Questions?
Pet Sitting Policies
If you’re considering Sunny Paws Pet Care, we offer a complimentary meet and greet to ensure we’re the right fit for you and your pets. This visit typically takes about 20-30 minutes and is required for all new clients before services can begin. We want you to feel confident in our care, and this first meeting helps us build that trust from the start. During the meet and greet, we’ll:
Get to know your pet’s personality, routine, and any special needs
Discuss your preferred services and scheduling
Go over home access, emergency contacts, and care instructions
Make sure your pet feels safe and comfortable with us
Please be prepared with the following:
A working copy of your key
Access codes (garage, alarm, etc.), if needed
Emergency contact information
Veterinary contact information (just in case)
Key Handling & Home Access
We take security of your home seriously and offer flexible, secure options for access during your scheduled services. We do not label keys with personal or identifying information, and your access details are stored securely.
Key Options:
Key on file: We can securely store one copy of your key for ongoing or future servicess.
Lockbox: You’re welcome to use your own lockbox. Just provide the code during your meet and greet.
Electronic entry: If using a garage code or smart lock, we ask that you also provide a backup key in case of power outages or system issues.
What to Expect During a Sunny Paws Visit
For Your Pet:
Fresh water, food (if scheduled), and any needed medication
Potty breaks, walks, and playtime
Snuggles, belly rubs, and lots of love
Calm, consistent care
For Your Home:
Bringing in mail/packages
Taking out trash (if scheduled)
Watering a few houseplants
Rotating lights, blinds, or music to help your home look lived-in
Basic home check (doors, windows, thermostat, etc.)
We’re happy to provide a little extras that keep things running smoothly while you’re away - just let us know what you need.
What to Expect After a Sunny Paws Visit
You’ll receive a detailed visit report with:
Photos of your pet
Notes on how the visit went
Any important updates
Frequently Asked Questions
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A professional pet sitter operates as a legitimate, insured business with policies in place to ensure safety, consistency, and reliability. They treat pet care as a career, not a side gig, which means your pets and home receive dependable, high-quality care every time.
At Sunny Paws Pet Care, we are:
Fully insured and bonded for your peace of mind
CPR & pet care knowledgable
Structured with policies
Committed to clear coommunication, timely updates, and your pet’s unique needs
Equipped for emergencies and always have a plan in place
A hobby sitter may love animals, but they may not have backup plans, insurance, or the consistency that comes with a professional service. Your pets deserve more than “just someone who’s available” - they deserve someone who is qualified, prepared, and passionate about what they do.
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Yes! Sunny Paws Pet care is fully insured and bonded for your peace of mind through Pet Care Insurance.
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All kinds! We happily provide services for cats, puppies, senior pets, and small animals like birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and even chickens. If your pet has fur, feathers, paws, or whiskers, we’re probably a great fit! Not sure if we can accommodate your pet? Just reach out! We’re always happy to discuss their needs and see how we can help.
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Yes! A $10 holiday fee applies to visits scheduled on major holidays, including:
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day
Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Black Friday
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Is there a fee for additional pets?
Yes. Our base rates include care up to two pets. There is a $5 fee per visit for each additional pet beyond that.
Do you charge for last-minute bookings?
Yes. Appointments requested with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a $10 late booking fee, subject to availability.
What if I need a visit before 9 AM or after 6 PM?
Visits outside our standard hours (10 AM - 6 PM) incur a $5 early/late visit fee per appointment.
Is there a wait fee for pet taxi services?
Yes. If we need to wait during a pet taxi service (e.g. vet drop-off or pick up), a $10 fee per 15 minutes will apply.
What if I live outside of your service area?
For locations over 10 miles from our Monmouth County service area, we charge a travel fee based on distance. Please contact us for a custom quote.
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Our standard hours are from 10am-6pm. Any walks or drop-ins before or after standard hours incur an additional fee of $10.
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Yes. Due to the limited number of overnight bookings we can accept, a 10% deposit is required to reserve your dates. Once your booking is confirmed, we decline other requests for the same timeframe in order to give your pets our full attention. This deposit will be appleid toward your final payment. If you cancel at least 7 days before your scheduled start date, your deposit will be refunded in full.
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We understand that plans change and we always aim to be flexible where we can. However, late cancellations impact our ability to care for other clients and pets. The following cancellation windows ensure fairness for all and help us keep operations running smoothly:
Dog Walks & Drop In Visits: Cancel by 9 PM the night before to avoid being charged.
Weekend Visits: Cancel at least 24 hours in advance to avoid full charges.
Overnight Care: A 10% deposit is required to hold your booking.
Cancel at least 7 days before the first night to receive your deposit back.
Cancellations made within 72 hours of the scheduled start will result in full charges.
If a client returns early or cancels remaining overnight services mid-stay, charges will still apply for the full booking.
Note: Emergency situations are always handled with understanding. Please just keep us in the loop as soon as you can!