SERVICE AREA
We currently have service availability in the following areas (if your zip code is not specified, but you live near one of these areas, please contact us with your address to see if we can accommodate you): Cary (27513, 27519); Chapel Hill (27514, 27599); Durham (27701, 27702, 27705, 27706, 27707, 27708, 27709, 27710, 27711, 27713, 27715, 27717, 27722); Morrisville (27560); Raleigh (27623, 27617, 27676).

RESERVATIONS
Kate’s Critter Care recommends that you reserve services as far in advance as possible, because reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and our schedules fill up very quickly. To make a reservation, please contact Kate with the dates, approximate times, and specific pet sitting services you would like to reserve, as well as your home address. Kate will respond to your reservation request as soon as possible (usually within one business day). In the event that Kate’s Critter Care is not available to pet sit for your animal(s), we will make an effort to refer you to other reputable Triangle area pet sitters.
*Please note that merely inquiring about services or availability does not constitute making a reservation. Until you directly state that you want to reserve pet sitting services and your reservation is confirmed, you do not have a reservation and Kate’s Critter Care may accept another job.

CANCELLATIONS
Because Kate’s Critter Care accepts jobs on a first come, first served basis, and does not overbook, late notice cancellations generally make it impossible to re-book the time that was reserved to care for your animals. With this in mind, the following cancellation fees will apply apply:
• 0 – 48 hours notice: 75% of complete service ($250 maximum)
• 3 – 5 days notice: 50% of complete service ($150 maximum)
*Kate’s Critter Care is unable to offer refunds or service credits when clients return home early during the course of a pet sitting reservation.

CONSULTATION
If you are a new client, an in-home consultation will be scheduled (lasting approximately 30 minutes) and a professional pet sitter will come to your home to meet you and your pets, learn your animals’ routines, retrieve a key, and discuss any special concerns or requests you may have for your animals’ care. Prior to your consultation, please visit the page on this website titled “getting started/forms,” and print out, complete, and sign the necessary forms so your professional pet sitter can review the information with you during your meeting. Consultations are complimentary if you make a reservation for future pet sitting services before or during the meeting, otherwise, there will be a $20 consultation fee (payment of the $20 fee will be applied towards services if a reservation is eventually made).

PET SITTING VISITS DURING CLIENTS’ TRAVEL
To ensure your animals’ comfort and wellbeing, clients requesting only Pet Sitting Visits while they are out of town will be required to reserve a minimum of three visits per day for dogs who do not otherwise have outdoor access (ie, via a doggy door), and a minimum of one visit per day for all other species if we are the animals’ sole caretakers. This means that Kate’s Critter Care is unable to visit dogs only twice per day, or to visit cats only every other day, when you are out of town.

PAYMENT
Payment in full is due on (or prior to) the first day of service. Cash is the preferred method of payment, but checks are also accepted. Payment by PayPal is also possible, but less preferable given a fee associate with its use. All billing inquiries and direct payment should be made to Kate.

TIPPING
Tipping is not expected, but is always appreciated! If you wish to tip, you can always leave a cash tip for your professional pet sitter or, if you would like to add a tip to a check that you mail to Kate for services, please let Kate know the amount of the tip so she can ensure that your sitter receives it.

OUTDOOR ANIMALS (indoor/outdoor cats, dogs with “invisible” fences, etc)
Please keep in mind that Kate’s Critter Care cannot ensure the safety of any animal who you instruct us to allow outside without supervision, nor can we be responsible for any harm that your outdoor animal may cause to humans or other animals. Kate’s Critter Care recommends that domestic animals not be allowed outside without supervision.

UPDATES ABOUT YOUR PETS WHILE YOU ARE AWAY
Kate’s Critter Care will contact you immediately if there are any questions about your animals’ care, or any problems arise while you are away. Additionally, if you would like updates about your animals’ wellbeing, we will be happy to contact you via phone, email, or text message as often as you request. Otherwise, you can always rest assured that your animals are being well cared for, and that no news is good news!

WHEN YOU RETURN
Kate’s Critter Care asks that all clients who have been out of town contact their professional pet sitter via phone, email, or text message as soon as they have safely returned home to their animals after they have been in our care. If your sitter does not hear from you within a reasonable amount of time after you were expected home, they will do their best to contact you and, if they cannot reach you, will return to your home to provide a Pet Sitting Visit (for which you will be billed) to ensure your animals remain well until you inform us that they are back in your care.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Kate’s Critter Care appreciates being trusted to care for your animals in your home. We assure you that we will respect your privacy and, barring exceptional circumstances, will maintain complete confidentiality on all matters concerning you, your pets, and your home.

COMMUNICATION
Kate's Critter Care recognizes that all strong relationships are based on communication, so please never hesitate to contact Kate with the slightest question or concern!