Required Vaccines
  • Dogs: Rabies, DHPP/DAPP, Bordetella
  • Cats: Rabies, FVRCP
  • Puppies/Kittens: 16+ weeks and fully vaccinated Submission
  • Records must be submitted before a booking is confirmed.
  • Partial, cropped, unclear, or incomplete records (including screenshots) are not accepted.
  • May be emailed to terikaspetsitting@gmail.com or uploaded to the Google Drive link.
  • Pendleton Veterinary Clinic clients may request the clinic to send records directly to me. Exceptions (at my discretion only)
  • One-time courtesy for new or traveling clients.
  • Vet-documented exemptions.
  • Pets lacking full vaccines are at higher risk; Terika’s Pet Sitting is not liable. Health Standards
  • Pets must arrive free of fleas, ticks, and parasites.
  • Pets must not show signs of illness within 48 hours prior to booking.
  • If parasites or illness are discovered, the booking may be cancelled or treatment required at the owner’s expense (no refund).

  • Pets must be present.
  • No children allowed.
  • A meet & greet does not reserve a booking.

Terika’s Pet Sitting is a professional, appointment-based business inside a private home — not a drop-in, flexible, or open-door environment.
Even if I am physically home, that does not mean I am immediately available.
Every arrival and departure is a scheduled appointment. Do not arrive early, late, or unannounced. Why Structure Matters
To provide safe, consistent, high-quality care, I manage many responsibilities throughout the day. At any time, I may be:
  • Supervising and rotating pets for safety
  • Monitoring behavior, stress, and compatibility
  • Cleaning up accidents and sanitizing spaces
  • Feeding pets and administering medications
  • Managing check-ins, meet & greets, and scheduling
  • Preparing for upcoming arrivals and departures
  • Reviewing client forms and verifying vaccine records
  • Responding to multiple daily messages, calls, and emails
  • Managing business tasks (invoicing, finances, records)
  • Taking breaks to maintain my wellbeing Because of this:
  • I am not always immediately available, even if I am home.
  • Pet care takes priority over messaging.
  • A delayed response does not imply approval, permission, or availability unless confirmed in writing. Boundaries Are Operational (Not Personal)
  • Boundaries are not personal — they are operational.
  • These rules exist to maintain safety, structure, fairness, and predictability for all pets and clients.
  • They apply equally and consistently to everyone. Doorbell Rule
  • Ring the doorbell only once and only when physically at the door with your pet.
  • Repeated ringing disrupts pets and will not be accommodated. Arrive at the Time You Chose
  • Clients must arrive at the exact appointment time they selected.
  • Choosing a time means committing to that time.
  • Early, late, or unapproved adjustments disrupt rotations and safety procedures. Waiting Outside Changes Nothing
Choosing to wait outside does not:
  • Adjust your appointment time
  • Speed up your entry
  • Affect another client’s timing
  • Create an expectation for me to hurry another client I Will Not Ask Other Clients to Leave Early
  • I do not — and will not — ask other clients to leave early, move faster, change their appointment, or adjust their timing for another client’s convenience. General Arrival/Departure Etiquette
  • Bring pets directly to the door.
  • Only approach the door at your scheduled time.
  • Occasional overlap with other clients is normal.
  • Owners must clean accidents that occur during drop-off/pick-up. Why Appointment Times Are Required
Appointment times are required in order to:
  • Keep transitions calm and safe
  • Prevent chaos and reactivity between pets
  • Ensure dogs are rotated or separated safely
  • Allow me to prepare properly for your pet
  • Protect my home routine, privacy, and boundaries
  • Prevent burnout so I can continue providing quality care This structure is standard for other appointment-based professionals (groomers, vets, trainers, hairdressers, boarding facilities, etc.). Home-based care still requires exact scheduling for safety and fairness.
Travel uncertainty (flights, long drives, traffic) does not remove the need for a confirmed time. If unsure, choose the most likely time. If you need to make any changes — earlier or later — you may adjust your time by following the Arrival & Departure Appointment Rules. Appointments Only
  • This is not a flexible time window.
  • All arrivals and departures require a confirmed appointment.
  • My partner may assist with appointments.
  • Clients may not self-adjust their times. Unapproved Arrivals/Departures
  • Disrupt pet routines.
  • May not be accommodated.
  • May incur fees.
  • May result in cancellation or future restrictions. Scope of Authority
  • For safety, scheduling, and operational reasons, final decisions regarding appointments, care structure, and pet compatibility are determined by Terika’s Pet Sitting.

Early Arrivals/Departures
  • Do not arrive/depart more than 5 minutes early.
  • Notice does not override rules.
  • Unapproved early arrival/departure is not allowed. Late Arrivals/Departures
  • Late fees begin at 10 minutes late.
  • Do not arrive/depart more than 5 minutes late.
  • Late time is based on your scheduled appointment.
  • $15 per 10 minutes late.
  • Notice does not remove late fees or override rules.
  • Late arrivals/departures may be asked to reschedule.
  • 30+ minutes late with no communication may cancel service (no refund). Adjusting Your Time (Earlier or Later)
All new times must be approved.

  • If you request a later time:
    • 60+ min before appointment → no fee
    • 30–60 min before appointment → $5 adjustment fee
    • 0–30 min before appointment → $10 adjustment fee
    • 0–9 min after original time → $15 adjustment fee + late fees (if applicable)
    • 10+ min late to new time → adjustment fee + late fees

  • If you request an earlier time:
    • 10+ min late to new time → late fees Early Morning/Late Evening Appointments
  • Require approval and incur fees.
  • Early Morning: Before 8 AM → $10 × number of hours.
  • Late Evening: After 7 PM → $10 × number of hours.
  • Fees apply once you enter that hour.
    • Ex: 6:00 AM = $20, 7:30 AM = $10
    • Ex: 7:30 PM = $10, 9:15 PM = $30

Clients acknowledge:
  • Presence of resident pets.
  • Presence of other client pets.
  • Normal household sounds. Safety Requirements
  • Pets must be cat-tolerant or safely separable.
  • Pets may be rotated or separated for safety or meals.
  • Unsafe, destructive, aggressive, or extremely stressed pets may require immediate pickup (no refund).
  • If behavior changes during the stay, pickup may be required. House Training Policy
  • “Reliably house-trained” means able to hold bladder until taken outside.
  • Potty-pad trained is not considered house-trained in this environment.
  • Frequent accidents may result in cleaning fees or discontinuation of care. Hygiene Policy
  • Dogs must arrive clean.
  • Excess stool/urine on fur may result in denial of entry. Driveway & Leash Safety
  • Owners are responsible for controlling their pet at arrival and departure.
  • I am not responsible for pets that bolt, slip collars, pull, or escape while in the owner’s care.
  • The driveway may already be in use by another client; if so, please park along the curb.
  • I will not ask another client to move their vehicle for another client’s convenience. Behavior Disclosure
  • Owners must disclose all concerns, including aggression, anxiety, reactivity, resource guarding, barking/howling, digging, climbing, bolting, escape attempts, destructive behavior, senior needs, fear of confinement, separation anxiety, marking, etc.
  • Providing false or incomplete information may result in immediate pickup, refusal of service, or modified care.
  • Tier classification is determined by me and may change based on observed behavior. Accountability: Accurate Information Required
  • Clients must provide complete and accurate behavior, health, and training information.
  • Incomplete, false, or withheld information may result in modified care, additional fees, immediate pickup, or refusal of future service.

  • I sometimes share photos and videos of pets enjoying their stay on my Facebook business page, website, and other marketing materials. These help show the fun, safe, and loving environment pets experience here.
  • Photos/videos may be taken for updates and marketing.
  • No personal client information is ever shared.
  • Pets may appear in group or background images naturally.

  • Full payment is due at booking.
  • A booking is not confirmed until payment is received.
  • Last-minute booking fees are based on the confirmation time, not inquiry time:
  • Last minute fees:
    • Within 24 hours → $10
    • Within 12 hours → $25
  • Accepted forms of payment: Cash, Venmo, Cash App, Apple Pay, Credit/Debit (+4%). Trusted / Reputable Clients (at my discretion only)
  • Alternative payment arrangements may be offered.
  • This exception is a courtesy and may be revoked at any time; all standard fees still apply. Split Payment Option (at my discretion only)
  • For stays of 7 days or longer or bookings totaling $500 or more, I may allow a split payment:
    • 50% due at booking, and
    • 50% due 2 days before the stay begins.
  • This exception is a courtesy and may be revoked at any time; all standard fees still apply.

Refunds:
  • 8+ days before start → 80% refund
  • 2–7 days before start → 50% refund
  • 0–1 day before start → no refund
  • No refunds for early pickups, unused days, or shortening a stay after the booking begins. Trusted Clients Paying at Service Start
  • If a trusted client has been granted the exception to pay at service start, the refund amounts above become cancellation fees owed instead.
  • Example: a “50% refund” equals a 50% cancellation fee if payment has not yet been made. Why These Refunds Exist
  • Because I reserve your spot and often turn away other clients for the same dates, cancellations directly impact my small business.
  • These refund percentages help keep scheduling fair and consistent for everyone. Rescheduling
  • Based on availability and follows the same cancellation windows.

  • Home must be accessible.
  • Check-ins are 15 or 30 minutes.
  • Working locks and safe conditions are required.
  • No unapproved persons may be present (service will end with no refund).

Owners must:
  • Provide enough food, medication, and supplies.
  • Provide accurate measuring tools (if not provided, I will portion items to the best of my ability).
  • Pay for replacements if supplies run out (item cost + $15 pickup fee).
  • Clean accidents that occur by their pet(s) during drop-off or pick-up. Terika’s Pet Sitting is not liable for:
  • Illness, injury, escape, or accidents beyond reasonable control.
  • Stool/appetite changes due to stress, food, or schedule differences.
  • Age-related changes or decline.
  • Pet’s damaging their belongings or the owner’s belongings. Repeated sanitation issues may incur additional fees or require early pickup.

  • Veterinary care may be sought if necessary.
  • Owner is responsible for all vet expenses.
  • CPR/First Aid may be performed if needed.

  • Pets not picked up within 48 hours with no communication may be considered abandoned and surrendered to the appropriate authorities.
  • Additional boarding fees apply.

Feeding:
  • Clear feeding instructions required.
  • Free-fed dogs will be transitioned to structured mealtimes for safety, sanitation, and to prevent resource guarding. Home Access:
  • Clients may not enter my home, yard, or private areas unless invited. Medication:
  • Medications must be labeled with clear instructions.
  • Missing/unclear instructions void responsibility for missed doses. Play & Activity:
  • Normal play may result in minor scratches or soreness. Emergency Pickup Rule:
  • If a pet arrives or becomes ill, injured, aggressive, or misrepresented on forms → immediate pickup within 1 hour may be required (no refunds). Heat Cycle Policy:
  • Females in heat may require early pickup (no refund). Escape Behavior Disclosure:
  • Owners must disclose digging, climbing, bolting, fence jumping, crate breaking, etc.
  • Terika’s Pet Sitting is not liable for escape if behaviors were undisclosed. Crate Use Policy:
  • Crates may be used for feeding, rest, safety, calming, or cleanup. Approved Pickup Persons Only:
  • Only the owner or pre-approved contacts may pick up the pet.

  • Terika’s Pet Sitting reserves the right to update, modify, or amend policies as business operations evolve.
  • The most current version of these policies applies to all future bookings and ongoing client relationships.
  • Clients may be asked to review and re-acknowledge updated policies when appropriate.
  • Continued use of services constitutes acceptance of the most current policies, whether or not a separate notification is sent.

  • Clients are responsible for reading all policies in full.
  • Claims of not reading, skimming, misunderstanding, or overlooking policies do not exempt clients from enforcement, fees, or consequences outlined in this agreement.

  • These policies exist first and foremost to protect the safety, wellbeing, and emotional comfort of all pets in my care.
  • These rules maintain fairness, safety, and structure for everyone.
  • Policies are not flexible guidelines — they are required.
  • Requests to override, bypass, or modify established policies will not be accommodated.
  • All policies apply to all clients equally to ensure fairness and consistency.