Keys

To ensure your dog walker has access to your house to care for your dogs, we recommend you maintain a lock box with two sets of door keys on the outside of your home. The box may be attached to your door, or railing, or another location easily accessible by your dog walker. It must have a combination lock.  Lock boxes are available from Pet Assist for a $35 deposit (refundable up to one year).

If you prefer not to use a lock box, you may provide us with two sets of keys; one for the dog walker and one to keep on file at the office in case of emergency.

Please provide two sets of keys. A backup set is necessary in case a key should break or your dog walker accidentally locks themselves and your dogs out of your house. Should this occur and you have not provided Pet Assist with backup keys, we will call a locksmith. There will be a minimum $125 fee for this service. In addition you will be charged for the time the Pet Assist dog walker has to remain with your dogs. This fee is subject to increase on holidays and weekends. Please test all keys; making sure they work.

Please have keys ready at the Get Acquainted Visit. There will be a $20 fee if another trip to pick-up keys becomes necessary. Pet Assist can have duplicate keys made for $12 per key.

Get Acquainted Visit

If you are a new Pet Assist client, we will schedule a FREE Get Acquainted Visit prior to your first dog walking service. This will allow you to meet us and allow us to get acquainted with you and your dogs. These visits are up to 30 minutes long.  If additional time is required, it will be billable at $10 per quarter hour. Additional visits are charged at the regular rate. During this meeting your dog’s needs will be carefully noted. A copy will remain on file at the main office for future reference. Please contact the main office to regularly update your dog’s profile with changes in their care requirements. If you would like a lock box one will be provided at this time for a $35 deposit or you may provide us with two sets of keys.

Reservations

All dog walker reservations and changes must be made through the main office. You may contact the main office through this web site, or by emailing [email protected], or calling 781-806-5722. Pet Assist will respond to your message within 24hrs. We are not responsible for any dog walker service requests or changes that are not communicated directly with the main office. Please make reservations at least two business days prior to the day you want your service to begin. Business days are Monday through Friday. Reservations accepted with less notice will incur a $25 rush fee. Do not assume you have a reservation until you receive a confirmation.

Reservations Near Holidays

Regular dog walking service is not scheduled on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. If dog walking service is needed on a holiday we may be able to provide it under the Flexible Service Plan for an additional $10 per visit.

Reservations that include any of these holidays or the week preceding and/or following the holiday should be made a minimum of two weeks prior to the holiday. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold these reservations. Holiday reservations are limited and are available on a first pay – first serve basis.

If our schedule allows us to accept a late reservation that falls on a recognized company holiday (see list above) that reservation will incur a $50 late registration fee.

Payment and Reservation Confirmation

To keep the cost of dog walking services down, Pet Assist does not maintain an accounts receivable department. Please pay for your dog walking service when registering. We can email a link for secure online payment (MasterCard, Visa and Discover accepted). Payment may also be made by check or money order and mailed directly to the main office. Make checks payable to “Pet Assist, Inc” and mail to 63 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon, MA 02067. When payment is received dog walker reservations will be confirmed.

Communication

Please communicate your pet’s care requirements directly to the office so your pet care profile is updated and available to the primary and backup Pet Care Professionals assigned to your pet(s). We are not responsible for any information that is not communicated directly to the office.

Medications

Medications will be administered to your pet according to your written instructions. Medications are charged at a rate of $3 per administration.

Cleaning Up Pet Messes

In the event that your dog makes a mess by vomiting, diarrhea, pooing, piddling, getting into the garbage, etc., we will  clean it to the best of our ability. We do not accept any responsibility for the cleanup as we are not cleaning professionals. Please be sure to keep extra paper towels on hand for such occurrences. There will be a charge of $16 per quarter hour if extra time is needed to clean up pet messes.

Food and Supplies

Should your pet run out of food or urgently need any supply Pet Assist will purchase it. You will be responsible for the cost of items purchased plus a $25 fee per shopping trip.

Inclement Weather

For the safety of our dog walkers service may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. You will be notified in the event this becomes necessary. We will make every effort to get to your pets as soon as it becomes safe to drive. You will not be charged for visits which are canceled due to inclement weather.

In the winter months please make sure your walkways are clear of snow and are sanded so your dog walker can safely get to your dog. If you are going to be away make certain someone will plow, shovel, and sand as needed.

Emergency Veterinary Care

In the event of a medical emergency we will transport your pet to your veterinarian if possible or to another open veterinary clinic. You, as our client, understand that Pet Assist Inc. is acting in your interest to the best of our ability. In this situation there will be a $50 emergency medical charge plus an hourly rate for a Pet Assist dog walker to transport and remain with your pet at the veterinary clinic. You will be responsible for any and all veterinary charges. We will make every effort to have the veterinarian bill you directly.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Should unforeseen circumstances arise: heating system failure, power outage, etc., you, as our client, understand that Pet Assist Inc. is acting in your interest to the best of our ability. You will be responsible for any fees that result from unforeseen circumstances.

This Agreement is subject to force majeure, including without limitation, accidents, acts of God, illness, storm, weather conditions, orders or acts of military or civil authority, national emergencies, insurrections, riots, wars, or other delays beyond the reasonable control of Pet Assist Inc.  Neither Pet Assist Inc. nor the dog walkers shall  be held responsible for reasonable delays caused by such events, but shall use reasonable efforts under the circumstances to avoid or remove such causes of non-performance.

Our Guarantee

Pet Assist guarantees to provide quality, loving care for your pet. Each Pet Assist employee has gone through a rigorous screening process. Each employee has passed a background check conducted by an independent firm. Every team member has been through specialized training.

Pet Assist guarantees a qualified Pet Care Specialist will care for your pets. While endeavoring to continually send the same team member, under extenuating circumstances another specialist may be sent. We guarantee each Pet Care Specialist caring for your pet will be thoroughly qualified. The specialist will be briefed regarding your pet’s care, based upon the profile maintained in the main office.

If you are in any way dissatisfied with our service let us know. We want to make it right!