MEET-N-GREET: The Meet-n-Greet is a complimentary 30-45 minute meeting in order to learn more about Pawstruck Pet Sitting (Julie Lemerond) and my pet(s). This is a valuable visit where we go over all aspects of care for my pets and my home while I will be away. The Meet-n-Greet is simply an introduction and is not an obligation for future services. Either party may decide that this is not a fit, and may walk away with no commitment to the other.
ACCESS TO HOME (KEY): I will allow Julie access to my home and will have provided her with a key and/or keypad entry in addition to any alarm information before the first day of the visit. Julie agrees to keep this information confidential and secure. I understand that I may hide a key for Julie to use during future visits, but due to liability reasons, Julie cannot re-hide the key upon leaving the premise, and will either be leaving the key indoors (free) or scheduling a time to return the key ($10). I understand that even if there is a keypad entry (through garage, etc.), that it is best to also leave a key, so that Julie will always have access to the home and my pet(s) regardless of a power outage, equipment malfunction, etc.
ACCESS TO HOME (PERSON): Pawstruck Pet Sitting expects to be the only entity entering and exiting your property throughout the duration of the scheduled services. Any other entities with access to the home (housekeepers, landscapers, family or friends coming and going) will nullify any responsibility on the part of Pawstruck Pet Sitting to hold a secure environment for the pets and the home. In the event that anyone else has access to the home, Pawstruck Pet Sitting will be held harmless for any and all damage, theft, or any other issues that may arise. I acknowledge that Julie, as Pawstruck Pet Sitting, is insured by Pet Care International (PCI), and that this includes coverage strictly when it is under the care of Pawstruck Pet Sitting only. If there are any other people scheduled to enter the property during Pawstruck Pet Sitting's scheduled services, I will provide Julie with further details about their visits.
CONTACT: Julie agrees to provide updates of my home and pet(s) via text and/or email, including photos, videos, concerns, and comments. She will share one update per day, unless more updates are requested, or a situation arises which requires an immediate response.
EMERGENCY CONTACT: I acknowledge that Julie is the sole contact and provider of services for Pawstruck Pet Sitting, and does not have employees or independent contractors working for her. I understand that she will always do her best to complete all services, and will inform me as soon as possible if there is ever a sickness or emergency situation that will keep her from caring for my pet(s). For this reason it is imperative that I provide the name, phone and email of an emergency contact that Julie can contact in the event of an emergency. I ultimately understand that having a plan for a backup sitter is recommended and is my responsibility.
CAMERAS IN THE HOME: Security cameras outside as well as inside the home are now commonplace. Julie does not object to cameras inside the home, however she does not agree to have cameras in the bathroom or the bedroom she will be sleeping in. If she does find a camera in the bathroom or bedroom that she will be using, her services will be terminated immediately, and I will be billed for the duration of the full service originally scheduled. She will contact me immediately as well as call my emergency contact to let them know that she is no longer able to care for my pet(s). You may read more about Arizona's laws regarding cameras in private areas of the home here: https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-13-criminal-code/az-rev-st-sect-13-3019.html
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: Julie will have my veterinary information easily available, as well as information about my preferred 24-hour veterinary hospital, in the unlikely event of an emergency. Julie will contact me as soon as possible if an event occurs, and I allow Julie to make any emergency decisions regarding the care of my pet(s) and my home if she is unable to get in touch with me. Julie will try to reach me prior to making any decisions but will ultimately resort to her own best judgment as the situation requires. I agree to pay for all veterinary services either with a card on file at my veterinarian's office, or in another such manner at the time of billing. Julie will also be made aware of all health issues and safety concerns regarding my pet(s) before she begins services. Julie is not responsible for any altercations with wildlife at any time, most notably when there is a doggy door in the home with unlimited access for the pet to go outdoors.
PET BEHAVIOR: Julie provides responsible, trustworthy and intuitive care for the animals that she sits for, and will always put their needs first and foremost during her time in my home.
I acknowledge that pets often feel anxiety, depression, loneliness and confusion when their owner is away, and may thus exhibit behaviors that are not normal. These behaviors may include such things as excessive chewing, licking, barking, and more. Julie will do her best to keep pets exercised as well as feeling safe and calm while I am away. If there are any known behaviors such as this that Julie should look out for, I agree to let her know about them before her visit.
I agree that anything that I leave in the home that is available for my pet(s) to reach, chew, ingest or tamper with is not Julie's responsibility to look out for. Julie will assume that the way things are left when I leave the home is of no consequence to the pet(s), and if the pet starts exhibiting any of the behaviors listed in the above paragraph with any items that were left out, Julie will not be held responsible in the event that it causes an emergency situation for the pet.
For example, Julie had a situation once where a basket with dog grooming tools was left on the bottom shelf of the coffee table. She walked in on the dog gnawing and chewing on the toothbrush to the point that it was nearly ingested, and fortunately she was able to take the toothbrush away, and put the basket on a countertop where it could not be reached throughout the duration of her stay. In another situation, she came home to a dog having pulled apart a toy and the stuffing was strewn throughout the home, and it was unknown how much of it had been ingested. These were both situations where the owners left items out that the pet may not normally have destroyed in regular home life with the owner.
By signing this agreement, I understand that Julie is not responsible for any damage that may come to the pet(s) due to items being left out that the pet(s) may normally ignore, but under heightened stress or anxiety due to owner being away, may become dangerous for the pet if they begin to exhibit out-of-the-ordinary behaviors.
Julie is not responsible for damage to the home or belongings caused by the pet. All of Julie's personal belongings (such as purse, laptop, phone and computer cords, etc. will all be put onto countertops or away from easy access from curious pets. If there is any damage to the home or belongings, she will report any damage or issues to me as soon as possible.
Julie is not responsible for any emergency situations that may come about due to altercations with other people or animals when out walking. Julie will always err on the side of caution and not allow the pet(s) she is caring for to interact with other dogs or humans on daily walks. This is for the safety of both the pet(s) and Julie. I understand that if I let Julie know that it is okay for her to allow my pet(s) to interact with others while out on a walk, that it is my responsibility as the pet owner to cover any veterinary or hospital services in the event of an altercation with another animal or human, whether it was my pet that caused the altercation or another animal or human.
Julie is not responsible for any altercations with wildlife at any time, and will do her best to ensure the safety of my pet(s) throughout the duration of her stay.
In the event a dispute shall arise between the parties to this contract, the parties agree to participate in the mediation process to come to a resolution. The parties agree to share equally in the costs of the mediation.
STANDARDS OF SERVICE (HOME): Julie agrees to care for my home as if it were her own and will act according to the standard she expects her own personal pet sitter to provide. This includes but is not limited to checking mail, maintaining security, locking all doors and windows, watering plants, reporting issues with house maintenance, and rotating lights.
STANDARDS OF SERVICE (PET): Julie agrees to care for my pet(s) as if they were her own and will act according to the standard she expects her own personal pet sitter to provide, including but not limited to walking, playing, cuddling, feeding, cleaning litter boxes and/or messes, and providing treats that I provide.
Specific care per my own instructions will be included in the Pet Profile Questionnaire, of which I have been provided a copy, or in my own document that I have provided to Julie. Julie will also be made aware of where all backup pet supplies are, including pet food, cleaning supplies, doggy pickup baggies, etc.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Julie loves to share 'Pawstruck Pet Profiles' of the animals that she sits for on Pawstruck Pet Sitting's social media pages (currently just Facebook), as well as the Pawstruck website. I understand that I am able to decide whether or not I would like any photos or videos shared of my pet(s) on these sites, and will let Julie know my preference during the Meet-n-Greet.
I understand that Julie will take care to maintain privacy of any identifying characteristics regarding my home location within the photos and videos. I have looked at the website and Facebook page to get an idea of what types of photos and information has been shared in the past with other clients. If I wish, I may give Julie a bio of my pet(s) to share, including their likes/dislikes, or any other fun facts about my pet(s).
WEATHER: While we are blessed with beautiful Arizona winters, we also have the hottest temperatures in the country in summer. During the summer months and whenever the temperatures rise above a safe level for your pet, our daytime exercise will consist of a quick potty break followed by indoor playtime. Julie will always err on the side of caution with your pet, and choose indoor time over outdoor time for their health and safety. Please see the info chart in this article for how she will gauge how hot is too hot for your pet(s): https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-safety-tips/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs
PAYMENTS: I agree to pay via cash, check, Venmo, Zelle or PayPal to jlemerond@hotmail.com. As of January 2022, Pawstruck Pet Sitting's payment policy is fluid and I may pay either before or after the service has been provided. Paying in advance is appreciated but not required. This policy is subject to change. I have also read the FAQs on the Pawstruck Pet Sitting website and understand the rates including holiday surcharges, and the specific days that holiday surcharges are added to the services provided. I understand that Pawstruck Pet Sitting does not charge extra for having more than one pet, or for medication administration. Julie will send a confirmation letter with total amount due for services in advance of her stay.