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Very Merry Pets (VMP) Policies and Procedures: The section below clarifies our standard policies...all of which are in place to guarantee the best care for your pet. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Payment We respectfully request payment upfront for our services. Unless you have made prior specific arrangements with us, please leave cash or a check for all visits. If you have any questions about pricing, please check the services section of this site, or give us a call at (202) 583-5869) or e-mail vmp@verymerrypets.com
Returning Home
Please notify VMP as soon as you return home!
We understand that your plans may change during travel, and you may return home early or late. We (and your pets) greatly appreciate if you can keep us informed as to any change in plans. To guarantee your pets' well being, we will automatically continue to make visits until we hear from you. However, if you have not contacted us that you will be delayed, we will need to charge extra for these unscheduled visits. No refunds or credits for early returns.
Scheduling
To guarantee service and standard pricing, please make arrangements 7 days in advanced for visits; with less than 7 days notice, we consider it an emergency visit and rates are increased. "Tentative" appointments are not considered scheduled until we get positive confirmation from you.
Time of Sitter Arrival
Unfortunately, VMP cannot guarantee a specific arrival time. We will do our best to arrive close to your preferred time, but we must allow for a two-hour window in case of traffic and/or any issues at another client's home. It is recommended to schedule dog visits approximately 6 hours apart to make your pet more comfortable.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel scheduled visits, we require notice at least 3 days prior to the visit. Many times we are forced to refuse clients due to unavailable time, so we greatly appreciate advance notice of cancellation. Cancellations with less than 3 days notice will incur a cancellation charge of $25.
Holiday Visits
We charge time and a half per visit on the following holidays:
New Year's Eve, New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
In addition, our visits on these days may be slightly shorter so that we can also spend time with our loved ones.
Emergency Contacts
Please ensure that VMP has all necessary contact information before you leave. In the event that we have trouble getting into your home, we would need to contact someone from outside your house...and any information that is left inside the house is no use. It is essential that you provide all information during your initial interview when you schedule service.
Pet/Household Supplies
During our visits, we want to spend quality time with your pets rather than searching for supplies. Please ensure your sitter knows the location of all supplies, and that you have enough pet food, litter, and paper towels for the entire time you are away. If we need to purchase any supplies, we will do so, but additional charges will apply (please see the section for details).
Key Policy
VMP must have a key to your home before you leave...we will not leave keys "under the mat" or the like (due to safety issues for your home and our sitters). In addition, we will NOT lock keys in the house after the last visit, as we must be able to access your home in case you are delayed and your pets need additional visits. We recommend that you let us keep your keys for future services. Many of our clients enjoy the comfort of knowing that if something comes up (e.g., working late, locked out, iron or stove left on); your pet sitter has a key and would be more than happy to help you out in a pinch.
Unlocked Homes
While some people may feel comfortable leaving doors unlocked or open, VMP must politely decline to visit an unsecured home. Homes must be kept locked to ensure the safety of our pet sitters (and your pets!), and to meet insurance requirements. Changes in Locks, Alarm Codes, Pets/or Pet Care If you have made any lock or alarm code changes, it is critical that you notify us when scheduling service. We will ask you for any changes at that time, but please have any information or keys ready for us. We want to provide the best care for your pets, so please also inform us as to any new pets in your home or any changes in pet care.
"Job-Sharing" With Family/Friends
We understand that while you are away, you might have family/friends willing to help with some visits, but not all. Unfortunately, we cannot "job-share" due to insurance guidelines and other liability issues. Guests in Your Home Similar to "job-sharing" above, VMP politely declines to provide pet sitting services if you have family or friends staying in your home while you are gone.
Pet Boarding
VMP is not a boarding service, in that we cannot take your pets to our homes.
All dogs and cats under our care must be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. VMP does not care for pregnant or sick animals. Pets with treatable medical conditions which require routine health checks and /or oral medication are usually acceptable. We do not care for pets requiring injections.
VMP cannot "ignore" pets (e.g., outdoor cats) for the purpose of calculating a lower cost to the client.
Bad Weather/Natural Disaster
VMP will always do everything possible to get to your house and care for your pets. However, we strongly recommend that you give a house key to a trustworthy neighbor in case roads are closed or impassable due to ice, snow, floods, etc. In the event of a natural disaster, we will do everything possible to procure your pets and secure your home. You are strongly encouraged to have a disaster/evacuation supplies kit on hand.
VMP does not care for aggressive animals and/or animals with a history of biting.
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