What should I expect during our initial consultation? Is there anything I need to have ready?
These visits usually last between a half-hour and an hour. We will come into your home and visit with you and your pet to ensure that Gables Pet Care is a good match for your pet. Things you need to have handy for this visit are up to date vaccination papers (if possible), a list of medications the pet needs and when they need them, contact information for the pet’s veterinarian and a copy of your house key.

I have more than one pet will that affect the cost per visit?
There is a small charge for additional pets. This is because each pet will need individual care during our visits. Detailed pricing is found under Services.

How many visits are recommended for my particular pet?
This varies depending on the type of pets as well as the age and health of the pet. The minimum veterinarian recommended visits are (for older or ill pets ask your pet care provider for a recommendation):
     •  Cats – no less than 1 visit per day
     •  Dogs – no less than 3 visits per day for indoor dogs
     •           – no less than 2 visits per day for outdoor dogs
     •  Birds – at least 1 visit per day
     •  Rodents – 1 visit per day
     •  Fish and reptiles – 1 visit per day

How long does each visit last?
A normal visit lasts 30 minutes, but can be extended for an additional charge. Please contact us for more information.

What does each visit consist of?
The tasks completed at each visit will be determined during your initial consultation. A typical visit consists of:
     •  For your Pet - fresh food and water, a bathroom break, playtime,         and a huge dose of attention and love
     •  For your Home - mail and package retrieval, rotating of lights,          watering household plants and taking out the trash
If there is another task that you might need completed, please discuss this with your pet care provider. Gables Pet Care’s main goal is to keep our customers happy and we are willing to go the extra mile for that.

What areas do you serve?
Gables Pet Care is proud to serve the Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, The Roads, Brickell, Brickell Key, Key Biscayne, Silver Bluff, Shenandoah, and Old Cutler areas. If you live outside of our regular service area, an additional mileage fee will apply.

What kind of pets do you care for?
Our sitters have a wide range of experience with virtually every kind of creature; from dogs and cats, to hamsters and rabbits, iguanas and turtles, to fish and frogs, and even horses! Please let us know if you have a special pet or unusual needs, and we will do our very best to meet your expectations.

Will I receive any updates about my pet during visits?
Gables Pet Care will always provide a written update after the completion of visits. For those parents who are tech savvy we can provide email and text message updates upon request.

How do you screen your sitters?
We put our sitters through many tests to assure they will provide professional, reliable, loving care to your pets. Each sitter is carefully screened, interviewed, criminal background checked, trained, tested, joined in the field, and we request our clients to give online survey feedback on the sitter after every assignment.

What happens if there is an emergency?
There are many types of emergencies that can arise, so while you are out of town or working late, you can rest easy in knowing that you have professionals taking care of your home and your beloved pets. Gables Pet Care is trained to deal with most types of emergencies. If our team is not equipped to handle the problem then we will attempt to contact the pet owner (via the number provided at initial consultation), and then your veterinarian. If your pet is ill or sick and Gables Pet Care needs to take immediate action to preserve your pet’s life, we will do so. For situations where we are unable to contact the owner and/or their veterinarian, we retain a veterinarian on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. We do this in order to consult with them whether or not to seek urgent attention for your pet. We depend on their discretion and if we are unable to contact you, we will do whatever our on call veterinarian recommends (watchful waiting or a trip to an animal emergency room for an example). Please be aware that if we have to contact our On-Call veterinarian there will be a fee assessed.

Can I ask my neighbors to check on my pets also?
You are more than welcome to have your neighbors check on your pets, but you need to let your neighbors know that Gables Pet Care will be doing the primary pet care tasks (feeding, administering medicines, etc). Make sure to inform your neighbor that during his visit he or she should only complete tasks that will do not matter if done extra times (ex - changing the water and give the pet bathroom breaks).

What are the typical times of pet visits?
Because pets like people enjoy routines, we strive to be consistent and keep a schedule very close to that of your pet’s typical routine. During our initial consultation, you will need to provide us with an outline indicating a typical day for your pet. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule and that of your pet’s to ensure a vacation free from distraction.

What about my key?
Keys and Electronic key fobs to open gates/garages are usually picked up by the Gables Pet Care provider at the initial consultation. When not in use your keys are locked in a safe. When a pet sitter is using your keys during the day they are kept on a key chain labeled only with your pet(s) names. Your name, address, and phone number will never be kept with your key for your security. It is recommended that you leave a copy of your key on file with Gables Pet Care. This eliminates you getting charged for key pick up or drop off, and in case you have an emergency and need to leave quickly we will already have your key. And if you ever lock yourself out of your house you will be glad someone nearby has a key. Once service is complete there are two options for the keys: 1) The keys can be kept by the sitter for future service (in the secure location) or 2) once the pet owner returns home the keys can be returned by the pet care provider there is a key return fee for this service. The reason we do not leave the key at the home is because your pet’s health is the most important to us, and we need to ensure someone will be able to take care of your pet if there is an emergency or a change in plans (delayed flight or family emergency).

Do my pets need to have any special vaccinations?
Gables Pet Care employees are trained to administer most medications. If your pet needs special medication administered please speak to your pet care provider about this before services have been provided.

What other pet related errands are provided?
Gables Pet Care offers pet taxi service. If you have a pet related appointment and cannot make it or just dread going we will take care of it for you.

Are you bonded and insured?
Gables Pet Care is fully bonded and insured, and proud members of Pet Sitter International. As a member of Pet Sitters international, the largest governing organization in the pet care industry, we are required to abide by the highest of standards. What it means to you, and all of our clients, is peace of mind. We take responsibility for your pets and possessions when you put them in our care. That means that your property and your pets are fully covered, should anything occur while in our care. Having these policies in place shows a level of professionalism and commitment that you can trust.

What kind of guarantee is there if something happens to my home?
You know your pet better than we do, so if you have a pet that is prone to chewing or getting into the trash (etc.) when bored, you need to take the proper precautions to ensure that your pet does not have access to these things (pet proof your home). If something were to happen to your home that is due to an act of Gables Pet Care, we are insured and bonded. This means that if a Gables Pet Care employee is responsible for damage to your pet or home the insurance company will cover the loss.

How far in advance do I need to make reservations?
It is best to contact us as soon as you anticipate the need for a pet sitter. For new clients we need time to set up the consultation. For existing clients we prefer at least two week notice, but can usually accommodate last minute requests-especially if we have your key on file. PLEASE NOTE THAT HOLIDAYS BOOK UP QUICKLY, AND AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE IS RECOMMENDED.

What happens if my travel plans change (delayed flight, extra hours at the office, family emergency) and I cannot make it home to take care of my pet?
Gables Pet Care's primary concern is always the health and well being of your pet, if for some reason your travel plans change, give us a call and we will make sure your pet(s) are taken care of. If Gables Pet Care is not able to reach you at time of your scheduled arrival to ensure you have returned home to care for your pet, Gables Pet Care will assume that you have been held up and will continue care until contact is made.

What about my holiday travel?
Gables Pet Care is available on holidays, but there is an additional fee for service.