Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of hiring a professional pet sitter?
Your pet will remain in his familiar, secure environment and he will maintain his normal routine. Pets that are boarded may be exposed to pathogens from other animals, may suffer from excessive noise and over-simulation, and will not receive extensive personalized care due to the high volume of animals at a boarding facility. At home, your pet will receive lots of attention, cuddles, and belly rubs. In addition to caring for your pets, Woof to Hoof Pet Services will also give your home a “lived-in” look by collecting your mail and newspaper, taking out and bringing in your trash and recycling bins, rotating lights and blinds, and other free home care services. If we discover a problem in your home (gas leak, burst pipe, broken window, etc.), you will be notified immediately and we will work with you to remedy the problem. While some people choose to have a neighbor, friend, or family member stop in to care for their pets, we do this for a living! We will not forget a feeding, fail to notice a health problem due to inexperience, or feel burdened by being asked for a favor.
Do you offer boarding services?
No. Woof to Hoof generally provides in-home pet sitting only, as we do not have facilities for boarding and we also believe that pets are happier and healthier when they stay in their own home. We will discuss boarding pocket pets, reptiles, or fish in small tanks on a case-by-case basis.
What is your service area?
Woof to Hoof Pet Services is locally owned and operated in Harrisonburg, Virginia and offers a full range of services in Harrisonburg (22801, 22802). We will consider limited services on a case-by-case basis in Keezletown (22832), Edom/Linville (22834), and Massanetta Springs, Bridgewater (22812), Broadway (22815), Cross Keys, Dayton (22821), Lacey Spring, Mt. Crawford (22841), Mt. Sidney (24467), Penn Laird (22846), Pleasant Valley, Singer’s Glen (22850), Port Republic, Weyer’s Cave (24486), Zenda, and surrounding areas. In order to cover our costs and time commitments, we reserve the right to charge $2 or more per additional mile beyond the 7-mile radius for each trip. Please contact us and we will discuss your needs.
What kind of animals do you care for?
We have cared for: dogs, cats, horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, hogs, goats, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, quail, peacocks, llamas, alpacas, fresh and salt water fish, reptiles, amphibians, parrots, conures, and other indoor birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, rats, and hermit crabs. If your animal is not in this list, please email us, as we would be glad to learn about and care for something new.
What happens during an average pet care visit?
Individual needs and visits may vary, but in general we: walk/play/cuddle with your pet, feed and provide fresh water, administer medications when needed, clean stalls, litter boxes, cages, and tanks when needed, and give your pets lots of love and attention. If you have horses or other farm animals, we will care for them per your instructions, and give sociable animals personalized attention as well. If you have booked vacation services or overnight care, we will also give your home a “lived-in” look by turning lights on/off, watering indoor/outdoor plants, bringing in your mail/newspaper, and taking trash/recycling to the curb and returning the cans to their normal storage location. Need something else? We customize pet and home care to your needs!
Can you let me know how my pet is doing while I’m away?
Yes! We can provide text and/or email updates, with or without pictures so that you can rest assured that your pets are happy and healthy each day. Just let us know your preferences at your complimentary consultation.
Can you administer medications?
Yes. We are experienced with oral, injectable, and topical medications, and basic medications will be administered per your instructions at no additional charge. If your animal needs extensive medication, wound care, or bandaging, we reserve the right to charge for extra time at our current hourly rate.
If my pet has an “accident” will you clean it up?
Yes. During our Meet and Greet, we will ask you to show us where you keep your cleaning supplies, and if your pet has an accident we will treat the spot according to your specifications. If your pet frequently has accidents, we may suggest adding an additional visit during the day, or confining the pet to a non-carpeted area during times when the pet is home alone for extended periods. If we spend a great deal of time cleaning up after accidents, we reserve the right to charge for extra time at our current hourly rate.
What will you do if my pet suffers a serious illness or injury while I’m gone?
If your pet becomes ill or is injured while you are away, we will notify you right away and work with you (or your emergency contact, if you are not available) to decide on the appropriate treatment plan. A Veterinary Release Form that authorizes us to initiate treatment for your pet is part of every contract. Time spent transporting your pet to the veterinarian, waiting for treatment, and transporting your pet home may be charged at our current hourly rate.
What is the process for becoming a new client?
If you have a pet or farm sitting need, please fill out the contact form or text Joanna at 540-810-4297 to set up a brief phone consultation. You may also email her by clicking HERE. Phone calls and messages left on voicemail will be answered when possible or returned within 2 business days. It is our policy not to answer phone calls, texts, or emails while we are with our clients’ animals, so please be patient: we will contact you back!
What do I need to provide at the consultation?
Please be ready with 2 copies of all keys needed to access the house and/or property, even if you have electronic keypads at your door or garage. If you have been emailed paperwork beforehand, please fill out all portions as you are able. If you are ready to reserve time, a 50% deposit is due in order to reserve dates for vacation pet sitting/overnight pet sitting.
What payment forms are accepted? When do I pay?
Payment is currently accepted as cash or check, checks made out to “Woof to Hoof Pet Services” or “Woof to Hoof” A deposit of 50% of the estimated or total booking fee is due to secure service dates. The balance of payment is due on the first date of service.
What happens in case of severe weather?
Your pet’s safety is our top priority. Woof to Hoof will make every effort to provide care in the event of bad weather, but in severe weather (thunderstorms, blizzards, heat waves, etc), we may modify the length of dog walks, turnout time, or outdoor time in general and instead spend the majority of our time inside with extra cuddling and mental stimulation. If we are sitting your farm, don’t worry, your animals will still get fed and cared for despite any severe weather our area may be experiencing. We have worked in hurricanes, thunderstorms, and snow, and we aren’t afraid to get wet or dirty in order to make sure your animals are warm, dry, and fed.
What is your cancelation policy?
Because we are an appointment-based business, we appreciate early notification if your plans change. The earlier the better! Reservations that are cancelled with little to no notice may cause us to lose a reservation we have turned down in order to care for your animals. For this reason, we reserve the right to enforce the following cancellation policy:
Dog walking/Midday Pet Visits: Please give 24 hours notice to receive 100% credit towards future visits.
Vacation pet & farm sits: Please give weeks notice to receive 100% of your deposit as a credit on your account towards future service.
Overnight pet & farm sits: Please give 4 weeks notice to receive 50% of your deposit as a credit on your account towards future service. This is a premium service that can only be provided to one client at a time.
Holidays: Please give 4 weeks notice to receive 50% of your deposit as a credit on your account towards future service. Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day & Weekend, Independence Day & Weekend, Labor Day & Weekend, Indigenous People’s Day (Columbus Day), Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, and December 20 – January 1.
Late Departure/Early Return: We understand that plans change, flights are canceled or delayed, and life happens! However, we are generally unable to rebook time slots canceled with short notice. If you need to modify an existing reservation with less than one week’s notice, you may still be responsible for the visits you booked because we have set that time aside exclusively for your pets.
If we do not receive cancellation communications in writing in a timely manner, a refund or credit may not be given.
