FAQS
"Everything You Need to Know"
Q. How do I sign up for dog walking or pet sitting service? A. Animalia will contact you to arrange a complementary in- home consultation and will happily discuss your pet care needs. This will provide an opportunity to meet with your care giver and review your pet’s routine, diet, and exercise needs.
Q. How much advance notice do you require before service? A. You should contact Animalia as soon as you have plans and will need pet care. During holidays and summertime the schedule quickly fills up, so book in advance!
Q. What is your service area? A. Our service areas are Torrey Highlands, 4S Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Mountain, Santa Luz, and Fairbanks Ranch. Contact us if you are outside our service area, and we can discuss accommodating your needs.
Q. What is the earliest you can visit? The latest you can visit? A. The earliest visit in the morning is 7 am. The latest visit in the evening is 9 pm. We can accommodate certain situations and times for established clients.
Q. Are you insured and bonded? A. Yes, Animalia Mobile Vet Tech Services is fully insured and bonded. Any professional, responsible business carries liability insurance.
Q. What type of special training do you have? A. We are Registered Veterinary Technician's, Veterinary Assistants, Professional Pet Sitters, Fear Free Certified, and Certified Dog Walkers. All employees are trained in Pet First Aid and Pet CPR by the American Red Cross.
Q. What is the purpose of the In-Home Consultation? A. An in-home consultation provides an opportunity to meet your sitter and communicate any information necessary to provide the best care for your pets. It provides an opportunity for your pets to meet the pet sitter and become familiar with the sitter prior to providing service.
Q. Do I have to leave a copy of my key on file with you? 
 A. Most clients prefer this option as we are then available for short notice visits (as little as a couple hours notice). All it takes is a phone call/email to set up future services. It can also be difficult to arrange drop off and pick up key visits that are convenient for both of us. We also can let you in if you’re locked out of your house if we have a copy on file. Mid-day dog walk clients must leave a key on file with us for their regular visits. Methods of key return are listed on the contract if you do not wish to keep a key on file for future needs.
Q. How is payment handled? A. During the initial consultation an advance payment for the initial service will be required. Once you are an established client, payment will be due the day service begins. Payment is expected before services are rendered or a late fee charge of $20 will be applied each past due date.
Q. What type of payment do you accept? A. We accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, Zelle and PayPal. Returned checks will be charged a $30 fee to cover bank costs.
Q. What is your cancellation policy? A. Pet Sitting service: (24-hour Pet Sitting) cancellations must be made 30 days in advance for a full refund. No refunds will be issued if cancellation is made during the pet sitters stay that has already begun. Overnight cancellations made 30 days in advance will result in a full refund. If overnight cancellations are made 14 days in advance, the deposit (50%) is retained. If overnight cancellations are made less than 14 days in advance, no refund will be given. For All other cancellations, 72 hours notice will result in a full refund. If cancellations are made less than 72 hours in advance, no refund will be given. There is a $20 fee for key return if necessary.
Q. What are your service hours? A. Our Service hours are 7am – 8pm. Services are finished by 8pm. You may want to consider our Overnight service instead, so that your home will be secure since your sitter will be there, making the house appear occupied.
Q. Can you keep my pet at your home?
 A. Boarding or kenneling facilities are not offered right now. Only care provided in your home is available. This allows your pet to stay in the security of his or her own home and routine. For certain established clients with senior animals or animals with medical disabilities may be set up for in home boarding.
Q. How Do We Respond to Last Minute Booking for New Clients? A. If we are able to help potential clients, we will if we have the availibility. But we insist we meet with new clients and their pets in person at their home prior to their departure. Even if its hours before you need to leave, if we have availibility we will come over and get all details and keys before your trip.
Q. Will you do a visit for our cat every other day or every few days? A. No, we require that cats get at least one visit per day. Cats can get trapped/stuck in areas of the home or have other emergency medical conditions.
Q. I’m going to be traveling for 2 to 6 months. Do you provide long-term overnight sitting?
 A. Absolutely! Long-term pet and overnight sitting in your home is available.
Q. Will you just let my dog outside to potty with no fenced yard? He just does his business and comes right back in. A. No, for liability reasons we will not let dogs out without a leash. He could get lost or injured or he could injure someone else while not under leash control. It is also against the law. Even if the dog is well behaved and obedient for you off-leash, it does not mean they will listen to us. Dogs need to be let into a fenced yard, pen or walked on leash.
Q. What will you do if my pet becomes ill while I am away? A. If it appears that something is wrong with your pet, we will contact you at the emergency numbers provided on file. If you believe the veterinarian should see your pet, the pet will be transported to the veterinarian’s office for examination and treatment. If you cannot be reached, we will decide if the veterinarian should see your pet. If necessary, your pet will be taken for treatment. You will be billed by the hour and for transporting costs for any extra time spent in providing these services.
