Our Policies & Procedures

At Little Bay Pet Services, LLC, we feel most comfortable when all parties know and understand how our policies work. Little Bay Pet Services, LLC understands that sometimes unexpected events occur. To be effective and fair to all clients and out of consideration for our sitter’s time, we have adopted the following policies:

• Recurring Mid-Day Dog Walks: Less than 24 hours notice will be charged the full amount of the visit(s).
• Pet Sitting: Less than 5 days notice will be charged 50% of the scheduled visit(s).
• Early Returns: No refunds will be given for early returns once a service has started.
• Visit Extension: If you need to extend your visits, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can continue caring for your pets until you arrive home safely.
• Holiday/Overnights: Less than 10 days notice will be charged 50% of the scheduled visits.

Our initial consultation, or “Meet and Greet” typically lasts 30-60 minutes. The sitters will come to your home to meet you and your pets. This gives your pet(s) a chance to get comfortable with us in their environment. We will go over their routine, preferences, medications and additional care, as well as house management. If you would like to move forward with our company, we will require keys and paperwork at this time.

If additional pets are added to a household, we require an additional “Meet and Greet” before we will take care of this pet. We also require a Veterinary Release Form as well for this new pet. Fish do not apply to this policy.

Cats must remain inside the client’s home during their absence. It is the sole responsibility of the client to make sure their cat(s) are secured in the home before they leave.

All our pet sitters are required to walk your dogs on a leash. This is for the safety of your pet, your neighbors, and any other pets we may encounter on a walk. Most towns that we service also require this.

All pets must be secured indoors

For our vacation visits, we require the following for the safety of your pets:

• Cat visits: Minimum 1 visit per day
• Dog visits: Minimum 3 visit per day

We feel strongly that a minimum of 3 visits per day for dogs and 1 visit per day for cats is required when animals are left home unattended. This is for both the safety and mental well-being of the animals for which we are caring.

When Little Bay Pet Services LLC takes possession of your keys they are coded with a number and pets name so keys cannot be matched to your personal information. During your pet visit, our company preference is that one key remains in a lockbox or accessible hidden location at the client’s home (for entry purposes) and the other key is secured at our office as a backup. This allows us to provide consistent, reliable care to your pets and keep your home safe and secure without disruption.

Why we love this option!

• You are in control of your keys.
• A backup sitter can access your home/pet in an emergency.
• It eliminates the need for each sitter to retain a key.
• No more worrying about whether the assigned sitter has the correct key.
• A neighbor, friend or family member can get to your pet in an emergency if the sitter is not able to access the home.

We ask for 1 hard copy of the key as a safety measure in the event of a power outage, failed garage door opener, batteries, or mechanical issues. Garage or lock codes of any kind are not accepted in lieu of keys. With us implementing these precautions, we can continually provide you with exceptional care.

• Errand fee: Please provide your sitter with enough food, supplies and medications for your pet(s) while you are away. We are happy to pick up supplies for you, if necessary, at an additional fee of $30 per trip (up to one hour) plus the cost of supplies.
• Emergency vet trips: If your pet requires emergency care, we will transport him/her to your preferred veterinarian at $30 per hour. Don’t worry, we’ll call you immediately!
• Pet clean-up: If your pet has an accident (It happens!), there may be an additional charge for clean-up time if the sitter has gone over his/her regularly scheduled visit time.
• No access to the home: It is the client’s responsibility to notify Little Bay Pet Services or update their client portal if the hidden key location, garage code, door code or alarm code has changed. Additional charges may occur if the sitter is at the client’s home longer than the agreed length of the visit, waiting for access to the home.

• Pet Sitting hours are between 6:00am and 9:00pm, seven days a week.
• To avoid any miscommunications, we require all scheduling/cancellations be made through your client portal (preferred method) or the office by contacting (603) 319-1566 or email littlebaypetservices@comcast.net. Once we have received your request for changes or additions, you and your pet sitter will receive a confirmation. Please do not consider your request booked/cancelled until you receive confirmation.
• To “check in” with your pet sitter while you’re away, feel free to contact your sitter directly as he/she will have the most comprehensive report of your pet’s activities. You can find your sitters email and phone number at the bottom of your feedback reports.

Once your requests are confirmed, you will be able to view your visits in your client portal.

New Clients – We prefer 7 days’ notice to meet with you and complete the registration process. If last minute need arises, we will do our best to expedite the process.

Existing Clients – 48 hours is helpful to process a last-minute request.

Little Bay Pet Services takes the safety of our client’s pets and security of their home very seriously. We do not advertise on our person or vehicles. We try to be as discreet as possible and will not let anyone know you are away.

We will not disclose any client info to a 3^rd party.

• If temperatures are extreme, your sitter might shorten the walk depending on your dog. Sometimes just a potty break followed by indoor playtime is best!
• Note: We do not charge a cancellation fee for inclement weather or school closings.

• Should your pet sitter become unavailable due to emergency or illness, we will send a backup sitter from our team and inform you prior to the visit.
• In the event your sitter is not able to get to your home due to storms, downed power lines, roadblocks, etc. we highly suggest you leave a key in a lock box at your home or with a neighbor who can safely get to and enter your home. This person can be listed as your emergency contact in your client portal.

• According to NH state law, all dogs must have proof of a current dog license. Dogs must have proof of identification on their collar.
• All pets are required to be current on their vaccines.

• Collar and leash should be easily locatable when the sitter arrives.
• Ensure that outdoor/indoor gates, fences, windows and doors are secured.
• Leave your sitter with enough food, medication, litter and any other necessary supplies.

Clients should provide their Pet Care Associates safe access to their homes.  This includes but is not limited to clear walkways/driveways, well lit entry ways, and arrangements with a plowing company if snow is forecasted while you are away.

• Little Bay Pet Services, LLC reserves the right to decline or discontinue services to any client with a pet they feel is harmful or aggressive.
• Little Bay Pet Services, LLC reserves the right to decline or discontinue service with any client that poses a personal threat or an unsafe environment to our staff.
• Little Bay Pet Services, LLC prefers not to job share with other sitters, but we understand that this is sometimes necessary.
• Little Bay Pet Services, LLC is not responsible for any damage or pet issues caused by pet sitters from other companies or 3^rd parties in the home.
• Little Bay Pet Services, LLC will report any known animal abuse or neglect to the authorities.

• Clients must sign and return the Service Agreement, Veterinary Treatment form & Key Retention form to Kim Dumont (Owner) before the start of the first service.
• Clients must fill out all applicable fields in the client portal. This provides your sitters with all the necessary information, so they can give your pets the best care possible.

• Recurring mid-day dog walking clients are invoiced monthly.
• New vacation pet sitting clients are expected to pay in full prior to departure.
• Established vacation pet sitting clients are invoiced after the service has ended.
• We accept the following payments: Check, Credit Card, PayPal. You can pay online in your client portal using a credit card, PayPal or directly from your checking account. Checks must be mailed to the office. Please DO NOT leave them for the sitters to collect.
• Checks made payable to: Little Bay Pet Services, LLC 251 Little Bay Road, Newington, NH 03801
• $25 returned check fee

Weekday Dog Walking clients are billed monthly on the 1^st of the month.

Pet Sitting & Overnight Clients are billed after the service is complete.