail them to the office. Gratuities go directly to the Claws N Paws Petsitting sitter or dog walker.
Q. Do you charge a holiday fee?
A. We do charge an additional fee over all the major national holidays. We will let you know this when you book your service. This is a way for us to reward the sitters and dog walkers who are giving their holiday time to work for you with Claws N Paws Petsitting on those days.
Q. How can I get a job working with animals at Claws N Paws Petsitting?
A. If you are interested in working with Claws N Paws Petsitting, please email us at employment@clawsnpawspetsitting.com in 50 words or less why you would be a perfect addition to our staff, and please be sure to include the city where you live. We will be happy to let you know the positions available and the job requirements. Please note all our staff members go through an extensive interview process and criminal/background check before joining our team. If you are an existing client of ours and considering a job working with animals, we would be especially pleased to talk with you.
