Frequently asked questions
Camp Kitty has compiled the following list of the most frequently asked questions for our pet sitting and dog walking services. If your questions are not answered here, please feel to contact our knowledgeable staff.
Q: Why should I use a Camp Kitty sitter?
A: Your pet will remain in his or her familiar, secure environment and follow his or her customary diet and exercise routine. Your pet is not exposed to illness of other animals. Most importantly, your pet receives lots of love and personal attention while you are away. We have NO black out dates! Our sitters are completely backed up by one of our other sitters in cases of emergency, illness or sitter vacations.
Q: What do you do on a visit?
A: Our pet sitting visits include: Feeding per your instructions, fresh water, dogs walked, love and play time, brushing, litter box cleaned, bird cage cleaned, medication given if needed, mail and newspaper brought in, plants watered, lights on and off. Lots of TLC.
Q: Do you always visit at the time we ask for?
A: We book your visits within a time frame and will be there during that time. If you are booking a cat visit for the morning and it is during peak times such as holidays we will be there in the later mornings due to the fact that we need to get to dog visits first, unless of course you have a cat that needs medicine at a critical time. If time is critical, please let us know.
Q: If my pet has an "accident", do you clean it up?
A: Yes, we will clean up after your pets to the best of our ability. If there are always accidents, we will ask you to book an additional visit in the day. We will do a walk through to check for accidents.
Q: What information do I need to provide at the initial consultation?
A: Prior to the consultation; you will need to fill out your online profile completely. We will then have all the information we need about your pets allowing us to spend the consultation time getting to know you and your pets. To get started please email us at campkittynj@gmail so we can send you an invitation to your online portal. We will review it to make sure we have availability and we will set up your meet and greet. We do ask that your pets are up to date on vaccinations. We need 2 keys so the sitter can have one and the other kept in a locked file cabinet at the office in case of emergency.
Q: Is the meet n’ greet free?
A: The initial consultation (meet n’ greet) is $45.
Q: What happens in an emergency? Is there a form I need to fill out?
A: Yes, it is on the client portal for you to fill out.
Q: May I give my pet sitter / dog walker a gratuity?
A: Absolutely. We much prefer you to leave cash for your sitter at your home and leave a note so they are aware it is for them. Gift cards are also a great idea and appreciated.
Q: Are your pet sitter insured?
A: Yes, Camp Kitty carries liability and employee dishonesty insurance.
Q:Does Camp Kitty have employees or do you use independent contractors?
A: Our staff is comprised of employees who are covered by Workers Comp.
Q: Do you pick up my dog's waste when you are walking?
A: Yes, we do. We do ask that you provide the bags.
Q: What kind of animals do you care for?
A: We care for most animals, as long as they don’t pose a danger to our pet sitters. We do not care for any animals that have a history of biting, fighting or attacking other animals or people.
Q: May I book my visits through my pet sitter directly?
A: No, All visits should be booked through your client portal or by emailing campkittynj@gmail.com. You can not be assured backup coverage if you do not book through Camp Kitty. You may have your sitter’s cell phone #, but please contact the office for bookings and cancellations. It is fine if you would like as a courtesy to let your sitter know you may not need a visit but please realize we do have a cancellation policy and it is not up to your sitter to give you a credit.
Q: What hours do you provide services?
A: Pet Sitting and dog walking visits are generally between 7am to 9:00 pm. Other times can be arranged for an additional fee. Overnight visits are also available from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am. Our office hours are 9:00-5:00pm Monday-Friday.
Q: Can I be assured of same pet sitter each time?
A: We prefer to have the continuity of the same pet sitter each time. However, If the sitter is not available then a fully informed substitute sitter will be available for backup.
Q: How long are your visits?
A: Our visits are approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the needs of your pet. If you pet requires more time to acclimate to a new person feeding and walking them we do whatever it takes to make Fido happy! If you know that you would like your pet to have more social time please let us know at booking.
Q: Do you offer any sort of satisfaction guarantee?
A: You want to know that your pets will be cared for just the way you specify. We will guarantee it every time! If you are not 100% satisfied with the service that was provided, we will be happy to address your concerns. We believe in lasting client relationships, so our service is only complete when you return home and are completely satisfied.
Q: What experience do you have with pets?
A: Kitty Bender, owner, has personally owned dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, fish, chinchillas, rabbits, geckos, chameleons, goats, a pony and horse and even chickens have been her pets. All our pet sitters are very caring, have pets of their own and a have huge love of animals. Camp Kitty is also a member of Pet sitters International and routinely keeps up with current pet care standards and health information.
Q: I am leaving in two days and don’t have time to meet one of your sitters. Will you take care of my pets without meeting them?
A: No, we do require an initial consultation before taking care of your pets for the first time.
Q: Can I have every other day cat visits?
A: We feel all cats should be visited no less then once every 24 hours. This is or the health of your fur-baby. If you really feel you have a healthy cat, and prefer every other day visits, please talk to us on an individual basis.
Q: What happens in severe weather?
A: Camp Kitty requests the name and phone number of a person living nearby. If the Camp Kitty pet care provider is physically unable to reach your home due to impassable roads, we will contact that person. Your pets’ health and well-being is our utmost concern and we will contact you as soon as possible to keep you informed of these events. This is pertaining to snow, ice, hurricanes, severe storms.
Q: Can you let me know how my pet is doing while I’m away?
A: Yes, absolutely. We are happy to text updates, have brief telephone conversations and even send pictures!
Q: Do you charge a holiday fee?
A: Yes, we do. We pet sit 365 days a year. We do charge a holiday fee of $10-$20 extra per visit on the following holidays. New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve (all day), Christmas Day and day after. On the following major holidays we charge for the weekend. These holidays are Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day. This is a way for us to reward our pet sitters who are giving up their holiday time.
Q: Do you board pets?
A: We do not board pets in our home. We do provide daily visits for your pets or we can stay overnight as well. We will customize a schedule to fit your pets needs. Your pets will be much happier in their own home stress free!
Q: I have never used an overnight pet sitter before; can you tell me a little bit about this service?
A: We offer an overnight visit from 9:00 pm to 7 am. Overnight visits give you peace of mind of knowing that your home is being looked after as well as your pets getting lots of extra attention. If your pets are used to sleeping in your bed with you, we are happy to have them sleep in the bed with us too! We can schedule extra visits too anytime your pets need them.
Q: Do you have an overnight sitter available in all of your service areas?
A: Our main service area is Hopewell Valley and we do have overnight sitters that cover all of the valley if we have availability.
Q: How is payment handled?
A: We accept cash, check and Venmo .Your fees are due 2 days before your visits begin, except for holiday periods visits when we expect payment 14 days in advance. Payments not received prior to that start of a reservation may be cancelled.
Q: Will I receive a refund if I leave later than expected or return early?
A: No, please understand that we have made time for your visits and may have turned other people down to allow time for your pets. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. There will be no refunds
Q: What is your mailing address:?
A: Camp Kitty Pet Sitting Services, 127 North Star Avenue, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: In order to best serve your needs, the strict cancellation policy is follows:
Daily Walks will be charged in full if not cancelled before 6am. We do however understand that occasionally you may be sick and need to cancel the morning of your walk; in these cases there will be no charge if you let us know by 6am.
If you cancel visits more than 7 days in advance, other than holidays, there is no cancellation charge.
High volume periods (Spring break, June, July August as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years weeks: Cancellations 8-13 days prior will receive a 50% refund, 1-7 days prior there will be no refunds.
OVERNIGHT STAY CANCELLATION POLICY: Due to the exclusive nature of overnight bookings, our pet sitters must decline all requests for overnights that coincide with the dates you have booked. Therefore, we charge a $80 per night cancellation fee, if the job is cancelled 2 weeks or less prior to the job start.
Q: Will I get a refund if I come home early?
A: No, as stated above, once service begins, there are no refunds or credits. Early Returns/Last minute Changes: It is not unusual for trip plans to change at the last minute. Please understand that Camp Kitty carefully schedules our time to service you and our other clients.
Q: What happens if I did not leave enough food for my pet(s)?
A: We will notify you that there is not enough food so that you are aware and perhaps you have more food in another place in your home. If we do need to make a special trip to purchase food we will be glad to do so. There will be a $25 trip charge plus the cost of the food. If an extra trip to your home is needed for an extra visit to feed your pets, that will be charged as well.
Have More Questions? Contact Us Today! (609) 558-5588.
