As we gradually define our new normal, it requires all of us to create new procedures that protect you, your cats, your home, and myself, while providing exceptional service.
I take responsibility for the health and safety of your family, cats, and home extremely seriously. Over the past few weeks, I have successfully completed two COVID-19 Certifications for Pet Sitters in an effort to establish policies to aid meeting these responsibilities.
Keeping You, Your Pets, & Home Safe
Sitter temperature will be checked daily and only a healthy sitter will visit your home. CDC guidelines will be followed along with DC COVID-19 guidelines. Policies will be adapted as new best practices become available. Hands will be washed at the beginning and end of each visit. PPE supplies will be used for all cat visits including masks, booties, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers. During the time with your cats, I will limit face to face contact between myself and your cat(s).
New Client Visits (Meet & Greet)
I will be masked for our initial meeting to meet you and your pet(s). Please consider masking for this visit. To minimize our time together, I encourage you to video a walking tour of the areas where I will be visiting to care for your kitty. Clients have also moved all items to a single floor to minimize areas of contact.
Provide Required Cleaning Supplies
Everyone has preferences for disinfectants and cleaning supplies due to allergies and surface care. Please provide a disinfectant approved by the CDC for use against COVID-19 for use on each visit to keep the area clean. Please also provide hand soap and paper towels at the kitchen sink. Please make sure the paper towel roll is at least half full.
Location of Pet Supplies
In order to reduce the surfaces touched while in the house, please leave the cat-related supplies (except for litter scoops) in a central area such as the kitchen counter, a designated cabinet, a box, etc. This allows me to reduce the areas in the house I am touching daily.
Screening Questions Before Your Trip
You will be receiving a confirmation note at least three days prior to your initial visit verifying information such as dates, contact numbers, changes to foods, medications, routine, etc. are still correct. Also, please confirm that you have left the required disinfectant and hand washing items. Please respond to the email within 48 hours before the start of your trip. This confirmation is to ensure your pet’s needs are carried out as intended in a safe manner.
Suspend Mail, Packages, & Newspapers
Consider placing your mail and newspapers on hold to reduce the surfaces touched. If packages are delivered, they will be placed just inside your entry to minimize contact.
Disinfecting High Traffic Areas
With the disinfectant, you will be providing I will disinfect high traffic areas on the initial visit and final visit of the scheduled care period. Please disinfect your pet’s food bowl, water bowl, and any kitty toys that will be used during the visits.
Updated Emergency Contact Person
Please provide via email, info@prioritypetservices.com, with your up-to-date emergency contact person’s information prior to each trip . This person should be able to take over cat care if I am unable to care for the cat(s) for the remainder of your trip.
Visitors To Your Home While You Are Away
Due to COVID-19 precautions, please minimize the number of people visiting your home. This includes cleaning services, repair people, friends, family members, and neighbors. If they are visiting your home while you are away, please encourage them to mask and sanitize contact areas. Also, request they contact you if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Government Closures
If another “Stay Safe, Stay Home” order is issued which impacts our ability to provide services, I will continue cat care as permitted by law until your immediate return or until your emergency contact person has been notified if we are not able to continue the services.
Travel Delays
As we return to travel, delays may occur including something more long term than a delayed flight due to weather or equipment malfunction. It is my intent to continue providing services while you are away. In anticipation, please consider leaving extra food, medications, and litter. If you are going to be delayed, please email me at info@prioritypetservices.com to outline the situation and what you think may be the length of the delay. If additional food, medications, or litter need to be purchased, it will be billed for immediate reimbursement including a minimum pick-up fee of $30.
Potential Exposure
Contact Priority Pet Services at info@prioritypetservices.com immediately, if you have been exposed to COVID-19 even if you are asymptomatic. I will provide notice if I have been exposed before or during your trip.
All policies and guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of Priority Pet Services.
If you have additional questions, please call 202-669-6977 or email info@prioritypetservices.com.
