Best Buddies Pet Sitting will arrange an initial consultation with the client at no charge. The initial consultation provides us the opportunity to get to know your pet and your pet to know us. During this time, we will also provide a contract for you to fill out as well as receiving a copy of your house key. It is not our policy to pick up keys under the door mat. Although this may be more convenient for the client, this is a security risk. We must receive the key in person. Initial consultations are normally scheduled from 5 days- 2 weeks prior to the client leaving the home. When your key is not on our person, we will safeguard your key in a lockbox at all times. Your key will not have your name or address on it, but rather the name of your pet. This is also an important security measure. The person you meet during the initial consultation will be the only person that will have access to your home, so you can rest assured that only one employee from Best Buddies Pet Sitting will be caring for your pet. (This policy can change in the event of a severe illness, accident, or similar emergency that takes place.) When the client returns home, he/she MUST call Best Buddies Pet Sitting to notify us of the arrival, otherwise, we will assume you were delayed and will continue to make visits to your home. This acts as a safety net for your pet. If a call is not made by the client upon arrival and the pet sitter makes the visit, the client will be charged at the normal rate. The key return will take place at a suitable time for both the client and pet sitter. The client may choose the more convenient option of having Best Buddies Pet Sitting retain the key for future services. Note: If you have scheduled a trip and cancel all or part of the visits after I have already begun the service, you must give no less than 48 hours notice of the change.  If at least 48 hours notice is given, then you will receive a pet sitting credit only.  If it is less than 48 hours notice, then you will not receive a credit or refund.  If you have cancelled a scheduled visit(s) and I have not begun service yet, you will receive a bill for 25% of the total cost of the visit(s) if 48 hours notice was not given.