Your Pet's Palace

"We are very happy and will use Your Pet's Palace again" - Sonia, Preston

General FAQs

What areas do you cover?

I cover areas of Lancashire including Preston, Lytham, Blackpool, Kirkham, Wesham, Chorley, Leyland and other surrounding areas. Please ask me to find out if I cover your area

Do you charge to travel to my house?

Travel is free if you live within 10 miles. Beyond this, petrol is charged at an additional 25p per mile.

What time do you visit my pet / walk my dog?

Core vsiting/walking times are 9am – 5pm any day of the week. Under certain conditions, I may be able to visit/walk earlier, later, on Bank Holidays or over Xmas, although a different charging rate is used. I am happy to agree a specific time during the consultation period, although this may have to coincide with the requests from my other clients.

What is the consultation for?

The initial consultation is completely free, and allows us all to meet each other. During this time, we will provide you with a quotation (should you choose to use our services), describe the services and collect any specific information (e.g. medicines, etc). We will also explain the specific terms and conditions (see points below re: unwell pets and problems with access to property)

For our safety of mind, are you accredited by anybody?

I have full registration with the National Association of Registered Petsitters, the largest pet care association in the UK, with representation at local and national government level.

How do I pay?

We ask for a 10% deposit in all cases, with the balance payable on your return. We ask that this is settled by cheque or cash when we return your house keys to you.

House Sitting FAQs

Please note, due to high demand I am not currently offering the house sitting service

What animals do you look after?

This service is available to most pets, but unfortunately, we cannot offer it to all. We are not able to look after dangerous reptiles and certain breeds of dog, including bitches on heat.

How long do you spend on each visit?

I will spend the majority of the day and night at your house, but may leave through the day to help other customers. Specific requirements will be discussed.

Should I leave my cat flap open?

This is completely your decision as you know your local area better than us. While it may give your pet a little more freedom (and an escape route in emergencies), there will be no guarantee of keeping the other ‘party animals’ out!

Will you water my plants and garden?

We will take care of the basic requirements in your house for no additional cost.

What happens if my pet becomes unwell?

If we believe your pet is not well, we can take them to your local vet – during our consultation, you will have the opportunity to specify whether you wish to be informed first. We also use a national 24hr veterinary helpline, staffed exclusively by UK-qualified veterinary nurses (at no cost to you). We will need to know if your pet has any existing ailments, problems or medical requirements when we first meet. All Vets bills will need to be reimbursed on your immediate return; the specific terms and conditions will be explained when we meet.

When do you collect / return my keys?

This is agreed at our consultation. Usually, I will pick up the keys the week before you leave, and return them days after your return.

What happens if there are problems with the keys, locks or alarms?

If there are problems with keys or alarms, we will contact your allocated point of contact (family, neighbour or friend). If they cannot gain access to the house (for example, with a spare key), a locksmith or alarm engineer will be called as appropriate. Any charges made by third parties to rectify problems are the responsibility of the client. This is essential, as the health of your pet is our primary concern. During our consultation, you will be responsible for explaining and providing codes for all alarm systems, as well as points of contact in the event that we need to obtain emergency access.

Are there any additional costs?

I offer the choice of either leaving sufficient food in your house to cover the periods you are away, or charge a £5 suppliment per day for meals. Petrol may also be charged, depending on location. This will all be discussed beforehand.

Pet Sitting FAQs

What animals do you look after?

While we would love to provide care and attention for any animal, we cannot offer this service to certain animals. This is because dogs require a lot more attention than most other animals, and should not be left alone for long periods of time.

How long do you spend on each visit?

That is entirely down to you and your furry friend! Visits are made in half hour intervals – enough to clean trays, provide food, and spend some quality time together. You can just choose a half hour visit or a little longer – maybe an hour visit, or even two half-hour visits a day.

What is the minimum visit time?

The minimum visiting time is half an hour every day you are away from the house. Requests for visits every other day will not be considered

What security precautions do you take while I'm away?

At your request, we can leave different lights on and remove protruding mail / newspapers to make the property appear occupied. For your safety of mind, the National Association of Registered Petsitters also ensures that all of their members (including myself) who hold keys to client’s properties have received basic Police security checks.

Should I leave my cat flap open?

Will you water my plants and garden?

We will take care of the basic requirements in your house for no additional cost. We ask that these tasks be kept to a minimum so that we can spend the majority of the time caring for your lovable furry friends.

What happens if my cat becomes unwell?

When do you collect / return my keys?

This is agreed at our consultation. Usually, I will pick up the keys the week before you leave, and return them days after your return.

What happens if there are problems with the keys, locks or alarms?

Dog Walking FAQs

What types of dog do you walk?

I walk most small – medium size dogs, but am unable to walk uncastrated males or bitches in season. Please ask for more details.

Where do you walk my dog?

Your dog will be taken for a walk, or a route of your choosing, in your local area.

Is my dog walked alone or in a group?

Your dog receives my complete attention, as all walks are on a one to one basis.

How long does each walk last?

Typically, each walk lasts 30 minutes, although if I have no other bookings I would be happy to spend a little longer, at no extra charge.

Are there any other terms and conditions I should know about?

Specific terms and conditions, relating to the dogs and the walking area can be discussed when we meet.