General
Why should I choose Chez Miaou?
This is a family owned, local business. I care deeply about pets and their people. I firmly believe that peoples treatment of animals directly affects the health of a society.
You can feel safe leaving your pet with me, as I am a pet sitter with an extensive background in veterinary medicine. From start to finish, I will be the only pet sitter to care for you and your pet.
Why do you require a meet and greet?
This is a chance for you and your pet to get to know me at your home. You can show me all their hiding places and their favourite treats. I will have you show me where all their supplies are and what their daily routine is like. I want them to enjoy their pet sitting experience as much as possible and for them to not miss you too much while you are away.
This is also a great time to do a key hand over. A secure lock, door code, or lockbox are preferred. If I need to come back for the keys at a later date, there will be a travel fee. At this time I will also make sure I understand your alarm system and understand/check the secure lock, door code, or lock box. The meet and greet usually last 30 minutes to 1 hour and can be done either virtually or at your home.
Are you licensed & insured?
Absolutely. I am both licensed and insured.
Are you trained in pet first aid and CPR?
Yes and much more! See my “Meet Your Pet Sitter” page for more details.
Do you provide pet visits for dogs?
While dogs are one of my favourite pets, they require a pet sitter who can stay in their home with them to give them the care they need. I do not have the ability to provide this service.
Pet Sitting
How do I know how my pet did while I was away?
You will receive daily updates through email, text, or WhatsApp. Being trained in veterinary medicine, I like to keep a detailed journal of your pet’s health. This is especially important for pets with chronic illnesses. It will list their attitude, bathroom habits, food or treats eaten, and medication given and when. Let me know if you have a special monitoring request you would like documented.
What if the food/medications/litter/bedding runs out while I am away?
Please make every effort to ensure enough supplies for your reserved days plus more. In the event that an item runs out I will make every effort to replace the item. There will be a Pet Supply Run fee for each trip/store plus the cost of the item. If the preferred brand is not available we will work together to get a similar item. I cannot guarantee the stores, brands, or prices of the items purchased.
Can my pet go outdoors while I am away?
For the safety of your pet I will not let them outdoors while they are in my care. An exception would be if your pet is trained on a harness or has an outdoor enclosure. Pets can be scared or nervous when there is a change in routine (new person in the house) and I can not predict if they will return. If you have a cat that is allowed to go outside, they must live indoors while under my care. I want to keep them as safe as possible!
Can my small animal be let out of their cage for free-roam or my bird out for flight time?
Absolutely! If you have a space that is safe for free-roam or flight time I would love to let them explore while I visit. Free-roam and flight time are extremely beneficial for the animals’ well-being. For birds, they need to be trained well to go back in their aviary or bird cage willingly.
My pet eats raw food. Are you able to feed them this diet?
I will absolutely maintain your pets normal diet. I am informed on serving a raw food diet and practice safe handling procedures. Maintaining your pets regular diet and routine is very important to me.
My guinea pig/rabbit has fleece bedding, can you launder it?
Yes! I prefer to keep the pets’ environment as close to normal as possible during my visit. There will need to be a washer and dryer available in your residence. Since my visits are usually 40-60 minutes, it is not enough time to completely wash and dry a load of laundry. I can wash a load one visit and then dry it the next visit. Please have a few days of bedding available so there is always a clean and dry option available.
What happens if my pet falls ill while I am away?
For minor sickness’ or urgent matters I will make every effort to contact you and then we can come up with a plan. If you decide to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, I can transport them to the veterinarian of your choice. Payment arrangements will need to be made with your veterinarian. If your pet is experiencing a critical emergency and you are unreachable, I will bring the pet into the nearest open emergency hospital. It is important to have an emergency contact available that you feel comfortable with and who can make decisions on your behalf. It is also a good idea to have a medical plan and credit card on file with your general veterinarian and emergency veterinarian in the event that you are unreachable. When applicable there is a Pet Taxi fee and fee for my time handling the situation.
Billing & Scheduling
Do you have a short notice service request fee?
No, I will always try to fit you in.
When is too early to request service?
Typically a 6 month notice is as far out as I can accommodate but I will consider your request at any time.
What if I need to cancel my reservation?
Reservations may be canceled 7 days prior to the scheduled visit for a full refund of the deposit.
Reservations for peak times (Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break) require a non-refundable deposit.
What if I come back from my trip early, can I get refunded?
Sorry, there are no refunds for early returns.
What if there is an event that causes me to stay away longer and I need to extend my reservation?
Every effort will be made to accommodate you and continue to care for your pet.
When is payment due?
There will be a deposit taken at time of reservation. The invoice must be paid in full 24 hours prior to your pets first scheduled visit.
What are your accepted methods of payment?
I accept interac e-transfers & paypal