Why should I hire a pet sitter?
Pets are much more likely to adjust to your absence if they remain in the environment in which they consider their home. Hiring a professional pet sitter affords you the peace of mind knowing that your pet’s needs are being met in every way conceivable in his/her home setting.
In addition to pet care, the professional pet sitter is able to provide essential home care services on a daily basis; this, in turn, will give your home a lived in look while you are away. Furthermore, hiring a pet sitter saves you the trouble of having to drop off your pet prior to your departure or pick him/her up upon your return. It also saves you from imposing on family, friends or neighbours.
Why should I use Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All?
Loyalty, responsibility, professionalism and caring are just a few of the qualities to which we intend to adhere. Our clients are our partners. We share the responsibility of every pet under our care, and see ourselves as "part-time owners" of every animal and home that is entrusted to us.
We will provide your pet with the optimum care, attention, exercise, social interaction and love he/she needs. Should you be shopping around for a dog walker or a pet/home sitter, below is a list of points to keep in mind when considering Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All.
- We are insured and bonded.
- We are members of Pet Sitters International.
- We can provide references upon demand.
- We are honest, reliable, experienced and adept at what we do.
- We meet, greet and consult with clients and their pets as well as tour their homes prior to service bookings. Initial meetings are free of charge.
- We ensure that all dogs participating in group walks are sociable, non-aggressive and safe.
- We guarantee that each walker will handle a maximum of 4 dogs at a time regardless of how small your dog is. This guarantee applies to our "Trails For Tails Country Hike"' as well.
- A "doggie diary checklist" and/or a "kitty care journal" will be kept and entries will be made following each visit. The lists will cover aspects of your pet’s behavior, health and overall well-being while in our care. A "home care checklist" will be kept and entries will be made following every house visit.
- We are well versed in small animal emergency first aid.
- We have a personal veterinarian on call for emergencies.
- All employees are carefully screened and are insured and bonded while employed by Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All.
- Employees are trained and experienced in animal care.
- Our animal related education is ongoing.
- We work all year round - in any type of weather.
- We provide customized services and specialty services.
- Our prices are reasonable and competitive.
- We conduct quality control checks to ensure we provide you with optimum service.
- We are always open to (and encourage) client feedback.
- We are committed to making both you and your pet happy.
What services do you provide?
We offer both group walks and private walks, pet and/or house sitting, as well as a variety of specialty services. For a more comprehensive, detailed description of the services we provide, please feel free to visit the service section of our website.
Which areas do you service?
We serve the following areas:
- Anjou
- Saint-Leonard
- Montreal-North
- Rivière des Prairies
- Pointe-aux-Trembles
- Mercier
- Hochelaga
If you live outside these areas of the city and you would like to hire one of our team members, feel free to contact us. We’ll try our best to accommodate you. Please note that Doggie Daycare is available to those living outside of the districts we serve. However, for those living outside our service areas an additional charge will be added to the cost of our pick-up & drop-off fees.
What requirements must my cat/dog meet for use of your services?
- Your cat’s/dog’s yearly vaccinations must be up to date. This includes leukemia vaccines for cats and bordetella (Kennel cough) vaccines for dogs.
- Your cat/dog must be treated (on a seasonal basis) for fleas, ticks, etc. Treatments must be vet approved (such as Revolution or Advantage).
- Your cat/dog must have an identification tag on his/her collar.
- Your dog must have no history of aggressive behaviour towards people or other dogs.
- While on-leash your dog must understand (and comply with) basic commands. He/she will be walked with a maximum number of three dogs. It is extremely important that the walker is able to control the pack.
Will you walk my dog in any type of weather?
Rain/shine, snow or frigid cold, so long as the weather doesn’t pose any health risk to your dog, we will walk him/her in any type of weather. If your dog can stand it, so can we!
Where will my dog be walked?
Your dog will be walked through one of Montreal’s many dog parks, where he/she can safely play and romp around with his/her mates in a designated dog run.
What time do you plan on taking my dog out on a group walk?
Morning, mid-day, and afternoon time slots are available according to client needs. Flexibility in scheduling is appreciated.
What time do you plan on taking my dog out on a private walk?
Scheduling a specific time for a private dog walk depends on your location and on our staff availability. That said, we will do our best to come as close as possible to the time you would like your dog walked.
How long does a group walk last?
Dogs will be in our care for over an hour when we include pick-up and drop-off times. Actual service times will last at least one hour.
How long does a private walk last?
We offer 20, 30 or 60 minute private walks.
Will my dog be safe in a group walk?
To ensure the utmost safety for all dogs within group walks, we try to make sure dogs’ temperaments are alike and their personalities are compatible. A maximum of 4 dogs will be allotted to a walker (even if the dogs are terriers or toy breeds). We ask that each dog has a good grasp of basic commands. Aggressive dogs will not be accepted in group walks. Dogs in heat will not be accepted into group walks. These rules apply to both our basic and our specialty services.
Will you reinforce basic dog commands?
Although Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All does not presently offer obedience training services all team members are educated to reinforce basic commands. However, we reserve the right to refuse a client’s request to reinforce obedience training should we deem the client’s training methods abusive.
If he/she is accustomed to it, will you walk my dog off-leash?
No dog, regardless of how well behaved they are or how well they comply with commands, will ever be walked off-leash while in our care. The only place we allow dogs off-leash is in the enclosed dog runs we will be frequenting.
How will I know what or how my dog is doing on his/her walks?
A "doggie diary checklist" will be kept and entries will be made following each visit. The list will cover aspects of your pet’s behavior, health and overall well-being while in our care.
Will you walk my cat?
Yes, we will walk your cat provided that he/she is used to being walked in a body harness attached to a lead. Cat walking falls into the same category as our private dog walking. The same conditions and fees apply.
Aside from cats and dogs, what other animals do you sit?
We will sit any animal that is legal for a person to own.
Will you clean my house while I’m away?
No, Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All does not offer professional cleaning services. However, we will clean animal related accidents and sweep up kitty litter.
Will you give my pet his/her medication?
Yes, we will administer your pet’s medication. Fees for this service depend on the type of medication (pill, liquid or injection) and the type of administration (oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, etc.). Please note that a minimum fee of $5.00 is charged for administering medication. Each case will be evaluated individually. As such, prices will be determined in your initial meeting with your walker/sitter.
What happens if my pet becomes sick while I’m away?
Should your pet fall ill in your absence, and it is not an emergency, we will telephone you for your instructions. Should an emergency arise, your pet will be taken either to your own personal veterinarian or to the nearest available veterinarian depending on the circumstances and/or the nature of the emergency.
Should the "Veterinarian Release Form" you filled out at the initial meeting contain specific instructions, your instructions will be followed. Once your pet is in the veterinarian’s care, Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All will contact you again to keep you informed.
What happens if you have a personal emergency?
Should your dog walker or pet/house sitter have an emergency, another one of our walkers or sitters will step in to fill their shoes. We have a number of contingency plans in place should a personal emergency arise. You can rest assured that your pet and/or your home will always be taken care of in your absence.
Do you ever take a vacation?
All of our team members will be granted vacation time. That said, your personal dog walker and/or pet/house sitter will inform you of the personal time they will be taking at least a week prior to their hiatus. We will be more than happy to arrange for another team member to step in. An initial meeting with an alternate walker and/or sitter will be arranged for your (and your pet’s) approval.
What happens if I’m late in returning from my vacation?
To ensure proper pet and home care, we will continue to provide our services until we have confirmation that you have returned from your vacation. Please call us to inform us of any changes in your arrival time and/or date.
How many copies of my house key do you need?
Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All requires two sets of keys to your home in case your regular walker or sitter is unavailable due to illness or emergency or in the case of accidental lock-out. Please make sure that both sets of keys are functional.
Will you keep my house key safe?
All customer keys are stored in a locked key box, with coded labels to ensure both anonymity and security. Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All is insured and bonded.
Will you keep my alarm code confidential?
All customer alarm codes are kept in a coded file and locked in a security box to ensure both anonymity and security. Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All is insured and bonded.
What if I’m robbed while I’m away?
If we notice you’ve been robbed, we’ll immediately call the police and call you at the emergency contact you provided at the initial meeting. Pitous Pis Tout - Dogs And All is not a professional security agency, but we will give your home a "lived in look" in your absence. It should be noted, however, that we are not responsible for break-ins while you are away.
What are my responsibilities as a pet/home owner using your services?
Following these guidelines will ensure that you are using your pet/house care service effectively.
- HISTORY and HABITS
In the initial meeting with your dog walker/pet sitter make sure you give them a detailed and up to date description of your pet’s history and habits. Aside from the client information sheet you will be asked to fill out, we will want to know about your pet’s daily routine (eating, walking, playing and sleeping). We will also want to know about your pet’s medical history and any major or minor health problems he/she may have. Even if we won’t be administering medication, a detailed list of medications your pet is taking must be provided. Should an emergency arise and your pet be taken to a veterinarian while in our care, it is of the utmost importance that the vet is well informed about your pet’s medication(s). Keep your pet’s medication(s) in a secure place within your home and don’t forget to show your sitter where they are. Go over medication instructions with them as well. What you would like us to do in the case of an emergency should be clearly stated.
Tell your sitter where your pet’s toys are kept. Let them know where your pet likes to hide so that your sitter won’t be concerned should they not be able to immediately locate your pet upon arrival. We should also be made aware of any unusual habits your pet may have (such as fears, excessive barking, excessive drooling, etc.) Also, an up-to-date photocopy of your pet’s vaccination records is mandatory. We ask that all pets have identification tags on their collars.
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- PLANNING and RESERVING IN ADVANCE
Although we ask that you try to book at least 48 hours in advance for any one of our basic services and a week in advance for our specialty services, it is best that you call to make your reservations as early as possible (especially during holiday periods). Should you not have extra keys to your home, you will have to have two made prior to the initial meeting with us. One key will be given to your walker/sitter - one will be kept at our office in the case of accidental lock-out. Please make sure that both keys work properly.
In the event that your scheduled arrival is delayed, please keep extra food, kitty litter, pet supplies and medication (should your pet need them at the time) on hand. It is extremely important that your dog’s collar fit properly and that his/her leash is in good condition. Owners will be held responsible for any harm that may come to their pet due to equipment malfunction.
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- PREPARE FOR YOUR WALKER/SITTER
Leave a complete list of your contact information with your walker/sitter in case there is an emergency. Inform your walker/sitter of other people that may be frequenting your home in your absence (and vice-versa). A list of emergency telephone numbers should be made available for your walker/sitter. He/she will already have your veterinarian contact information; other emergency numbers should include: plumber, electrician, maid, yard worker, pool staff, one or two of your neighbours, etc. Go over the alarm procedures with your walker/sitter - practice arming and disarming the alarm with them a few times. If the security company needs to know that a sitter will be in your home, notify them before you leave.
Show your sitter where:
- you keep your circuit breaker or fuse box as well as where you leave new fuses.
- you keep items such as your broom, dustpan, mop and vacuum as well as other cleaning and household products.
- your plant care equipment is located and go over watering instructions with them, one plant at a time.
- your pet’s food is located and go over feeding instructions with them.
- your pet’s medication is and go over instructions with them.
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Leave a stack of rags or towels for your walker/sitter so they can wipe off your dog when he/she gets dirty on his/her walks. Lastly, should your itinerary change at any time, call your walker/sitter with the updated information as soon as possible.
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- PREPARE YOUR HOME
The following is a checklist of things you should do within your home prior to your departure:
- Clear the refrigerator of perishable foods.
- Leave all emergency contact numbers near your telephone.
- Leave all pet care equipment in one general area within your home.
- Leave all plant care equipment in one general area within your home.
- Leave all cleaning equipment in one general area within your home.
- Move all valuables away from your windows.
- Secure outside gates.
- Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
- Unplug all appliances that won’t be used in your absence.
- Leave a radio on as a crime deterrent.
- Securely store away anything that may be harmful to your pet.
- Pet proof your home. Get down to his/her level and see if there’s anything that may be enticing for him/her to chew, eat, scratch etc.
- Be sure that all pets that are supposed to be within the house are present before leaving.
- Leave a piece of clothing or a pillowcase (with your scent on it) where your pet sleeps.
How do I book one of your services?
The first step in booking one of our services is to call us for a free consultation. All of our contact information can be found on the website’s Contact Us page.
This will give you the opportunity to meet us and for us to meet both you and your pet(s). The consultation will last 20 minutes to an hour (depending on how many pets you own) and will cover subjects such as your pet’s health, habits, daily routine, feeding schedule, fears, etc. All necessary forms (including a service agreement) will be filled out and signed.
Remember to have a copy of your pet’s vaccination records available for us to keep on file, as well as two spare keys to your home. Please make sure that your dog’s collar and leash are in good condition and that he/she has his/her identification tags.
How much notice is necessary for a reservation or a cancellation?
We require 48 hours notice to book one of our basic services and a week’s notice to book our specialty services. No fee is charged for canceling as long as you give us more than 48 hours notice. If you give us less than 48 hours notice when canceling, we will charge you 50% of your contract fee.
Can I reserve or cancel at the last minute?
Can you justify your fees?
We make sure that all of our prices are extremely competitive. Based upon maintaining our professional service, we keep these prices as low as we possibly can and we will only raise them when the cost of living (inflation) makes it mandatory to do so.
Do you charge taxes?
Taxes are included in our prices. Clients will be informed prior to any changes made in pricing.
How does payment work?
How can I help with various animal causes?
Please feel free to visit our Links page; all links will bring you to sites dedicated to various animal causes.
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Why should I hire a pet sitter?