Do you board dogs in your own home?  I do NOT board dogs in my home.  I have a dog of my own who likes his space and can be aggressive, so boarding is not an option at this time.

I would really prefer to board my dog - are there any facilities you would recommend?  Yes; please contact me directly and I can talk to you about the different boarding options in our area.

Will you stay overnight with my dog?  At this time, I am not able to provide overnight care.  I have pets of my own at home that need to be cared for at night.  However, I schedule visits to take place right before bedtime and first thing in the morning, so your dog won't spend too much time alone.

Don't you need a special license to take care of dogs?  A license is only necessary if I am boarding the dogs in my own home or watching dogs with multiple owners in the same space.  I am doing neither of those things, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed that in-home pet sitting does not require a license.  I am, however, in the process of getting insured for safety's sake!

Do I have to give you a key to my home?  That is completely up to you.  I have had clients give me a spare key (I return it at the end of their time away), hide a spare key somewhere on their property, lend me their garage door opener, or leave a door unlocked.  Whatever you feel comfortable with is just fine with me!

How do I know you won't steal from me or improperly care for my pet?  I am able to provide you with references, both from my regular job and from other clients.  I pet sit simply because I adore animals, and all of my regular clients can vouch for that!

Will you sit for my pit bull mix?  A thousand times YES!  I love all breeds, from giant to toy, and I never discriminate based on breed - in fact, pitties are one of my favorite breeds!

Will you sit for my cat?  Of course!  I have several kitty clients, and I love them just as much as dogs.  I have also sat for/checked on birds, ferrets, horses, and (on one occasion) a pig!

Can you come and let my dog out every day while I am at work?  This depends on where you are located and will be decided on a case-to-case basis.

My dog is special needs and on daily medication - can you still sit for him?  Absolutely!  I have cared for all sorts of special-needs pets and am used to administering meds.

How far in advance do I need to contact you before a trip?  At least a few weeks' notice is ideal, but I am sometimes able to work my schedule around last-minute plans.