Frequently Asked Questions

I service the following zip codes: 85258, 85259, 85260, and 85255.  

For other out-of-the-way clients, please feel free to reach out and depending on location and a potential additional surcharge, I may be able to work with you.

I love taking pictures with your pets and will probably have hundreds of them by the time our visit is over!  I also love sharing updates with you daily - via text, including photos - of how your pets are doing.  

If you prefer to not be contacted, or prefer to just be contacted more sporadically while you are away, no problem.  Just let me know how much contact you would like while you are away.

I also love creating 'Pawstruck Pet Profiles' on my Pawstruck Facebook page.  I will never give any more information about our location than what city you live in (Meet Spot from Scottsdale!), and will try to keep any pictures from showing identifying background of your home, either inside or outside.  If you are not comfortable with me posting on social media, no biggie!  Just let me know.

You can see my Pawstruck Pet Sitting page here: www.facebook.com/PawstruckPetSitting

No, my prices are for however many pets you have in your home.  I also do not charge extra for medication administration, litter box cleanup, bringing in the mail, adjusting lighting, etc.

Dog walking is limited to two dogs per walk.  

Plans change, I get it!  Especially in this day and age.  

Since I have organized my schedule around what I have booked with you as a client, and have potentially declined other offers in the meantime, my cancellation policy is as follows for overnight stays:

For cancellations more than 7 days in advance - no charge.

For cancellations more than 72 hours in advance, but less than 7 days - 20% of total.

For cancellations within 72 hours - a charge of 50% of the total.

A 20% deposit is required for stays of 4 nights or more; fully refundable with more than 7 day notice to cancel, and subject to the terms above.  Client may also choose to use that 20% deposit towards future services.

There are no discounts or refunds for early returns or change of plans once I have started my stay in your home.  If you come home early from a trip, I will still require payment in full for the originally booked service.

Cancellations for mid-day visits - no charge if cancelled with 24 hours advance notice.

This policy may change (with notice).

I charge $85 per night, and I am in your home nearly all of the time throughout the duration of my stay.  

Even though I am sleeping for a portion of my stay, I am still taking responsibility for your pets, your home, and have gone out of my way to pack and prepare as if I were going on a trip.  I'm sleeping in an unfamiliar bed and do not have the creature comforts of my own home, no matter how comfortable and inviting your home is.   I also tailor my schedule around your pets needs, which may include waking up much earlier than desired, or getting up in the middle of the night to let them out.

My love for your animals and my dedication and desire to keep them happy and content while you are away is priceless.  I will treat your pets as if they were my own and will go out of my way to ensure their comfort while you are gone.

I essentially 'move in' for the duration of the stay, and come and go as if I were coming and going from my own home.  Your pet(s) will never be alone for more than three hours at a time, and I can let you know my exact schedule before our visit.

Due to liability issues with my insurance company, job sharing is not something that I am able or willing to do, without written notice and consent releasing me from any and all liability regarding the health and wellness of your pets, your home and your belongings.  

If there are other people coming into the home during the duration of my stay (for cleaning, house care, etc. without caring for the pets), I cannot take responsibility for anything that happens to your pets, your home or your belongings.  This can include back gates being left open, pool guards being left ajar, things being left in the garbage that may harm the pets if they get into it, theft of personal belongings, etc.

No, I am not a dog trainer; however, if your dog is currently in training and working towards something, I am happy to be a part of that process, with explicit directions from you.

I do not feel comfortable with shock collars and will not agree to use them as part of the training process.  If you use a shock collar on your dog, including an Invisible Fence, we may not be a fit for each other.

Every dog is unique and has different needs.  Some dogs require fast-paced walking to burn off their energy, while others are happier trotting along and stopping to smell.  A daily walk is the highlight of a dogs day, and dogs 'see' with their nose, which is 40x more powerful than that of a human.  

A few things to note for when I walk your dog(s):

I will keep your dogs away from other dogs as well as children, unless you specifically mention that they are good with either or both.  If your dog enjoys meeting other dogs while out walking, with your permission I will allow them to meet.  I will not allow a child to approach your dog without the permission of their parent.    As a general rule, I will keep your dog away from other animals and children unless you let me know otherwise.  This is for the safety of your pet as well as for myself.

I do not like retractable leashes and prefer to not use one with your pet.  If you are used to using a retractable leash, we can discuss further at the Meet-n-Greet.

My knees do not allow me to run anymore, and brisk walking is the best I can do with your pet.  If you need someone to run your dog, I am not the dog walker for you.

Regarding hot temperatures for dog walking: please see the guide below, as that is what I will be using to assess whether or not it is safe to take your dog out for a walk.  Once it gets to the high-80s, I will take them out to go to the bathroom quick and then we will spend our time playing indoors.  I will not walk a dog in dangerously hot conditions, no matter if it is the clients preference.

I currently allow payments at the end of the service, but am more than happy to accept it at the beginning, which is my preference.  If desired, I can provide you with an invoice before my services begin.

You can pay me via Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, cash or check.

Throughout the duration of my stay, if there is anything that is needed to be purchased (for example if you run out of dog food), I will purchase it, keep the receipt and then charge you accordingly.  I will not purchase anything without your knowledge and permission, unless I am unable to get in touch with you and it is necessary for the health and wellness of your pet. 

I unfortunately have a long history of being wary of javelinas while dog walking, from my years living with my dog Maggie.  We saw them often in our area, and were charged by them numerous times.  Fortunately, nothing bad ever happened.

Arizona wildlife is no joke, and I am always on the lookout for bobcats, coyotes, javelina, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and birds of prey.  It is something that is constantly on my mind with dogs that have a doggy door, and what they may encounter when simply going out into their yard.  

Throughout the years, I've also seen bobcats as well as mountain lions walking through neighborhoods in the middle of the day, (and they are, of course, always out at night), so when dog sitting, I am constantly thinking about and keeping an eye out for wildlife.

I walk your dogs with a whistle around my neck, and if I'm sitting in an area with a high amount of wildlife, (North Scottsdale in particular), I also carry pepper spray. I have never needed to use either of these items, but I am prepared in the rare event that we would come across a coyote.

That said, I take no responsibility for anything that may happen to your pet while they are in my care due to an altercation with wildlife, especially if you have a doggy door in the home that allows unlimited unsupervised access to the outdoors.  

Yes!  I will admit that I have a little bit of an allergy to cats, but I am usually fine as long as the house is clean and the cat doesn't sleep near my face in the bed.  

I should be able to get a feel for whether or not I will be ok around your cat at the meet-n-greet.