FAQ
ABOUT CAPITAL PETSITTERS
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Capital Petsitters has been in business since 1993.
Q: Is Capital Petsitters, LLC licensed, bonded, and insured?
A: Yes. We are fully licensed, bonded and insured. Proof of insurance and bonding is available on request. Call or email for that information.
Q: Who are your petsitters?
A: We have approximately 40 pet sitters working with us in the DC metro area – and that number is increasing all the time! We carefully screen all potential pet sitters, and they come from a variety of backgrounds. All of our pet sitters have one thing in common – they are all true pet lovers! We are always happy to share additional information about our pet sitters or arrange a meeting with a pet sitter at your request.
WHY USE A PROFESSIONAL PETSITTER
Q: Why would I want to use a petsitter? Isn’t boarding just as good for my pets?
A: Many animals, especially cats and other elderly or medicated animals, are more comfortable in their own homes where familiar sights and sounds reassure them in their owner’s absence. Hiring a pet sitter also eliminates the possibility of your pet catching any of the contagious diseases that can be easily spread in boarding facilities.
GETTING STARTED WITH CAPITAL PETSITTERS
Q: I’ve never used a petsitter before – what do I do first?
A: Please click on the Register Now! button on our home page. Please complete all requested screens of information including your specific request for service. Once we have that information we'll get busy finding a sitter who can provide the care you need. We'll confirm your service via email and the sitter will call you to schedule the initial consultation in your home to complete the registration process. You're also welcome to give us a call. We're happy to answer any questions you have that are not answered here.
Q: Will someone come meet me and my pet before I begin using your service?
A: Definitely! All of our clients need to have an initial consultation before we can provide care. The consultation gives you and your pets a chance to meet the sitter who will be caring for your pets, and it’s our opportunity to confirm the very detailed information we need to care for your pets and home appropriately. The typical consultation takes 15-30 minutes and there is a $20 charge for this service.
Q: What do I need to have for the petsitter at the consultation?
A: Your sitter will need to collect two sets of working keys or another means of accessing your home during your initial consultation. The sitter will also want to see where all supplies are kept so they are fully prepared to provide excellent care.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PETSITTER VISIT
Q: What will the petsitter do when they visit my house?
A: Your pet sitter will spend their visit playing with, walking, or exercising your pet. We will also feed, freshen water, administer any medications, and take care of elimination clean-up. Our primary focus is pet care, but if time allows we will pick up your mail and newspapers, water centrally located plants, and alternate lights and curtains if needed.
Q: Do you bring your own supplies (pet food, cat litter, treats, etc.)?
A: No! Because all pets have different needs, you must provide enough supplies to last for your entire trip. This should include extra food, water, cat litter, treats, and waste retrieval baggies. Should you run out, our sitters are certainly able to do some shopping for you but there is an additional charge for that service.
Q: How do I know a petsitter has visited my house?
A: You will receive an email report through our software app (Precise Petcare) regarding the details of the visit or your pet sitter will leave a note in your home describing what they did and how your pet received them. These reports often contain wonderful insights into your pet’s behavior, so we encourage you to read them carefully! If you prefer, the sitter will send you a personal email or text message that may include pictures with the details of each visit.
Q: Can you administer medications to my pet?
A: Absolutely. We have many sitters experienced in giving pills, insulin injections, and subcutaneous fluids. Be sure to include details regarding medications and how they are administered in your client profile when you register with us.
Q: Will you let my dog exercise off-lead?
A: Unless we are instructed to play with your dog in a fenced-in backyard or take the dog to an officially sanctioned dog park, our pet sitters are not allowed to let dogs off-lead as per local ordinances.
Q: Can you also water my plants, pick up my mail, take out the garbage, and organize my closets?
A: Yes! Our basic visits include mail and package retrieval, and taking your outdoor trash to the curb on the designated pick-up day. There are additional fees for indoor and outdoor plant watering.
Q: Please tell me about your overnight service.
A: Each overnight begins with a dinner time walk and feeding for dogs or a feeding and playtime visit for cats. The sitter may or may not stay in your home for the whole evening. It just depends on what they have to do. If they do leave your home they will return by 10pm and take the dog(s) out for a pee break before bedtime. They will sleep in your home (please provide a bed with clean linens for the sitter), wake up in the morning and walk and feed the dog(s) before they leave for the day between 8-9am. Overnights do not include a mid-day visit so that needs to be scheduled in addition if needed. Extended hours in your home may be scheduled for an additional fee.
CONTINUING TO USE CAPITAL PETSITTERS
Q: Will you always send the same petsitter to my home?
A: Our goal is to keep the same pet sitters with the same pets! We understand that pet sitters form bonds with clients and their pets, and we always try to send the same sitter to your home. However, vacations, job changes, and full schedules do not always allow this. If we need to send a new sitter to your home, we will advise you of the situation in advance and offer to arrange a meeting with the new sitter if you feel it is necessary.
Q: How do I get my keys back after I return home?
A: About 90% of our clients choose to leave their keys with us so that we are prepared for future visits and any last-minute trips that may come up. If you request service frequently, your primary sitter may keep one set of your keys with him/her so they are ready to go when you call! The second set of keys and “occasional” client keys (i.e., clients who use our services only a couple of times per year) are kept in locked cabinets in our office. If you decide at any time that you would like your keys returned to you, we can mail, FedEx, or drop off your keys for a charge. Alternatively, you can pick up your keys at our office by pre-arranged appointment.
Q: What do I do if I need pet care on an emergency basis?
A: We answer the phone as often as we can and we monitor our voicemail, email and text messages regularly at all hours. We will return urgent messages as soon as they are received. We are usually able to accommodate last minute requests, (requests for service within 48 hours) although holiday seasons will book up early. Please submit your request for service as soon as you have made travel plans so we can get your visits scheduled!