If you are interested in pet sitting or dog walking services you can call me at 978-827-4682 or just fill out the form on the request service page and we can set up a free initial consult.

At this first visit I will meet you and your pets. I like time to get to know them and get their approval. Some pets are very friendly and we will get aquainted right away. Other pets may be quite shy and will do better if you let them make the decision on how fast they want to know someone. I won't rush a pet and will let them decide how much warm up time they need. Of course if you have an exuberant lab we will get right down to kisses and belly rubs! Please just know that if I seem to ignore your pet that I am really not. I'll be constantly reading your pet and taking my cues from them. I will have plenty of time at my visits to get to know your pet on a personal level and you can be assured that I will be doing that. I respect your pet and their wishes and their comfort is of the utmost importantance to me.

I must meet all of your pets. Please don't forget about the hamster in the bedroom or fish in the den or cat out in the barn.

I'll have you show me where you keep the food, leashes, litter boxes etc. I will have you tell me about your pets. Do they have any medical problems? What's their favorite toy? Do they like their belly scratched - or maybe their ears? What are they used to having done? Keeping their routines and daily life as close to normal for them is important. Do they have any dislikes? Are they ever aggressive and if so, what causes it and what is the best recourse? If a dog is a known biter or territorially aggressive then a kennel is a better option for them. If I have any concerns about your dog I will set up a "trial" run as soon as possible to see how your dog reacts without you home. This way if there is any problem you will have time to make alternative dog care before you leave.

Then I will have some paperwork for you to fill out. There will be a general information sheet for name, address and pet info. There will be an emergency veterinary permission slip to sign in the unlikely event that your pet gets ill or injured while you are away. Finally there is a service contract describing what days you will need my services, exactly what services will be required, what the fee will be and a number where you can be reached. I will also need to pick up 2 keys. Please have both keys ready at the initial consult. There is a $10 charge to come back at a later date to pick them up. All keys are identified by a special code only for security reasons. One key will be kept in a locked security box and the other key will come on rounds with me.

For first time clients I will leave an invoice on my last visit. Payment is due within 5 days. Any payment not received within 30 days of service is subject to a $15.00 late fee. Checks should be made out to Donna's Pet Sitting. I accept credit cards through Paypal for payments over $200. It's not my preferred method of payment because Paypal takes 3%. For subsequent bookings payment is required at the start of service. You can leave a check on the counter to be picked up at my first visit or you can mail payment to me ahead of time.

If you are going to continue to use my service it is suggested that you leave your keys on file with me. If you prefer your keys returned I will return them at my earliest convenience. I won't leave your keys inside your house just in case you are delayed in returning for any reason so I can still get in your house to take care of your pets. Any future visits for pick up or return of your keys will be charged $10.

When you arrive home you must give me a call so I will know that your pets are all set. Otherwise I will keep coming to take care of them and you will be charged for the visit even if you have arrived home. I also don't want to walk in on anyone unexpectedly and I don't think you want that either. So please call even if it's late. If I've gone to bed the answering machine will be on to take your call. Any visits made after the last scheduled visit will be subject to an extra $5 fee.