Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's for pet sitting, dog walking, home care, and general.

FAQ's

  • Do you offer gift cards?

    A: We do! You can either purchase them as a prepaid card for yourself to be used later or as a gift for someone you know. We can customize the amount you’d like to gift someone, but a few suggestions are $25, $50, or $100. Learn More.

  • Are you open during COVID-19?

    We are. Please see our Safety protocol page.

  • Do you offer any discounts?

    We offer $0.50 off of each visit by purchasing a prepaid package of 5, $1 off of each visit by purchasing a prepaid package of 10, and $1.50 off of each visit by purchasing a prepaid package of 15.

    Also, if you or your spouse are currently serving active duty in any branch of the Military you will receive $1 off each visit scheduled. It’s our way of saying THANK YOU!
    *Military discount cannot be combined with any other discount.

  • What additional charges & fees do you have?

    Holiday SurchargeAll visits scheduled on a holiday day will include a $5 holiday surcharge per visit. Our holiday days include the day before, day of, and day after: New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
    Meet & GreetsNew clients will be offered ONE free in-person or phone new client consultation prior to your first scheduled service. Any additional in-person meet & greets will include a $6 fee and phone meet & greets will include a $3 fee.
    Late BookingWe understand last minute visit requests come up. However, so that we may have time to locate an available sitter/walker, we ask that all visits requested are scheduled in TTP 48 hours prior to the visit. The extra cost for any service scheduled with less than 48-hour notice is $7.
    Cleanup Fee for an Extra Large MessWe know pets may make messes. However, sometimes the mess is extensive. Cleaning up may take additional time and effort during the visit. Most messes will not require the extra work and can easily be managed within the timeframe of the visit. However, if we find the mess is extensive (e.g., the pet has diarrhea or has thrown up in a number of places in the home) a $5 cleanup fee will apply. The fee goes directly to the pet sitter for her/his time and effort.
    Emergency Pet TransportPet Taxi Service to Vet – $20 each wayWait time – Charged at a service rate based on time required to wait. (E.g., sitter waits 25 minutes we will charge you the 30 min service rate; sitter waits 15 min, we charge the 20 min service rate, etc.)
    Hotel Pet Sitting SurchargeIf you are visiting Charlotte and request a dog walk or pet sit during your stay, we will be glad to process your request and locate an available pet sitter for the time and dates you require. Our company relies on our client’s continued use of our service to help provide a steady revenue and income for our staff. By accepting your request, we may not be able to provide service to a current client. Hotel pet care includes a $15 surcharge per visit.
    Key/Fob Pickup and Drop offWe no longer offer a service to keep your keys (Exceptions may apply and we will work with you if you have an exception.). We ask our clients to provide a lockbox or some other home entry method such as key pads on your door or garage if you have them, hide-a-key, etc. Having a key hidden securely onsite ensures our sitters have access to your home without having to meet to exchange keys. When they do have to pick up keys, each time they are requested to visit your home or they have to meet a team mate to exchange the key, this requires extra time and the $4 key/fob pick up & drop off fee ensures they are compensated for their time and effort.
    Key MailingIf you have provided a key due to an exception and you request the key be mailed back to you, a $13 postage and handling fee is applied to your account.
    Late Payment Fee$10 at the discretion of our Invoicing manager. Payment for services is charged via your credit card on file two days prior to the first visit of your scheduled service. We work with you if there are any issues, however, if payments are consistently late, a late payment fee may be applied.

  • What areas do we service?

    Please visit our Service Area page for a complete list.

  • Are Little Friends and the sitters/walkers insured and bonded?

    Little Friends Pet Sitting staff and pet sitters/walkers are all insured and bonded through the Business Insurers of the Carolinas. We have an extensive interview and background check process. All of our sitters/walkers must LOVE animals and have experience in owning them, pet sitting for others, volunteer work with animal rescue groups or have a vocation in pet care such as a vet technician. After a face to face interview, we obtain feedback from their references and/or previous employers as well as obtain a background check to ensure no criminal activity is in their past. Our sitters/walkers are professional, trustworthy, reliable and again, LOVE pets!

  • How do I get started using Little Friends as my pet sitting service provider?

    Please click on the box that says, “Register to Schedule.” From there you will create a profile, that has very detailed and specific questions that you need to answer. From there you will schedule the services that you would like to receive. We receive an email indicating a profile and scheduled services have been completed. We view your profile and hand select a sitter/walker for you based upon your needs, location, and the type of animals that you may have. Little Friends Pet Sitting will then send you a confirmation with the sitting engagement total, your sitter/walker’s name and the dates you are using our services. Within 24 hours of that confirmation, a sitter/walker will contact you and schedule the one-time consultation. At the time of the consultation, please provide the location of your keys or access into your home to the sitter/walker.

  • Do you request that all visits be scheduled on Time To Pet (our online scheduling tool)?

    We do encourage all of our clients to access and schedule on Time To Pet. Time To Pet is an online professional scheduling tool that is available for all of our clients. The program is very user-friendly. If you have any questions about this program, please give us a call at 704-340-8102. We will be more than happy to assist you.

  • Do you offer an incentive for new clients to try your services?

    Experience the easiest pet service scheduling system in the greater Charlotte area. New clients can enjoy 20% off their first service request. Enjoy the comfort of a trusted, reliable pet care service with professional dog walking, pet sitting, and more at the touch of a screen!

    * Offer can include entire first service booking, up to 10 appointments. Offer can only be used once. Use the code “NewClientPromo” at checkout.  

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    We try to maximize our pet sitter's/dog walker's time frames to the fullest. With your services added to their schedules, other clients may have been turned down. Any clients canceling their visits with less than 48 hours notice will be charged their normal visit rate for all visits canceled within the next 48 hours. We will credit the payment for the remainder of the canceled visits scheduled outside of the 48 hour range to their Little Friends Pet Sitting Account as a credit. This credit will automatically be applied to your next scheduled service. If you return home early, please notify the office. We will only credit your LFPS account for any visits canceled with more than 48 hours notice.
    For Holiday Canceling: If you cancel 7 days or less prior to a holiday date (listed below), you will receive 50% of the payment applied to visits scheduled on those holiday dates as a credit for future use on your Time to Pet account. NO credits will be given for visits that have been started or completed.
    2022 Holiday Dates: New Year’s 12/31-1/1, Easter 4/3-4/5, Memorial Day 5/29-5/31, Independence Day 7/2-7/4, Labor Day 9/3-9/5, Thanksgiving 11/24-11/26, Christmas 12/23-12/26.
    Clients who need to add, cancel, or change the time of any visits must provide Little Friends with 48 hour or more notice via Time to Pet message or by calling 704-340-8102. This allows us enough time to notify the walker so they may adjust their schedule as well.

  • Is there a late booking fee?

    Yes, we do have a late booking fee policy in place. This fee is $5.00 for any visits that are scheduled for the day of. 

  • What if I am returning home earlier than expected and do not need all of the visits I had scheduled?

    If you’re returning home early and have scheduled visits, please contact the office and your sitter/walker as soon as possible. If you cancel your sits before the 24-hour notice, we will credit the remainder of your sits to your Little Friends Pet Sitting account. See our early returns policy for more details. *FOR HOLIDAY SCHEDULING* If you cancel 7 days or less prior to a major holiday date, we will refund your credit/debit card on file for 50% of the scheduled service. NO refunds/credits will be given once the visits have started.

  • What if I am returning home later than expected and need to add more sits?

    Call the OFFICE! We want to hear from you and how we can help!

  • Do we get any type of confirmations?

    Yes, you actually get more than one. The first confirmation you’ll receive is via e-mail once we have approved your appointment with your sitter/walker. The second confirmation you will receive is from your sitter/walker. They will contact you within 24 hours of being assigned your sit and they will confirm all dates and times of your appointment. If the appointment is not correct or if something else needs to be brought to our attention please reply using the e-mail which you received e-mail and we will make edits or make adjustments to your schedule if needed. We will also notify your sitter/walker.

  • Must my pet be current on vaccinations?

    All pets must be up to date on vaccines. Please make sure your pet’s profile reflects the most current vaccine information each year.

  • What if my pet hurts my pet sitter/walker?

    It is your financial responsibility if your pet bites another pet/person while in the care of Little Friends Pet Sitting it is your responsibility to pay for all cost incurred. Also, due to the NC Mecklenburg County rules and regulations, we will have to follow all procedures with Charlotte Animal Care and Control or any other local Animal Care and Control. If your pet bites or harms the sitter/walker, they will have to seek medical attention and we will provide the pet’s name, owner’s name and address to officials.

  • Do you administer medications?

    Little Friends Pet Sitting will administer certain medications and will attempt to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result. Excessively shy cats with medical problems can be a serious risk. If you have such an animal, this must be thoroughly discussed. Under no circumstances will Little Friends Pet Sitting, LLC service any pet that has any form of contagious illness. This is for the safety of our other customers. Little Friends Pet Sitting, LLC requires that all pets have the necessary vaccinations and immunizations before service begins. If a Little Friends Pet Sitting, LLC pet care provider is bitten or exposed to any disease or aliment received from a clients pet, which has not been properly or currently vaccinated, the client will be responsible for all costs and damages that may incur.

  • What if my friend is also coming to check on my pet while I am away?

    If clients allow any other person access to their home during the Little Friend Pet Sitting, LLC contract, Little Friends Pet Sitting LLC cannot be held liable for any damages to property or pets as a result of this. Please notify Little Friends Pet Sitting Pet sitters/walkers that guests will be in your home. Please also notify the person in your home that Little Friends Pet Sitting sitters/walkers are coming so that our entrance does not surprise your visitor. Little Friends Pet Sitting Office Staff will also require a document agreeing that other people will be allowed in your home and Little Friends Pet Sitting will not be held responsible for situations that may arise when we are not in the home.

  • What if my pet has access to my fenced in yard?

    Fenced in yards are wonderful play spaces for pets, however, no fence system is totally secure for your pet’s safety. Little Friends Pet Sitting, LLC does not accept responsibility or liability for any customer’s pets that escape, are injured or become lost, fatal or otherwise, when pets are left out or given access to a fenced in area. This includes electronic, wood, metal, or any other fence type

  • What if the weather is bad?

    Little Friends Pet Sitters/Walkers will use their best judgment while caring for your pet during the time of inclement weather. (primarily severe storms, hurricanes, etc.). Our staff and your pet’s safety are our primary concerns. The inclement weather plan will be as follows: 1) Every effort will be made to drive to your home 2) The service schedule may be changed, interrupted, or altered due to circumstances 3) If it is not possible to drive safely to your home, your emergency contact will be notified 4) You will be notified that the above-mentioned contingency plan has been activated.

  • What if my pet doesn't like to wear collars or leashes?

    We abide by local leash laws. All dogs will be required to be on leash during outdoor walks.

  • What is a good temperature for me to set my thermostat to before I leave?

    Please leave your thermostat setting within a normal comfortable range (67 through 75°F). If we enter a home and the thermostat is set below 60 degrees, we will raise the temperature in your home and notify you.

  • How do I pay and when do you charge cards?

    Payment is due two days prior to the sit start date. For Holiday appointments, payment is DUE SEVEN (7) days prior to the start date. When creating a profile on Time To Pet, you have the option to enter in your credit card information at that time. Please make sure the billing address is correct and service address is correct. Once you have entered your credit card information. We will automatically charge your card two days prior to your start date. You will also be sent an e-mail receipt for acknowledgment of payment. Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns about entering your credit card information into our secured merchant interface program, which is Bank of America.

    Note: Please allow Little Friends to charge your credit card using our processes and timing. Choosing to pay for the service by selecting ‘pay now’ may result in the inability to refund your invoice amount in case of a cancelation.

  • Home security/keys/access into your home:

    We take home security very seriously! We can accommodate your standard home security protocol, including alarm systems and/or security cards/Fobs. Home entry is aligned to your preferred method whether you opt to (1) hide a key outside of your home via a Hide-A-Key or other hiding spot/apparatus, (2) use your own lockbox (if you’d like to purchase one you can find one on Amazon by clicking here, (3) purchase a lockbox from Little Friends Pet Sitting for $10 (4) use keyless entry via keypad or code *still need to hide a key in case electronic entry does not work*, (5) access through a leasing office or concierge desk. It is YOUR responsibility that our sitters/walkers and walkers can enter into your home for your scheduled visits. You acknowledge you will provide us access to your home upon arriving for your scheduled service and that the option you select to use works. Little Friends Pet Sitting, LLC is not responsible for ANY client keys. If we arrive for a scheduled service and we cannot gain entry into your home via the method you provided to us, you will still be held accountable and charged for that service. You will be notified through the portal that access/entry into your home was not possible.

  • What do I do if a card or key fob is needed to get into my building?

    Little Friends Pet Sitting will need access into your home. If that means providing a key fob or dropping off a key card to the office to make sure your sit is performed, we will need to gain that access. We will need all access into your home. If you want us to call you from the call box at your building and wait for you to ring us in, please note that the sit start time will start then. So, scheduling a longer sit in order for us to get into your home may be required.

  • What if I leave my pets outside only?

    No problem. However, please know that if it is too cold or it is too hot, we will contact you and let you know that changes may need to be made due to it being too cold or hot outside. Our biggest concern is that your animal is safe and comfortable and will take all measures to make sure this happens.

  • What is the process for first time clients?

    Please see the detailed steps on our Getting Started page.

  • What if I am already a client and need to schedule an appointment?

    All pages on our website have a ‘Client Login’ link. You may use this link to proceed to our online scheduling application TimeToPet.com. Alternately, you may download the TimeToPet.com application for FREE to your smartphone or tablet. 

  • What if I need the same sit schedule every week/every day of the month?

    Please contact the office and we can get you set up as weekly recurring client. The office will then automatically schedule your needs weekly.

  • Is there a holiday surcharge?

    There is a $5 holiday surcharge per visit. Our Holidays include day before, day of, and day after: New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

  • Is there a minimum number of sits?

    Dogs require a minimum of at least two visits a day. Please discuss your pet’s needs with our office staff and they can consult with you on the number of visits your pet may need. Cats (and other animals) require at least one visit per day. While your cat may be self-sufficient, a daily visit ensures the cat is safe. Many things can happen while to bring potential harm to your cat/pet: heat/air stops working, pet gets trapped and can’t get to food/water, break ins, etc. By having a sitter visit your cat daily, not only are they able to remediate a potential risk to your pet, but they can also provide the daily interaction your pet needs from human contact. 

  • Where does the sitter/walker park?

    Little Friends Pet Sitting will not pay to park in order to perform a sit. Our clients must provide parking for our sitter/walker to perform a sit. We can change the rate of your sit in order to reflect what the sitter/walker may need to pay to park via meter or garage.

  • Do you provide services in hotel rooms?

    We’re happy to accommodate pet care requests during hotel stays. With this service, we do charge a $15 consultation and convenience fee in order to compensate your sitter or walker for the logistics that come with providing services in a hotel. For more information on service requests during hotel stays, give us a call at 704.340.8102.

  • What happens if my pet sitter cannot gain access to my home?

    Prior to your services, please ensure that your client account has the correct access instructions listed for your sitter to reference during their visit. Appropriate access instructions include the location of a hidden key, the code for a lockbox, electric door lock or garage, and if your key will be left with a leasing office or concierge, where the sitter should go to pick up the key. If the home access option you’ve provided is not working (the door code is incorrect, the key was not put under the mat, the lockbox is not opening, etc.), your sitter will attempt to get in touch with you to discuss an alternative home access option. Any amount of time that the sitter spends attempting to access your home will be deducted from the total scheduled visit time. If you would like the sitter to spend the originally requested amount of time with your pets, pending your sitter’s availability, the visit timing will be adjusted to include the total amount of time spent accessing your home and the time spent with your pets. If you do not respond to the communication attempts made by your sitter and our management staff, your sitter will remain at your home for the scheduled visit time and wait for you or one of your emergency contacts to respond. If they do not receive a response by the end of the scheduled visit time, your sitter will have to leave in order to get to their other visits on time. All payment for visits where the sitter was not able to gain access to your home will not be credited or refunded to the client. If you would like the sitter to return after providing them with an alternative home access option, pending the sitter’s availability, you will be charged for the additional visit.

  • What if my pets and/or home has fleas?

    North Carolina is a mecca for fleas! Especially in the warmer months. We suggest you use preventative methods which are agreed upon by your vet. If we see fleas as a problem, we have the right to cancel service until the flea/tick situation is controlled; even if in the middle of your service schedule. There will be no refunds. We will contact you so you may find alternate care for your pets until you arrive home. All our clients depend on us to provide a safe and healthy service for their pets and homes. Fleas and their eggs can be tracked into their homes and onto their pets through our clothing, shoes and bodies.