FAQ

Answers to your Questions

Why hire Bull City Pet Care?

Caring pet owners know that most pets adjust better to their owner’s absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain in their home environments. Our team of professional cat sitters, dog walkers, and pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals, exercise, playtime, and cleaning litter boxes or cages, Bull City Pet Care may also administer medications, walk dogs and perform other pet-care duties. That’s why in-home pet care is the choice of pet owners and the pet-preferred method of vacation and travel care. We may also provide vital home-care services while you are away, including mail or newspaper pick up, plant care and watering, placing trash outside for pickup or rotating the lights and opening or closing the blinds to make your house look lived in. Bull City Pet Care provides peace of mind for everyone.

What are the advantages for me?
  • Travel. You won’t be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet.
  • Guilt-free relationships. You don’t have to impose on a friend, neighbor or relative to care for your pet, but instead, rely on our team of professional cat sitters, dog walkers, and pet sitters who will stay for the duration of the visit and put your pet’s needs first.
  • Security. Your home is made more secure by the crime deterrent services provided by Bull City Pet Care.
  • Peace of Mind. While you’re away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable, caring hands.
  • Special Services. Pet sitters can provide additional home services while caring for your pet, such as watering plants and bringing in the mail.
Why should I use your services when I might be able to get a friend, neighbor or relative to do it?

It is wonderful to have a friend, neighbor or relative willing to help you while you are away. However, we are insured, bonded and Pet First Aid trained. We’ve seen a lot and we know a lot. And we won’t ask you to watch our pets when we go out of town.

And speaking of friends... to save some money, may I have my friends help with some of the visits while I'm out of town?

To avoid mixups such as overfeeding, missed feedings, incorrectly set alarms, unlocked doors and (heaven forbid) lost pets, we may refuse service if friends, family or neighbors are assisting in the care of your pet. While we understand that you may have a brother in town for a visit, we really need advance notice in order to determine a plan to minimize our liability for potential actions (or lack of actions) taken by visitors to your home, to ensure the security of our pet sitters and to avoid seeing anyone in their skivvies. In other words, don’t assume it’s ok and spring it on us. We cannot grant entry to third party vendors (housekeepers, maintenance, etc.), nor can we manage pets while these people are in your home. It’s awkward and sometimes it doesn’t feel safe. Not cool.

Does Bull City Pet Care provide in-home boarding?

Because we believe that your pets are most comfortable and safe in their own homes, we do not offer this service.

I'm interested in overnight stays. Is this something you offer?

Due to time constraints with the growth of our business and just wanting to spend time with our own families and pets, we no longer offer overnight pet sitting to new clients.

However, we have many vacation care services than may be customized to create a plan that’s perfect for your pet’s specific needs. And we would rather spend time with them while we are all NOT sleeping. See our Trail Walk and Crate Escape services as alternatives to overnight pet sitting. You can be sure that we will provide walks, snacks, plenty of love as well as any other special needs your pet may require. We’re also happy to check-in with you, bring in mail and packages, water the plants, rotate lights, open and close the blinds, or anything else you can think of so your pet isn’t the only one who feels like you’re home.

How many visits a day do you provide for pets?
All dogs will be visited no less than every 12 hours, although recommended three times a day. It is vet recommended that cats are visited no less than once every 24 hours. However, if your cat is a healthy adult with no medical issues (urinary, diabetes, thyroid), we may agree to every-other-day visits.
Are you insured? What is covered by this policy?
We are fully insured through Pet Sitters Associates LLC. Full up to the gills. We are insured for care, custody, and control of your pets and our policy includes a surety bond, which covers any damage to personal property.
Do you administer medication to pets?
Yes, and we are happy to provide this service at no extra cost to you. We are experienced in administering oral medications, injections and fluids and will do so using the least invasive methods possible. We will carefully review information with you if your pet has health concerns or special needs.
Do you discriminate against any dog breeds?
No way. We believe all dogs are individuals. “We owe it to all dogs to see them for who they really are, free of prejudice, stereotypes, and assumptions that are based on a known pedigree, a breed label guess, physical appearance, or their past history.” We are committed to promoting an inclusive, supported and welcoming environment to our fellow humans too, whatever breed they may be.
What are daily walks and how would my dog benefit from them?
Many pet owners work full-time jobs and benefit from daily walks when they cannot get home to let their pet outside during the day. Daily walks provide dog owners the opportunity to go to the gym or out with friends after work without returning home first. Crated dogs or puppies get time to stretch their legs and break up the boredom of a long day and it also helps with house training. High energy pets may need a mid-day walk to help them be more relaxed at night when their owners return home. We are available for midday or evening walks seven days a week and we have flexible schedules to allow you to use us when you need us.
What is involved with the initial consultation visit?

The Initial Consultation is the first visit for all new clients with Bull City Pet Care. At this visit, we can get to know each other to make sure both parties are the right fit, answer questions, and tour your home while discussing detailed instructions on how to care for your pets. This required meeting will be scheduled at least 1 week prior to service.

It is important you complete the online profile prior to our first meeting. Two (2) copies of your house key must be provided at this time. We ask that you please test each key to ensure that it works properly. Please also provide any access fobs or codes necessary for entry into your community. If you do not have two copies, another can be created for a $5 charge.

Why do you need two sets of house keys? Can I just give you one?
We require two (2) sets of house keys from all clients who use traditional keys, no exceptions. One set of keys remains in the care of your primary pet sitter and the other set is kept in our office safe to be used in the case of a lock-out or emergency. In the event you have a secondary sitter assigned they will be given your second set of keys. All keys are coded for your security. We cannot offer services without two (2) sets of keys. (If you have fobs or key cards, we can talk about it. If you have keyless entry, high-five!)
Are you able to hold keys on file for when I travel in the future?
We encourage you to leave a key on file with us. This allows you to schedule visits with ease and we can also be available to care for your pets in the event of an emergency or upon short notice. All keys are kept secure and are numbered with a code that will not identify your address or name. Your key can be returned to you at any time upon your request. We also offer key pick-up and drop-off service before and after your scheduled visits for $10.00 per trip (no charge for key pick-up during an initial consultation visit).
Is my key and information safe?
Keys are numbered without your name or address attached and are kept in an interior room guarded by several dogs. All traffic to and from our client management server uses the same 128 bit level encryption that your bank uses. We will always keep it secret, keep it safe. And we will never share your address, security codes or any other information with anyone. Ever. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and value the trust you place in us. If you have any questions regarding the information we gather about you and what we do to protect it, please feel free to contact us.
Will my pet see the same sitter every time?

We coordinate the schedules of our professional pet sitters to provide the greatest amount of coverage and flexibility around our clients’ needs. Typically your pet’s sitter will remain consistent however it is important for our sitters to have time off too so they can continue to offer quality care for years to come. We are all trained and insured and will have all instructions needed to care for your pet properly. We will always use our best judgment in sending a new sitter to meet your shy or anxious pet. You can get to know a little more about all of our sitters by visiting our team page.

Can I meet my sitter?
Yes, clients can always request to meet the person who will be spending time with their pets and entering their homes. It is a perfectly reasonable request. Please contact us to set up a consultation and we will get that scheduled once we have determined who will be visiting. There is an additional charge for this meeting.
I would like to tip my pet sitter or dog walker. Is that an option?
Yes! Like our Holiday Surcharges, tips go directly to your sitter’s pocket. Of course, tipping is optional, but will be happily received as a sign of your love for us (since we only accept kisses from your pets). And thanks!
Will you use my dog's collar and leash for walking?
In most cases, we will use the equipment you provide for walking your dog. Your pet’s collar should be snugly fit so they can not slip it off over their head, but not too tight. If your pet is not trained to walk politely on leash we will require you to provide a front-clip, no-pull harness or pay for a Leash Manners package. This is to ensure both the safety of our dog walkers and your dog. We will not use retractable leashes, prong collars or choke collars to walk your dog.
Or pig.
What if there is an emergency in my home or my pet is ill or while I am away?
We retain emergency contact information with us at all times. We will always contact you first for minor incidents or concerns. If there is an emergency with your home, we will call you, your emergency contact and the appropriate authorities and/or a preferred repair service. In the case of serious emergency with your pets, we will first contact your vet and transport them if necessary. You will then be contacted about the situation. Your signature on the contract allows us to seek care in the event that you cannot be reached in an emergency. A fee of $25.00 for emergency veterinary trips covers transportation to the veterinarian and back to your home. We will always stay with your pet during any examinations and wait for testing if needed.
What are your normal hours?
Our working hours are 7AM – 9PM. Our “office hours” are 10AM – 4PM. Our phone rings to an actual human’s home who has a family and eats dinner and goes to bed early. Please avoid calling or texting outside of our office hours unless it is an emergency. Email or your client portal are our best non-emergency methods of contact.
Your service sounds great! How do I get started?

Click the Request New Service button
We look forward to hearing from you!