Client Update, 5.8.2020
Here are a list of anticipated questions we figured you may have, based on our email update. But if we didn’t cover what you are wondering, please send us an email at michelle@ardmoredogwalking.com or call at 336.972.1471. Thank you!
It looks like in Time to Pet I can request a more specific time for my dog walk - is this true?
Our hours of operation are the following:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 4pm, 9 pm-11pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 3pm, 9pm - 11pm
You can now request an appointment within the hour you would like it during the day.
For our evening window, you can only request for the full time block of 9pm-11pm.
Please note that during the day, 12 pm - 1 pm is our most requested time slot. If we are already full by the time you request we will first attempt to get you in between 11 am - 12 pm, and if that is full as well we will move you to 1pm - 2pm. If you would prefer we put your appointment in 1pm - 2 pm rather than 11 am - 12 pm (assuming the 12pm - 1pm slot is full), please let us know.
Are you going to continue to offer same day requests for dog walking?
Yes, we are! If you are still able to request over the weekend or use a template that is best for us (and guarantees we can get you in) but we are going to continue offering same day requests.
You’ve expanded your service area - where do you service now?
We have expanded to accept clients in the following zip codes: 27103, 27104, 27106, 27127, 27101, 27105. Basically most, if not all, of Winston-Salem.
We hope to keep expanding, and plan to open up teams around Winston-Salem as well, and potentially other communities. If we’re still not in your area and you are nearby, send us a message and let us know. As soon as enough people want us in your area, we will open up a team there.
If I was previously paying a mileage charge and I’m now in your service area, what does this mean?
We are delighted to say no more service charge if you are in our new service areas!
Do you still service animals besides dogs?
Yes - our services are still appropriate for checking in on cats and small animals, as long as it fits within our hours of operation.
If I book another pet sitter, can I still use your business for dog walking during your operating hours?
Absolutely! We hope you do. Truly nothing would make us happier!
If you are no longer offering travel care, then why do you still offer a late night appointment option?
We work with several clients who need our services for a late night bedtime tuck in due to their work schedule. This service is intended to be an option for people who work 3rd shift and need a dog walker during slightly different times, rather than a true pet sitting option.
Are you still offering a 10% discount to medical/first responder clients, as well as waiving cancellation fees?
We will be offering this discount and waiving cancellation fees for all of our clients through Phase 1 of the reopening plan. Once Forsyth county enters into Phase 2, we will be discontinuing the discount and reinstating our cancellation policy - 50% cancellation charge if cancelled on the same day, no cancellation fee if cancelled before.
Is it okay for me to contact one of your team members to see if they would want to pet sit for me when I go out of town?
We do not have a hard or fast rule on this. If you have a friendship or relationship with one of our team members and would like to pursue that conversation, we do not have a rule as a business that they couldn’t pet sit outside of our business with you. The only rule that we have is that if you needed an appointment during your pet sitting engagement during our hours of service, it would have to be booked through us. However, we want to be crystal clear about a few things:
If you choose to work with one of our team members outside of our dog walking services for pet sitting, this is in no way affiliated with Venture Dog Walking. Our insurance coverage and managerial oversight does not extend to work you would book outside of us.
As a team, we have had a candid conversation where I (Michelle) expressed the requirements of each team member to be part of our vetted referral list (as they were welcome to be part of it). The requirement was to establish themselves as sole-proprietors (i.e., as a single person business) and to get insured. No one on our team was interested in pursuing these requirements. The people on our current list of vetted sitters are people who do this professionally. Without insurance, a pet sitter is considered a hobbyest. We want to be upfront about this distinction. Our official recommendation as a team is that you use our list of vetted sitters.