Frequently Asked Questions

Each visit is approximately 30 minutes. Multiple or special needs pets may require longer visits.

Typically...
     Morning—between 6 am and 11 am
     Mid-day—between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm
     Evening—between 5 pm and 9 pm

If a client has a specific time they want us there, we will do everything we can to accommodate that request.

We will make visits as early as 6am and as late as 9pm. If you need something earlier or later, ask us.

Yes, your sitter will leave a daily diary for each visit detailing the care your pet received.

Yes, we will bring in mail, newspapers and packages each day we are there.

We will be happy to water a few potted plants during our visit. Please be mindful that we are there for your pets' care and not educated in plant care.

We will clean up any pet accidents that occur while your pet is in our care. We ask that you leave the proper cleaning materials with instructions.

Share with the sitter if your pet has a certain area where he has accidents. Our sitter will not snoop through your house to look for accidents—unless you specifically tell us to.

Yes, your pet sitter will take your routine household garbage and recyclables to the curb for pickup.

Many clients request we call, text or email them in addition to leaving a daily diary.

It is Georgia state law, thus, we will only exercise your dog on a leash while away from your enclosed property.

We will take your dog to the neighborhood park during our normal pet visit. Your dog must be familiar with the park. Additionally, you must understand that Reigning Cats & Dogs cannot be responsible for the actions of other pets or people.

This should be discussed with the sitter so that he/she can be expecting the unexpected when entering your home.

If proper precautions are followed, this is a rare occurrence. If your pet has access through a dog/cat door or other people enter your home, the likelihood of escape increases.

If this should happen during our visit, we will contact you and do everything possible to find your pet. If your pet is missing when we arrive for a visit, you will be notified unless we have previously been advised you have a "hider".

Remember, all pets should have updated pet tags.

Only if your pet can escape from the yard, is unable to get out of extreme heat or cold or barks too much, bothering neighbors.

We prefer that any pet in our care receive at least two visits per day to ensure their well-being.

No he cannot. No dog can hold it for 24 hours. If a client is cutting back on visits due to cost and to the detriment of the dog, we suggest boarding. One visit per day increases the chances of serious health issues.

Absolutely! We will contact you immediately to let you know, so you and your vet can discuss proper attention and payment arrangements.

That is why we insist on an emergency contact number while you are away and a local emergency contact to back you up. If we cannot reach you and we have a pet or home emergency, we will contact the emergency contact name and number you gave us.

No, it is common for most clients to have alarm systems. Each is different so we suggest you discuss the arm, disarm and pass code with your pet sitter.

Only our employees are allowed unless you provide us with written instructions to the contrary. However, we cannot control your friends, neighbors or workers that you have otherwise authorized—and of course, criminals.

Yes, that could very well be a problem since the welfare of our employees is critically important. We take this into consideration on a case-by-case basis.

At sign-up time you provided us with lockout instructions and we will follow those instructions.

Not unless you can guarantee the safety of our pet sitter.

This happens occasionally. We know you cannot force a dog to do something it does not want to do. However, we find our sitters to be extremely calm and patient with these types of dogs. Often your pet will come around after a visit or two.

Don't, but...

If you run out of supplies and there is no backup, the sitter will purchase supplies and the client will reimburse the sitter as well as pay a trip charge.

This happens occasionally and though we cannot force your pet to eat, we will try and entice your pet. If the situation becomes critical, the sitter will contact you for suggestions.

If your pet is only pet aggressive, that may mean we cannot walk him where we would encounter other dogs. This may be a situation where he stays in his own yard and the sitter exercises him there.

We prefer a consultation to meet with you and your pet. The pet sitter will need to ensure that your dog is a good candidate for a 30 minute Dog Run or Power Walk. This is after the office has already completed a phone consultation and obtained necessary information.

Yes, but never more than two at a time for either Dog Run or Power Walk.

We prefer to exercise your pet at a nearby trail, park or sidewalk, as you would. However, special arrangements may be made to transport your pet to a non-routine, designated offsite exercise area.

Your dog's fitness and good health is necessary before beginning any rigorous exercise program. We will begin slowly building up his or her endurance but only after you have received a clean bill of health on your dog.

Dog Runs and Power Walks are only undertaken when the dog is on a proper leash. Retractable leashes are not acceptable.

Due to the vigorous exercise we will not Dog Run or Power Walk your dog in very hot or extreme cold or if roads or running paths are treacherous due to ice or snow.

Each pet sitter providing Dog Run or Power Walk service is either a long distance runner or in excellent physical shape and is very able to provide a brisk 30 minute walk or run.

Yes, we provide these as stand-alone or as an add-on service. In the latter case, we will complete our 30 minute regular visit and then begin our 30 minute Dog Run or Power Walk.

Absolutely! We want to meet you and your pet as well to ensure your pet will be happy staying in our employee's home.

We take great care to match your dog with the right pet sitter. We do so to prevent or minimize pet behavioral problems. Your pet is an invited guest and is treated as a member of our family.

We will not routinely crate your dog unless you request it. We may crate the dog—for his or her own safety—while the pet sitter is away for short periods of time.

The client must provide all of the food and treats to ensure the dog remains on his/her own diet to eliminate any tummy problems. Since your pet may be more comfortable with his own bowls, bedding and toys, we do encourage you to bring those items at drop off. Keep in mind, the toys may have to be shared with other pet guests and may not be returned in the manner they were received.

Most often there are other pet guests and dogs get plenty of exercise playing with each other. The sitter may also take your dog for walks if you so desire.

To comply with Georgia law and to ensure the safety of all pet guests, proof of current rabies, parvo and bordatella vaccination is necessary.

All dogs must be on some form of flea control and free of fleas and other pests.

The pet sitter would appreciate that all pets be freshly bathed before dropping off. You may be used to your pet's smell but others are not.

Absolutely, that is part of the reason for this kind of service.

Most often, yes. These pet sitters are animal lovers and most homes have dogs of their own. If you prefer your dog go to a home without other pets, we will do our best to accommodate.

Yes, your pets need to have current rabies, address and phone number on the tag.

Unfortunately, boarding a pet with aggression issues is never a good idea.

It is if your pet stays in a home with other pets. In this case we would make every effort to find a boarding home without other pets.

One of the reasons we do a meet and greet beforehand is to minimize this kind of problem. If your pet has a fear issue, this needs to be discussed beforehand so we can make a decision that is in the best interest of your pet.

This happens occasionally and though you cannot force a dog to do something it does not want to do, we find our sitters to be extremely calm and patient with these types of dogs. Often your pet will come around after a visit or two.

We leave this up to the individual pet sitter that will be boarding your dog.

We will board puppies as long as they are current on their puppy shots, free of parvo and other diseases that could be contagious to other pets in the home.

We will, but ask that you bring your dog's crate. This way we can continue with his training and ensure the sitters home is not damaged.

If your dog is over 6 months of age and not neutered or spayed, we prefer not to board in a private home.

Yes, we will take your pet to either his/her vet or a vet closest to the pet sitter. You will be contacted so that you can discuss options and make payment arrangements with the vet.

We will call the alternate emergency contact number you gave us.

If the boarding pet sitter has some emergency and can no longer care for your dog, we will arrange an alternate home for him/her. We will contact you to discuss.

No, the pet sitter will provide her own food. Many clients do provide some food, coffee, snacks and the like, but that is certainly not necessary—nor is it expected.

Yes. A daily diary will be left which advises you of your pet's activity, mood, diet, etc.

All mail, newspapers and packages will be brought in daily.

The pet sitter will water indoor plants per your written instructions.

The house sitter will water yard and outdoor plants during her stay, per your written instructions.

The pet sitter will clean up any pet accidents, provided the client instructs us what to use and where cleaning materials are stored. We prefer to use your method to clean carpet stains.

Pet waste will be picked up for each deposit, when bags are provided. The pet sitter will not clean up pet waste in the yard that has been left from previous deposits. For that, we offer our pet waste removal service.

Trash and recyclables will be taken out on pick up day or the night before.

The times can always be tweaked...
     Overnight, 7pm arrival and 7am departure.
     24 hour, there except when running very infrequent errands.
     Daytime only is as assigned.

The sitter will clean up after herself. Providing house cleaning duties that would normally be provided by a cleaning service is not part of our service.

Your pets will be walked/exercised without additional cost as long as it is during the time our employee is actually there for house sitting

Certainly! If you request the pet sitter keep you posted via email, text or phone, we will be happy to do so.

Yes, it is a state law.

We will take your dog to the neighborhood park during our house sitting hours. Your dog must be familiar with the park. Additionally, you must understand that Reigning Cats & Dogs cannot be responsible for the actions of other pets or people.

This should be discussed with the sitter so that he/she can be expecting the unexpected when entering your home.

This should never happen while in our care. If a pet has access through a dog door, stays in a fenced yard or other people enter the home, this will increase the chances of a pet running away. But if it should happen, we will do everything we can to find your pet. All pets should have updated pet tags.

No, this is not a problem. Be sure to leave plenty of backup pads.

Absolutely! We will contact you immediately to let you know so you and your vet can discuss proper care and payment arrangements.

We will then contact your designated back-up emergency contact.

No, it is common for most clients to have alarm systems. Each is different so we suggest you cover the arm and disarm and pass code with your pet sitter.

Not unless you provide written instructions.

Yes, that could very well be a problem since the welfare of our employees is critically important. We take this into consideration on a case-by-case basis.

At sign up time you provided us with lockout instructions. We will follow those instructions.

Not unless you can guarantee the safety of our pet sitter.

This happens occasionally and though you cannot force a dog to do something it doesn't want to do, we find our sitters to be extremely calm and patient with these types of dogs. Often your pet will come around after they get used to the sitter being there.

Do not! If you run out of supplies and there is no backup, the sitter will purchase supplies and you will reimburse them, along with paying a trip charge.

This happens occasionally and though we cannot force your pet to eat, we will try and entice your pet to jolt his taste buds and encourage him to eat. If the situation becomes critical, the sitter will contact you for suggestions.

If your pet is only pet aggressive that may mean we cannot walk him where we would encounter other dogs. This may be a situation where he stays in his own yard and the sitter exercises him there.