FAQs
What kind of animals do you care for?
What kind of animals do you care for?
What kind of animals do you care for?
Although we primarily focus on dogs and cats, our pet sitters and dog walkers love and care for all creatures, whether furry, featherly or leatherly. We're meticulous about lovingly caring for your pets, and if we need to learn about a particular species, we will thoroughly do our homework, consult with experts, note any special care requirements and follow your specific instructions to the letter.
What is your service area?
What kind of animals do you care for?
What kind of animals do you care for?
We're based in NE Portland (Rose City Park neighborhood) and our pet sitters/dog walkers serve a 10-mile radius from our Headquarters, which includes all of Portland Metro.
We're happy to discuss serving you if you're outside this radius, but in order to cover our costs and time commitments, we charge a $ 2.00 additional per mile fee over the 10-mile service area for just one way to your home. A minimum 30-min visit is required.
Do you screen out particular breeds of dogs?
Do you screen out particular breeds of dogs?
Do you screen out particular breeds of dogs?
Absolutely not! We are experienced professional dog walkers and pet sitters or dedicated dog walking volunteers at a shelter or rescue. We have a tremendous amount of experience walking and working with all types of dogs.
What do you require from my dog?
Do you screen out particular breeds of dogs?
Do you screen out particular breeds of dogs?
Your dog is required to wear a collar with an ID tag with your cell phone number. Not required, but recommended, is a registered microchip implant to reunite you with your pet if he or she gets lost and the collar goes missing. We also require that your dog is current with their vaccinations. Lastly your dog needs to be people-friendly and gel with their dog walker.
What do you require from my cat?
Do you administer medications to pets?
Do you administer medications to pets?
If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, we prefer that they remain indoors during our visits while you are away. Your pet sitter cannot be held responsible for an outdoor cat. Your cat needs to be up-to-date on their vaccines. If they require medications, you will need to follow our medication procedures to easily find and secure your cat.
Do you administer medications to pets?
Do you administer medications to pets?
Do you administer medications to pets?
Yes! Our pet sitters can administer medications per your detailed directions, including pills, drops, cream, injections and Sub-Q fluids. We do not administer intravenous medications. If we need to come at a specific time, or before or after our service hours (Mon-Sun 8am-7pm), we do add a nominal fee to your service package. Call to discuss what you need.
Do you provide service in my home or yours?
Do you provide service in my home or yours?
Do you provide service in my home or yours?
Animals, especially cats, tend to get somewhat stressed by a change in routine and location, so the benefit of partnering with our pet sitters is that your pets stay in their home and maintain their regular patterns and sleeping spots. This keeps your pet happy and stress-free, and you can come home to a happy and "poop-free" home. We do not offer boarding at all, but we can recommend a couple boarding facilities if you prefer to have a 24-hour facility look after your pets.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Do you provide service in my home or yours?
Do you provide service in my home or yours?
We carry dog walkers/pet sitters commercial liability insurance through Pet Sitters Associates which covers bodily injury or property damage as well as loss, injury or death of your animal or the involved animals due to our negligence. We also have an expanded bonded policy and a professional business license in Oregon. All of these important business policies, insurance and licenses guarantee that you are working with a professional business with strict ethics, principles and values.
Will I have the same dog walker each time?
Will I have the same dog walker each time?
Will I have the same dog walker each time?
We prefer to maintain the same dog walker assigned to you for each visit. However, we do have a back-up who is trained by the primary dog walker that will cover if needed due to scheduling and availability issues. In some cases you may have a different pet sitter for overnight services.
Can I meet the people walking my dog?
Will I have the same dog walker each time?
Will I have the same dog walker each time?
Yes, of course, and we prefer that as well. We can schedule a Meet and Greet with both the primary and back-up dog walker and overnight pet sitter, if different. You can see the interaction with them and your pet so that you are most comfortable. All pet sitters are covered under our liability and bonding insurance.
How does the pet sitter get into my home?
What paperwork is required to get started?
What paperwork is required to get started?
Once the contract is signed, we will obtain two keys from you - one for your pet sitter/dog walker and one for Headquarters. Both keys will be coded and will be kept in a secure location at all times. In the event that we lose your key, our liability insurance will cover re-keying your home. In addition, we need your security alarm codes in order to prevent setting off an alarm upon our entry and to re-secure your home when we leave.
What paperwork is required to get started?
What paperwork is required to get started?
What paperwork is required to get started?
After we get all the information we need from you during the free initial consultation, we go back and prepare the appropriate documents for your service so that we are all in agreement with what we will provide and at what cost. These include: Service Agreement, Pet Info Form, Client Info Form and Veterinary Release Form. These forms are logged into our secure database and is accessible to your pet sitter/dog walker and back-up.
What happens if my pet gets hurt or sick ?
What happens if my pet gets hurt or sick ?
What happens if my pet gets hurt or sick ?
We will have documented your pet's medical issues and medications and will look for any symptoms of illness. Our pet sitters/dog walkers are not vet techs nor veterinarians and cannot diagnose or treat any illness. However, we will note and/or act upon any visible changes and call you or your vet for advice. If an emergency happens, we will immediately contact you on our way to the vet or emergency hospital. Portland Mutt Strut is only responsible for costs caused by our negligence.
What does the free consulation include?
What happens if my pet gets hurt or sick ?
What happens if my pet gets hurt or sick ?
Our complimentary initial consulation with you is very important. The owner and/or pet sitter/dog walker will come to your home and meet with you and your pets, discuss their routine and needs, and address any medical issues and walking concerns. You will also see how we interact with your pet. We will review the services that we offer and discuss any customization you desire that we're able to provide. In addition, our policies, procedures and contract will be discussed and your questions will be addressed.
What is your payment policy?
May I give my pet sitter a tip?
May I give my pet sitter a tip?
All fees are paid by you in advance of services rendered. We accept checks (preferred) or cash. Your pet sitter/dog walker will pick-up your check in your designated location. Payment is due weekly or monthly at the first day of service or before you leave on your trip.
May I give my pet sitter a tip?
May I give my pet sitter a tip?
May I give my pet sitter a tip?
Yes! And our pet sitters/dog walkers will most certainly appreciate it. We ask that you leave the cash or check (written out to them) gratuity in an envelope with their name on it to be picked up where the service check is left. They are instructed never to pick up cash from your home.
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