FAQ

An emergency is when your pet is hurt and needs veterinary care. An emergency is when your basement is flooded. In times like these, we call the client or the client's emergency contact. During the pre-service interview, we gather a lot of information, including your contact information and that of your designated emergency contact. If you are unreachable while traveling in Alaska and your emergency contact is not responding to phone calls, it is our responsibility to seek care for your pet or secure your home. If a plumber needs to be called, the client will reimburse Tails of the City for expenses incurred. If a vet visit is deemed necessary, we will take your pet to your regular vet. If your regular vet's office is closed, we will take your pet to a nearby 24-hour emergency veterinary care clinic. Clients are expected to have credit card information on file with their vets.

If prospective clients request references, they can be provided.

Yes, clients can always request to meet their pet's sitter or walker. Please schedule such meetings with the Tails of the City administrative staff. There is a $10 charge for such visits.

Generally, yes. Each new midday walking account is assigned to one walker. This walker will walk your pet each midday UNLESS (s)he has requsted time off or has an unforeseen emergency. During this scheduled and unscheduled time off, midday walking subs will be in place to cover walker routes so there is no disruption in service.

It is understood that on observed, national holidays (4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day) clients are home so can walk their pet. Should a client have to work on a holiday, (s)he can make arrangements for a pet sitting visit to take place. Please note there is an extra holiday charge of $10 per visit. On federal holidays (MLK Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day) we DO work and will be by to walk your pet UNLESS you cancel beforehand. The onus is on the client to make these arrangements in advance.

Our branches handing billing a bit differently - please follow your specific branch location for billing instructions.

DC BILLING POLICY:

Midday dog walking clients: Each month, walkers will place a new monthly manifest, which is a daily log of all visits that occurred that month. At the end of the month or start of the next month, multiply the number of walks completed during the prior month by your per walk rate. This is the amount you owe for services rendered. If you cannot remember your daily walk rate, please contact the office for that information, refer to our website or refer to a previously e-mailed invoice.
Pet Sitting Clients: Pre-payments are expected before you leave town. Please pay via Pay Pal or leave a check for the sitter. If you forget to pre-pay, please use the pet sitters checklist as your invoice. Payment for services rendered are due no later than 10 days after services have been completed.

Payment is due by the 10th of each month. Prompt payment is greatly appreciated. Late payments are subject to a late payment fine and suspension of services. Please make payments either by submitting a check or money order to TAILS OF THE CITY P.O. Box 27296 Washington, DC 20038 or pay electronically with a checking account, credit or debit card by going to www.TailsoftheCityPetCare.com. If paying by check, please write-in your pet's name in the subject area and the month for which you are submitting payment. If paying by Pay Pal, please type in your pet's name and the month for which your are submitting payment in the subject/comments area.

VA BILLING POLICY:

Dog Walking Clients: Pre-payments are expected for monthly midday dog walking and pet sitting clients. For all clients, an e-mailed invoice will be sent to you prior to services being rendered. Midday walking clients can expect their invoice by e-mail during the first week of the month for current month of service. Payment is due within six days of receipt of invoice.

Pet Sitting Clients: Please pay via Pay Pal or leave a check for the sitter. If you forget to pre-pay, please use the pet sitters checklist as your invoice. Payment for services rendered are due no later than 5 days after services have been completed.

Prompt payment is greatly appreciated. Late payments are subject to a late payment fine. Please make payments either by submitting a check or money order to TAILS OF THE CITY, P.O. Box 6553, Arlington, VA 22206, or pay electronically with a checking account, credit or debit card by going to www.TailsoftheCityPetCare.com. If writing a check, please write-in your pet's name in the subject area and the month of service for which you are submitting payment. If paying by Pay Pal, please type in your pet's name and the month for which you are submitting payment in the subject/comments area.

MD BILLING POLICY:

Pre-payments are expected for both midday dog walking and pet sitting clients, however invoicing is available depending on the situation. Please contact the MD office for more information. Please make payments either by submitting a check or money order to your specific Maryland Branch, or pay electronically with a checking account, credit or debit card by going to www.TailsoftheCityPetCare.com. If writing a check, please write-in your pet's name in the subject area and the month of service for which you are submitting payment. If paying by Pay Pal, please be sure to click on your specific branch when making payments, and include your pets name and month of services for which you are submitting payment in the subject/comments area.

FL BILLING POLICY:

Dog Walking Clients: Pre-payments are expected for monthly midday do walking and pet sitting clients. For all clients, an e-mailed invoice will be sent to you prior to services being rendered. Midday walking clients can expect their invoice by e-mail during the first week of the month for current month of service. Payment is due within seven (7) days of receipt of invoice.

Pet Sitting Cleints: Pre-payments are expected before you leave town. Please pay via Pay Pal or leave a check for the sitter. If you forget to pre-pay, please use the pet sitters checklist as your invoice. Payment for services rendered are due no later than seven (7) days after services have been completed.

Prompt payment is greatly appreciated. Late payments are subject to late payment fine. Please make payments either by submitting a check or money order to TAILS OF THE CITY, P.O. Box 195664, Winter Springs, FL or pay electronically with a checking account, credi or debit card by going to www.TailsoftheCityPetCare.com. If writing a check, please write-in your pet's name in the subject area and the month of service for which you are submitting payment. If paying by PayPal, please type in your pet's name and the month for which you are submitting payment in the subject/comments area.

Cancellations made 24-hours in advance are not subject to a charge. However, cancelations made with less than 24-hours notice will be subject to full visit charge wheather or not the visit actually took place.

If clients request visits will less than 24-hours notice they are subject to a $25 late reservation of services fee.

For non-emergency,non-urgent issues, please e-mail your branch. We check messages constantly throughout the day and respond to inquiries and requests promptly. Additionally, we prefer this means of contact because it allows a paper trail to refer to later. (Less inaccuracies.) Calling us is also an excellent way to reach us. Please leave messages on your branches voicemail. During emergencies, you may reach the office manager directly on the work cell. (Contact info for each branch is listed below.) If you opt to communicate by e-mail or phone, please make sure a staff member confirms receipt of your request. Please do NOT assume that technology is working 100% of the time. We can not take care of your pet if we never received the request! We always e-mail back confirmations as soon as we learn of a request so if you do not hear back from us, chances are we did not get the e-mail or call.

DC BRANCH
Voicemail/Fax - 202-261-6615
Work Cell - 202-669-7230
TailsoftheCityDC@aol.com
P.O. Box 27296
Washington, DC 20038

VA BRANCH
Voicemail/Fax - 703-644-8004
Work Cell - 202-302-9021
TailsoftheCityVA@gmail.com
P.O. Box 6553
Arlington, VA 22206

PG County, Maryland Branch
Voicemail - 301-396-3505
Work Cell - 860-490-5116
TailsoftheCityPGC@gmail.com
PO BOX 427
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712

Montgomery County, Maryland Branch
Voicemail/Fax - 301-368-1982
Work Cell - 202-213-1165
TailsoftheCityMD@mac.com
P.O. Box 427
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712

Baltimore, Maryland Branch
Work Cell/Voicemail 202-567-PETS (7387)
Baltimore@DogsintheCity.info

Clients who hold an outstanding balance are subject to a late fee of $25 per month that there is an outstanding balance and collection and lawsuit proceedings may follow. Please make sure to pay your invoice in a timely mannor.

The key pick-up or drop off charge is $10. If we mail your keys to you, you will be charged for postage & packaging. Dropping off or picking up keys from us is free!

We can pill pets oral or crush medication into food or a treat. We can rub medicated ointment onto pets. We can provide insulin injections to diabetic cats or give subcutaneous fluids to cats with kidney problems.

We, under no circumstances, will agree to care for a pet (cat or dog) with a history of biting people. Dogs who are aggressive with other dogs, we will accept on a case-by-case basis, however, individual walks will have to be given. Individual walks are subject to a higher rate.

Yes, we do! Our errand service, uniquely focusing on items related to your pet and home, can help manage your pet care responsibilities. By whittling down your pet or home care-related "to-do" list, we help you become better pet owners allowing you to spend your precious time with your pet. Errand services include the following: 1.) Pet food, medicine and supply runs at pet stores or veterinary clinics. We also provide delivery of these products to your home. 2.) Conduct pet-related product or services research. 3.) Wait at your home for repair people, installers or contractors. 4.) Hang out with your pets for an "extended" outing while you deal with showing your home to prospective buyers, have work done to your house by contractors, home exterminations, etc. Please see our service page on pet supply runs for rate details.