Who, What,
Where, When, Why and How Much?
Policy and Procedure
Pony
Nanny Animal Services provides loving at home pet care while owners are away.
Whether you go on vacation, a business trip, need a midday visit to walk, feed or cuddle, or medicate your pet;
Pony Nanny Animal Services will be there when you can’t be. You’ll wonder what
you ever did without us!
Reservations: It is best to plan a couple of weeks in advance in
order to obtain services on the dates you desire. A free in-home interview is
required prior to reservations for all new clients. While we can tentatively
pencil in your dates we must meet you and your pets and access your needs
before we make a commitment to providing your pets’ care. During this initial
meeting we will also review and complete forms and sign agreements.
Keys: Pony Nanny Animal Services will obtain your house key during the
initial visit, when service is scheduled and agreements are signed. Keys will
be returned within 7 days of the end of your service, in person or by certified
mail. It is recommended your key remain in your Pony Nanny Animal Services file
for convenience in future use of our service and to enable telephone
reservations, thus avoiding future key pick up charges ($10 + Travel).
Reservation confirmation: Always directly confirm your reservation with Pony
Nanny Animal Services. This ensures that we won't miss your message and your
pets care will continue uninterrupted.
Extended Absence: In the event you have to
be away longer than planned it is mandatory that we hear from you! We will only
accept extensions of service by direct confirmation. Your pets’ well-being
depends on our communication! Please inform Pony Nanny Animal Services of early
returns as well; not via email.
Cancellations: Cancellations may be made
up to 3 days in advance of your scheduled service. Any deposit will be credited
to your account. If canceling less than 3 days prior to the first day of your
scheduled service period, a fee of 50% of the total service fee is applied.
Holidays: Holiday seasons are hectic for
everyone - make your reservations early! There is an additional fee of time and
a half, on the regular service fee charged on these holidays - New Years Eve,
New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving,
Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
“Comfort Calls/Text”: You may call Pony Nanny Animal Services between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST daily to check on your pet during your absence. Since we are often out
of the office, our cell phone numbers will be provided, please leave a message
and your call will be returned promptly. Also feel free to text a message to us
and we will respond promptly.
“Honey, I’m Home” calls: Please
remember to call when you have returned home safely! Otherwise, we
will need to continue visiting to assure the safety and well-being of your
pets. Additional trips will be added to your bill at the regular rate. Please
call at ANY hour and leave a voice message that you have returned.
Choose the plan that fits your needs
Vacation Plan: This type of service,
designed for vacations and business trips, has a beginning and an end date.
Your options are:
·
Once daily visits - minimum number of daily visits for cats, birds,
fish, hamsters and other small caged pets are visited at approximately the same
time each day.
·
Twice daily visits - minimum number of daily visits for dogs, equines,
and available for all pets. Visits take place usually 12 hours apart ~ between 7-11
am
and 7-11 pm.
·
3-4 visits daily - 30 minute visits available by request for pets with
special needs.
In
addition to the daily pet care, this plan includes “home services”: pick up
mail and newspapers, water plants or garden, daily clean up (scoop yard /litter
box), lights and TV/radio turned off in the morning and on at night (twice
daily visits), fill outside bird feeders, set out trash on collection day, ask
for any special needs you may wish to add.
Daily Plan: This type of visit will
occur Mon. – Fri. between 10am and 2
pm
(except major holidays) and is designed for midday treats, meds, and potty
breaks for youngsters and old timers. This service is very beneficial to pets
whose owners are unable to perform midday care tasks due to work
schedules and includes daily walks
which are accepted on a very limited case by case basis. Of course, Pony Nanny
Animal Services must have 2 client’s keys on file for daily visits. Please
inquire more if interested.
Overnights: We are currently offering overnight stays on a limited basis.
Your Pony Nanny Animal Services representative will arrive around 8
pm
and stay until around 7 am depending on your pets’
needs and our schedule. “House Services” are included. Hourly payment available
Duration of visits: All Vacation Plan visits
will be for approximately 30-45 minutes, occasionally a bit more or a bit less
time, depending on pets’ needs, additional services requested, and the daily
schedule. Daily Walking Plan visits will include a 15 minute walk and a
20-25 minute visit.
Rates
New
clients’ fees for scheduled visits are due during the initial interview, or at
the time reservations are made. Fees for subsequent scheduled service periods
are due as follows:
Vacation
Plan: Varies depending upon Duration and Number of pets/equines cared for, a
pricing schedule is listed online and provided upon initial visit. Individual
estimates will be given free of charge. Daily Plan: $15.00 - $20.00 per visit.
Fees are due Bi-Weekly or paid in advance monthly. A discount for daily walks may apply based on
your location and scheduled days per week.
Long-Term
Discount: A $5 per day discount given to customers when they request at least 4
or more consecutive days of our vacation and overnight services.
Referral
Discount: Consists of a 15% discount on your next service when you refer any new
client that results in a contract. (Discount Limited to $60 Maximum on one
service)
Fees
due for unplanned expenses (see below) or emergencies will be billed bi-weekly.
Balances left unpaid in excess of 30 days will be sent to collections ~ the
client will be responsible for those fees, as well ~ unless other arrangements
have been made in advance.
Travel:
Charged by travel time (min) assessed using Mapquest.com from a central
location @ 2 Washington Square Haverhill, MA. (0-20): Free; (21-30): $5; (31-35): $8; (36-40):$10
Holidays: There will be a daily fee
of time and a half in addition to regular per visit fee charged for services ON
the following holidays New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day,
Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. All
deposits for these holidays are NON- REFUNDABLE.
Other Stuff
Veterinary Care: Pony Nanny Animal
Services requires written permission to authorize veterinary care in the event
of illness or injury. Your primary vet will be utilized if the event occurs
during regular business hours, if possible, and the Bulger Animal Emergency
Clinic in North Andover will be utilized after hours and on weekends. It
is the pet owners’ responsibility to make advance payment arrangements with
their primary vet and to provide credit card info and authorization for use in
the event of an emergency. Pony Nanny
Animal Services assumes no responsibility or liability for the loss of any pet
or any liability related to transportation, treatment or veterinary care
expenses.
Initial
_____
Visitors: Please notify Pony Nanny Animal Services if others
(maids, friends, family members, etc.) will have access to your home during
your absence. It is understood that the client will notify anyone with access
to the home that Pony Nanny Animal Services’ services have been engaged. The
police will be called on all intruders or suspicious acts without exception.
Emergencies: Everyone has them! Feel free to call if an unexpected
need arises; while we will make every attempt to accommodate your needs,
availability on short notice is dependent on our current schedule. Pony Nanny
Animal Services networks with other area sitters for this reason and if we
can’t fulfill your emergency pet care needs we will try to help you contact a
competent professional pet care provider who can. I will carry a copy of YOUR
emergency contact form with my daily log (your name + contact’s name and phone
number) in the event I have an unexpected accident or illness. Please be sure this information is current
and that the designated contact has access to your home to ensure your pets are
care continues uninterrupted.
Unsecured pets: Pony Nanny Animal Services will not be responsible
for free-roaming or outdoor pets in the event of illness, injury, loss or
death. It is strongly advised that all
pets have some form of permanent ID and that they remain inside the home or
confined to a yard or pen for their own safety and welfare in your absence. 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 contain the pet or restrict access to specific areas. Pony
Nanny Animal Services does not assume responsibility and has no liability for
any injuries the pet may sustain or property damage the pet may cause while in
its own home/property.
Fees: there will be a $10.00
charge as well as reimbursement if the sitter has to restock depleted supplies
– it is the owners’ responsibility to provide more than adequate amounts of
food, litter, treats, medications, flea products and other items needed for
complete care of their pets. Acceptable
methods of payment for regular or unplanned: CASH, of course, is always
appreciated! Checks and money orders are accepted, as well, Returned checks: Client agrees to pay a $20 fee
for each check returned by the client’s bank regardless of the reason.
I
have read and agree to the above.
Signed __________________________________________________
Date _________