South Orange County's Top Dog Walking & In-Home Pet Sitting ServiceFAQ
Why should a pet parent use a pet sitter?
Having a pet sitter at home offers the next best thing to your pet’s regular routine. While it’s not the same as having you there, it’s a much better option than boarding facilities. Boarding can be overwhelming and stressful, especially for older pets. Even those who have handled boarding well in the past may find it more difficult as they age, making the comfort of home even more important.
When your pet stays at home, they remain in a familiar environment. This helps them avoid the anxiety that comes with new places and other animals, which is vital to maintaining optimal health. Stress can weaken their immune system and worsen chronic conditions. With an in-home pet sitter, your pet’s routine—feeding, walks, and enrichment—stays as close to their normal as possible, keeping them calm and content.
Additionally, having a pet sitter at home not only provides peace of mind knowing your pet is well cared for but also enhances home security. Regular visits create a lived-in appearance, deterring potential intruders and ensuring your home remains safe and secure while you’re away.
How do I get started?
Becoming a client is easy! Simply follow these steps:
- Fill out the new client form on our website.
- Schedule a phone consultation to discuss your pet’s needs.
- Get onboarded into our pet sitting software, Time to Pet.
- Schedule a Meet and Greet with your assigned sitter.
Once these steps are completed, you’ll be ready to book services and enjoy peace of mind knowing your pet is in good hands.
What areas do you service?
We serve South Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point, California.
What types of pets do you care for?
We provide care for a wide variety of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Each pet’s care plan is tailored to their specific needs, and we require at least one visit per day for pets that do not need to relieve themselves outdoors.
What services do you offer?
Sit and Staycations offers a variety of services including pet sitting, dog walking, house sitting, and overnight care. For a full list of services and more details, please visit our services page.
What are your business hours?
Pet care services are available 365 days a year. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The office is closed on weekends and Federal holidays, but calls are monitored for emergencies when the office is closed. All other inquiries will be returned during regular business hours.
What is the Time to Pet App?
The Time to Pet App is our primary platform for managing service requests, communications, and billing. It allows clients to book services, view invoices, and receive updates on their pets. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Where can I download the Time to Pet App?
The Time to Pet App can be downloaded from the App Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users. You can also access the portal via an internet browser.
How do I book services?
All service requests should be submitted through the Time to Pet App or browser portal. We receive a high volume of requests, so please refrain from calling, emailing, or texting the office with booking requests. However, we will be happy to walk you through the booking process if you need assistance. We recommend submitting requests at least five days before the start of the service to ensure availability.
How do I communicate with my sitter?
All communication with your sitter should be done through the Time to Pet App. This ensures that all information is documented and accessible by both the sitter and our office. Please use the chat feature within the app for any specific instructions or updates during your service.
What are your payment policies?
Payments are processed through our secure merchant accounts with Stripe and Time to Pet. Payment is due before services begin. We do not accept cash or checks. The payment schedule is as follows:
Non-Holiday Reservations: Payment is due 5 days before the start of service.
Holiday & High-Demand Reservations: Payment is due immediately upon booking.
Recurring Reservations: Payment is due 5 days before the start of service.
Overnight/Pet Sitting Reservations: Payment is due immediately upon booking.
For more details on our payment policies, please refer to our policies page.
What is your cancellation policy?
We do not issue refunds; instead, credits for future services are provided based on the following notice periods:
Dog Walks & Away Visits: Full credit for changes made by 5 PM the day prior. Recurring bookings receive two changes credited per month.
Travel (Pet Sitting, Sleepover Stays): Full credit with 30 days’ notice; 50% credit with 15-29 days’ notice. No credit for less than 15 days’ notice.
Holiday & High-Demand Reservations: 50% credit with 60 days’ notice. No credit for less than 60 days’ notice.
Note: Refer to our policies page for more details.
How do you provide updates during visits?
When your sitter arrives, you’ll receive a notification through the Time to Pet App. Your sitter may reach out to you during the visit via the chat feature. At the end of the visit, you’ll receive a detailed Visit Report Card that includes photos, videos, and GPS tracking of your pet’s walk or activities.
How do I handle last-minute or emergency service requests?
We understand that emergencies can happen, and our goal is to assist when clients need us the most. While we strive to accommodate such requests, we cannot guarantee availability nor ask our staff to be on call. Please do not assume we have received your last-minute request until you receive a confirmation through Time to Pet and an invoice is available. Since our system does not allow requests with less than 48 hours’ notice, please text the office at 949-141-6117. A $10 fee will apply to reservations made with less than 48 hours’ notice.
What should I do if I return home later than expected?
We will continue caring for your pet until we receive confirmation of your return. Failure to notify us of your return could result in additional charges.
Are the sitters bonded and insured?
Yes, our sitters are bonded and insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas. Policy information is available upon request.
What qualifications and certifications do your sitters have?
Our sitters are dedicated pet care professionals with practical experience in the field. They view their time with Sit & Staycations as part of their career path. All sitters undergo an extensive screening process and hold certifications in Pet CPR/First Aid, are Certified Professional Pet Sitters, and Fear Free Certified. We strongly believe in continuous education and regularly update our expertise in animal behavior and care. Additionally, we provide ongoing training opportunities with industry experts to ensure our team remains at the forefront of pet care practices.
Can I request the same sitter or walker each time?
Yes, we do our best to provide consistency for your pet by assigning the same sitter or walker whenever possible. This helps build a strong bond and ensures your pet feels comfortable. In the event your regular sitter is unavailable, our team approach allows us to provide a backup sitter who is familiar with your pet’s needs.
How do you handle pets with behavioral concerns?
We have experience working with pets that exhibit behavioral concerns, such as fear-based aggression or anxiety. Our sitters are trained to use positive reinforcement and cooperative care techniques to manage these situations. If your pet has specific behavioral needs, please let us know so we can tailor our approach.
How do you handle contagious illnesses?
If your pet shows signs of a contagious illness, it is crucial that you inform us immediately. To protect the health of other pets in our care, we do not provide services for pets with contagious illnesses. This policy helps prevent spreading it to other households. Please refer to our Policy Page for more information.
Do you offer any discounts or special rates?
Yes, we offer referral incentives and special offers for new clients, which can vary throughout the year. You can find information about our current promotions in our monthly newsletter. Additionally, we provide discounted rates for extended care, such as our Hourly Pet Sitting service, which offers savings when you book multiple hours of continuous care.
For overnight stays, how long will my dog be left alone?
We offer three levels of care for overnight stays, based on how long your dog can comfortably be left alone. Your home serves as the sitter’s home base, and while they may leave briefly to care for other pets, your dog will still receive plenty of attention.
Level 1: Your pet may be home alone for up to 8 hours between 8 am and 8 pm. Great for older dogs who are used to being home alone during work hours.
Level 2: Your pet may be home alone for up to 4 or 5 hours between 8 am and 8 pm. Ideal for dogs who are used to a little more attention and exercise during work hours.
Level 3: Your pet may be home alone for up to 3 hours between 8 am and 8 pm. This level is required for puppies and dogs with any separation anxiety.
For more details or to further customize care, please contact our office. A complete description of our overnight services is available on the services page.
How do you ensure the safety of my home and privacy?
We do not use advertising decals on our vehicles, and our sitters are trained to respect your home and privacy. For overnight stays, the location of any cameras must be disclosed, and we may cover or turn off cameras in common living areas for sitter privacy.
Can family members or other services access my home while you’re caring for my pet?
We do not allow shared pet care with external services, friends, or family members due to insurance regulations. If another person is found in the home during our visit, we will leave immediately and inform local authorities.
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We offer the area's best Dog Walking and In-Home Pet Setting in the Orange County Area!
Tel: 949-414-6117Locations
Proudly Serving Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano & Dana Point, California.
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