Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What kinds of pets do you care for?
A. We have experience caring for dogs, cats, birds, fish, ferrets, hamsters, pigs, horses, rabbits, reptiles and many other species. We care for most animals, as long as they do not pose a danger to our Pet Sitters.  

Q. Do you come to my house or do my pets go to your house?
A. That's a commonly asked question. Although we offer some, limited, boarding in our homes, we are not a full-service boarding facility or kennel. Our focus is primarily on the in [your] home pet sitting side of pet care. That way, your pets get to remain in the comfort and safety of their own home. We try to match your normal routine and do whatever necessary to keep them happy and stress-free. Check out our Services page for information about the benefits of letting your pets stay in their own, familiar, environment.  

Q. Are you Bonded and Insured?
A. Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting is covered by a commercial bonding and liability insurance policy offered through Pet Sitters International-the pet sitting industry's number one trade organization. We're happy to show you a copy of our policy upon request.  

Q. What is the Referral Rewards Program and how does it work?
A. Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, believes the best way to grow our business is through word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers. Essentially, our Referral Rewards Program is our way of saying "Thank you" to our clients for those referrals. The way it works is when you, our client, tells a co-worker, family member, or friend, etc. about our service and they schedule with us, we'll give YOU a free dog walk or pet sitting visit. The number of free visits we'll give you is unlimited-you can refer as many people as you like and we'll reward you for them all! 

Q. If I refer all these people, how can I guarantee service when I need it?
A. Hot Diggity! has a unique Availability Guarantee for our clients that is unheard of in the pet sitting industry.  What this means is as long as you give us 72 hours notice of your departure (for repeat clients), we guarantee we will make room in our schedule for you. You can rest easy that you'll always have pet care when you need it. Go ahead and book your flight or make your reservation-we're for you!

Q. How do I sign up?
A. To sign up with Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, you can click our "register" link above, send an e-mail to info@hotdiggitypetsitting.com or place a call to our office.  If you choose to inquire online, please fill out all necessary information about you, your pet(s) and the dates of service, and we will call you within 24 hours to schedule a free initial in-home "interview".  If e-mailing or leaving a message at the office please be certain to include your name, dates of vacation or daily walking requests, pet information (name(s), age(s), breed(s), etc.) and a phone number where you can be reached.  

Q. What does the initial "interview" entail?
A. The interview / consultation gives you a chance to meet us, and us a chance to meet you and your pet(s), to familiarize ourselves with your home and routine, and to discuss all pertinent information about your pet's needs. Our top priority is the health, safety and happiness of those in our care. We want to make sure we'll get along well and enjoy a pleasant experience together. We also want to tailor our services to fit you and your pet perfectly. This initial meeting has no cost and is our way of being certain that you, your pets and your Pet Sitter feel it will be an amicable partnership.  

Q. Do we need to meet every time I leave town?
A. No. Once we have your house key and your service contract on file, just a quick call or email is all you need to book service anytime in the future.

Q. How does our Pet Sitter get access to my home?
A. Upon meeting at the initial interview we will request a copy of your house keys to be kept on file in our office.  All keys are kept in a secure location and can only be accessed by the owning partners of Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting. Our number one priority is the care of your pets and, this way, in an emergency we can be just a phone call away!

Q. How safe are my house keys?
A. Your keys are coded and always stored in a locked and secure location in our office, separate from any files or information which could link the key to your address. While in service, they are with your pet sitter at all times. In the highly unlikely event that your keys are lost, it is covered under our business liability insurance policy. You would be notified immediately and a locksmith would re-key your entire home at no cost to you.

Q. How many times per day do you come to my house while I am gone?
A. As many times as you book us for. Every situation is unique. Dogs typically need 2-3 visits per day and cats usually need only one daily visit. We will arrange a schedule, with you, to best suit your pet(s). Dog sitting visits are never more than 12 hours apart and cat sitting visits are never more than 24 hours apart.

Q. How and when do I pay you?
A. We send our clients an invoice on the day of booking. You may pay by check or go ahead and rack up those frequent flyer miles by making a VISA or MasterCard payment through PayPal (PayPal invoices incur a 3% fee). For new clients, we offer a 50% deposit option so you can be sure you're happy with the services you receive.

 Q. What if my pet becomes ill or injured while I am away?
A. All of us at Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting are experienced in animal First Aid. We will assess your pet's condition and, if need be, contact your veterinarian or 24 hour emergency facility. If your pets require medical care, we will contact you as soon as possible at your emergency numbers on file and keep you informed throughout their treatment.

 Q. Can I be assured of the same Pet Sitter each time?
A. We definitely prefer to keep the same Pet Sitter assigned to your account each time, however if that individual is not available for some reason, a fully trained (and informed) substitute will always be available for back up.  You will be notified in advance of any changes pertaining to your pet/home care and a meeting with the new Pet Sitter can be arranged upon request. ALL Pet sitters working under Hot Diggity! are covered by our business liability insurance and are also bonded.

 Q. Do you administer medication to pets?
A. We will administer medication - pills and drops are no additional charge, and injections for nominal charge.  We, however, cannot administer medication to any animal that poses a danger to our Pet Sitters.

 Q. May I give my Pet Sitter a gratuity?
A. Absolutely. You may give gratuities directly to your Pet Sitter, or if you prefer you may add it to your total bill when paying to the company. 100% of gratuities go directly to your designated Pet Sitter.

 Q. Do you have references?
A. Yes. References are available upon request.