Condo Cat Sitter FAQ

As a condo cat sitter, I've been asked many questions about my service. So, on this page, I have provided answers to all the most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any other questions after reading these, feel free to contact me anytime.

Which areas of Calgary do you service?

We currently service communities in the Calgary Northwest which include:

Royal Oak
Rocky Ridge
Arbour Lake
Citadel
Scenic Acres
Tuscany
Hawkwood
Ranchlands
Silver Springs
Edgemont
Hamptons
Hidden Valley
Bearspaw Valley


It is our intention to expand our service areas in the future, including to the downtown core, so watch for more
communities coming soon.

Are your condo cat sitter services only offered to those living in condominiums or apartments?
While we focus on providing services to pet owners in condominiums and apartments, we welcome inquiries no matter where you reside (i.e. condo, townhouse, or house) as long as you are located within our service area as listed above.

Are you insured, bonded, and pet first aid certified?
Yes we are! We are fully insured and bonded through Binks Insurance, which offers premium coverage to members of Pet Sitters International (PSI). We are also pet first aid certified through Prairie Training Services Ltd., based in Calgary, AB. If you would like to learn more about how we got started, please visit the About Us page.

How do I schedule your condo cat sitter services?
You can contact us seven days a week by emailing us at: info@condocat.ca or by calling: (403) 461-7325. You can also visit our Contact Us page. Please allow one business day to
get back to you. If you are a new client and interested in
booking with us, we will set up a no cost, no obligation consultation in your home. This will give you a chance to hear about our condo cat sitter services and for us to meet your pet. During this visit we will complete any needed paperwork such as the Veterinarian Release Form, as well as review all details pertaining to the care of your pet. If your cat is on medication,
we may ask to book the consultation at a time when we can
view your routine for administering. This consultation is necessary for all first-time clients. However, after the consultation, you can book with us at any time with advance or little notice via email or over the phone.

What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
We require a minimum 48 hours notice for all cancellations. If the cancellation takes place after this time you will be charged the regular rate for either one or two days. For example, if you cancel the day before the first scheduled visit, you will be charged for one day. If you cancel the day of the first scheduled visit, you will be charged for two days.

When is payment due?
Payment can be made by cash or cheque and must be left for pick up at the first scheduled visit. In the week prior to your first visit, an email will be sent to you confirming the booking, and
the full amount owing. This will also serve as your invoice.

Note: In the event you arrive home later than expected, then payment for any additional days will be invoiced separately.

What form of payment do you accept?
We accept payment in the form of cash or cheque. Please
make cheque payable to: Shawna McMurran.

Will you administer my cat’s medication?
Yes we will. However, we will require a trial run to ensure the
cat is agreeable with regards to receiving medication from someone other than their owner (regular rates for this visit will apply). If your pet is on long term medication, we can also do a trial run during the initial consultation.

What happens if my cat gets sick or injured while I am away?
We are pet first aid certified so able to respond during an emergency. During our visits, we will have your veterinarian’s contact information on hand. If it appears something is not
right with your pet, we will not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

In the event your veterinarian cannot be reached and your cat needs immediate care, we will transport your pet to the Calgary North Veterinarian Hospital & 24 Hour Emergency located at 4204, 4th Street Northwest.

We will make every effort to contact you before taking your cat
in for medical attention. However, in the case of an immediate emergency, we will not hesitate to bring your pet to the emergency hospital even if we are unable to reach you. Please note: Condo Cat is not responsible for veterinarian fees. Additional charges for transport to and from the hospital, including possible wait time, are billed at a rate of $30.00 per hour.

How do you know that I have made it home as scheduled?
We will leave a reminder slip at our last visit with our phone number on it asking you to phone and leave us a voice message as soon as you return home. If we do not hear from you when expected, we will try to reach you at the contact numbers you provide us. If we are unable to get a hold of you, we will assume you were delayed and will continue visiting
your cat daily which will be billed at the regular rate.

What happens if I do not arrive home as per the expected return date (i.e. I miss my flight)?
We would appreciate you contacting us once you find out you will be delayed. However, if we do not hear from you we will continue visiting your cat daily until we are notified that you have returned home.

What happens if I return home earlier than expected? Am I still charged?
As per the 48-hour cancellation policy, you will be charged for
up to two days of scheduled services should you arrive home early without the minimum notice. Therefore, if you arrive home five days earlier than expected, you will only be charged for two of those days. If you arrive home one day earlier than expected, you will be charged for that one day. However, if you anticipate
in advance an early arrival, and you give a minimum 48 hours notice, you will not be charged as per the above.

What do I need to leave out for the condo cat sitter?
• Cat food (wet and/or dry)
• Treats
• Favorite Toys
• Fresh Litter (to top up the litter box, if needed)
• A Litter Scooper
• Plastic Garbage Bags
• Paper Towel
• Cleaning Spray (in case there is any mess)
• Water Jug (for watering plants if this is a request)
•…and anything else you think may be useful.

Do you send email or text messaging updates while I am away?
We would be happy to do this if requested and could send you an update daily or every other day. Or if you prefer, we can contact you only if needed during your time away.

Do you charge for more than one cat in the household?
No, we do not. Our rate is all-inclusive.

Can you feed my other small pets (i.e. fish or birds) during the visit? Do you charge extra for this?
If you have fish, birds, hamsters or other small pets, we can feed them and give them some attention as well during our
visit. These are details we can discuss further during the initial consultation. There are no additional fees for this.

Are you able to water my plants during the visit?
Absolutely. We will ask you about this during the consultation.

What takes place when doing the security check?
The security check may involve turning on/off a light or two, opening/closing the blinds, and bringing in notices left on your door (i.e. announcements from your condo board). Basically,
we want to make it appear as if your home is occupied. We
may also turn on/off the TV or radio (which other than for
security reasons, might also be to keep your pet company!). Overall, we will ensure that everything is safe and sound in
your home. These are all details that will be reviewed during
the consultation.

What if there is a problem in my home while I am away?
During the consultation, we will ask for the contact information for your landlord or property manager in the event there is a problem. We will take the necessary steps to resolve the issue but will also notify you via phone or email.

Do you offer pet care services for dogs?
At this time, our focus is on providing services for cats/kittens (and other small pets). However, this is a possibility for the future so if you are interested in services for dogs/puppies as well, please let us know. We will consider all inquiries.

If you have a question that we have not answered, please send an email to:  info@condocat.ca