Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pets do you serve?
Our clients are primarily cats and dogs, however, we regularly take care of cats, birds, fish, rabbits, rats, reptiles and even donkeys! As long as the pet has less than eight legs, we’ll care for it!
What does it mean that you are insured?
Roben Kennedy Pet Concierge carries a special liability insurance policy through State Farm Insurance. This protects you from financial loss in the event we are liable for accidents that occur while caring for or training your pets.
Do you have any professional references that I may contact?
Yes, of course! However, because we are committed to our client's safety when dealing with online security, you will need to contact us for their contact information.
Do you have a price list of services?
We have discovered that just as every pet is different, every client has specific needs and requirements for care, so we set rates accordingly during our initial Meet & Greet appointment. We charge per visit (rather than by increments of time) so that our care can remain flexible & affordable, especially because we are dealing with animals. (Remember when you were rushing out to work and your cat spit up a fur ball on your rug?)
You call your service “concierge,” so what other services do you provide?
In addition to pet sitting, dog training, day visits and dog walking, we also offer transportation for your pet(s) to/from the veterinarian, groomer, chiropractor or boarding establishment. We also are available to purchase & transport food, pet supplements, supplies or medicines from a pet supply store or veterinarian. (Clients provide exact instructions and pay for the cost of the items in addition to our service fee.) We often can provide resources regarding proper care, nutrition and even referrals to other types of service providers such as animal chiropractors.
A new pet in your home? Contact us and we will provide an educational appointment to assist you in properly caring for your new family member!
We're also available to meet with your organization such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or youth groups regarding pet safety.
In addition, we service aquariums and can assist with purchasing advice and troubleshooting.
Contact us with any special requests, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs!
How long is a standard pet visit or training lesson?
Our average pet sitting visit is 30 to 40 minutes in length (depending on the pet) and our standard dog walking visit is 30 minutes of walking time (from when we leave with your dog until we return to your home). When our schedule allows, if your pets seems to need additional love & attention during a care visit, we will give them extra time at no additional charge.
Our training lessons are a minimum of 1 hour, but we can extend to two hours each lesson upon request (an hourly rate applies). Training sessions are typically done at our client's home but depending on what we are working on, we may arrange to meet elsewhere. (Example: A dog is reactive on leash during walks, so we may meet at a quiet park or street.)
Do you offer house-sitting service in which you stay at my house all day and night?
Yes, we provide overnight pet sitting and house sitting (no pets) service, but keep in mind we also have other clients. We are just not able to spend all night plus all day at your house-- if we did it would be a very expensive! We are responsible for your pet from the time you leave until the time you return, so if you would prefer overnight in-house pet sitting services, plus mid-day visits, just ask.
House sitting includes the same services as with pet sitting--mail brought in, trash cans in/out, lights on/off, blinds opened/closed, checking for water leaks, etc.
Can you spend extra time with my pets?
If you would like a longer visit, we can arrange for it, just let us know at our Meet & Greet visit.
Regarding medications & supplements: Are you able to administer medications & supplements? What types? Can you administer medication on a very specific schedule? And, is there an extra charge?
We are able to give all types of medicines and supplements to pets. This includes pills, drops, ointments, lotions and injections. We have several clients that require that medicines be administered on a very specific schedule, so we do our best to make sure they are given on-time. We require written instructions for all medications. We do not charge extra for administering medications, as this is included in our standard prices.
What special steps do you take with a shy cat that hides all the time?
Many cats are shy, especially with new people. If your cat typically hides, please be sure to tell us where their favorite hiding spots are at our initial Meet & Greet appointment. At each visit, we will search your house for your cat to make sure they are OK. If we are unable to locate your cat, we will use other “evidence,” such as food being eaten and the litter box being used to establish that your cat is doing well. We have found that most shy cats eventually decide they want attention by the second or third visit. Some cats that are described as shy or "scared of strangers" by their owners become our best friends!
Can you pet sit for my pet that is sometimes aggressive? Are you able to help with training?
During our initial Meet & Greet appointment, if we feel your pet is too aggressive, we let you know and will not take the job. We are, however, accustomed to working with, and successfully training, large working dog breeds as well as with shy, scared "tiny barkers," We may be able to help you with your pet's training or behavioral issues, depending on the situation, so please ask! We can always set up another appointment for training at your home, at your convenience!
Will you need to see proof of vaccination for my pets?
We do not require you to show us proof of vaccinations, however, it is best to inform us of any vaccination deficiencies, so we can take any necessary precautions. However, we are not liable for pets that become ill due to exposure to something that could be prevented by a standard vaccination.
What will you do if my pet becomes ill while I am away?
When we accept a new client, forms with instructions in the event of an emergency are completed by the client for us to keep on file. We will follow those directions as provided. As an example, if we suspect that something is wrong with your pet, we will contact you immediately at the emergency phone numbers you provided. We will describe the situation with your pet, and if you decide you want your pet to be seen by a veterinarian, we will transport your pet to your veterinarian's office for examination and treatment. If we are unable to contact you, and the situation is clearly an emergency, we will immediately transport your pet to emergency care, and will continue to try to reach you. Emergencies are why we require our client paperwork to be completed AND SIGNED by you prior to you leaving your pet in our care. Clients will be responsible for any veterinary costs and will be billed for the extra time we spent to care for your pet.
Do I need to give you a key to my house?
Since we will be caring for your pets and keeping an eye on your home, yes, we will need a key. It is easiest to give us a key during the initial Meet & Greet. If you do not have a key ready for us at the consultation, you will need to get the key to us before services can begin! We do not require a key for training only clients, as typically you will also be attending the lesson.
Do you keep my key on file? Are house keys labeled with my name and address?
Most of our clients prefer the convenience of us keeping their house keys on file so they can just text or call whenever our services are required. In addition, since we keep their house key, we can provide "Help! I've locked myself out of the house!" door unlocking services. (We've even delivered house AND car keys to a client at the AIRPORT!)
All keys are kept secure and do not have your name or address attached to them-- only the first names of pet(s) are on our key tags. If you do not wish to have us keep your house key on file, you will need to provide one prior to leaving and we will return it to you once you return. If you have a gated community or would prefer we enter through a garage, we prefer to be provided a "clicker" during your absence and we can return it to you upon your return. (Gates and garage doors can be tricky and decide NOT to open at the key pad.)
What should I expect when I return home?
You should return to a home in the same state as you left it, (or even better!) and to healthy & happy pets! You will also have written notes reporting how your pets did while you were away. We require that all of our clients give us a “Honey I’m Home!” call, or text, to let us know that we our care is no longer required and so we won't worry.
How much advance notice do you require before service?
The earlier the better, especially if you will be away during any major holidays! Many of our clients contact us PRIOR TO CONFIRMING ANY TRAVEL PLANS to insure we are available, but we recommend you contact us at as soon as you have any dates requiring our services, (It is not uncommon for our clients to book us up to 6 months in advance!) For new clients, as long as we have time to schedule an initial Meet & Greet prior to you leaving, we can usually add you to the schedule. Once you are an existing client, we normally can add you to our schedule with very little notice.
I have a last minute trip come up suddenly! Can you help me?
Once you are an established client, and we know your pets, OF COURSE! For new clients, we cannot guarantee availability, but if we have time to do a Meet & Greet prior to your departure, then we will do our very best to work you in. Major holidays make for busy schedules for pet sitters, so we recommend you book us early as we really dislike having to turn away last minute callers. (A late booking fee will apply with less than 24 hours advance notice.)
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash is “king” but we also accept checks, Venmo and PayPal. (Checks or payments refused for insufficient funds will incur an additional charge and we will require cash going forward.)
Do you require advance payment, or a deposit?
During your initial Meet & Greet consultation, we will discuss payment options and will expect advance payment when you book us for your first service. For our established clients, we prefer advanced payment, but payment left on the first day of service is also acceptable. Established clients are also able to make alternate payment arrangements, such as monthly payment for regular dog walking, on a case by case basis.
How can I make reservations for service?
You can call us at (559) 260-9079, use the contact form on our Home Page or you can also email us directly at roben@robenkpets.net. After initial contact, we will arrange a Meet & Greet appointment so we can meet you in person and get to know you and your pet(s). If you do not hear from us within 24 hours, PLEASE contact us again! (Technology does sometimes fail us all.) We look forward to hearing from you!