Ithaca, NY  •  607.277.0800
 info@animalfriends.co
 






SERVICES

ANIMAL FRIENDS is a service that provides care of animals in their own homes for blocks of time while you are away.

These additional services are available on a limited, case-by-case basis:
    -- doggie day care (in their home)
    -- dog walking
    -- housesitting

I'm sorry, but I do not offer:
    -- boarding services
Visit Length -- As much as possible, each visit lasts a minimum of 30 minutes. Occasionally, there are extenuating circumstances whereby visit length must be shortened, but should this occur, I try as much as possible to make up the difference during succeeding visits. Extended length visits can also be requested, at additional cost.

Visit Contents -- Visits include feeding, watering, scooping litter boxes, cleaning accidents (within reason, and if there are cleaning materials available), petting and playing. For dogs, the visits can also include a brief walk, if it is safe to walk in your neighborhood (I do not transport dogs to parks or other walking areas), if there is time remaining after chores, or if extended visit length has been requested.

Visit Frequency -- Visits can be scheduled as frequently as you like. For cats, the common frequency is twice a day, once a day or every other day. For dogs who do not have access to the outdoors between visits, I ask that at least four visits per day be scheduled—early morning, mid-day, dinner, and late.

Types of Pets and Care -- I will care for all animals in the manner best suited to their comfort, safety, and health. However, there are some situations in which I would decline participating. These include, but are not limited to:
  • using live animals as food
  • the purchase and confinement of "exotic" animals
  • the capture and confinement of wild animals, insects, birds, fish, etc.
  • keeping dogs in crates beyond puppy training
  • keeping dogs tethered for long periods of time indoors or out
  • keeping animals in the basement
  • keeping animals confined in spaces that are too small
  • keeping collars on that are too tight
  • keeping collars or harnesses on 24/7
  • keeping heat below 68° F in cold weather
  • a pattern of purchasing animals rather than adopting/rescuing
  • homes where dead animals are stuffed and on display
  • homes where animals are in a hoarding situation
  • operations where animals are being bred for the purpose of selling them
  • operations where animals are being bought and/or bred for the purpose of exploitation and/or execution (eggs, milk, flesh, honey, hides, leather, fur, feathers, wool, sport, competitions, entertainment, etc.)
Medications -- The personality of the animal will determine whether it will be possible to administer oral medications. Sitting does not include administering medications requiring injections unless the animal is very acceptant of the injections.

Medications II -- If medicating is possible, I would include that only as part of a sitting reservation. For example, if you have someone who will be taking care of your pets, but would like me to come in only to administer medical treatments, I would need to refer you to a veterinary technician, as my primary service is petsitting.

Winter Distances and Locations -- From November 1st through March 31st, reservations are limited to very short distances and to major thoroughfares.

Winter Plowing -- From November 1st through March 31st, reservations are only accepted if automatic driveway snowplowing has been prearranged.

Emergencies -- Should pets need to be removed from an area due to hazardous conditions, they will be transported to a local boarding facility. Carriers, leashes and collars should be available for each pet.

Major Holidays -- Non-refundable payment at the time of booking will be needed in order for your reservation to go on the schedule.

Cancellations -- If I have turned other families away during the time you had reserved and are cancelling, payment for the reservation will still be needed.

What I Ask of You

Final Confirmation Before Leaving -- As a final check to ensure that all dates are in sync, call or email on the day you leave, or close to the day you to leave, to confirm the schedule of visits. Include the day of the week, date, and approximate time you will be leaving. And the day of the week, date, and approximate time you will be returning.

Return Confirmation -- As a final check to ensure that you have returned home and the animals are back in your care, call or send an email when you arrive home. If this call or email has not arrived by no more than the day after you are scheduled to return, visits will automatically continue and be billed accordingly.

Written Pet Care Notes -- It is very helpful to have a written reference about your pets. Some details to include would be names of pets, color, breed, age, personality traits, feeding amounts, location of supplies, veterinarian, any health issues, etc.

Contact Info -- Always leave contact info. These contacts would include where you will be staying during your time away, names and numbers of repair people, names and numbers of landlords, name and number of snowplow service, names and numbers of local relatives/friends who might also have a key to your home or apartment, etc.

Pet Transport -- Carriers, leashes and collars should be available for each pet in case emergency removal of one or all pets is necessary.

Who Else Will be In your Home -- Provide a list of names and numbers of all others who will be entering your home during your time away, and the approximate dates and times they will be there.

Keys -- Keys can either be provided on a per-reservation basis, or kept on file with me. If keys are provided on a per-reservation basis, please don't forget to make arrangements to make the key available. If no one else has a key to your home, it is a good idea to provide two sets of keys—one set for use, one set for backup. It's also a good idea to provide access to more than one entrance, again as a backup precaution.