FAQ

SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS...

You'll find frequently asked questions about Royal Paws & Pals as a company, services we offer, our employees and general questions related to pet care. No question is the wrong question, wether you've been a pet parent, your a new one or a soon to be one and a question or concern hasn't been addressed here. Please reach out to us and we will gladly answer any questions and concerns or guide you in the right direction.

Q: How do you get started?

A: To inquire about services or start services contact us via our contact form, calling us, texting us, emailing us or through one of our host sites. We can set a free meet & greet to gather a few specifics. Then tailor a pawfect schedule or try to accommodate your routined one.

Q: What shall I expect upon our free meet and greet?

A: We schedule meet & greets to sniff out one another and gather appropriate information necessary and relevant to your pup and his/her health for our walks and/or services. We pride ourselves in treating your pup/cat like royalty. Our meet & greets are confirmation your apart of our Royal family and allows us that privilege going forward to care for your pup while you can't.

*Note: We accept both: on demand and recurring clients. Recurring clients get reserved time slots while on demand clients schedule according to availability. We confirm schedules weekly and do accept last minute service with 24hr notice. However, be mindful we do have times when we are fully booked, we try our best to accommodation for all needs, even last minute ones; as we don't want to leave a pup without care.

Q: Do I need a Dog Walker?

A: If you live in the big Apple, work full-time/part-time, going on vacation or heading out for a few hours; then hiring a dog walker (who actually walks and dedicates their scheduled time to them) and/or sitter is right for you. One year for us is seven dog years. Imagine how long a couple hours is for them? Even if your a homebody or work from home and can't find time to take your pup out or play. Or if he/she may seem bored, lonely, overweight, has excess energy, chewing on shoes/furniture or raiding trash cans? You need a Dog Walker to be an attentive companion and exercise your pup on a regular schedule.

Q: Why Is walking my Dog important?

A: Walking your pup is important for two reasons: exercising for mental, physical health and allowing them to adventure off; as they love to do so by nature. While you'r away either at work or on leisure you need someone you can rely on and trust to be as attentive as you are (or more) to your pups. While yard time is great, it's a familiar smell. Walking allows them to search for new smells and meet new pals. It mostly reduces stress, keeps the brain and body feeling and looking healthy and enhances your pups socialization skills; all the while providing a fun adventurous activity for your pup to burn energy.

*Note: According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, fifty-four percent of dogs are overweight or obese. To combat this percentage you should have your pup well exercised, daily. Obesity leads to another set of health problems. Prevention is key, starting with exercise and diet.

Q: Do you offer Pet Sitting, Boarding or Day Camp services?

A: Yes. We currently offer overnight stays: "Bed & Breakfast", in the comfort of your pups home or ours for a 24hr period and we offer Doggy Daycare. If your pup isn't a big fan of kenneled facilities, they'll love their stay with us. We also offer "Royal Excursions" which are small trips. But more personalized with the luxury of fun activities: walks, hikes through trails, play, dinning and are usually for shorter hours. Royal Trips can be utilized to treat your pup personally or scheduled in a small group.

Q: Are you Bonded & Insured?

A: Yes, we have both bond and insurance with our company policy and for all of our employees.

Q: Do you run a background check on your employees?

A: Absolutely. All of our employees prior to their hire date undergo a thorough background check and are thoroughly screened and vetted. A background check is not enough for us, as you've seen on the news and continue to see company's that virtually hire based off of a background check through an app; end up hiring individuals who steal or take owners pups. We are a small company invested in face to face interviews along with a hiring process to get to know exactly who our employees are first hand.

Q: Do your employees have references?

A: Yes. Prior to being considered for a position here at Royal Paws & Pals, professional and personal references were submitted. Once verified and finally hired, our current employees undergo reviews by management and submit new references from current clients with us.

Q: Does your employees have additional qualifications or training I should acknowledge?

A: Yes, Pet First Aid Certification. In addition, our potential employees undergo a two week training that allows them to practice our "Safety Pawtocol" and learn techniques that will prepare them for any situation. We train our staff to love, care, comfort, and protect your furry loved ones as they would for their own.

Q: Do you Dog Walk in inclement weather?

A: Yes, we walk your dogs rain, snow, and shine! We even go above and beyond for our little kings and queens. Some don't like getting a paw wet and some have special requests. Whether it be booties, a rain jacket or both. What ever they need we make sure their comfortable and happy during inclement weather conditions. However, sometimes there are rare incidences where we may not be able to make it to your home or we may have to shorten or adjust a walk due to severe weather. This choice is at the discretion of the dog walker, parents will be notified and we will try our best to accommodate these situations. As mother nature is out of our control.

Q: Do you service early morning, evening, weekend or holiday walks and/or care?

A: Yes, we do. We try our best to accommodate unique requests. Unlike other companies or individual dog walkers we do not charge an extra surcharge for walks before business hours and after business hours. However, we do charge a small fee for weekend walks and holidays as our Dog Walkers are not on a normal schedule during the weekend and holidays. The incentive is awarded to your pet caregiver for providing convenience.

Q: How will I be charged for services?

A: We provide a variety of different payment options other than cash through cash app, square, zelle and Venmo: majority of credit cards are accepted. We confirm schedules and payment on a weekly basis, all payments and schedules must be submitted and confirmed by Sunday at 11:59pm. If you happen to add services during the work week, we will invoice your account.

Q: How do you participate in a Healthy environment while walking the dogs?

A: Part of our initiative to contribute to a healthy environment is to always pick up after our pups and use 100% biodegradable dog waste bags. Most people use a plastic shopping bag. Plastic shopping bags have become a leading source of pollution in the world. We walk this planet with our pups, so we try to keep it clean and safe for us all.

Q: What shall I provide for the walk?

A: We ask that you provide us with a suitable harness/collar (which ever your pup is comfortable walking with) and that's it. We have our own leads, treats and poo bags. For Bed & Breakfast stays with us, all your pup will need is his/her own food. We have different beds available for different comfort needs, treats and tons of toys. *Beds and toys are washed and sanitized consistently. Just like our environment.

Q: Do I have to be home when you pick up and drop off my dog?

A: No. Majority of our clients are working class individuals who are hardly home. Even our stay at home parents that are home are often too busy to answer the door or they need to run out. As all of our clients do, we ask that you furnish us with a copy of your key and/or our own access code for those who have keyless entry (yes, you can set a different code on your alarm system for us). Key or code we value and respect your home as if it were our own so it's always safe and secure with us.

Q: I have more than one dog in the same household, would you walk them?

A: Of course. Unlike other companies or individual dog walkers we do not charge full price for the second pup in the same household. We only charge a small fee.

Q: Do you pack walk?

A: No, there are never no more than three pups in a group walk. Unless there are special circumstances such as living in the same household. Otherwise, we like to provide undivided attention with small groups. While keeping them safe.

Q: Will my dog get along with other dogs in a group walk?

A: Yes. We know how important it is to build their socialization skills as it keeps their communication skills polished. Which is why we pair them accordingly. Our group walks are according to age, temperament, and breed. However, Should your pup not get along with another pup in a group walk, we will accommodate a different group walk or schedule a private walk. Pups just need the right patient person to help them adapt.

Q: Does my dog have to be a friendly dog to get walked?

A: No, we do not discriminate against any pup. We care for all pups. Friendly, well-tempered, trained, rescue, shy, aggressive and untrained pups. We ask that you be honest with any relevant information related to their aggression or past aggressive behavior. With this, we try our best to accommodate walks, sits or training for your pup.

Q: Do you ever leave dog's unattended?

A: No. Never do we leave pups unattended. We ensure all safety precautions necessary and possible are taken place on our walks and throughout our services. Being left unattended is inexcusable. If you happen to see an employee representing our company and left a pup unattended; please contact our corporate employee relations division at (917) 383 - 1800. All matters are taken seriously and handled.

Q: What if my dog becomes ill under your care?

A: If your pup becomes ill under our care from a preexisting condition, we have you sign a veterinary release form which allows us to rush your pup to his/her vet or a nearby emergency hospital. If it was a cause on our end, we have insurance, that we thankfully haven't had to use but will if necessary.

Q: What if I move or don't need services, whats your termination and cancellation policy?

A: Throughout our relationship, we try to provide convenience while keeping rates pawsitively fair. Below you'll find our early termination and cancellation policy along with additional fees to be aware of:

We do not charge an extra fee for...

Walks before business hours
Walks after business hours

4. Early termination and Cancellation Policy

4.1 Either party may terminate a relationship with minimum of 24 (twenty four) hours prior to the first scheduled visit without incurring penalties or damages.

4.2 Termination by the owner of scheduled service(s) after their first visit must provide two weeks notice. without such sufficient time you will be charged at the full rate of scheduled service(s).

4.3 Cancellation by the owner of scheduled service with 24 (twenty four) hours notice will incur a $10 (ten dollar) fee. Or may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Dog Walker.

-Cancellation by the owner of reserved stays require 2 (two) weeks notice to avoid penalty. Less than 2 (two) weeks notice will incur full rate fee.

4.4 Cancellation by the owner with less than 24 (twenty four) hours notice will incur full rate fee (this applies to all services). Walks may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Dog Walker.

4.5 Cancellation by the owner with 48 (forty eight) hours notice will not incur any fees and may be credited for that day (for services except stays).

4.6 Weekend services if added, apply to this policy and incur an addittional fee of $20 (twenty dollars).

4.7 Holidays specifically major ones such as but not limited to: Fourth of July, New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas must be booked in 2 (two) weeks advance and are subject to an additional fee of $10-15 (ten to fifteen) dollars. Prior to a 5 (five) day cancellation required, less than 5 (five) days incur 50% (fifty percent) service rate for holiday bookings.

4.8 A $25-weekday/$35-weekend fee per hour will incur for late pick-up/Drop-off from Bed & Breakfast stays and Doggy Daycare schedules.

These terms & conditions are as followed by Royal Paws & Pals Early termination and Cancellation policy.

Throughout the lifetime of our relationship, we will always be there for you and your pup. If you move, we try to move with you. If your schedule changes, we try to accommodate for you. However, if you guys really must go, the reason we ask you provide us with two weeks notice before terminating services. Is not only so you won't incur full rate charges. But to protect our employees reliable income. With this sufficient amount of time we can rearrange our employees schedule to maintain a full-time one. We appreciate your understanding in advance.

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