Policies:

Meet and Greet:

Meet and Greets are 100% complimentary. During this time, I will be introduced to your pet and we will go over care needs specific to your pet, their typical routine, any medical needs, and their typical behavioral triggers. Meet and greets typically last 20-30 minutes. 

Visits:

Visits are tailored to your pets’ exact needs. I focus on the details provided and look out for anything abnormal during the visit. Please communicate anything new before visits so that I am aware and can plan accordingly. This includes any new medical conditions, injuries, changes to navigating home (construction, cleaning services, usual location of pet in home, etc.), and where to find pet gear. This ensures visits go smoothly and timely. I will communicate anything abnormal in pets behavior or physical anatomy so they can be addressed as soon as possible. During visits, I exude positive energy, as animals pick up on stress and irritability. I will also pay close attention to dogs’ body language to determine if a possible trigger reaction will occur, or whether a cat will want affection or to be left alone. 

Security Systems and Cameras:

I highly encourage security systems and/or cameras to keep an eye on the inside and outside and ensure safety of your home. I find it beneficial for you to have eyes on home while the pet is home alone, as well as see how the visit goes while I am present. Please disclose cameras inside home and please only have cameras in common areas where pets usually spend their time. 

Payments and Additional Fees: 

Payment methods accepted are Venmo or Zelle. I send payment requests over the weekend and kindly ask for payment to be completed within 48 hours of request. A reminder is not guaranteed. Payments made after 48 hours will have a $5 late fee applied. This is non-negotiable. 

Weekends ($10/day)

Holidays (+$10/day): New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas Eve. Closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

Additional Pets:

Dog: $10/visit

Cat: $5/visit 

Gear:

Please ensure gear (leashes, harnesses, collars) are properly sized for your pet. Please have a designated area to locate gear. All pets are required to have a collar with identification of name and owner’s phone number. If your pet is crated, the collar will be removed before returning back to the enclosure. I recommend removal of the collar before crate entry due to the chance of it getting caught and causing injury. 

Home:

Please routinely check gates, doors, and crates are properly enclosed. If your home includes backyard access, please routinely check that there are no compromised areas where pets can escape. Please ensure the security system/door key code is working properly, I recommend providing a back up key and/or back up way for entry in case these systems fail. There is no charge for holding keys and/or return of keys. 

Scheduling:

I kindly ask for any schedule changes or walk requests to be made by Friday of the week before. I will do my best to accommodate last minute requests, but cannot guarantee my availability, as requests are a first come, first serve basis. I will send a confirmation text by the end of the weekend with an estimated time of arrival for each day booked for the following week. I will update the day of visit, as time may change slightly due to construction, traffic, and/or cancellations. If you need to cancel, please let me know as soon as possible. I understand life happens, therefore I do not charge a cancellation fee. 

Weather:

Rain: Please provide a towel to dry dogs off after walks in inclement weather. I recommend a rain jacket to shorten the time of drying off. If your dog does not walk in the rain, please reach out to me the morning of to cancel or adjust the visit. No fee for cancellations.

Summer: When outside temps are high, I will keep walk to shady areas where available, take breaks in shade, and water provided. Each dog is provided their own water bowls to ensure sanitation. I will shorten walks dependent on “feels like” temps/humidity % and finish visit cooling down inside with pets and playtime. I always keep a close eye for overheating symptoms. If temps are dangerously high and ground too hot for paws, we may opt out of walk and utilize backyard for bathroom breaks.

Winter: When outside temps are low, please provide a jacket/sweater. When ice/snow/salt is on the ground, I recommend using “Mushers” paw balm to protect their paw pads from irritation/frozen paws. This provides a barrier between your dog’s paw pad and harmful salt. I will apply balm to pets’ paws before walk. Please provide a towel, as I will wipe down wet paws after walks to avoid mess on floor/furniture. Visits may be cancelled if a snowstorm creates unsafe driving conditions. Please shovel and salt all walkways to ensure safe walking conditions in and out of home. 

Hard “No’s”:

• Sticks - I will discourage chewing on sticks while in my care. These can easily break up into smaller pieces and be ingested causing a possible digestion obstruction and unwanted visit to the vet/emergency care.

• Dog Parks - I will not visit dog parks while your pet is in my care. I consider these areas as high risk for fights leading to injury. My viewpoint is “too many cooks in the kitchen” and the unknown training and behavior of other patrons in the park can cause unwanted interactions. Pets will only be unleashed in properly enclosed backyards. 

• Socializing with Strangers: I will not interact with unknown dogs while on walks. Only established friends in your neighborhood with previous positive interactions will be socialized with while pets are in my care. If you are interested in socialization for your dog, please inquire about a play date with my dog Molly. 

• Infestations: If it is determined there are pests in your home, you will be contacted immediately and services will be discontinued until infestation is resolved. Infestations include fleas, bed bugs, and high mice activity. It is my utmost priority to keep the pets and homes in my care safe and I cannot risk exposure to other clients’ homes and pets. 

Overnights:

Overnights are only offered to regularly booked clients. I have found creating a solid bond with a pet, earning their trust and allowing them to see me as a leader and a place of comfort leads to the most successful stay. I offer two options of overnight care: in your home and boarding at the Heel Paw Express House, located in Hasbrouck Heights. I highly encourage booking overnights 2 to 3 months in advance as dates book up quickly. While your pet is in my care, I require an emergency contact of someone who is not going away with you. Please contact your vet and let them know your pet will be in my care during the time you are away. It is recommended to keep a credit card on file at your vet in case a visit is needed while you are away. 

In your home care:

• This overnight option is best for pets that feel most comfortable and thrive best in their own space. 

• At least two weeks before departure, please provide time for the first and last visit of stay.

• Included in stay: I will arrive at your home by 6:30/7pm for dinner, walks, playtime, cuddles, and bedtime. I will stay until 6:30/7am, after breakfast and walks.

• Any visits needed before 6:30/7pm and after 6:30/7am will be charged at regular rate. A midday visit is included for clients regularly booked at least 3 days a week. 

Boarding at Heel Paw Express House:

• This overnight option is best for pets that are looking for socialization and their own vacation away from home. My dog Molly is the best employee of Heel Paw Express, providing playtime, cuddles, and companionship for your pet.

• Heel Paw Express House is located in walking distance to the best park in town. Your pet will enjoy plenty of sniffs in a new environment.

• Enclosed backyard: pets have unlimited access to backyard time, fully supervised always. 

• Pick up and drop off is included in stay

Discontinuation of Services:

I reserve the right to discontinue services for the inability to follow policies laid out above.