I've never left our pets before. What do I need to do?
Before you leave your pet in PUPS care please be sure your pet's inoculations are up-to-date. Your dog's identification tags should be fastened to his collar and should contain accurate information. It is also a good idea to leave a detailed itinerary for your sitter in case of an emergency. 2 weeks prior to your departure schedule a free initial consultation with PUPS to go over your detailed instructions for the proper care of your pet. Click on RESERVATIONS to hold your date. Don't forget your PUPS sitter will require payment for your reserved visits.
Checklist:
Rabies inoculation 
Distemper inoculation Identification tags
Ample supply of foodAmple supply of medicationAmple supply of treats
Ample supply of vitamins Collar Leash
Your itinerary Veterinarians telephone #
Lockbox code for sitter Make sure lockbox is available for your Pet Sitter
Am I required to give my key to my PUPS Pet Sitter?
Not at all. PUPS key management stratagy includes the use of steel key safes. You purchase a key safe at your local hardware store, online, or from PUPS. Lock boxes run 20-30 dollars. This stratagy allows the key to remain safe and in your control at all times. PUPS employs alternative key stratagies for families in condos and apartment buildings.
What kinds of pets do you sit?
Dogs, Cats, Snakes, Rabbits, Lizards, Fish, Goats, Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, Gerbils, Chinchillas, Turtles, Salamanders, Frogs & Toads, Tarantulas, Hedgehogs, Potbellied Pigs
Do you keep them in your home or mine?
All PUPS pet sitting is done in the care and comfort of your home. We no longer offer Homestyle Boarding as a pet care option.
How many times do you see them each day?
Our service is customized to meet your needs and the needs of your animals. However, we do set minimum standards:
Minimum once per day: Cats, Rabbits, Ferrets, Hedgehogs
Minimum twice per day: Dogs, Potbellied Pigs
How long will your visit last?
Minimum ½ hour; depends on how many service tasks are requested. PUPS does have a contingency in place for emergency management including shorter visits to make sure all the pets in our care have been provided with the essentials. Please ask for a copy of our Emergency Plan.
How much do you charge?
Our rates depend on which service you are in need of. Please visit out Pet Care Solutions page for current rates.
Do you or I provide the food?
The pet's owner provides all food and supplies. If the pet sitter runs out of necessary food or supplies during the pet sit you will be charged for the cost of supplies plus a $15.00 supplies delivery charge.
Do I pay before I leave or after my return?
100 percent deposit is due at time of reservation. Recurring Dog Walking is invoiced monthly.
How many days/ weeks will you sit?
We are available to sit 8:00am to 11:30pm, 7 days a week, 365 days per year on a first come first served basis. The earlier you reserve your dates, the more likely a sitter will be available.
Does my pet's vaccination record have to be current?
YES. Rabies vaccinations are required by state law for all dogs. It keeps your pets' healthy, it keeps our clients pets' healthy. Other vaccinations are to the extent that y you whish your pets to be protected.
Who is a good vet around here?
There are many good vets in the area. We would be happy to refer you to a vet in your area.
How long have you been in business?
PUPS was founded the summer of 2001.
How much experience do you have caring for animals
Our Pet Care Specialists have years of experience caring for animals of all shapes and sizes. All sitters come from an animal husbandry background. Each of our sitters has been trained by the a PetTech certified instructor to provide care for your pet in the event of an animal emergency. In addition a certified Canine obediance Instructor is also on our staff for consultations.
What provisions have been made in the event that something happens to you & you are not able to get to my pets?
PUPS relies on a network of sitters in the Portland area. In the event that your primary sitter is unable to provide for your pets, a back-up sitter will be dispatched to your residence. In the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic emergency PUPS will call for the resources of the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), and EARS volunteers to assist in animal & pet recovery.
You charge how much!?
Portland Urban Pet Services is a full service professional pet care company that provides essential care for your pet in your absence. The care that your pet receives from PUPS is the next best thing to the care s/he gets from you. Your pet stays in its own familiar secure environment where all the sights, smells and sounds say "home!" PUPS Pet Care Specialists are also available to provide additional home services while caring for your pet such as watering plants, brining in the mail, or taking out the trash. In addition, your home is made more secure by the crime deterrence procedures implemented by PUPS sitters. You may also feel secure knowing that PUPS carries insurance, and that your valuables are covered with a Travelers Insurance Co. bond.
How much notice to you generally need?
PUPS provides service on a first call, first served basis. Typically clients call 2-3 weeks to reserve visits.
What happens if I have to cancel my trip?
No refunds or credit is given if service is canceled within 7 days of 12am on the day service is scheduled to start.
Do my pets have to have their shots up to date before you will visit them and do you require proof?
YES & YES.
Will you return my key and how soon?
SInce your key is kept in a key safe your key is immediatly available to you when you return from your trip.
How safe will my keys be?
GE/ Supra key safe have an outstanding reputation regarding the security of the key inside the steel box.
If my pet becomes ill will you take him/her to your vet or mine?
If your pet becomes ill every attempt will be made to get your pet to the vet that you choose. However, we ask that you provide consent for any licensed veterinarian to be used.
These conditions require immediate attention
If an animal in our care shows any of the following symptoms, we will call the local emergency care facility that you provided to us or the closest that our sitter is familiar with, and bring the animal to that facility.
Difficulty breathing, noisy respiration, blue tongue, gasping for breath.
Bleeding that does not stop from any part of the body; apply pressure with a clean cloth and go!
Bloated or distended abdomen or swollen or painful abdomen with or without vomiting.
Inability to urinate or move a bowel but continues to try or has bloody stool or urine or painful defecation or
urination.
Heatstroke
Heavy panting
Extreme weakness
Body temperature about 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Inability to deliver puppies or kittens. Labor contractions
for longer than one hour or more than 15 minutes of
labor with the fetus or membrane showing.
Loss of balance or consciousness or seizure, including
tremors, coma, staggering, convulsions, sudden blindness,
tilting of the head, biting at imaginary objects, sudden
changes in disposition such as unusual withdrawal
or out-of-character aggressiveness.
Pain, severe or continuous.
Major trauma, injury, or shock from
falls, vehicle accidents, wounds, cuts, broken bones,
Shows signs of:
weakness, collapse, shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, bewildered appearance, dilated pupils.
Ingested poison; bring the container or the commercial or chemical name of the product or a list of
ingredients if you have it.
Penetrating wounds anyplace, but especially in the chest or abdomen.
Vomiting or diarrhea with blood or violent episodes.
Lameness and cannot bear any weight on the leg.
Any other signs that look serious, such as:
eye problems, severe itching with self-mutilation, severe hives
Are you insured and bonded?
We carry a million dollar ($1,000,000) insurance policy, written exclusively for pet sitters administered by:
Business Insurers
Our pet sitter Bond is provided by: Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America
Do you have references?
Yes. Please ask for a copy of our current references. We will be glad to provide you with as many as you'd like. We've got over 200 local references!
Will it be you or somebody else coming in for visits?
The pet sitter conducting the initial interview will also be the one to make the visits. However in the event that your assigned petsitter is unable to provide care a qualified substitute may be assigned without notice.
Do you do overnights?
Yes.
Do you work on holidays?
Yes.
What sort of animal background do you have?
PUPS sitters have diverse animal backgrounds.
What hours do you make your visits?
Visits are typically made between the hours of 7:00am and 11:00pm
Will you come visit my pets the same time every day?
Every attempt is made to visit your pets at the same time everyday.
However, we ask for an appropriate time range in which you would like
your pets to be visited.
Will anybody come with you?
Employees of PUPS may NOT take anyone other than another PUPS employee with him/her into your house.
What if you get sick?
PUPS relies on a network of sitters in the Portland area. In the event that your primary sitter is unable to get to or care for your pets a back-up sitter will be dispatched to your home. Every attempt will be made to notify you of any change in pet sitter assignments.
Can you e-mail me to let me know how my pets are doing?
YES! Please be sure to let your pet sitter know during the initial consultation that you wish to receive pet sitter updates in your e-mail. You may also e-mail us at 750PETS@urbanpetservices.com to get a report.
Do you charge extra for holidays? If you do charge extra is the holiday fee just on the holiday or for the entire time you are sitting for me during the holiday period?
There is a $9.00 charge for each visit made during a holiday. The extra charge is just for the holiday, not the entire time period you are gone. Holidays include: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day. For Overnight pet care during a holiday there is an additional 25 dollar holiday charge.
When you come for a visit what will you do?
1.Review the Service Agreement for pet descriptions and special instructions
2.Locate all pets and make sure none are sick or injured
3.THE "BIG 4":
A.FOOD
B.FRESH WATER
C.RELIEF/CLEAN LITTER BOX
D.AFFECTION
4.ALWAYS
A.WASH THE BOWLS BEFORE THE NEXT FEEDING
B.FEED ANIMALS ONLY THE PRESCRIBED AMOUNTS
C.CHANGE WATER WITH EVERY VISIT
D.CLEAN LITTERBOXES
E.TALK TO THE PETS. YOURS IS THE ONLY VOICE THEY'LL
HEAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS
5.Sweep all rooms for fur balls and other accidents
6.Complete an inside security check. Look for:
A.Damage
B.Signs of intrusion
C.Anything that's different from your last visit
D.Hazards
7.Provide home care or other services agreed to in the service agreement
8.NOW SPEND TIME WITH THE PETS!
9.REVIEW THE SERVICE AGREEMENT (don't forget anything)
10.Write a daily note
11.Leave a pay envelope and business cards with the last visit note
12.Before you leave locate all pets
13.Secure tote bag and make sure it includes all your belongings
that were brought into the home
14.Make sure to set alarm and double-check all locks and doors.
Will you take in my mail and newspaper and bring my trash to the end of the driveway?
Do you charge extra for that?
If you would like we can bring in the mail/packages & newspaper,
take out trash, rotate lights, and water houseplants at no additional charge.
Do you work alone or are there other sitters who will be visiting my pets?
The pet sitter conducting your initial consultation will be the sitter providing care to your pets and home. If the pet sitter assigned to your pet changes you will be notified as soon as possible.
I've heard about Pet Sitter International (PSI) and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). What are they about?
PSI is an educational organization for Professional Pet Sitters. Pet Sitters International was founded by Patti Moran to provide professional pet sitters the opportunity to network with peers who share a common vision of excellence in at-home pet care. NAPPS was created to promote the concept of in-home pet care, to support the professionals engaged in at-home pet care, promote the welfare of animals and to improve and expand the industry of pet sitting.
A national professional trade association such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitter International provides valuable credibility, networking and education that helps foster success. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters became a non-profit membership organization in 1993, after being founded by Patti J. Moran in 1989, to promote excellence among pet sitters and to serve as a voice for the expanding industry.
Why do you need two house keys?
In the unlikely event that your house key is lost or stolen a back-up copy is held in our company safe to use for the care for your pet until a locksmith can be dispatched to re-key your home.
I don't know my neighbors so who can be my contact?
Your closest friend or relative can serve as your emergency contact
When do I pay for service?
New clients are asked to pay in full to reserve desired dates. Established clients are asked to pay a deposit of ½ pet sitting fee to reserve their dates.
When should I call you on my return?
You should call our office at 503-750-PETS
as soon as you return to your house.
You may call this number 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
How much notice do you need to reserve your service?
We encourage you to give us as much notice as possible. We ask that you put down a deposit at the time you request service. Urgent calls, or service requests made within 24 hours of the time you need service to start will be subject to an Urgent call fee.
Do you accept tips?
Our pet sitter work hard to make sure that you and your pets are comfortable and satisfied with our services. If you feel that your sitter has done an exceptional job and wish to leave a TIP that is OK.
Where is your service area?
We serve Portland center and some surrounding areas. Call 503-750-PETS to find out which surrounding areas are currently in our service area.
What is the purpose of the consultation?
The purpose of the initial consultation if to give you a chance to meet your pet sitter and have any remaining questions answered. It also gives your pet sitter a chance to meet the pet potentially in his/her care. During this time you and your pet sitter will discuss the details of the visits, pick-up a copy of your house key and collect payment.
I would like my pet to be visited during a certain time of the day, is that possible?
Every effort will be made to satisfy individual requests. However our schedule fills quickly during the holidays and individual requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire about set scheduled times by calling 503-750-PETS.
Why choose Portland Urban Pet Services?
You should choose PUPS because our commitment to quality, professional pet care! Just ask our clients what they think. Call us today, 503-750-PETS for a list of client referrals!
What services do you provide?
Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Pet Daycare, Pet Taxi, Waste Removal, Dog-Cat Food & Supply Delivery, Pet Recovery, and Pet Care Referrals.
