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Why choose Kari?

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Services and fees

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Testimonials about Kari's work

My rates vary depending on the type of service you need, how much time I will spend with your pets, and the number and species of pets that need care. I offer a number of discounts so be sure to review the list of discounts to see how you can save money. Gift certificates are also available for my services.

I accept personal checks, credit cards (through PayPal), money orders, cashier’s checks, and cash. I also accept bartering arrangements.

Please note: I am currently not accepting new doggie clients.

SERVICES AND FEES

Initial Consultations
Free

During initial consultations we will complete the necessary paperwork, transfer keys, answer each other’s questions, and discuss detailed instructions on how to care for your pets. (Click here if you would like detailed information about the consultation, including a list of questions I'll ask.) I use a Service Agreement so that we can both make sure that we avoid misunderstandings about what services are included. Be sure to review my policies and procedures so that you understand the issues covered by the Service Agreement. The Service Agreement is a legally binding contract that must be signed before we begin working together.

New clients must pay a Reservation Deposit that is 50% of the service fee which is due 48 hours prior to the first visit. The remaining 50% is due at the time of the first visit. Repeat clients are not required to pay this Reservation Deposit. Instead, they pay service fees at the beginning of each new service period.

Contact me to book your initial consultation.

Pet Sitting
30 minutes for $18 for 1-2 pets and $3 for each additional pet
45 minutes for $25 for 1-2 pets and $5 for each additional pet
60 minutes for $32 for 1-2 pets and $5 for each additional pet
Want to save some money? See the Discounts and Bartering sections below.

Whether you are going to be away for a long weekend or for a two month vacation, I can come to your home to give your pets food and fresh water as well as lots of attention and play.  

60 minute visits are recommended for special needs pets, for those who suffer from separation anxiety and for those who need extra time with a comforting caregiver.

The following are included in Pet Sitting visits for no extra charge:

• Having meaningful dynamic playtime and cuddle time with each pet
• Giving treats (if allowed)
• Grooming
• If requested, 60 minute visits include short walks for indoor or enclosed pets who are allowed outside
• Washing water dish and providing clean, fresh water
• Providing proper amount of food
• Cleaning litter boxes and/or outdoor poop pick-up (Super Duper Pooper Scooper)
• Cleaning up accidents
• Daily Activity Report (provided on paper or through email)
• Bringing in the newspapers and mail (if requested)
• Checking all doors and windows
• Alternating lighting and window coverings (to give that "lived in” look)
• Taking and/or retrieving garbage and recycling bins on pick-up days (this can also give that "lived in” look)
• Handling unexpected emergencies that pet owners would normally take care of

The following can be added to Pet Sitting visits for an extra charge:

• Medication administration
• Watering plants
• Forwarding voicemail messages

Contact me to book Pet Sitting visits.

Coming Home Package
$25 plus the cost of the groceries purchased
Want to save some money? See the Discounts and Bartering sections below.

When you arrive home after a being away for a while, you and your pets want to spend time together immediately. If you don’t want to part again to to go grocery shopping, I can go shopping for you. Let me bring you supplies to last through the first few days of your return. Simply provide me with a short grocery list (12 items maximum) and I'll bring these items on my final visit so they will be waiting for you. Common perishable items on post-trip grocery lists are eggs, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Pet Taxi
One-way taxi services are $15
Round-trip taxi services are $35 with up to 2 hours of my supervision. If I am present for more than 2 hours an additional charge of $5 for every 15 minutes will be incurred.
Want to save some money? See the Discounts and Bartering sections below.

I can provide pet transportation for trips to the veterinarian, groomer, or a friend's house. You are welcome to ride along with us. I'm happy to help whether you have trouble scheduling your pets appointments around your own busy schedule or you simply need someone to give you and your pets a lift.

When pick-up or drop-off locations are outside of my Service Area, add $.45 per mile in addition to other applicable fees.

Note: I do not leave pets unattended during medical appointments. I stay with them during the entire appointment and afterwards will provide you with a report of the vet’s findings and recommendations.

Contact me to book Pet Taxi services.

Gift Certificates
Fees vary - you decide the amount

If you’re not sure what to buy a pet owner for a special occasion, consider giving them a gift certificate for my services. I offer two types of gift certificates:

• Certificates for a specific services. For example, you can give a certificate worth 5 days of Super Duper Pooper Scooper services.
• Certificates worth a certain dollar amount. For example, you can give a certificate worth $50 of services, letting the recipients choose the services they desire.

Contact me to let me know what Gift Certificates you are interested in.

DISCOUNTS

I offer the following discounts:

• New clients - 15% off your first reservation. (This discount cannot be combined with other discounts.)
• Feline Friends families - 20% off your first reservation and 10% off every subsequent reservation.
• Seniors - 10% off every reservation.
• Book 5 visits or more and get at least 10% off. Exact amount of discount depends on service needs. Contact me for details.
• Referrals – when you tell someone about my services, be sure to let them know that I will give you a 15% discount on your next service if they mention your name when making their reservation. You will receive one referral discount for every referral that you make. (Only one referral discount can be used for each reservation. This discount cannot be combined with other discounts.)
• Feedback rewards – after your first reservation visit I will give you a brief survey to fill out. This is one way that I can be sure that I’m doing everything that my clients want. If you give me permission to use your feedback in my marketing materials, I'll give you 15% off of your next reservation.
• Bartering – let me know if you are interested in bartering for part or all of my pet sitting fees. See more details below.

BARTERING

If you would like to trade services for part or all of my fees, let me know. This can be a great way make pet sitting a more affordable option. Below is a list of some bartering ideas. This is by no means a complete list of things I could use help with, it's simply meant to spark your thoughts about bartering. If you have other ideas for other potential barters, don't hesitate to suggest them.

• Home grown garden veggies & fruit. Do you have a garden with enough produce to share?
• Misc "handyman" projects. We have a lot of "no expertise necessary" activities on our To Do list, like moving dirt into the garden, moving a pile of wood chips to their final spot, tearing down the foundation from an old shed, power washing & then painting our two small sheds, and cutting some of our firewood down to a size that fits our stove. We also have a few "expertise necessary" activities, such as running power to our shed, installing an in-sink drinking water filter, building a small porch and installing a flagstone patio and path.
• Landscaping and gardening. We have about half of an acre that is mostly lawn. I don't care for lawn and hope to someday have a cottage garden or two near the house and have more natural landscaping elsewhere.
• Clothing alterations
• Home-made quilts
• Home-made sweaters
• House cleaning. We used to have some wonderful cleaners who used non-toxic products. We couldn't afford to keep using their services, but would really appreciate having that kind of help again.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND FEES

Locations Outside Service Area
$.45 per mile

When providing service to locations outside of my Service Area, add $.45 per mile in addition to other applicable fees.

Medication Administration
No charge for medication that is hidden in food or treats
Pills: $2 per pet per administration
Injections: $5 per pet per administration

Giving medication can be stressful and dangerous to both your pet and the administrator. Knowing an experienced pet sitter who will comfortably administer medications is crucial to your pet's health while you are away.

Watering Plants and Gardens
Fees vary

My fees for watering plants and gardens vary depending on the number of plants and complexity of watering instructions. Contact me for estimates.

Forwarding voicemail and answering machine messages
$2 per day in which messages are forwarded

I’m happy to check your home phone for voicemail or answering machine messages and forward them to you.

Note: I only charge this fee on the days when I forward messages to you. For example, if I visit your pets for 10 days and there are messages to forward on only 2 of those days, you will incur an additional fee of $4 ($2 x 2 days). However, if I visit your pets for 10 days and there are messages to forward on 4 of those days, you will incur an additional fee of $8 ($2 x 4 days).

Emergency Care
$35 per hour for up to 2 hours of my supervision. If I am present for more than 2 hours an additional charge of $5 for every 15 minutes will be incurred.

Because I am American Red Cross Certified in pet first aid and CPR, I can manage a number of unanticipated medical situations. In the unlikely event that pets in my care require immediate medical attention, I will attempt to contact you prior to obtaining emergency care.

For veterinary services outside of my Service Area, I charge $.45 per mile in addition to other applicable fees.

This fee includes pet taxi service, wait time, gas, and compensation for supervising your pet during this time.

If I must leave due to a prior commitment and the vet clears me to leave and return later, I will do so, but the rate will remain the same.

Shopping Services
$25 in addition to the cost of the supplies purchased

If you run out of pet care supplies that I must purchase in order to do my job, I may charge a shopping fee in addition to the cost of the supplies.

Why do I have this policy? If I have to go out of my way to do someone's shopping, I need to recoup my costs. If I can easily fit the shopping into my other activities, I won't charge this extra fee.

Extended Services
$25 in addition to usually applicable fees

I ask clients to let me know when you get home. If I don’t hear from you within 24 hours of your expected return, I will assume yor return was delayed and I will continue caring for your pets. For these unexpected visits, I will charge my usual fees plus an additional $25 charge.

If you know that your return will be delayed, let me know as soon as possible. I can often waive this fee if I know about your delay in advance. For example, if you reschedule your return while you're still away, contact me as soon as possible.

Why do I have this policy? It is unsafe for me to assume that you arrived home at your scheduled time. To do otherwise would leave your pets without care if there has been a delay in your return.

Key Pickup/Return
$10 per pickup/return attempt

If you prefer to not participate in the Ready Key Program, we will arrange for me to pickup and return your keys each time that you make a reservation. For additional information, read about my Ready Key Program.

Why do I have this policy? These trips in order to cut down on the time I spend making unbilled trips for clients. One trip like this from time-to-time wouldn't be a big deal, but you might be surprised how frequently people would like me to make free trips for them. I could easily spend several hours each week making unbilled trips, taking time away from my other business activities. I also need to keep in mind today's high gas prices and making trips that are business use of my vehicle. Unfortunately, asking people to be considerate of my time isn't enough to cut down on these trips. Charging fees for these trips seems to be the only way to keep these under control.

Cancelled Services
0-48 hrs before service begins, 50% of service fees are due (50% refund is provided)
2-6 days before service begins, 20% of service fees are due (80% refund is provided)
7+ days before service begins, no fees are due (100% refund is provided)

If you need to cancel, please contact me as soon as you can. This allows me to keep my calendar current and can help you avoid Cancellation Fees.

If clients are home during a scheduled visit and have simply forgotten to cancel, the full price of the service is due. If services have begun and are interrupted or end early, clients may still be responsible for the entire reservation fee.

Returned Checks
$35 in addition to all fees incurred by financial institutions.

Returned checks will not be put back through.

Clients whose checks have been returned will be required to pay with cash, money order, cashier check or certified check for payment due on the returned check and for all future services.

Why do I have this policy? I incur banking fees if I attempt to deposit a check that can't be cashed. As a self-employed person, I don't have the resources to cover those costs out of my own pocket.

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