FAQ:
Do you offer a discount?
Yes, to multi dog or cat families. This discount does not apply to:dog and a cat combo or a rabbit/cat combo or other combos. There is no discount on long term boarding. fees/requirements. For this discount to apply, the pets need to live in same household (same address) or owned by same person.
I see that you don't belong to the usual pet sitting associations, Why not?
I used to be a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), but; it is only a membership that you pay into. It does not mean anything. Pet sitting memberships (National Association of Pet sitters, Professional United Pet sitters LLC), are not policing agencies. It does not guarantee the safety or well being of your pet. Most people may look for these logos on a website but they are just a stamp to put there, that the petsitter pays for, passing that cost to the pet owner. A prospective client needs to get a first impression and call references. Don't be fooled by a company saying they have insurance for private pet boarding (other than home insurance) as "associations" will dictate how long or what dogs are allowed out of a cage. See Pet Sitters Insurance Pet Sitters Associates. This means ALL dogs must be crated, walked and returned to a crate. This is what the petsitter insurance companies dictate what you must do with a clients pet. Why not just bring a pet to kennel where they'll have more room to move???
I have used a pet sitting service before. My neighbors said all different people were coming in and out of my house. I am not comfortable with that. I never even met the people who were seen going into my house. Do you outsource?
No, what you see is what you get. I do the house visits, not a partner or employee. Your alarm passcode and key is safe with me. Rarely, I may have my husband do a pet sit. (If it involves a particular time for a medication).
My pet is diabetic and requires insulin and special diet. My other pet is not very easy to administer medication to, some people are afraid of my cat. Would you be willing to take this responsibility on?
I am a vet tech and administering medication is not hard. If your pet is difficult, most likely it is not a problem,. What do you think we do with unruly pets? Not help them? No, after years of training, education and experience you learn techniques to “get the job done”.
My pet doesn't eat well when I am away. Will you be able to get him to eat?
I can't guarantee it but most pets eat well here (from the excitement/activity with the other "playmates" . I will entice a dog to eat with making a gravy out of a tablespoon or teaspoon of Solid Gold canned food or sometimes ground lamb. Nine out of ten dogs will eat all the food. Some finicky dogs (those who are finicky at home even) will eat well here, as they are mentally and physically stimulated here.
I need to go away this weekend. My petsitter cancelled on me. Can I drop offf my dog tomorrow?
No, as I am not a kennel. Your pet needs to be preapproved. Once I receive confirmation that your pet is up to date on vaccines (and they haven't just been updated yesterday), then we can make an appointment very soon. Why can't I make an appointment that same day if all the vaccines are up to date and I understand that my dog may not be approved at this last minute? Because usually when a client is calling last minute it is for a busy time (and usually I have only one opening). Here's the scenario: Prospective client calls: wants to bring pet here to be petsitted last minute. Hurries to get documents faxed. Makes appt for interview. I get call from current client. I tell them I may not have availability for them, I have a pending interview. Prospective client calls and cancels interview appointment or dog is not suitable. Now, I have just told current client I was booked (See the problem?). Booking your pet should never be a last minute thing.
I don't see an "a la carte menu" for petting, extra attention and potty breaks. Do you not offer this?
Yes, we offer this and more. We don't charge separately for each service. It is all inclusive for the daily boarding fee. We do not charge for: each meal served, each medication administered, each potty break, any "park outings", play session, first aid administered, doggie daycare, gourmet treat served, tv viewing, or personal use of human or provided dog bed.
Is there an additional charge for administering medication?
No.
Why did you ask if I get my medication from my vet, is there a difference?
Yes, please be aware that all flea/tick medication, heartworm preventative and other prescriptions should be purchased thru your veterinarian or local pharmacy, not from an internet source. I do not want to worry that your pet can become ill with inferior products. These products are not backed by the drug manufacturer. Buying from the internet voids the warranty. If the medication doesn't work or injures your pet, the big drug companies are not responsible. If you purchase a drug through your veterinarian, the drug company will pay for all diagnostic treatment (which can amount to a couple thousand for heartworm treatment), sparing you any out of pocket expense. Also, this spares you from thinking about cost, as opposed to your animal's health. The drug companies believe in their products. I have yet to hear of any pet getting heartworm who was on a vet purchased heartworm preventative. If you purchase your medication off the internet, you will have to pay the bills directly, and hope that the internet pharmacy will reimburse you. In other words, saving ten to twenty dollars a year-is it worth the risk? Would you want a medication that has been passed thru many hands? Many of the medications are only authorized to be sold through a vet. The internet companies are getting the product second and third hand. Novartis (maker of Interceptor) and Merial (maker of Frontline/Top Spot and Heartguard) have rebate programs for purchasing it thru your vet, thus making it cheaper than the internet sites, if it isn't cheaper already. On manufacturer websites, they do not mention buying a drug off the internet- only at your veterinarian's office. For more on guarantees and info on internet pharmacies: Epinions Novartis Guarantee Merial (Heartguard & Frontline) Pfizer (Revolution)
I don't "believe" in vaccines. I want my pet to stay with you. Can't I get a titer for my pet?
Yes, however your vet MUST update a vaccine certificate, not just fax a titer (lab results). There is no standardized way of interpreting titers or measuring them. Your vet must verify an adequate vaccine response by updating a vaccine certificate. In general most vets in NY/NJ area are giving distemper combo vaccines (DA2PPV) every 3 years. I will not accept titers for bordetella (duration of immunity is only 6-12 months, never any longer). Rabies titers: If the town you have registered your pet in accepts a Rabies titer AND your vet will provide a letter stating that the titer is sufficient to protect your pet than I will accept it. Again, all paperwork needs to have vet's name, address, license number and office phone number on it. If your vet does not want to update a vaccine certificate because of legalities, then he or she can type a letter with all his/her info verifying that our pet's immune system shows an adequate response to the distemper combo or rabies vaccine. The rabies titer needs to have been done in past 12 months or sooner. The distemper/parvo titer needs to have been done in last 3 years or sooner.
Are pets sedated?
No. It would probably be illegal to judiciously sedate your pet. This needs to be authorized by a licensed vet. If your pet becomes unruly and needs sedation, we will contact your vet. A pet can have a bad night, but if your pet generally needs to be sedated for boarding, we are not for you.
If your pet requires a sedative for thunderstorms or fireworks that is fine, they will be administered. Many clients have commented that their pets were sedated while at the kennel. I don’t think the kennel sedated them, the dog probably went thru an ordeal (confusion as to why they are there, barking dogs, concrete floors) and are exhausted! After all why would the kennel need to sedate dogs? Barking, defecating indoors and hyperactivity are the norm for dogs who are bored.
If my pet becomes ill while in your care, where will you seek veterinary attention?
I will first contact you and then your additional contacts to alert you of the situation. I will try to get your pet to your veterinary hospital (which you should have authorized for Dog Haus Petsitting to consent for treatment). If your hospital is closed or unable to take your pet for an appointment, I will go to the emergency hospital if the situation warrants. The preferred emergency hospital is Animal Emergency and Referral Associates In Fairfield, NJ. (973)788-0500. AERA. Dr Justin Straus (internist), Dr Renee Alsaraff (oncologist), and Dr Christopher Hunt (orthopedist) are all board certified. I have used them for my pets before. I feel confident that your pet will receive exemplary care there. Only if you specify another emergency hospital (Oradell, Valley Cottage, Middletown NY) will I go there. The choice will depend on distance to hospital.
What sicknesses can my pet pick up while at the Dog Haus?
We pride ourselves in that no one yet has ever complained that their pet has gotten sick while in our care. Unfortunately, when a pet is at a kennel they are in a more confined area. They are exposed to a higher population. Dogs can transmit a bevy of diseases. We require all pets to be vaccinated for rabies and distemper combo. Dogs are required to be vaccinated for bordetella. To keep endo and exto parasites from infecting your pet: Dogs and cats need have either Frontline, Advantix or Revolution/Preventic collar on them and a heartworm preventative given EVERY MONTH. Cats can be excused from heartworm preventative (which is a monthly dewormer) if they have had a recent negative fecal. Dogs can pick up kennel cough (which is a general term) at any place no matter if they are vaccinated. No vaccine is 100%. Kennel Cough can be caused by a virus called Canine Influenza or Bordetella sometimes accompanied with the parainfluenza virus (not canine influenza). There is no vaccine for Canine Influenza. There are vaccines for Bordetella. This vaccination is administered every 6 to 12 months, depending on manufacturer and vet’s preference. To Learn more about Canine Influenza.click here
Lastly, I have heard that older pets can get urine scalding while at a kennel. Pets generally are not walked or have access to the outdoors on a regular basis. When the need arises, a pet will urinate if not given the appropriate place to relieve himself. The pet will soil the kennel area and have to wait until the next “hose down”. Urine scalding is from standing/lying in urine. This will not happen because the dog is given ample times to go outdoors where a dog should go to the bathroom.
My pet had diarrhea when I picked him up from the kennel, why?
Diarrhea is USUALLY a stress response from being kenneled. It can happen at the best kennels. Usually a pet can get over it with a bland diet and Immodium (dogs only). Many kennels do not feed the pet his own food. A change in the diet can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can also be from a more serious problem accompanied with vomiting. If you have any doubt that your pet is sick, you should seek veterinary attention. Dogs that come to “visit” usually do not have diarrhea because they are not stressed. They are usually not “out of sorts” because they are happy to be playing with their canine friends.
Can I check up on my pet while in your care?
Yes, we encourage it. It gives us a chance to ask any additional questions that may arise while your pet is here. Calling us will also make you feel assured knowing your pet is happy and comfortable. You not considered a pest if you call, I can only think of how I would feel if my pet was away for the first time.
Do you have references?
Yes, they will be furnished to you once you meet me and I meet your pet. At this initial interview, you are interviewing me as I am of you and your pet. Either one of us can decide we aren’t a good match. If we are a good match, you can then call references.
Does my pet need to be altered (neutered or spayed)?
Yes! If your pet is too young to be altered, they can’t come yet. Most vets recommend altering at 6 months of age, however some pets are altered younger for particular reasons or if they come from a shelter/rescue. All cats and dogs must be altered. Female rabbits need to be spayed. I do not want an intact animal here because in general they are not in the best of health (adult pets). In general pet owners who alter their pets are more likely to have a healthy pet. The reasons for altering are: reduction or elimination of cancer, population control, behavioral problems (fighting, marking, wandering, lack of appetite), hormone induced aliments, enlarged prostate, urine spraying (male rabbits and cats) and pyometra (pus filled infected uterus). This is just a short list please ask your vet or visit the ASPCA website for health info. Top Ten reasons to alter
You are fully booked, do you have any recommendations to where I can board my pet?
Yes, I can recommend Aranwood in Mahwah, NJ 201-529-2700 and Bihari in Nanuet, NY 845-356-1658. I can recommend other pet sitters also! Please email or call.
Do you do doggie day care?
No, not in the sense that a dog is dropped off in the morning and picked up in the p.m. I provide overnight care.
Do you do overnight petsitting in my home, where you sleep overnight in my home?
No, but I can recommend
