Question 1

What are the benefits of using a professional pet sitter?

Accepted Answer

Your pets and your schedule are our priority. This isn’t a hobby or a favor, and we won’t cancel on you at the last minute.

We have experience in animal behavior and we are skilled at noticing the little things that matter to your pet's health and your home’s safety.

A professional pet sitter is insured and bonded and of course, has a love of pets, but a professional also holds themselves to a much higher bar of accountability than your average hobby sitter.

Ocala Pet Sitting upholds the highest standards in the industry as described on Pet Sitter International's website here: PSI's Global Standards (https://www.petsit.com/standards)

Question 2

What types of animals do you care for?

Accepted Answer

At Ocala Pet Sitting, our specialty lies in caring for cats. However, we possess expertise in taking care of other animals as well, including birds, parrots, and a diverse range of small animals (https://www.ocalapetsitting.com/small-critter-care-1)such as gerbils, guinea pigs, sugar gliders, reptiles, chameleons, turtles, and even snakes!

We're no longer offering dog sitting or dog walking, puppy sitting, or puppy care.

Question 3

Will my house be safe if I use a pet sitter?

Accepted Answer

Our reputation and your trust mean everything to us. Every OPS sitter is an employee—not an independent contractor—which means they’re covered by workers’ compensation insurance and fully supported by our company.

Each sitter goes through a detailed, multi-step screening process that includes local and national background checks, multi-tiered interviews, and an intensive training program with shadow visits before becoming a full-fledged OPS sitter.

Our training includes strict security protocols for locking and double-checking all doors and latches before we leave. As part of our commitment to transparency and peace of mind, photo proof is provided to clients after every visit. And for an extra layer of protection, all OPS sitters are bonded and insured.

Question 4

Do I have to have a New Client Consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the New Client Consultation is a required step in our onboarding process. This meeting is essential for us to:
 • Meet your pets and evaluate their behavior and environment.
 • Discuss their specific needs and create a customized care plan.
 • Address any questions or special instructions to ensure a seamless experience.
Because we take the time to thoroughly prepare for each new client, we typically need 7-14 days to schedule your onboarding (More if you're looking for a holiday booking). This ensures we can provide the attention and care your pets deserve from the very start.

Question 5

How much does the New Client Consultation cost?

Accepted Answer

The New Client Consultation is an essential step in providing the best possible care for your pets and we charge $30 for the service. During this meeting, we:
 • Evaluate your pet’s behavior and environment to understand their unique needs.
 • Develop a personalized care plan tailored to ensure your pets are happy and comfortable.
 • Address any specific concerns or special requests you may have to create a seamless experience.
This consultation sets the foundation for a trusting relationship, giving us the insight needed to deliver exceptional, customized care for your furry family.

Question 6

Who will be my pet sitter?

Accepted Answer

We operate as a team and our process is to assign a primary and secondary sitter for your pet's care. Your assigned sitter's name is on every visit on your schedule and you can be assured every member of our small team is trained on the details of your pet's care.
Due to a variety of reasons, staff may be off work on any given day and we may send in a different sitter. We try our best to keep sitters consistent for our clients, especially the more shy and timid personalities. Often, the most outgoing pets actually enjoy the larger variety a team can provide. We understand a team model isn't for every household, but for us, it provides an extra level of security having a team member available as a backup.

Question 7

How do you handle access to my home?

Accepted Answer

At OPS, We Use Coded Locks, Lockboxes and Require Multiple Entry Methods. Why?

At Ocala Pet Sitting, reliable home access is essential for ensuring your pets receive the care they deserve. Our policy is designed to make entry secure, seamless, and stress-free for both you and our team.
We prefer to have two methods of entry for every home, which can include:
 • Door codes, garage door codes, or other digital entry methods.
 • A lockbox securely holding a key on-site if you do not have multiple coded doors. 
While digital methods are convenient, they can sometimes malfunction. That’s why we recommend having a lockbox as a backup option. You’re welcome to provide your own or purchase one from us for $30. The lockbox will be yours to keep, and you can change the code at any time for added security.

Additionally, we require a backup key to be securely stored at our office. This ensures that in the event of an emergency, such as a lock malfunction or lost code, we can access your home quickly to care for your pets.
For more details on how our home access system works, visit our Home Access page.(https://www.ocalapetsitting.com/home-entry-key-policy)

Question 8

Can I meet with every sitter before they are in my home?

Accepted Answer

Because we work as a team and schedules may change within the team, it is not feasible to facilitate a meeting between you and every caregiver prior to granting them access to your residence.

We assign a primary and secondary pet sitter to every client, matching you with the best sitters for your pet's care, but schedules can change and a visit may be switched to another competent team member while you're already out of town.

Rest assured that our team members undergo considerable training to look after your pets and management is monitoring your journals and doing spot checks. In addition, we conduct comprehensive background checks on each employee during the hiring process to ensure the safety of both you and our company. Moreover, Ocala Pet Sitting is bonded and insured and our sitters are full employees, not independent contractors. Therefore, you can be confident that only dependable, reliable, and morally upright staff members will have access to your home.

Building trust with you is important to us and Shannon does not hire anyone she wouldn't trust with her own furkids' care. You will have a chance to meet with Shannon or a Team Lead at the consultation and determine if we are a business you can trust. Read our reviews (www.ocalapetsitting.com/reviews)and see what other first time clients have said about their experience with us.

Question 9

Will you travel outside of your service area, county, state, or even the country?

Accepted Answer

If you're a client who wants a Premium experience with our owner, Shannon, please contact us directly to discuss the details.

Shannon@ocalapetsitting.com
352-354-2602

Ocala, Florida

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