A-Z Crtiiter Care

Q) How do I sign up for a dog walk or pet sitting services?
A) You can call the A-Z Critter Care office (661) 533-2449 and a friendly representative will be happy to discuss your home and pet care needs.
Q) What type of payment do you accept?
A) We accept checks, MasterCard or VISA. For first time clients, payment is made at the time of consultation. If you have previously met your sitter, consult with A-Z Critter Care on how payment will be made. Office Phone (661) 533-2449
Q) Are you insured and bonded?
A) Yes, All of the staff is insured and bonded through our service.
Q) Why does my sitter need two sets of key's and when do I give them to my sitter?
A) We ask for two sets of keys in case of an emergency. Most clients give us two keys at the initial consultation. If you are not able to give us keys at that time, we do charge a $15.00 pick up fee. A lot of our clients choose to keep the keys with us for future services. If you would like us to return your keys, we do have a $15.00 charge to drop off your keys.
Q) What kind of information do you need when I call and get your voicemail?
A) We need your name, phone number, and best time to call you back. Your address, type of pets, dates of travel, how many visits you will be needing, pet medications, if you want dog walks, and of course - how did you hear about us.
Q) What if I don't call A-Z Critter Care when I return home?
A) We will try to contact you. If we can't reach you, we will make an extra visit to your home at the visit rate to check on your pets. You will be billed for this charge. Your pets are our first priority.

Q) What is you cancellation policy?
A) We have a 7 day cancellation policy for pet sitting vacations and dog walking visits. Please call us 7 days before your departure if you need to cancel in order to get a full refund. Cancellations made less than 7 days (before departure) are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 3 days (before departure) are subject to a 100% cancellation fee unless we are able to fill your sitting spot.
Q) Is the information I give to my pet sitter confidential?
A) Yes, we at A-Z Critter Care Pet Sitting Service are committed to keeping all client information we receive confidential. We will not disclose your personal information to anyone.
Q) Will I get the same sitter every time I travel?
A) We prefer to have the continuity of the same sitter with the same pets and will do everything we can to make that happen for additional requests. If the sitter is not available, then a substitute sitter will take the request. A friendly representative of A-Z Critter Care will set up a meeting to have you and your pets get to know the new sitter. On occasion situations may arise during a scheduled visit that may delay our sitter. We may need to spend additional time at a home or have to take a pet to the emergency room. We will then send a back-up sitter to care for your pets.
Q) When do you meet my pets and learn their routine?
A) At your free consultation.
Q) Do you have a specific time to visit?
A) Once a day visits cannot be scheduled at a specific time. We reserve the morning, afternoon, and evening visits for our 2-3 times a day clients that are special needs (medication). If your pet is only going to be visited once in 24 hours, normally this can be done at anytime during the day as long as it is REGULAR. We try never to space visits more than 8-9 hours during the day and 12 hours overnight, if the pet is to be let outside to relieve themselves. We attempt to get within two hours of normal feeding times when possible. Our priority will always be pets that are on a medical timetable and all others will be scheduled around those pets.
Q) What if I don't have a doggie door?
A) You will need two or three visits a day. Please know that requiring a pet to hold urine for a lengthy time may cause severe distress and/or medical complications. If we feel that this is the case, and you cannot be reached, we will schedule additional stops in order to care for your pet properly. This will be an additional charge at the visit rate.
Q) Do you do grooming?
A) No, we will be glad to refer you to a groomer or take your pet to your groomer. You will need to set up payment with the groomer ahead of time. (See Pet Taxi for prices)
Q) What happens if I decide I don't want to be on vacation the whole time I am booked with you?
A) See cancellations.
Q) Do you offer overnight sits?
A) Not at this time. This will be a future service for A-Z Critter Care.
Q) Is it necessary to have a collar, chip or some kind of identification on my pet?
A) All pets must have a current identification, in the form of tags or micro chips. Your pet has a greater chance of being returned home safely. We highly recommend HomeAgain.: http://www.homeagain.com

Q) What if I run out of pet food or supplies when I am on vacation?
A) Please have adequate food on hand for your pets during your absence. If you miscalculate and run out of food or any animal care items, we will gladly go shopping and a service charge will be added to the actual of the food and/or supplies. Make certain that we have the product name of the food or product your pet uses. We do not want to give the animal(s) an upset stomach or make any changes in their home.
Q) My cat is an inside and outside cat. Will you wait for her to come back and feed her?
A) If you have a cat that remains outdoors all day and comes in at night, we cannot assure you that we will be able to have you cat indoors at the exact time for our visit. If you want the cat to play outside all day and does not return for the nightly containment, we will put food and water outside to ensure that it gets fed. You will take the chance of other cats eating their food. It would be best if you could keep your cat inside while you are on vacation. Thank You for your understanding.
Q) I have large animals. Will you care for them?
A) Yes.
Q) Do you provide large animal emergency transportation?
A) No, you will need to make payment arrangements for emergency transportation for your large animals. (it is also a good idea to have a vet on call that makes house calls) Your large animal may not be used to being loaded in an unfamiliar trailer. This could cause even more problems.
Q) Do you pick up poop or change litter boxes?
A) We pick up animal waste with each visit. If it has been awhile since your waste has been picked up, there will be an additional service fee to pick up the waste.
Q) What if my pet is destructive when I am gone?
A) As a rule, most property damage to furniture, carpets, etc is done by pets that get lonely and bored. Most owners don't know in advance what will provoke their pets to such action. We make all attempts to limit any destruction by pets of household goods. If you wish your pet to be kept indoors (for example), and the pet chews on the furniture, we will attempt to remove the attraction or move the pet. If the problem continues, we surely cannot remove everything from the home! Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for damage done by your pets to your home. We use common sense and attempt to limit and retract this behavior by your pets.
Q) Why do you need a current immunization for my pets?
A) We protect both our sitters and your pets by ensuring that all the animals are current on immunizations. We cannot sit your pets until all immunizations are current and documented.
Q) Will you care for my pet if it is sick?
A) We do not knowingly accept sitting assignments with sick pets. If your pet is under the care of a veterinarian, we will care for your pet. Please inform us of any special personal care that is needed for your pet.
Q) Can I hire my pet sitter without calling A-Z Critter Care?
A) We ask that you don't put our sitters in that situation by offering them pet sitting or dog walking outside of our company. You are sometimes given the private cell phone of our sitters as a means to reach them in an emergency while you are away. We ask that you do not contact them to set up employment outside of our company. This is strictly against our policy.
Q) Can you administer medication to my animals while I am away?
A) Yes, as long as your animals do not pose a threat to the sitter, we are happy to administer medication as needed.
Q) I am leaving in two days and don't have time to meet one of your pet sitters. Will you take care of my pets without meeting the sitter?
A) No. Unless we have already met you and your pets, we will not be able to take care of them. This is for the safety of both your pets and the sitter. We are sometimes available for last minute sits and will be happy to set up a free consultation for you.
Q) Do you board dogs in your home?
A) No. We will gladly recommend boarding facilities.
Q) I am going to Europe for two months, can you provide long-term care for my pets?
A) Yes. We have sitters who specialize in long-term sitting. We do offer discounts if you will be traveling for an extended period of time.
Q) What areas do you cover for house sitting, dog walking, pet sitting, and pet taxi?
A) Palmdale, Lancaster, Quartz Hill, Acton, Lake LA, Littlerock, Agua Dulce, and Rosamond.
Q) Do you have a minimum number of days that I would need in order to sign up for dog walking?
A) We provide dog walking service Monday through Friday. We do require a minimum of 2 days a week and we ask that these be set days so that your dog and the walker can have a regular weekly schedule. At this time, we do not provide walks for clients that need only a few days here and there.
Q) Do your dog walkers take dogs off the leash?
A) No.
Q) May I give my house sitter, pet sitter, dog walker, dog/cat nail trim staff and pet taxi a gratuity?
A) Absolutely, you can give gratuities directly to the staff or you can mail them to A-Z Critter Care 2315 E. Palmdale Blvd Suite G #E53, Palmdale CA. 93552. 100% of gratuities go directly to the sitter.
Q) I am new to the area. Do you have a veterinarian and groomer recommendations?
A) Yes. Please see our Pet Resources page for a list of recommended pet related services.
Q) What do you do for my home while I am away?
A) A-Z Critter Care will give your home that lived in look by rotating your blinds, shades, drapes, and lights. We bring in your mail/newspaper and take trash cans to the curb on trash day and do light watering of house plants.
Q) What will you do in the event of a catastrophic emergency (earthquake) during my vacation?
A) We will, if at all humanly possible, do the following:
1. We check your home, make certain your pets are safe at your residence, and note any damage. If the pets are not safe at that location.....
2. We will take your pets to a home which is still secure and safe, (this may be the home of another client which has a large yeard intact or boarding runs)
3. After our initial check, we will call you at your vacation location. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CALL US! We will not be at the office. We will be on the road checking your home and pets.
4. We will tell you on the phone if your pets are at home or placed and if you have major damage to your home. We will have all the information on your pets when you return home. 5. Be prepared as soon as you hear from us, to tell us what date you can possibly return, and when you can retrieve your pets. 6. Your pets CAN NOT be transported a long distance to relatives or friends as many of the roads will probably be closed or damaged. We will keep your pets as close to your neighborhood as possible. 7. If you should manage to get home BEFORE we contact you, please call and let us know you are home so we know your pet is safe.
Q) What emergency supplies do I need on hand?
A) Give your pets a head start. Right now, stock up with seven (7) days of EXTRA food supplies, bottled water, first aid kit, medical history, picture of your pet, extra collar and leash and emergency numbers.
Q) Do you charge an extra holiday fee?
A) We do charge a small additional fee over the major national holidays. We will let you know this at the time of your booking. This is a way for us to reward the sitters who are giving their holiday time to work with A-Z Critter Care.
Q) What kind of animals does A-Z Critter Care Pet Sitting care for?
A) Dogs, cats, birds, horses, fish, goats, and small cage animals. If we have not taken care of your type of pet before, walk us through the care of your pet. If we are comfortable with them, we will care for them.
Q) My pet just had a Kodak moment. Can I call you and tell you?
A) Of course.
Q) My pet just passed away. Can I call you for help, comfort and what to do with my pet remains?
A) Yes - Please do!
Q) Why should I use a Professional Pet Sitter?
A) No Travel Trauma. Your pet won't be upset and you won't be inconvenienced by the need for transportation to a kennel or boarding facility. No Interruptions. Your pet will stay right at home and enjoy familiar surroundings, exercise routines, toys, mealtimes, and much more. No Worries. Pet care and home security come in one package when you hire a pet sitter to care for your pets and look after your home while you are away.