Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some general questions that we get asked frequently about our services. While we design services based on your individual animal needs there are some questions we can answer and if your question is not here, please feel free to ask us.
General Questions
Why should you consider using a pet sitter?
Using a pet sitter allows your pet to stay in his or her home environment and the surroundings that it knows keeping stress while you are away at a minimum. We as sitters strive to give them as normal of a routine as possible while you are away. A pet sitter can also provide mid-day visits when you have a long day at work or a dinner visit if you would like a night out on the town. We also provide belly rubs and play time that the pet gets to enjoy as well.
What services do you offer?
Services we provide include dog walking and drop-in visits where we provide care to your pets in your home. We provide services while you travel, are late at work, have special occasions, working from home, but do not have enough time to take the dog for a walk, recover from surgery, or whatever else life throws at you. We can be there! While our clients are usually dogs and cats, we will take care of anything that is not human.
We will also bring in mail, packages, and newspapers, take out the trash and recycling, and rotate lights and curtains to make the house look lived in while you are away. We also offer a variety of premium or concierge services to help complement your pet and house routines.
Some other services we offer are nail trims, anal gland expressions, medication administrations (orals and injectables), subcutaneous fluids administrations, bathing, and ear cleaning just to name some of our most popular.
You can visit our SERVICES page here.
What technology do you use?
We use a client portal through Time to Pet. You can use it on either a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. We have found it to be easy to use for our clients and can be updated as often as needed. When we send you a “welcome” email from Ally 4 Pets, it will contain a link to set up your portal.
How does a client go about getting started with Ally 4 Pets?
You can call the office at 443-343-0137 and someone will get back to you within 24 hours. The other option is you can go to Contact Us on the website and fill out what needs you have and someone will get back to you within 24 hours.
What is an initial consultation?
Our initial consultation is a chance for you to meet the sitter that will be working with your pet(s). It also gives the sitter a chance to meet your pet(s) and see where they will be taking care of your pet. Both you and the sitters have a chance to ask questions and make sure that we know what type of routine your pet normally maintains. The sitters need to know things like where food and bowls are located, where litter boxes are located and how you scoop and dispose of the waste, and where are your pet’s carriers, leashes, and collars. Where do you normally walk your pet or do you have a backyard that it gets let out in? For cats, any hiding areas they like to hang out in. Locations of medications if any are needed. If any accidents happen how would you like them cleaned up? If after the initial consultation, you decide that our sitter is not a good fit for you or if the sitter decides there is something we are unable to take care of for you, please call us immediately at 443-343-0137 to discuss the issue. We never want anyone to go without care for their pets.
What are the visit times during the day?
Morning visits occur between 7 am – 9 am and 9 am and 11 am
Mid-Day visits occur between 11 am and 1 pm, 12 pm and 2 pm, 1 pm and 3 pm and 2 pm and 4 pm
Evening Visits occur between 5 pm and 7 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm
Late Evening Visits occur between 8 pm and 10 pm. (Add’l $10 fee)
No longer than 12 hours goes between our canine visits because we feel they should not go any longer than that without a potty break, so if their last visit was 8 pm then the sitter will get there before 8 am the next morning. We cannot guarantee what time your visits will occur unless there is a medical reason for a specific time (for instance a diabetic patient who needs insulin injections).
Our single feline visits are fit in-between our other visits and may be done at any time of day unless a specific time is needed for a medical reason.
Do you board animals or bring them into your home?
No, we do not board animals on a regular basis because we believe that being in their home is the best environment for them and keeps their stress level as minimal as possible. If you believe your pet requires someone to stay at your house with your pet we can discuss your needs. The State of Maryland has told employers that they must pay an employee for the time that they sleep in your home and therefore our overnight care is considered a premium service.
How do I schedule services for my pet after the initial consultation?
After the initial consultation, you will be sent a “welcome” email from Ally 4 Pets containing a secure link to your client portal. This portal is similar to those you have with your doctor’s office. Within the portal, you can change any information about yourself, your pets, or your emergency contacts. This portal is also where you can request services and pay securely with Credit Cards, Apply Pay, or Google Pay. Lastly, this is our communication portal between you and Ally 4 Pets. You can communicate directly with your sitter while you are away and more importantly, this is how the sitter will communicate with you. Our sitters can add pictures to your communication. Also if already have documents written out about your pet care that you have used previously, you can upload that document so that we can make sure we understand all the notes provided.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept cash or checks in person or you can pay your invoice securely using your client portal with credit card, debit card, Apply Pay or Google Pay. Any tips you leave go directly to your sitter.
Do you offer any other services?
Yes! We offer many other services based on your pet’s needs but can include nail trims, anal gland expressions, bathing, de-shedding, medication administration, subcutaneous fluid administration, and any type of transportation your pet may need to grooming appointments or veterinary appointments. If something you need is not listed, then please ask us. Most requests can be accomodated.
How long do you stay with the pets during a visit?
We stay an average of 30 – 45 minutes per visit but it really depends on the needs of the pets and our schedules. We have been known to stay up to an hour if it is a beautiful day and we have the time.
We like to allow enough time during morning and evening visits to be able to feed, walk or let outside, and have some digestion time with TLC or playtime. During the mid-day visits, it is enough time to walk or let outside and have some one-on-one interaction whether that be playing with a toy or just a good old-fashioned belly rub. We take our cues from your pets.
What are your holiday policies?
We observe all Federal Holidays as well as the two days prior and the two days after Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Should you require service on any of the above days you will incur a $10 per visit holiday fee. Regularly scheduled mid-day drop-in visits or walks may occur on the above days – however, will assess the holiday fee.
What are your cancellation policies?
Except during holiday periods and the summer months, cancellations may be made up to 24 hours in advance of a scheduled visit. After that period, you will be charged for the visit.
A regular daily walk or mid-day visit client may have up to three cancellations per month provided that they contact the office or their sitter prior to 9 am on the day of the scheduled service. Unused cancellations do not roll over month to month. We often have a waiting list for daily walks; as such we cannot ‘hold’ space for more than one-week for midday clients. Please let us know your vacation schedule with as much notice as possible.
During Holiday periods, cancellation 14 or more days in advance will incur a charge of 25% of the estimated charges; cancellation 7-13 days in advance will incur a charge of 50% of their estimated charges, and cancellations occurring 6 or fewer days prior to reserved dates will incur 100% of your estimated charges.
Do you offer Pet Transportation Services?
Yes. We can transport your pet for grooming appointments, veterinary appointments, and any other appointments your pet might have. We can pick them up at home and transport them to their appointment and then return them after their appointment is over.
Can we refer new clients to you?
This is the highest form of compliment for us. We feel that if you have had a great experience with us and would like us to service your family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers then we know they too will make great clients for us. In appreciation of your referral you will receive a $25 credit on your account and whomever you refer will receive $25 off their first service of $100 or more.
Do you take photos and videos during your visits?
While we try to get your pets to cooperate with us for at least one photo or video, sometimes they are shy. We do our best to get photos while we are in your home or yard. We do not take photos on walks so we can keep our eyes on our surroundings for distractions for your pets or dangers they might encounter while on the walk so that we can avoid or get away from them if necessary. Any photos may be used on our social media.
