Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your Questions

This page is intended to answer your questions about our company, our services, and our prices. If there’s anything you still need answered, or would like to talk to one of us personally we encourage you to pick up the phone and give us a call at (773) 935-9983, we’d love to talk to you! Otherwise you can email us by clicking HERE and filling out the form.

Questions About the Company

There are so many pet care businesses in this area, what sets you apart from the others?

We’re There has been in business since 1990. In 2002, new owners took over and continue to provide exceptional service. Because of our long history in the pet care industry, you can expect professionalism, consistency, and reliability. We work hard to make sure you can have peace of mind through every step of the process. We stay connected to provide quick responses, easy scheduling, and daily messages from your sitter so you know your pet is safe and happy! It’s a good bet that you’re looking for a pet sitter because you’ve got a busy life, work, family, travel. Its stressful to fit everything in! Reduce your stress. You don’t want to leave your pet home all day, alone, for extended periods of time but it happens. Long hours, travel, family commitments. You want to make sure that your pet has what they need and want them looked after when you can’t be there. You can relax and focus on your tasks and agenda knowing We’re There to help. You will be leaving them in capable, caring hands. We have years of experience. You can expect reduced stress for your pet as well. Exercise, meals, attention, stimulation. They’ll appreciate the time and attention.

What are your hours?

Office Hours: 9am–5pm Monday–Friday (reachable via email on weekends/holidays)

Service hours: 9:00am–6:00pm Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm Saturday & Sunday, and 10am–2pm on holidays.

What neighborhoods do you service?

Our service area page has a full list of the neighborhoods we cover and an interactive map so that you can see if your address falls within our boundaries. Generally, we cover north to Peterson Avenue, west to Kedzie, and south to North Avenue. If in doubt, you can call or email us, too!

Will my dog receive individualized attention?

Absolutely! They will have a team of dedicated walkers devoted to their well being. We only walk your dog, no pack walks! Each visit will be one on one, your dog and his walker, that’s it.

Who are the walkers and sitters that will be coming into my home?

We take pride in employing a wonderful group of people, dedicated to animals and their care. Each employee is interviewed 2 times. We also do a background checks. We expect our employees to have a genuine love of animals, preferably with some background in or related to animal care. Employees typically have personal experience being pet owners, or volunteering at pet shelters as well.

We’re excited to introduce you to our friendly, caring team of animal lovers. Your family, home, and pets are our priority. Our expectations are high, and yours should be too!

Are you fully bonded and insured?

Yes! We’re There Pet Care is fully bonded and insured with Business Insurers of the Carolinas. We are also certified members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) and Pet Sitters International.

Questions About Scheduling

How do you schedule dog walks and cat care visits?

Scheduling can be done via email or by phone. Our office hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. All calls will be returned to confirm that we received them. In addition, our weekly clients can add, cancel, or check up on their scheduled visits online through state- of- the- art scheduling software provided by Pet Sitter Plus. We will always do our best to schedule a dog walk at the exact time the client wants it, and to keep your dog with a consistent, daily walker. However, we ask for a bit of flexibility to account for the walkers’ driving distances and time. Generally, we ask for a 2 hour window to schedule for a walker to arrive at the home. For standard once-a- day cat visits, we ask for a bit more flexibility, since cats are able to relieve themselves at will. If your cat has special needs such as time sensitive medication, we will of course accommodate them.

Do you have appointments available over holidays?

Yes, We’re There Pet Care is open 365 days of the year. However, on major holidays (New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve) our policies are a bit different. We offer visits on these days between 10am- 2pm only, and visits are 20 minutes in duration. As one might assume we may be working with less staff at these times, and as such, all reservations must be made two weeks in advance.

What constitutes a “breakfast” or “dinner” visit?

Our standard dog walking times are from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day. If a walk is requested before or after these times, we charge an additional $4 fee.

I already know what service I’m interested in, what's the next step?

Fantastic! Give us a call, or send an email our way. You can expect to schedule a meet and greet at your home. This is an opportunity for us to meet in person and get to know more about you, your home and of course, your pet! We will schedule the meet and greet at your convenience, and it is free! During the meet and greet we will review services, policies, answer questions and you’ll fill out a couple forms, too. This will also be the time we ask for 2 sets of keys to access your home.

Do you accept last minute requests?

We’re always happy to schedule pet care, even last minute; however, we cannot guarantee availability. To assure service, it’s best to schedule in advance. If you are an existing client and we have your key, we work hard to accommodate the request.

How will I know how my pets are doing while I’m away?

You will be updated after each daily visit with a picture. You can always call us to get an update.

What is your cancellation policy?

It varies depending on the type of service. To avoid charges be sure to find out ahead of time. With regard to dog walking visits, if you must cancel a scheduled walk, we require that you do so before 9 a.m. on the day of the walk. If a cancellation is made after that, since the walkers have already budgeted the time in their schedule for your appointment, you will be charged the full price of the walk. With regard to cat sitting and house sitting, We’re There Pet Care’s policy is to make a confirmation call or email to the client at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the trip. Any details that have changed may be corrected at this time.

Questions About Payment

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, Check, and Zelle QuickPay.

How much do your services cost?

Interested in a service? Please call or email us for a quote! We’d be happy to discuss services with you.

Are there extra costs for booking services during the holidays?

Yes, the rates are doubled for holiday visits.

May I tip my sitter?

Of course! It is never expected, but always appreciated!

General Questions

What if there is an emergency?

We will call you at the emergency numbers we have on file. If you or your emergency contact cannot be reached, we will take your pet to your vet or an emergency clinic for examination and treatment. If it is after hours, we will go to the nearest 24-hour emergency care facility. You will be billed for any extra time incurred.

How will your pet care providers discipline my pet, if necessary?

We’ll keep you informed from the start and along the way, good or bad. We want to develop strong and lasting relationship with you and your pet. If we encounter obedience issues that need to be addressed, we will discuss them with you and ask how it should be handled.

Can you medicate my pet?

Yes. We are able to administer pills, ointments, inhalers, and shots (except for insulin). We are also able to provide in-home blood pressure checks, and administer subcutaneous fluids and provide post surgery wound care too. Check out our Medical Care page, or call us to discuss.

I still have a few other questions!

No problem! Give us a call, (773) 935 -9983. We’d love to talk to you! Or click HERE to email us!

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