Home Care Guidelines for Pals

When entering a client’s home, professionalism and respect for their space are paramount. As a Pal, your workspace is their private residence, which requires a high level of trust and attention to detail. Your actions should reflect care not only for the pets but also for the home environment, ensuring that it is left in the same or better condition than when pet-sitters first arrived. This sets the foundation for a friendly and professional relationship with the client built on mutual respect for their home and pets..

Home security is a top priority. It is within best practice to confirm that all doors and windows are locked before leaving, and double-check any instructions specific to the client’s home. Be observant of anything unusual, such as damage to property or signs of forced entry, and report these concerns immediately to the client or PetPals, LLC administration. Familiarizing yourself with emergency protocols—whether it’s responding to a burst pipe, electrical issue, or neighborhood emergency—is essential to safeguard the client’s home. We highly recommend ICs have a secure work lanyard so that all work keys go in one location, as keys are most often lost when misplaced in pockets or lost during our walking services.

Maintaining a tidy and organized home reflects your respect for the client’s living space. Tasks may include sweeping up tracked-in dirt, wiping surfaces used during pet care, cleaning up pet messes, and ensuring water and food bowls are clean and replenished. Beyond basic tidiness, any specific cleaning instructions from the client, such as handling dishes or laundry related to pet care, should be followed precisely.

Each client has unique expectations and routines. As a Pal, it’s in ICs best interest to review all provided instructions, including plant care, garbage disposal schedules. Even small touches like managing lights and blinds to maintain the appearance of an occupied home, turning on the TV for comforting sounds, or ensuring the home temperature is comfortable for pets are small touches that show attention to detail and respect for the client’s preferences.

Respecting the home also means respecting the client’s privacy. Some clients may prefer if pet-sitters only enter approved areas, and avoid accessing spaces unrelated to your tasks. Keep open and transparent communication about any observations, incidents, or notable details about the home and client preferences by directly updating the client profile, or updating the :Private note” for only ICsto see. By consistently providing updates and maintaining professionalism within their home without owners present, pet-sitters strengthen the trust placed in pet-sitters by the client. The first thing many clients do when they arrive back after our services, is to check for any issues or lapses in their home status, often opting for in home cameras to ensure safety of their belongings.

Basic Home Security Duties

These responsibilities are reflected in service note previews in Time to Pet. When pet-sitters agree to services, these preferences will be outlined on the preview card of your service. To complete the service, it is best practice to regularly read for any updated information on these preview cards.

Ensure Doors & Windows Are Locked: Confirm that all entry points (doors, windows) are securely closed and locked upon each visit. Do a full walk through of every room of a house on the first visit to assure the full safety of the home. In the summer, windows may be left open. It is best practice to check in with clients before adjusting/closing windows fully if there is AC.
Lights & Blinds: Adjusting lighting or adjusting blinds/curtains give the appearance of someone being home.
Mail & Package Collection: Bring in any mail, packages, or newspapers to avoid signs of an unoccupied home. Put in a way out of view of windows/street view. Otherwise, always refer to and follow client preferences
Trash & Recycling: If services align with garbage day it may be your responsibility or reason for hire to take out trash or recycling as needed/bring in any trash bins left outside after collection day.
Check for Unusual Activity: Monitor the property for any signs of unusual activity or potential security concerns. Report anything suspicious to the homeowner immediately.

Personal Liability and Responsibility of the Home

When it comes to home security and key management, it's essential to prioritize safety, responsibility, and trust. Always trust your instincts. Here’s some best practices that ensure the client’s home, pets, and property are safe:

1. Always Check the Door

Before leaving, shake the door handle three times to ensure it’s fully secure. If it’s a sliding door, make sure it is locked properly and the bar is down.

Double-check any entry point you’ve used and check windows in the summers when clients might have left them open. Leaving a door or window unlocked can make the client feel their home isn’t safe, and this loss of trust can damage your professional relationship.

REMEMBER: This is not property, so the r may be held liable for any damages or accidents that were to occur due to negligence during their care.

2. Think Like a Homeowner

Imagine if the client came home to find their home unlocked or pets unsecured. That fear is understandable, and can significantly impact your reputation. The most important things in the house are the pets, and leaving them unsecured can create serious risks. Dogs can open doors, windows, or even food cabinets, so be diligent and careful when coming in and out. This extra layer of caution not only ensures the safety of the animals but also reinforces the trust clients place in you.

3. Video Surveillance Considerations

If the home has video surveillance, it’s likely monitoring entry points. Keep in mind that video footage can help clients feel reassured or raise concerns, so always close doors securely behind oneself and lock up when leaving. Clients may review footage, especially if they have pets, so be mindful of your movements and behavior in the home.

Additionally, many clients have cameras in their home nowadays. Clients may have other people coming inside their home during the day, whether that's babysitters, in-home medical assistants, or housekeepers so it is best practice to leave keys on property for other contractors.

We encourage our clients to get home cameras security purposes. Not just to ensure PetPals, LLC are doing a good job, but because PetPals, LLC trust our team to be honest and reliable members of the community PetPals, LLC can trust. Therefore, PetPals, LLC encourage our clients to get these surveillance systems for the sake of transparency and protection of our team.

4. Security Habits to Build

Building good habits around security is crucial, try these healthy habits:

When pet-sitters unlock the clients home, start the timer.
Before a long petsit, do a initial full sweep of the home. Walk through each room to gain a sense of familiarity with where the pets have access too, closing off or ensuring each room is secure. This involves making sure all doors and windows are secure right away. For the duration of your petsit petsitters can focus on maintaining and securing the emain areas they will be using.
Daily: Ensure pets are safely confined. Making sure pets haven't gotten into areas they shouldn't, cleaning up any messes they may make, restricting areas if necessary by closing off doors.
Verify that all cabinets are closed to prevent pets from getting into food or hazardous items.
If pet-sitters feel unsure about anything, Go back and double check the home is locked. It is better to be extra safe than sorry.

5. What Happens If Security is Compromised?

If a home is left unsecured, or unlocked, the responsible party may be asked by that client not to return to the home. Clients want to make sure there is no question in the trust they are giving to PetPals, LLC, and as a Pal pet-sitters may be moved off that client. A meeting may be facilitated with the Admin to assess the client relationship and next steps. The client’s comfort and peace of mind are crucial, and failure to maintain security can cause irreparable damage to trust. If pet-sitters notice anything unusual (like a door that doesn’t seem to lock properly), report it immediately so the client can address the issue and create a paper trail.

6. Your Sense of Responsibility

You’re not just responsible for following instructions but also for safeguarding the pets and property in the client's home. Your attention to detail and commitment to security will build trust over time. Trust is earned, and being reliable in security practices is a key part of that.

In conclusion, home security isn’t just about following rules; it’s about showing the client that their home and pets are safe and that pet-sitters take their responsibilities seriously. By building good habits, being aware of the environment, and always locking up, pet-sitters reinforce the trust and reliability that are fundamental to your role.

Home and Plant Care Duties

Clients looking for plant and home care specific duties are typically looking for routine home care while they are away for extended periods of time. They may be existing clients who put their pets into boarding facilities and would still like periodic check-ins of the home. If home/plant watering services are booked, the client will preface if it is for inside plants or garden care.

Daily Plant Care Basics:

Water plants as per owner’s instructions, adjusting for their specific needs (e.g., frequency, amount of water).
Empty draining trays to prevent root rot.
Ensure plants are placed in appropriate light conditions (ie, rotate curtains/blinds/ensure sunlights are plugged in and functional)

Pruning & Deadheading:

Trim any dead or damaged plant leaves or flowers.
Ensure plants are growing healthily and manage any overgrowth.

General Plant Health:

Monitor plants for signs of pests or disease.
Report any issues with plants to the owner and take action if needed (e.g., remove pests).

General Maintenance:

Clean plant pots, trays, and surrounding areas to prevent dirt buildup.
Ensure plants have appropriate support if necessary (e.g., staking when new growth appears)

Garden Care Basic Tasks:

Collect fruits and veggies per the owner’s instructions, bring them inside, clean, and place in the fridge or in appropriate location.
Water appropriately