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POLICIES
Cat Visit Information
Visit Times: We offer up to 3 visits per day: Morning (9am-12pm), Midday (12pm-3pm), or Evening (3pm-7pm). Exact visit times are not possible because we follow the most efficient driving routes.
A Typical Visit: A typical 25-minute cat visit with 2 cats includes:
Cat Escape Procedures:
Cats-Only Policy: We accept households with cats only to prevent cross-species disease transmission and reduce cat stress from other animal scents.
Backup Sitters: If your primary sitter is unavailable, we will arrange for a backup sitter to ensure continuous care for your cats. You will be notified of any changes in advance.
Pet Owner Responsibilities: Before service starts, pet owners must ensure enough food, clean litter, and any necessary supplies are available. Provide clear instructions for cat care routines on Time to Pet.
Cat Requirements
Visit Frequency:
Age Requirement: We only accept cats 6 months or older.
Cat Behavior:
Health Updates: Notify us of changes in cat health or care routines, preferably through the Time to Pet app, or by phone.
Cat Health Policies
Vaccination Requirements: We require up-to-date vaccination records for all cats:
Sick Cats: We do not care for sick cats or cats likely to die during our care.
Contagious Diseases: Inform us if your cat contracts a contagious disease or parasite. We do not care for cats with fleas, ticks, mites, Giardia, Coccidia, Rabies, Feline Leukemia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, or Panleukopenia.
Outdoor Cats: We do not provide care for outdoor cats due to disease risks. Enclosed patios are acceptable if pest-free.
Medications: We do not provide care for cats who require injections or life-saving medications.
Medical Release: We’ll provide a Medical Release form for you to sign to authorize vet visits, if needed. In case of illness or injury, we’ll contact you in advance but will use our judgment if you are unreachable.
Home Requirements
Restricted Entry: We cannot visit homes where others have access, such as family, friends, or service workers, to ensure the safety of your cats and our sitters.
Keys: We request 2 copies of your home keys unless you provide access through a lockbox or keyless entry.
Alarm Codes: Notify us of changes to alarm codes or keyless entry codes before you depart.
Locksmith Policy: If entry is prevented (e.g., forgotten key in lockbox, changed locks), we charge for time and locksmith costs. We will attempt to reach you before hiring a locksmith.
Travel Discretion: Avoid announcing your absence on social media to reduce burglary risks. Only inform necessary individuals of your upcoming absence.
Service Area: We currently serve Concord, Clayton, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill.
Scheduling, Payment, and Cancellation Policies
Meet & Greet: A Meet & Greet is required to schedule cat visits or home checks. You must meet your sitter before you depart if your prior Meet & Greet was with a different person.
Scheduling and Payment: Schedule visits through the Time to Pet app. We’ll guide you through the process. Pay for services through the Time to Pet app. Full payment is required to schedule visits.
Credit Card Security: Time to Pet never stores or logs any of your credit card information, except for the last four digits. They use a secure payment processor that handles the storage of credit card details remotely. This ensures the highest level of security, limiting liability for both Time to Pet and you.
Convenience Fee: To avoid the convenience fee, schedule or modify visits at least 3 days in advance.
Refunds:
Overnight Stays: We do not offer overnight stays but can schedule multiple visits per day.
Tips: Tips are completely optional and can be left through the Time to Pet app or as cash with a note to your sitter at your home. Your sitter will receive the full tip.
Communication Policies
Photo Updates: Photo updates are provided once per day for cat visits and once per visit for home checks. Updates and photos are shared via Time to Pet. Note that photos may not be provided if cats are hiding.
Additional Instructions: We encourage you to provide any additional instructions or ask questions through the Time to Pet app.
Respectful Communication: All sitters and customers must be treated respectfully. We do not tolerate unkind treatment or harassment. Our team and clients deserve a safe and supportive environment.
Business Hours: Business hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week. Calls or texts outside these hours will be returned the next day.
Damage and Emergencies
Report Damage: Report any damage or missing items within a day of your return. Insurance covers incidents caused by us.
Cat-Related Damage: We do not cover damage caused by your cat unless due to our negligence.
Emergency Procedures: In emergencies during our care, we will take cats to the vet or coordinate necessary repairs at $60/hr. These services are only for emergencies arising during our care period.
Natural Disasters: In case of natural disasters, we’ll bring cats to our homes until conditions allow for their safe return. If care in our homes is not possible, cats will be taken to an animal shelter as a last resort.
Liability: We aren’t liable for damages due to natural disasters or break-ins unless caused by our negligence.
Visit Times: We offer up to 3 visits per day: Morning (9am-12pm), Midday (12pm-3pm), or Evening (3pm-7pm). Exact visit times are not possible because we follow the most efficient driving routes.
A Typical Visit: A typical 25-minute cat visit with 2 cats includes:
- 15-20 minutes: Handle mail, trash, plants, food, water, wash cat dishes, scoop litter, clean kitty messes, and provide a photo update.
- 5-10 minutes: Love, play, and snuggles.
Cat Escape Procedures:
- If a cat escapes during our visit, we will notify you ASAP and work to return them home.
- If a cat escapes due to reasons beyond our control (e.g., another person’s entry), we will notify you ASAP. We charge our standard hourly rate for efforts to locate, catch, and return the cat.
Cats-Only Policy: We accept households with cats only to prevent cross-species disease transmission and reduce cat stress from other animal scents.
Backup Sitters: If your primary sitter is unavailable, we will arrange for a backup sitter to ensure continuous care for your cats. You will be notified of any changes in advance.
Pet Owner Responsibilities: Before service starts, pet owners must ensure enough food, clean litter, and any necessary supplies are available. Provide clear instructions for cat care routines on Time to Pet.
Cat Requirements
Visit Frequency:
- At least 1 visit per day for adult cats.
- Kittens aged 6-12 months require 2-3 visits per day.
Age Requirement: We only accept cats 6 months or older.
Cat Behavior:
- Timid Cats: We welcome shy or timid cats. Let us know their favorite hiding spots so we can check on them during visits. Rest assured, we prioritize their comfort and won't force interaction.
- Escape Artists: If your cat is known for trying to escape, let us know so we can take extra precautions.
- Aggressive Cats: We don’t accept aggressive cats (those who may attack, bite, scratch, or fight with humans or other cats).
Health Updates: Notify us of changes in cat health or care routines, preferably through the Time to Pet app, or by phone.
Cat Health Policies
Vaccination Requirements: We require up-to-date vaccination records for all cats:
- Rabies: Vaccine at 1 year, booster every 3 years.
- FeLV: Vaccine at 6-12 weeks, booster 4 weeks later, 1 year later, then every 3 years.
- FVRCP 3-in-1: Vaccine at 6-12 weeks, booster 4 weeks later, 1 year later, then every 3 years.
Sick Cats: We do not care for sick cats or cats likely to die during our care.
Contagious Diseases: Inform us if your cat contracts a contagious disease or parasite. We do not care for cats with fleas, ticks, mites, Giardia, Coccidia, Rabies, Feline Leukemia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, or Panleukopenia.
Outdoor Cats: We do not provide care for outdoor cats due to disease risks. Enclosed patios are acceptable if pest-free.
Medications: We do not provide care for cats who require injections or life-saving medications.
Medical Release: We’ll provide a Medical Release form for you to sign to authorize vet visits, if needed. In case of illness or injury, we’ll contact you in advance but will use our judgment if you are unreachable.
Home Requirements
Restricted Entry: We cannot visit homes where others have access, such as family, friends, or service workers, to ensure the safety of your cats and our sitters.
Keys: We request 2 copies of your home keys unless you provide access through a lockbox or keyless entry.
- Key Copy Fee: A key copy fee will be charged if only one is provided (see the Prices page for current rates).
- Security: For security, we do not accept keys hidden outside.
Alarm Codes: Notify us of changes to alarm codes or keyless entry codes before you depart.
Locksmith Policy: If entry is prevented (e.g., forgotten key in lockbox, changed locks), we charge for time and locksmith costs. We will attempt to reach you before hiring a locksmith.
Travel Discretion: Avoid announcing your absence on social media to reduce burglary risks. Only inform necessary individuals of your upcoming absence.
Service Area: We currently serve Concord, Clayton, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill.
Scheduling, Payment, and Cancellation Policies
Meet & Greet: A Meet & Greet is required to schedule cat visits or home checks. You must meet your sitter before you depart if your prior Meet & Greet was with a different person.
Scheduling and Payment: Schedule visits through the Time to Pet app. We’ll guide you through the process. Pay for services through the Time to Pet app. Full payment is required to schedule visits.
Credit Card Security: Time to Pet never stores or logs any of your credit card information, except for the last four digits. They use a secure payment processor that handles the storage of credit card details remotely. This ensures the highest level of security, limiting liability for both Time to Pet and you.
Convenience Fee: To avoid the convenience fee, schedule or modify visits at least 3 days in advance.
Refunds:
- A full refund is provided if canceled at least 3 days in advance.
- A full refund, minus a convenience fee, is provided if canceled within 2 days of the first visit.
- The full visit price is charged for same-day cancellations or if you forget to cancel.
Overnight Stays: We do not offer overnight stays but can schedule multiple visits per day.
Tips: Tips are completely optional and can be left through the Time to Pet app or as cash with a note to your sitter at your home. Your sitter will receive the full tip.
Communication Policies
Photo Updates: Photo updates are provided once per day for cat visits and once per visit for home checks. Updates and photos are shared via Time to Pet. Note that photos may not be provided if cats are hiding.
Additional Instructions: We encourage you to provide any additional instructions or ask questions through the Time to Pet app.
Respectful Communication: All sitters and customers must be treated respectfully. We do not tolerate unkind treatment or harassment. Our team and clients deserve a safe and supportive environment.
Business Hours: Business hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week. Calls or texts outside these hours will be returned the next day.
Damage and Emergencies
Report Damage: Report any damage or missing items within a day of your return. Insurance covers incidents caused by us.
Cat-Related Damage: We do not cover damage caused by your cat unless due to our negligence.
Emergency Procedures: In emergencies during our care, we will take cats to the vet or coordinate necessary repairs at $60/hr. These services are only for emergencies arising during our care period.
Natural Disasters: In case of natural disasters, we’ll bring cats to our homes until conditions allow for their safe return. If care in our homes is not possible, cats will be taken to an animal shelter as a last resort.
Liability: We aren’t liable for damages due to natural disasters or break-ins unless caused by our negligence.
Thank you for choosing Smitten Kitten Cat Sittin’!
We’re dedicated to providing the best care for your home and furry friends,
ensuring peace of mind while you’re away. Happy travels!
The Smitten Kitten Cat Sittin’ Team
We’re dedicated to providing the best care for your home and furry friends,
ensuring peace of mind while you’re away. Happy travels!
The Smitten Kitten Cat Sittin’ Team
