Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of pets do you care for?
We have many years of experience with all types of animals big and small. Many of our houses typically have dogs and cats, but we are always happy to care for birds (parrots, chickens, ducks), small animals (hamsters, rats, chinchillas, hedgehogs), fish, lizards/ turtles/ snakes, horses, goats, pigs. We love them all!
Why do we need an initial consultation?
Our initial consultations are free of charge and usually last 30 mins or less. They are a great opportunity to meet each other and for your pets to meet us for the 1st time to make sure they are comfortable.We will go over your pets basic routine each day, where supplies are kept (food, medications) as well as basic health and vet information.This is also a great opportunity for us to answer any questions you may have about our services.
Is In-Home Pet sitting right for my pets?
If you have never left your pet(s) home before it's hard to imagine how they will do on your first trip away.We find most pets do great in the comfort of their own home and in our care. We aim to keep their routine, feeding times and activities as close to what they are used to as possible. They also have their own beds, toys and favorite spots to enjoy just like they are used to. We always give lots of playtime, love and attention on all our visits.If you are not sure how your pet will do we recommend making your 1st trip out of town a shorter one, a long day or weekend trip. We are always happy to check in and let you know how they are doing, give updates and offer any advice for longer trips in the future.
Who will be caring for my pets?
Wags & Paws is a small husband and wife business. We do not have any other employees and will never send anyone else in our place. We pride ourselves in building trusting relationships with our clients and especially their pets. Typically you will be able to meet both of us at our initial consultation and it will be one or both of us that come for each visit.
How many visits should I schedule each day?
The number of visits can vary from house to house. We do require a minimum of 2 visits a day for dogs and one visit each day for cats while you are away.We typically recommend 1-2 visits a day for cats and 3 visits a day for dogs.
It is often helpful to schedule more visits for older and very young dogs to get out for potty breaks.
Do you provide boarding services?
We do not provide boarding in our home at this time.
What if my pet gets sick while I'm away?
If we notice any changes in behavior or signs your pet is not feeling well while you're away we will contact you to address any concerns. If a trip to the vet is needed we are always happy to bring them in for a visit. We do require and keep your veterinarians information on file in case of emergencies.
Do you provide house sitting even if I don't have pets?
We are happy to provide house sitting services while you are away, even if you don't have any pets in your home. Services can include watering houseplants/ outdoor gardens, bringing in the mail, filling bird feeders, rotating lights, bringing out garbage on pickup day, as well as a general check of your home in case any issues arise while you're away.
How can I best prepare before my trip?
Check out our helpful hints page to make sure your pets are prepared before you leave.
What exactly is your service area, am I in it?
While we serve portions of Paulding County and towns including Hiram, Dallas, New Georgia, Powder Springs & Douglasville we do not serve the entirety of these towns. It's too big of an area for any one pet sitting services to cover. We serve approximately a 10 mile radius around Ridge Rd in Hiram, GA.Please feel free to contact us with your address or nearest cross street to see if we are available where you are.
How do I schedule pet sitting services?
If you are interested in our services please contact us by phone, email, text or through the contact page on our website.For new clients we need enough time ahead of your trip or first planned visit to schedule an initial consultation to meet with you and your pets. Once we have met and covered care instructions you will be able to book with us just by calling, texting or email.
How far in advance do I need to schedule your services?
The simple answer is the sooner the better. If you have a trip coming up or are thinking of taking a trip it is helpful to let us know as soon as possible. While we always try to accommodate every request we are first come, first serve. Since we are a small business we can book up quickly on Holidays and over summer vacation, everyone's favorite times to travel!
Can I book visits for my pets last minute?
We know things come up, emergencies happen, late nights at the office or spontaneous weekend trips. We are always happy to help! Last minute bookings are still based on availability.
Can I reserve a specific time for visits?
Part of what makes in home pet sitting so great is that we try to keep your pets as close to their usual schedule/ routine as possible. If your dog or cat has ever reminded you that it's mealtime you know they have a great sense of time and their routine. We can go over what times are best for you and your pets and stay as close to this schedule as possible. Times may vary slightly based on other visits, traffic and other factors that may affect our arrival time, usually not more than an hour before or after the preferred time requested.
When is payment due? What type of payments do you accept?
Payment is due on or before our 1st scheduled visit. We accept cash, check, PayPal and Venmo.If leaving cash or check it can be left at the house for us to pick up on our 1st visit. If using PayPal or Venmo we can invoice you before our 1st scheduled visit.
My pet is shy or aggressive can you still sit for them?
Unfortunately we do not sit for aggressive dogs. However, a bit of barking or hesitation to your having new people in their home is quite common and that's ok. Sometimes it takes a few visits for animals to warm up to us and it makes us so happy when we gain their trust and become good friends.If you unsure about how your pet will react we recommend booking a visit(s) while you are home for them to become more comfortable with us. Also, a day trip or a very short period for a first trip is recommended so we can see if we make a good fit with your pets.
What if I have pets that only live outdoors?
It's obvious that some animals only live outdoors. Horses, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks are the most common and we care for them all. However there are concerns when caring for some animals who will be left outside while you are away. -Chickens: While many chickens are allowed free range during the day it is best if they are confined to a secure coop in the evenings. We are happy to let them out in the mornings and put them to bed before dark but predator attacks are always a concern even during the day.-Cats: We have cared for many outdoor cats over the years. Some may be indoor/ outdoor some may be strays that people are kind enough to care for. Outdoor cats may hide from us, be injured by predators or suffer injury from wandering into the road. -Dogs: Some houses have dog doors to allow them access to the outside throughout the day. Even with a fenced yard they may escape, be let out by landscapers or get into trouble without supervision between our visits.We are happy to discuss your pets/ homes individual needs and address any concerns on our initial consultation.
*We do not sit for outdoor only dogs.