Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to finding the perfect pet sitter for you, it’s important to go over all the facts and we want this website to be as helpful as possible. This page outlines some of the most frequent questions we’ve gotten over the years. If you still have questions after reading this page, feel free to give us a ring on our business line 843-879-0822 or contact us here info@canebaypetsitting.com . We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

After reading this page, you may also be interested in reading our: 

“15 Questions You Should Ask Every Pet Sitter“.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are you located?

2. Do you charge additional fees for holidays and weekends?

3. Will I get to meet my pet sitter before making a final decision?

4. How do you select your pet sitters?

5. How much advanced notice must I give before making my reservation?

6. Can I reserve the same pet sitter each time?

7. I’m traveling to the area.  Can I use your service?

8. What is Cane Bay Pet Sitting & More’s policy on alternative electronic devices to replace keys, and what happens with my keys?

9. Are there a minimum amount of visits required for vacation reservations?

10. Is it okay if one of my friends or neighbors looks in on my pets while I’m using your service?

11. What if I have to stay away longer than I thought?

12. When do I need to pay and what forms of payment do you accept?

13. What happens if I cancel?

Where are you located?

Because we are neither a boarding house nor a kennel, our pet sitters are typically able to come to you for in-home sitting.  However, we largely cater to the Summerville and Goose Creek area. Our headquarters is located at Cane Bay Plantation, Summerville, SC, 29486.

Do you charge additional membership fees, or fees for holidays and weekends?

We don’t charge any membership fees at all, however we do charge a $5.00 holiday fee per visit for booking on the following holidays:  Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, and New Years Eve/New Years Day.  For all other holidays our fee structure does not increase.  There are no additional charges for weekends.

Will I get to meet my pet sitter before making a final decision?

As far as we’re concerned – your pet is the one that chooses its sitter. All of our services include a free in-home play date where your sitter and pet can meet face-to-face, nose-to-nose. If you want services in your home, the sitter will come by and spend time with you and your pet (at time that fits your schedule). For services that take place inside the sitter’s home, you can simply bring your pet along with you to check out the accommodations and see which bed, couch, or big furry stuffed animal they’ll be sleeping on!

How do you select your pet sitters?

Each and every single pet sitter on our team is put through a comprehensive application and screening process before we decide to hire them onto our team. Part of this process includes performing complete background checks and drug testing. We also conduct a portion of the interviews in the pet sitter’s own home so we can gauge the safety of their environment as required for insured and bonded sitting companies through the Business Insurers of the Carolinas.

How much advanced notice must I give before making my reservation?

We strive to provide the highest level of flexibility, especially for people who are on-call business travelers or who have emergency travel plans. Of course, the more notice you provide, the better as it helps us match you with an ideal sitter and we don’t need to charge any additional fees for last minute reservations, but no matter what – if it’s an emergency and it’s past crunch time – we’ll jump through hoops to make sure your pet is taken care of.

Can I reserve the same pet sitter each time?

Not only are you able to do so, we actually prefer it. The bond that is created between a pet sitter and your animal is important for their consistency and routine. Once such a relationship has been established with one of our sitters, you simply need to make a brief call into our company and we’ll set you up in minutes. You wouldn’t want your child going to a different day care every day. The same is true for your pet.

I’m traveling to the area. Can I use your service?

Absolutely. If you’re traveling to the Summerville area of South Carolina, we can provide daily in-home care or make hotel visits and ensure your dog is fed, walked, and played with while you’re conducting business or out sight-seeing.

What is Cane Bay Pet Sitting & More’s policy on alternative electronic devices to replace keys, and what happens with my keys?

Cane Bay Pet Sitting & More will not accept any clients that use electronic gadgets, keypads, or garage door openers as an alternative to old fashioned keys to enter your house.  As you know Murphy’s law will always prevail.  Keys are the safest, most reliable method to enter homes.  We request all clients to provide two sets of keys, one set as a backup, so there is virtually no chance we will not be able to care for your furry friends.

Cane Bay Pet Sitting & More uses pet sitting software that has a revolutionary key management system that enables automatic key tracking and logging by assigning a unique code to each key.  We will keep your keys in a locked safe.  Keys will be numbered and they will not have your name or address on them, and we’ll be able to access those keys on future visits.  At any time, you can request the return of your keys.

And of course, another great advantage of this program is you know who to call when you lock your keys in the house!

Are there a minimum amount of visits required for vacation reservations?

For cats, we require a minimum of one visit each day.  Unfortunately, we do not offer “every other day” service as we do not feel comfortable leaving a cat unattended for more than 24 hours.

For dogs, we require a minimum of 3 visits each day.

Is it okay if one of my friends or neighbors looks in on my pets while I’m using your service?

Here at Cane Bay Pet Sitting & More, we do not accept pet sitting assignments in which other people are also checking in on or taking care of your pet(s) at the same time.  Other people entering your premises during our assignment may compromise our insurance and liability policies and coverage.

Although it may seem like a great idea to hire a friend or neighbor, they are often not professionals and as such do not think like a professional sitter.  We often hear of unfortunate stories of people who forget to go take care of a pet or provide medication or do not have access to emergency vet care when something goes wrong.  Recently, this resulted in a $1,300 vet bill and the client almost lost their dog.

Just as you wouldn’t ask a friend to fix your plumbing unless they were a professional, it’s probably a good idea to think the same way about your beloved pet.

What if I have to stay away longer than I thought?

As long as you keep us notified, everything should be fine.  However, your pet comes first.  If we don’t hear back from you it’s not like we’re going to abandon your animal.  We will continue services.

When do I need to pay and what forms of payment do you accept?

After your in-person meeting, and with repeat customers, we require the total payment in full to hold your reservation.  We accept cash, checks, PayPal, and all major credit cards.  For your convenience payment can be made on-line.

What happens if I need to cancel?

It’s easy and hassle-free to cancel with us.  We only ask that you notify us at least 48 hours prior to your pet’s next visit date for a full refund.  If you need to change service dates, locations, early returns, the same 48 hour notice is required.

Cancellation can be done through our simple online scheduling system, by phone, through email, or by text notification.

If you do not provide 48 hour notice, we will have to charge $25.00.