| Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What kind of animals do you
care for?
A. Although we primarily
focus on dogs, cats and birds, we love
all creatures whether furry, feathery
or leathery. We’re meticulous
about lovingly caring for YOUR pet(s),
and if we need to learn about a particular
species, we will fastidiously do our
homework, consult with experts, note
any special care requirements, and follow
your specific instructions to the letter.
Q. What is your service area?
A. We’re based
in NE Portland (Rose City Park) and
serve a ten-mile radius from our Headquarters,
which includes all of Portland Metro,
inner Beaverton and inner Vancouver.
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 $1.00
additional per mile fee for just one
way to your home. Please contact
us and we’ll discuss
your needs.
Q. Do you screen out particular
breeds of dogs to walk?
A. Absolutely not!
All of our Animal
Care Companions are dedicated
dog walking volunteers and one is an
animal training and behavior assistant
at the Oregon Humane Society, so we
have a tremendous amount of experience
walking and working with all types of
dogs.
Two of our Animal
Care Companions spent time
in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina
caring for the rescued dogs labeled
as “challenging” (Pit Bulls,
Rottweilers, German Shepherds, etc.).
So we’re comfortable handling
all breeds of dogs!
Q. What do you require from my dog?
A. Your dog is required
to wear a collar with an ID tag with
your phone number, a current county
license tag and a current rabies vaccine
tag. Not required, but recommend, is
a registered microchip implant to reunite
you with your pet if he or she gets
lost and the collar goes missing.
In addition to a current rabies vaccination
and tag, your dog also must have a current
DHLPP (five-in-one) vaccination. If
your dog attends group training or is
boarded in a kennel, we recommend the
Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine.
We also require that your dog be people-friendly,
particularly to their Animal
Care Companion. If your
service package includes taking your
dog to your local off-leash dog park,
he or she must be manageable and must
be trained to come when called off leash.
Q. Do you train dogs?
A. No, we are not professional
dog trainers, but we do know proper
dog walking techniques and are adept
on how to use leashes, harnesses and
gentle leaders.
If time allows during your service call,
we can teach your pet simple positive
behaviors such as sit, down, stay, come
when called, and how to take a treat
gently.
We believe solely in positive reinforcement
training and discipline. We can also
provide referrals to professional dog
trainers as well.
Q. What do you require from my cat?
A. Your indoor/outdoor
cat is required to wear a collar with
an ID tag with your phone number, a
current county license tag and a current
rabies vaccine tag, and be up-to-date
with the following vaccinations: FeLV
(feline leukemia) and FVRCPC (four-in-one).
If your cat is solely indoors we only
require a rabies vaccination.
Although we recommend that your cat
stay indoors for a longer, healthier
life, if he or she does go outside,
your Animal
Care Companion is not required
to find it when they visit, but we will
attend to other contracted needs in
your home.
Q. Do you administer medication
to pets?
A. Yes, we administer
medication per your detailed directions.
Pills and drops are administered at
no additional charge, and injections
for a nominal charge.
Q. Do you provide service in
my home or yours?
A. Animals, especially
cats, tend to get somewhat stressed
by a change in routine and location,
so the benefit of partnering with us
allows your pets to stay in their home
and to 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 offer some limited dog boarding
in the homes of our Animal
Care Companions. Please
contact
us for more details.
Q. Why is it important that
my animal care provider’s company
be licensed, insured and bonded?
A. Portland
Mutt Strut, LLC is a professional
business licensed in the State of Oregon
which means we pay taxes and must follow
business ethics and legal requirements.
We also carry specific pet sitters’
commercial liability insurance through
Pet
Sitters Associates, LLC,
which covers bodily injury or property
damage as well as loss, injury or death
of your animal, limited emergency veterinary
care, and lost key replacement.
We also have an expanded bonded policy
through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC,
which means we are covered if an employee
is convicted due to a dishonest act
(standard bonding) or if we’re
at fault for negligent acts by our employees
in your home (expanded bonding).
All of these important business policies
and licenses guarantee that you are
working with a professional business
with strict ethics, principals and values.
Please request a copy of our licenses
and policies if you want more details
and/or insurance coverage.
Q. What will Portland Mutt Strut,
LLC do if my pet suffers an acute illness
or is injured while I am away?
A. During our initial
consultation, we will document your
pet’s medical issues and medications
and, during our visits, to the best
of our ability, look for any symptoms
of illness.
We will contact your emergency cell
number immediately to discuss treatment
if your pet displays signs of acute
distress. If unable to reach you, we’ll
contact your preferred veterinary clinic
or emergency hospital and continue to
try contacting you to discuss treatment
and payment arrangements.
Portland Mutt Strut, LLC
is only responsible for costs caused
by our negligence.
If your pet is hurt, injured or bites
another animal or person under our care,
we will contact your emergency number
immediately and bring your pet to the
vet or emergency hospital if needed.
Portland Mutt Strut, LLC
is only responsible for costs caused
by our negligence.
All of Animal
Care Companions are certified
in Red Cross Animal First Aid.
Q. What does the free initial consultation
include?
A. Our initial consultation
with you is very important for both
of us. We’ll come to your home
and meet with you and your pet(s), discuss
their routine and needs, and address
any medical issues and walking concerns.
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.
At this point, you will fill out your
pet’s health records and we will
complete and sign a contract. We’ll
also document the procedures you want
us to follow for the services you request.
This consultation is complimentary and
is essential to assure that we’re
both fully informed and comfortable
with our partnership. Bottom line: we
hope for a long-term, enjoyable relationship
with both you and your pets.
Q. Can I be assured of the same
Animal Care Companion each time?
A. We prefer to maintain
the same Animal
Care Companion assigned
to you for each visit. If your Companion
is not available for any reason, a fully
informed alternate Companion will come
in her place.
Depending on your care contract, you
may have two regular Animal Care Companions
for your services. All Companions are
uniformed and display identification
at all times. All Portland Mutt Strut,
LLC Animal
Care Companions are covered
by our liability
and bonding insurance at
all times.
Q. How does my Animal Care Companion
get into my home?
A. Once the contract
is signed, we will obtain two keys from
you – one for your Animal
Care Companion and one
for Headquarters. Both keys will be
coded and kept in a secure location
at all times. In the event that your
key is lost, our liability insurance
will cover re-keying your home.
The contract will outline your home’s
security access requirements, including
alarm systems and codes. We’ll
need your security codes in order to
prevent setting off an alarm upon our
entry and to re-secure the home when
we leave. As with your keys, this confidential
information will be kept safe and secure
in our Headquarters.
Q. Do you offer longer term contracts
at a discounted rate?
A. Yes, we do! At our
initial consultation, we’ll determine
your specific needs and, if appropriate,
discount our rates accordingly. Obviously,
the more services
you engage with Portland Mutt Strut,
LLC or the more visits you require per
week, the greater your discount.
Q. What is the “Thank
You!” Referral Program and how
do I sign up?
A. We’re pleased
to offer our clients a free visit (up
to $30 in value) from your Animal
Care Companion when you
refer one of your family, friends or
neighbors to Portland Mutt Strut, LLC,
and they contract with us to use our
services.
The more clients you refer, the more
visits you earn. You’re automatically
entered into this program when you sign
up with Portland Mutt Strut, LLC. We
believe our business success is based
on referrals and great service! Contact
us today!
Q. How and when do I pay you?
A. All payments (via
check only) are to be made in advance
of the coming services. There is a $25
fee for returned checks.
Q. May I give my Animal Care
Companion a gratuity?
A. Yes and they will
certainly appreciate it! We prefer that
you add the gratuity directly to your
bill so that there is no confusion with
leaving money in your home for them.
All gratuities go directly to your Animal
Care Companion.
Q. How do I get in contact with
you or sign up as a client?
A. Please call Portland
Mutt Strut’s owner, Patricia McKinney
at 503-335-9889 anytime,
or send an email to info@portlandmuttstrut.com
to schedule a free consultation or to
make any additional inquiries not addressed
in this website. We would be happy to
answer all your questions immediately
and we look forward to serving you!
Call us at 503-335-9889 or email at
info@portlandmuttstrut.com
NOW!
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