Our Policies

Before booking with Harness Pet Care, we encourage you to take a moment to read through our key policies below. These are the ones that clients like to know up front - the details that help everyone feel clear, prepared, and comfortable before care begins.

Our full list of policies, including more specific terms and procedures, is outlined in the Service Agreement you’ll review and sign when registering on Time to Pet.

Payments & Fees

Payment Methods Accepted

  • Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover

  • Venmo, CashApp, PayPal

  • Checks should be made payable to: Harness Pet Care LLC

  • A returned check fee of $40.00 will apply to any insufficient funds or bounced checks.

Card on File: All clients must maintain a valid credit or debit card on file within the Time to Pet client portal.

Payment Timing: Payment is due at the time of booking to confirm services and reserve requested dates and time blocks.

Invoices: Invoices are issued through Time to Pet and payable securely online.

Monthly Package Clients

  • A credit card must remain on file for the duration of service.

  • An invoice will be issued on the last day of each month for all services rendered.

  • The client’s card will be charged the following day for the total balance due.

  • If the client wishes to leave a tip for their walker, they may pay the invoice manually before the card is auto-charged.

Holiday Policy

Holiday House Sits require a 2-night minimum booking or 3-4 nights for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving and Christmas reservations require a 21-day notice of cancellation. To ensure reliable staffing and the same level of care during peak periods, a $50/night holiday surcharge applies to all house-sitting bookings and a $15/visit holiday surcharge applies to all drop-ins and walks scheduled on the following dates:

  • Memorial Day Weekend (Friday–Monday)

  • Independence Day (July 4th)

  • Labor Day Weekend (Friday–Monday)

  • Thanksgiving Week (Wed-Sun)

  • December 23 - January 1

Key Management & Access

Our key policy helps prevent expensive locksmith calls or return trips, and means we’re far less likely to ever need to interrupt you while you’re traveling. That said, ensuring access in advance is the client’s responsibility and an essential part of safe, successful service.

Key Requirements & Secure Access

Clients may choose their preferred primary entry method, including:

  • Electronic entry (door code, smart lock, garage code/opener)

  • Key held by sitter (for the duration of service)

  • Key on file (available for regular/long-term clients)

For the safety of your pet(s) and to ensure uninterrupted access during scheduled services, clients are required to provide two (2) working copies of their house key:

  • One key will be used by the assigned sitter during the service period.

  • The second key must be stored securely on-site in a client-provided lockbox or another pre-approved secure location known to the sitter for emergency backup use.

A lockbox with a physical backup key is required for all house sits, regardless of the primary entry method.

Security & Privacy

We take your trust seriously. All keys are:

  • Coded without personal identifiers

  • Stored securely in a locked, limited-access system

  • Only accessible to authorized Harness Pet Care staff directly assigned to your visits

Keypad or smart lock codes are stored securely within your encrypted client profile and shared only with assigned sitters.

Service Coverage

House Sitting Coverage

Some pets are comfortable with longer stretches alone, while others feel better with more check-ins. Our goal is to offer clear choices that can be adjusted if needed, so that the care plan reflects the rhythm your pets are most used to.

Option What’s Included Typical Alone Time Best For
Overnight House Sit ~9/10 PM–7/8 AM stay + 1 midday visit Up to 7-8 hrs daytime Pets who are fine with longer naps but need overnight company
Drop-In House Sit (Day Package) 3 × 30-min visits (morning, afternoon, evening) 8-10 hrs between visits Pets who like a steady rhythm but don’t need overnight company
Overnight + Extra Drop-Ins Overnight stay + add $35 visits 4–6 hrs between visits Pets who need shorter alone times
Constant Care (limited) Round-the-clock care 2-3hrs Pets who feel safest with someone always nearby

Our Overnight Sit is structured to include overnight care (including morning and evening care) and one daytime check-in, but does not cover a full 24-hour span. When travel falls outside of this window, additional drop-ins are needed to ensure your pets stay fed, walked, medicated, and comforted while you’re away.

  • If your travel schedule requires care before 10:00 PM on the first day or after 7:00 AM on the final day, additional drop-ins may be needed to ensure full coverage.

  • You may select a 2-hour arrival window for the start of your overnight sit (e.g., 8:00–10:00 PM), which will be confirmed prior to service.

  • All additional drop-ins must be scheduled in advance and are billed at the add-on rate.

Example: You've scheduled your sitter to arrive around 12 PM and depart at about 8 PM the next day (see below)

Date Time What’s Covered? What’s Needed?
Day 1 12:00 PM 🛑 Not covered by Overnight Sit ✔ Add 1 afternoon drop-in ($35)
Night 1 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM ✅ Overnight care begins –
Day 2 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM ✅ Overnight care ends –
Day 2 Midday ✅ 1 midday drop-in included –
Day 2 8:00 PM 🛑 Not covered by Overnight Sit ✔ Add 1 evening drop-in ($35)

Total Needed:

1 Overnight Sit ($140)

  • 1 Drop-in on Day 1 ($35)

  • 1 Drop-in on Day 2 ($35)

    = $235 total for full coverage

Drop-In & Dog Walk Coverage

Visit Timing Policy

Our 30-minute to 1 hour service windows are designed to include the total time your sitter is actively on-site providing care. This means:

  • The clock starts when your sitter exits their vehicle and begins heading to your door

  • The clock stops when the sitter returns to their vehicle after the visit is complete

For clients in apartments, secured buildings, or homes with longer access processes, entry and exit time is included in your visit duration.

Visit Scheduling

Visits are scheduled within 2 hour time blocks to ensure smooth coordination across client routes. While we make every effort to accommodate your preferred visit times, slight variations may occur depending on your sitter’s daily schedule, weather, or emergency needs. If your pet has specific timing needs, please let us know when booking.

Cancellations

When you book with us, that time is reserved specifically for you, and other work is turned away to honor that commitment. This policy is designed to protect both your flexibility and the sitter’s time, while ensuring sustainability for all clients. We will make every effort to arrive within your requested time block. While consistency is our goal, please note that unexpected delays or emergencies may result in minor timing adjustments. You will always be informed of any significant deviation.

Drop-In & Dog Walk Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, the visit is fully refunded.

  • If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, the visit is billed in full since the time was already set aside and can’t easily be refilled.

House Sitting Cancellation Policy

Overnight visits reserve dedicated time in our calendar that can’t usually be rebooked on short notice. Cancellations are based on the start of the first day of your booking (not the time of day within that booking).

The table below shows how refunds are offered depending on how close to the booking the cancellation happens.

Notice Given Refund
14+ days Full refund
7–13 days 50% refund
Less than 7 days No refund

Routine Care Plan Cancellation Policy

Care plans reserve dedicated time for your pet each week. To keep schedules reliable for everyone, visits cancelled with 24+ hours’ notice may be rescheduled within the same month when space allows. Visits cancelled with less notice are forfeited. Unused visits don’t roll over.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Cancelling a Single Visit:

  • 24+ hours notice: Visit may be rescheduled within the same calendar month, subject to availability.

  • Less than 24 hours: Visit is forfeited.

  • Reschedules are limited to one per week to maintain consistent care schedules.

  • Unused visits do not roll over to the next month.

Pausing a Care Plan:

Care plans are designed around consistent weekly routines. To keep schedules reliable for all families, plans may be paused once per year for up to four weeks with advance notice. If you need occasional time away, individual visits are always available at standard rates.

  • Plans may be paused once per calendar year for up to 4 weeks with 14 days’ notice.

  • During a pause, your reserved time slot is released.

  • After a pause, schedule availability is not guaranteed and may require a new time slot.

  • Additional time away can be booked as individual visits at standard rates.

Inclement Weather Policy

Dog Walks & Outdoor Activities

Dog walks may be shortened, rescheduled, or canceled if weather conditions pose a risk to your pet’s safety or the sitter’s ability to provide proper care.

Walks Will Be Modified or Canceled If:

Extreme Heat

  • Real-feel (heat index) temperatures reach 90°F or higher

  • Sidewalks/pavement are too hot to touch safely with the back of a hand for 7 seconds

  • Air quality alerts or high humidity create unsafe conditions for brachycephalic breeds, seniors, or dogs with respiratory or cardiac issues

Extreme Cold

  • Real-feel (wind chill) temperatures fall below 15°F

  • Ice or heavy snowfall creates unsafe walking surfaces

  • Salt-treated areas could damage sensitive paw pads without proper booties

Thunderstorms, Lightning, or Heavy Rain

  • Active thunder/lightning during the scheduled walk

  • Sustained heavy rainfall or flooding

  • Wind gusts above 30 mph, or local wind advisories

Winter Weather Events

  • Snow accumulation of more than 4 inches in 12 hours

  • Icy driveways or walkways that have not been treated or shoveled

  • Road closures or unplowed side streets that make travel unsafe

Area Policy Why it matters
Vaccinations Rabies + core vaccines required, uploaded to profile Protects your pets, others in care, and our team
Medication Given as clearly labeled & directed Ensures safe, accurate care without stress or mistakes
Emergencies We contact you → emergency contact → authorized to act up to $250 default vet expense (or your set limit) Quick decisions when minutes matter
Weather Walks adjusted in extreme heat/cold, ice, or storms. Indoor play substituted when needed Keeps pets safe without sacrificing attention

Health & Safety

Emergencies aren’t expected, but preparation makes it possible to respond calmly if something does happen. Details like vaccine records, medication instructions, and vet limits allow for safe decisions in the moment.