POLICIES The following policies, including fees, may be changed or updated without prior notice or publication.  Non-compliance with Four Paws Pet Sitting  policies may be cause for termination of current and future services.  Please print and keep a copy of our policies for review.  All property and pets must be seen at least once every 24 hours .  No pet will be “overlooked” for rate calculation purposes, all pets will be cared for at the household.  Four Paws Pet Sitting  reserves the right to refuse service to any persons or pets without explanation. CONTACTING Four Paws Pet Sitting All calls must go through the Four Paws Pet Sitting Office at 210-772-7901.   Please use this number to call to check on your pets while you are traveling, for bookings, cancellations, date changes, extensions of care, or any other information you need to give or pass on to your sitter prior to, during and after care.  In order for your services to be covered by the Four Paws Pet Sitting  insurance, all communications must be made through the office.  CANCELLATION POLICY Please inform the Four Paws Pet Sitting office of cancellation as soon as possible.  Any cancellation of services (in part or full) after you have received confirmation of your booking dates may be charged a cancellation fee.  Once you have received verbal or emailed confirmation of your requested dates, you are considered “booked for those dates” and any cancellation will be assessed charges.  The cancellation fee will be calculated as 10% of the total cancelled services amount, or $10.00 whichever is greater.  Any cancellation with less than one week's notice prior to the start of care for the service agreement will be charged 50% of the total booking.  Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will result in FULL SERVICE CHARGES FOR THE BOOKING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS All bookings for Thanksgiving and Christmas must be paid for at the time of booking to insure confirmation of care.  Bookings for these high-demand holidays will be filled on a first paid/first booked basis.  All Thanksgiving and Christmas bookings are non-refundable regardless of the notice given for cancellation. NEW CLIENTS that have received a pre-service visit and cancel prior to the start of their first service will be given a credit on their Four Paws Pet Sitting account for sitting services totaling the amount of cancelled care minus a $20.00 office processing charge.  This credit will be applied to petsitting services completed within 45 days of the date of cancellation only .  If petsitting services are not utilized within 45 days , the total amount/credit will be forfeited OVERNIGHT CARE cancellations will be charged a minimum of one night's charge or 10% of the total service agreement amount whichever is greater. RETURNING EARLY: If you begin services and then return early, the full contract agreement amount will be charged. PAYMENTS AND SERVICE CHARGES Payment is due in the form of a check or cash prior to the beginning of service.  NEW CLIENTS will be required to pay for the full amount of services at the pre-service visit. ESTABLISHED CLIENTS may either mail a check in advance for confirmed services, or leave payment to be picked up on the first visit.  If payment is not left for the sitter, please mail a check including the $5.00 handling fee.  Our business address is:         Please call the office to get this address. RETURNED CHECK FEE = $30.00.  Returned checks must be paid within 3 days after notification of return.  Failure to pay the full amount due plus the returned check fee will result in additional late charges as outlined above and recourse through the District Attorney's Office for Theft by Check. VISITORS IN HOME For my safety and your pets, I will not provide services while other persons may be visiting or residing on the property unless we have discussed it prior to service.  Care for medical recuperation can be provided for the pets of the primary owner convalescing at home.  Please do not ask friends, neighbors or relatives to stop by and check on, or care for the animals or your home during our service agreement dates.  COOP WORKING Four Paws Pet Sitting cannot split services for pets with anyone else, professional or non-professional, during the time when you are away from home. BOOKING A RESERVATION Four Paws Pet Sitting is a “reservation in advance” service.   While I will make every effort to meet your emergency and last minute needs, I cannot provide “on-call” service consistently.   Please understand that last minute requests will allow less flexibility in scheduling your requested visit times. LATE BOOKING SERVICE CHARGES: (holidays only)  other days are not charged  fees. Less than 5 days notice  - 15%  service charge Less than 2 days notice - 30%  last minute/emergency service charge If you are delayed in returning home as scheduled, notify the office as soon as possible!  I will make every effort to extend your services as needed.  Each additional visit added with less than 24 hours notice may be charged a flat rate service charge of $10.00 in addition to the normal visit rate . THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS RESERVATIONS should be made as early as your plans permit.  I accept reservations for these dates up to one year in advance.  Reservations must be booked and paid in full at the time of booking.  Thanksgiving/Christmas reservations made with less than 1 week's notice will be subject to the emergency/last minute holiday service charge of 30% of the total invoice. KEY PICK-UP/DROP OFF One complimentary key pick-up and delivery to your home is provided. Your key will be held in our office for use on future visits.  You may choose to have your key returned to you after each service, but there will be an $8.00 charge each time this service is required.  Due to liability issues, I cannot accept jobs with keys left under mats or otherwise hidden.  One key must be provided for the sitter, and for emergencies.  I will make the key for you at a cost of $10.00 per key if you wish.  Keep in mind if you are ever locked out of your home, you can call me as opposed to a locksmith.  It has happened. A small fee WILL apply. SUPPLY PICK UP If any supplies are needed for your home or pets (either requested or needed to complete the service adequately), a $15.00 fee per trip plus the cost of supplies will be added to your invoice.  A copy of the receipt will be left for you and should be paid within 3 days of your return to avoid late fees. Hourly charges for veterinary trips or other circumstances: $30.00/hour.