In today’s technology it’s so easy to buy online. And with the growing demand for pet care, there are so many options available to pet owners. However, we still have to be cautious whom we buy from. Below are some reasons why you should not buy from a directory site/app such as ‘Rover’ or ‘Pawshake’.
Choosing a local pet care company means =
1- Supporting a small entrepreneur’s passion
Give back directly to your local economy! Directory sites/apps are not local and those venture capitalists are not Canadian and don’t contribute to our local economy by paying taxes.
2- Ensuring you get a professional pet sitter/dog walker
On directory sites/apps, most people are hobbyists and not professional pet sitters or dog walkers. Unfortunately, they’re often inexperienced or not properly trained. While some people out there probably genuinely care about animals, anyone can create a profile, even scammers.
3- Being able to speak directly with the company if you have any concerns
Unfortunately, many pet owners have had bad experiences with these directory sites/apps. They often don’t provide any recourse when something unfortunate happens. A local company greatly values its reputation and the quality of care it provides. Should something not go as planned, you can reach them directly.
4- Getting real & honest value for what you pay for
Directory sites/apps’ rates might sometimes be cheaper, but know that a portion of the rate you pay goes back to them, therefore taking a cut from the person who takes care of your pet. These directory sites/apps aren’t local and don’t invest in training for their employees. Their focus is on making the rich even richer. They don’t support your local community or ensure you get the best care possible.
5- Being assured of staff getting proper training & following policies & procedures
Directory sites/apps don’t offer training. They don’t have concise procedures and strict policies when it comes to the care for your pet. Each ‘directory sites/apps service provider’ creates their own rates and often they don’t have policies and procedures to ensure quality service.
6- Being assured of staff getting local support
In an emergency when using a directory site/app, your home, or worse your pet(s) will not get local support! ‘Directory sites/apps service providers’ are left to fend for themselves. What if a sitter is ill/injured and can’t visit your pet(s)? With a local company, the owner or another team member is always available to assist.
Even if directory sites/apps offer convenience and flexible rates, you must ask yourself:
Is it worth the risk that your pets and homes might be in the wrong hands?
Essentially, directory sites/apps don’t care about the pet sitter/dog walker, nor you, or your pets. They care about having as many service providers listed on their site to make as much profit as possible. At the end of the day, it’s all about making money.
As for all of us at Loving Paws & House Sitting Ottawa, our goal is to make you and your pet(s) well cared for, healthy, happy and safe.
To learn more about us and the services we provide, I invite you to visit our website www.LovingPaws.ca
Have any questions or comments? Please know that I am always delighted to answer you personally.
WE WORK HARD TO SUPPORT OUR DOG WALKERS, AND PET & HOUSE SITTERS
Work with us as one of our sub-contractors by driving to the homes of our clients to provide dog walking, pet sitting, medical care, and house sitting services.
The amount of work depends on the number of requests we receive from clients for our services, and that number keeps on growing as more and more pet parents and home owners learn of our services.
We diligently maintain our website and routinely work to ensure strong Web Search Engine Optimization so that our website appears top-most on web pages for search results.
Requests for our services come from clients who come to our website and submit quote or reservation requests. We then assign the work directly to you.
All work is paid, and we pay one of the pet care industry’s best rates for walking dogs, pet sitting, and house sitting.
No purchase of any “kit” is required to work for us. We do not charge any fee as a condition of working with us. We are not a pyramid-type organization.
There is much flexibility in terms of where, when, and how work is done, as long as the needs of our clients and their pets are met, and as long as what is paid for is done (we guarantee the duration of each visit, and that the visit will take place). Most clients are easy going about the services they need. Some clients are more specific; e.g. if their pet needs medication.
Aside from a computer with internet access, cell phone, and a vehicle that you need to work with us, we provide everything else you need to do the work, and for free: our admin software tool, access to our database, personalized email address, your insurance coverage and bonding, all the necessary printed materials, a professional binder for all documents, 4 handbooks covering medical care, procedures, and policies topics, and brochures/posters for networking.
We generally sponsor one major pet-related event annually; e.g. Pet Expo, and expect you will attend with us.
We put you in touch with new clients after they accept our quotes or existing clients after they reserve our services. Essentially, we pre-screen each assignment request to ensure it is valid before asking you to decide whether or not you want to take it on.
You can reduce your taxable income on your annual income tax filing with the Canada Revenue Agency by claiming eligible expenses for working as a sub-contractor, for using space where you live for office / admin work, and for using your vehicle for work.
We provide service every day of the year, especially on weekends and holidays when people tend to go away, and we pay 1.5X the normal rate for work done on a holiday.
You will interact with kind, animal-loving people who will appreciate and welcome the services you will provide, and who will trust you with their homes, belongings and their living pet(s).
You will have a territory and only be expected to drive to the homes of clients who live within typically 15-km from your home. We pay extra if you need to drive further (unless you agree to a larger territory when you join our team).
Walking dogs leads to getting exercise and the fresh are is as good for you as it is for the dogs; count on your health improving and not being stuck in a windowless office cubicle.
You will be pleasantly greeted at front doors by many pets that will be happy to see you and to also give you lots of unconditional love, affection and attention in return for just enough simple food and water, and all the play time and TLC you can afford.
You will experience improvements to your stress levels … numerous studies show that spending time with animals is relaxing and beneficial to human health.
You will learn about pet health and what it takes to become one of the region’s most respected, professional pet sitters.
You will have the opportunity to grow with us … we are increasingly called upon for our dog walking, pet sitting, medical care, and house sitting services. We provided our services to thousands of clients in the greater Ottawa region since 2005 and in Mississauga since 2012. Our goal is to reach more and more communities as we move forward.
We work on a very personalized level and are always available. We answer questions and solve problems quickly, and we invite suggestions for change and improvement regularly.
We have clear and concise policies and procedures so you will never have to guess about what you should or should not do.
We provide 4 detailed Orientation, Emergency, Procedures, and Policies Handbooks. Job shadowing and we continues with on-the-job coaching and accessibility.
We provide continuing education opportunities relating to all areas of the pet care industry.
If you love interacting with and giving care to animals … we and our clients … and their pets … can’t wait to hear from you.
