Frequently Asked Questions!
Where does the name Paskapoo Pet Services come from?
“Paskapoo” (the Cree word for “blindman”) is the name of the geological formation of rock and sediment that lies under much of Southern Alberta, including Nose Hill Park in the NW of Calgary. We wanted a name that could uniquely describe the region we service, and so Paskapoo Pet Services was born!
The beautiful logo was designed by artist Véronique Thibault from Montréal while some of the other graphics used on Social Media were designed by April Petchsri.
Do you offer coupons, promotions or discounts?
We do not offer coupons at this time.
Our current volume discount is 25 dog walks for $625.00 (instead of $650.00).
I need my dog to be walked at a very specific time every day. Can you accommodate?
Daily dog walks are performed between 10:00 am and 2:30 pm and scheduled at the discretion of your assigned dog walker.
In order to accommodate all of our clients (new and existing), a variable number of visits and walks, road conditions and other circumstances (e.g. fuel and driving distances between clients), we are not able to guarantee a specific time.
Dog walks can be scheduled at other times during the day (e.g. early morning or evening).
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policies are different depending on the service requested.
Please, read our Business Policies for up to date information or contact us directly.
Do you provide off-leash pack walks?
Our niche is private on-leash dog walking.
We can offer private off-leash walks for dogs if all the appropriate conditions are present (excellent recall, no reactivity, off-leash area nearby, etc.). Please inquire for more information.
Can you administer medication?
Under most circumstances, yes.
However, we will only medicate willing, and non-aggressive pets - no exception.
If your pet is not comfortable being handled or medicated by a stranger, consult with your veterinarian before planning your absence.
A trial pet sitting visit may be required to ensure your pets can be medicated during your absence. Longer visits may be required (additional charges may apply).
Can you match another pet sitter or dog walker's rates?
Our business model and service rates are not based on competition with other pet care businesses.
We believe our rates reflect the extensive experience, reliability and reputation that our clients have come to appreciate from Paskapoo Pet Services.
Do you train dogs?
Although we know a lot of things about dogs, we are not certified in dog training and therefore, do not offer dog training or dog behavior assessment.
Dog owners should always do their due diligence when hiring a dog trainer, as dog training should only be offered by certified professionals and not by pet sitters.
I am unsure how my pets will react to a stranger in the house. What can we do?
Please contact us with your concerns and we can discuss different options, including scheduling a trial visit (charge applies).
Note that we do not offer service to pets with a history of aggression, lunging at people or bites - no exception.
Can you hire my teenager to work for you?
Due to the nature of the work we do, the risks involved, the need for a vehicle and the high level of liability involved, we do not hire pet sitters under the age of 18.
How much notice do you need for booking?
If you are a new client, two to three weeks before your departure date is ideal. If you need service over the Holidays, Spring Break or the summer, the earlier the better.
We start booking up to six months ahead of busy holiday periods.
Can you water my garden and my flowers?
We water garden and indoor/outdoor plants as part of our pet and house sitting service.
However, your rate may be adjusted if watering requires an unusual amount of time and exceeds the time allotted for your visit and the care of your pets.
Can you give us a ride to/from the airport?
Unfortunately, our vehicle and business insurance does not cover transporting clients – just their pets.
I'm locked out! Can you help me?
We can certainly help you out if we have your key on file!
A charge will apply.
Do you take time off or closed the business?
At Paskapoo Pet Services, we promote an healthy balance between work, play and family.
We can’t possibly be available 24 hours a day, all the time. However, having a dedicated team in place allows for continuous and flexible service with as little down time as possible.
My pets are not vaccinated. Will you care for them?
Most likely.
However, the client agrees that Paskapoo Pet Services cannot be help liable in the event that their dogs/cats develop an illness or die due to a transmissible disease for which a vaccine is available.
Can I send you a tip?
Absolutely! Clients are not expected to tip but it is always highly appreciated.
There should be a special icon on Time To Pet to add a tip to your account.
Why do you need a Vet Emergency Care Release? My pet is healthy.
As professionals, we like to be prepared for everything.
We perform thousands of visits and walks every year and although extremely rare, there is always a chance that a pet will fall ill at some point, despite the best of care.
We always try to consult with the client first before bringing a pet to a vet clinic. However, we will always do everything we can to minimize unnecessary suffering. As such, we do not offer service to clients who refuse to complete and sign our Vet Emergency Release.
I want to start my own Pet Sitting business. Can you help me?
As we are not business coaches or consultants, we don't feel adequate in providing the best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
There are lots of resources online, and great pet sitting books, available for anyone wishing to start a new career in the pet care industry.
It is a challenging line of work. Anyone who is considering a career in the pet care industry should be well prepared.
Can you adopt my cat/bunny/dog ?
Unfortunately, we are not a rescue organization nor can provide adoption assistance. We also have our own pets and cannot have more!
If you are unsure what to do, please contact us and we'll direct you to people who might be able to help.
Are you comfortable with cameras in your clients' house?
Yes we are, as long as they do not invade our privacy.
We kindly ask clients not to talk to us through security systems. We want to be fully committed to the care of your pets and home without the uncomfortable sensation of being constantly watched or monitored.
We do not allow any recordings of our staff to be shared online or on social media under any circumstances, even footage that would otherwise be considered funny.
Invasion of our privacy (e.g. a camera in the washroom) or distribution of video/audio footage will result in immediate termination of service and potential legal actions.
Will you clean my pet's accidents?
Yes, as long as it is reasonably within our scope of work.
A cat who throws up once in a while is perfectly fine.
However, large amounts of blood, urine, feces or diarrhea may incur additional charges or require professional cleaning services.
If we are unsure to be able to clean an accident without causing more damage (e.g. vomit on an expensive carpet, or urine on a bed duvet), we will leave it for you to take care of it.
As per our policies, we are not liable or responsible for accidents and messes caused by pets. We are also not responsible for accidents that happened prior to the client's departure.
Why do you need TWO keys on file?
We require two (2) keys, or two seperate, independant ways of entry for all our clients. This can be one physical key, and one entry code (garage or door).
Having two ways of entry ensures that we always have a back up option if key #1 is damaged, lost or in the hands of a pet sitter who is unable to perform the visits or walks.
As we experienced multiple failures in the past, we also cannot rely solely on digital or wifi connected locks.
We understand that for condos or rentals, providing two keys can be difficult. Please, inquire with us so we can discuss other options.
I need my keys returned. Can you drop off my keys?
For clients who wish to have their keys returned after an assignment, or for any other reasons, we offer a pick up option at our office at no charge.
Otherwise, key drop off and pick up appointments are charged $15.00 per occurence.
Once keys are returned, we can no longer accept new bookings until keys are provided again.
Is the Initial Consultation free?
Yes, our first consultation with clients is always free of charge.
Please note that we require traveling dates for pet sitting, and a starting date for dog walking, to schedule a consultation. This ensure that we have the availability to help with your needs and we are not wasting anyone's time.
Due to time limitations, we will not proceed with consultations for "just in case" situations.
Clients are never required to complete and sign our Service Agreement during their initial consultation. We charge $15.00 for additional meetings.
What are your hours of business?
We operate 7 days a week, including Holidays, between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm.
We will reply to calls, texts and emails between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.
We have limited office hours on evenings, weekends and Holidays for private time and family commitments.
We are much easier to reach via email as we work on the road and will not pick up the phone while driving, or spending time with pets.
What do you mean by "up to 30 minutes"?
Unless noted otherwise, visits and dog walks are scheduled in "blocks" of up to 30, 45 or 60 minutes with no guaranteed minimum time. The actual visit length will vary depending on the scope of work, the number of pets, the services to be performed, driving time and outside circumstances such as extreme weather or vet emergencies.
We always make sure that all the pets under our care get the appropriate amount of time during our visits.
Can you visit my cats every other day, or once or twice a week?
For the safety of your pets and home, we have a strict policy of a minimum of a daily pet sitting visits for kitties and other small pets.
Please, visit our blog for a detailed article about the reasons behind this policy.
Can you share pet sitting visits with a friend/relative/neighbor?
For safety and liability reasons, we will decline most "job sharing" situations.
Clients MUST disclose if they intend to have a third-party visit their house and/or care for their pets during their absence. Failure to do so may result in immediate termination of service. When hired, Paskapoo Pet Services should be the exclusive and sole pet care provider.
It is also in our policies to call the police if strangers or unannounced guests are present in a client's house.
What types of payment do you accept?
We currently accept e-transfers.
First time clients can pay with a credit card, a check, or cash at their initial consultation.
Subsequent invoices will need to be paid by e-transfers.
Do you offer boarding for dogs? Can I drop my dog at your place?
We offer dog boarding by invitation only.
Otherwise, we offer pet sitting for dogs with 3 visits daily.
