Beccie and Delilah the Pug- just the girls!

Equipaws Pet Services’ Pet Sitting Policy and Procedures:

We’re professional pet sitters and have made the job we love into a career. We really pride ourselves on the services we provide while caring for your pets and your home while you’re away. Our pet sitters do things to make your home look lived-in, like bringing in the mail and alternating lights, while also keeping up with the little things that make your home look as good as the way you left it. We’re quite happy sweeping up bits of kitty litter or excess fur that might accumulate while you’re away, or wiping up muddy paw prints after playtime.

We keep your pets safe.

That is why our Policies and Procedures make clear that Equipaws Pet Services does not share responsibility over the pets or house with any other parties.  This includes housekeepers, handymen, or even friends.  We feel strongly about this policy because it minimizes confusion; we cannot vouch or be responsible for treatment of the pet/s or the home given by a third party when we are either present or in between pet sits. It is possible that pets can be overfed due to a lack of communication or understanding. More dire accidents can happen; for example, someone working for you may accidentally leave a door unlocked, opening your home to burglaries, or worse- allowing for your pup to run away. We want to avoid that at all costs.

Our employees are held accountable for the proper care of your pets and home. As professional pet sitters, we take this responsibility very seriously and we let our service speak for us. Our pet sitters have all had stringent background checks, and the company is licensed, bonded and insured. Each pet sitter goes through training with the owner of the company and knows what is expected of him or her, and that no one is to be in the house other than them during a visit with your pets.

Our “Shared Responsibility” Policy in a nutshell:

We will not take responsibility for the actions of anyone who is not an Equipaws Pet Services employee. That is why we ask that our clients not schedule any home care or maintenance while we are coming in and out of their homes for everyone’s peace of mind. That way we can leave your homes clean and ready for your return, and keep your pets fit, healthy, and happy, without any misunderstandings, mistakes, or accidents from third parties.

The following paragraphs appear in our Policies and Procedures when you sign up for your pet sitting or dog walks and runs. Please review it:

Additional Pet Care Assistance and Other Scheduled Services: If in a rare case, there is additional pet care assistance, Equipaws Pet Services, LLC does not accept liability for other persons who will be in your home prior to, during, or immediately after our services have been rendered. Our policy is to be the sole care giver while you are away. Please inform us at the time of the consultation of anyone who may have access to your home while you are away, and note it on the form provided. This includes cleaning services, maintenance personnel, friends, family and neighbors. Client is to notify anyone with access to the home that Equipaws Pet Services, LLC’s services have been engaged.

Household Cleaning Personnel are to remain away from the premises while the dog sitting is taking place. They may arrive prior to the pet sitter’s scheduled visit, or after the pet sitter’s scheduled visit concludes. This is to prevent mishaps or misunderstandings based on mistake(s) made by cleaning personnel.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!

Frankie Berti

A founding member of the Equipaws family, Frankie can mostly be found working behind the scenes, helping co-create online branding, managing several social media accounts, designing brand collateral, writing copy, and managing events. She also fills in for pet sitters and dog walkers when needed in Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, and South Miami. Her own small pack consists of Boots the Shih Tzu mix and Nutmeg the Chiweenie.