Glossary of terms

This glossary is a guide for pet parents to use when choosing the service they require. The terms in this glossary are some of the common and general terms used by pet care professionals. Each professional may differ, however, in how they refer to their services.

Always advise your chosen professional of the services you require and ensure their services meet your needs.

Pet Sitting | Dog Walking | Puppy Visits / Pet Visits | Overnight Stay | House Sitting | Boarding / Kenneling | Doggy Daycare | Special Needs | Pet Taxi | Livestock Care | Poop 'n' Scoop / Poop Patrol / Waste Removal | Insured & Bonded | Pet First Aid | Employee | Contractor |

Pet Sitting

A professional pet sitter providing pet sitting services typically offers care of your pets in your home. Visits are made on a scheduled basis each day for care, cuddles, play and feeding of your pet. For smaller animals such as cats, pocket pets etc., pet sitting usually consists of 1 to 2 visits per day, or a specified length. For dogs, Pet Sitting may entail up to 4 visits per day to meet your pet's needs.

Dog Walking

Dog Walking services can vary greatly among service providers. Dog walking may entail:

Private dog walks - the pet care provider is only responsible for your dog for the duration of the appointment.

Group dog walks - the pet care provider includes your dog in a group of more than one dog. ACPSN policy states that the maximum number of dogs that should be walked at any one time is 6. If your dog is considering a group walk, ensure that all requirements for immunization are met, and that your dog will be protected from exposure to other animals who are ill.

On leash walks - your dog is walked on leash only - just as you would walk him on your own.

Off leash walks - your dog is transported on leash or in a vehicle to an off leash or "leash-free" area or park. Your dog is then removed from the leash and permitted to run around and play with the other animals.

Dog walking services are usually available with specific time limits - 30 minutes for puppies or older dogs, or an hour or more for larger, active dogs. Discuss the options with your pet care provider.

Puppy Visits / Pet Visits

Pet visits may also encompass the definition of pet sitting (above). When related to young puppies, older dogs or smaller animals, puppy visits usually refers to an individual visit with your pet. Your pet may or may not be walked as part of this service. Frequently, puppy visits are the appropriate choice if you require your pet care provider to attend your home, providing feeding/water, attention/play, and permit your dog outside in your yard for a potty break.

Overnight Stay

An overnight stay with your pet usually consists of the pet care provider remaining in your home from a specific time in the evening to a specific time in the morning. (for example, 9 PM to 7 AM). Prices for overnight stays generally reflect the number of hours duration, and may or may not include the fees for return visits during the day. This service is useful for animals who undergo separation anxiety at night, and provides them with a sense of security. Discuss the fees with your provider and ensure you are aware of what the service entails.

House Sitting

House Sitting is a service provided by some pet care providers. Most providers will offer basic house sitting services during their pet sitting services - bringing in mail, watering plants etc. Providers who offer house sitting services will usually do so in the absence of any pets in the home. House Sitting may entail the provider living in your home while you are gone (remaining overnight), or simply scheduled visits to your home to give it a "lived-in" look. Discuss the service with your provider to ensure you are aware of what the service entails.

Boarding / Kenneling

Pet care providers who offer boarding services may do so in different ways. Generally, your pet is dropped off to the provider before you leave, and picked up upon your return. Some boarding services offer pick up and delivery at pre-determined times.

Home Style Boarding is generally cage free - your pet moves into the provider's home and lives as one of their pets for a while. Many home style boarding providers have a "no limits" policy - your pet is allowed on furniture, sleeps on the bed etc. Ensure that you discuss any boundaries you set with your pet prior to the service. Home style boarding may or may not include other animals in the home - either your providers own pets, or other pets who are also being boarded. Ensure you discuss this with your pet care provider prior to service - how many and what types of other animals will be in the home. Bring your pet by for a "trial run" so they can meet and become familiar with the other animals.

Kennel Style Boarding is usually a more formal operation. Your pet has their own cage or "room" at the facility, with scheduled play times outdoors. The provider or staff at the Kennel will feed, water and exercise your pet based on a pre-determined schedule. Interaction with other animals is still present, though not for the same duration as with home style boarding. Kennels offer a variety of services and must comply with municipal standards.

When boarding your pet, always ensure you inspect the property beforehand, meet the providers who will be caring for your pet, and evaluate whether the service is suited to your pet's needs. Review the facility's policy for immunization and potential exposure to parasites or other illness, review any emergency evacuation plans, and observe the cleanliness and size of the facility.

Doggy Daycare

A Doggy Daycare facility is an environment - either in home or in a larger facility - where your dog can spend his day while you work. A Doggie Daycare may have several animals and, similar to child daycare, certain restrictions on the drop off and pick up times for your pet. Your dog can romp, play and socialize during the day, while you are stuck at work.

As with Kennel and Boarding situations, you should always discuss the services that a doggy daycare offers, inspect the facility for cleanliness, be aware of the number and type of other animals your pet will be socializing with, and be aware of any immunization requirements and parasite control methods in use.

Special Needs

Special Needs services may include:

This is in no way a complete list. Always discuss the services you require and the provider's skills and proficiency in providing these services.

Pet Taxi

Pet Taxi or Pet Transport services may include transportation to and from veterinary appointments, grooming appointments, doggy daycare, boarding facilities etc.

Pet Taxi providers are typically insured by their commercial vehicle insurance and/or their pet sitter's insurance to provide this service. Pet Taxi providers are not commercial carriers for passenger transport - they cannot be used as a taxi service for you to accompany the animal. Many municipalities strictly regulate passenger transport providers, and your Pet Taxi provider should not be called upon to provide this service for you, only for your pet.

Livestock Care

Pet care providers may also provide Livestock care. Further information will be posted regarding the various services and definitions.

Waste Removal

Waste removal services may be offered by a waste removal company, or by your pet care provider. While every pet care provider should be cleaning up after your animal while in their care, there are many services offered to help you maintain your property. Waste Removal services are generally scheduled for a specific frequency, and the pet care provider will remove excrement from your yard and property.

Insured & Bonded

Professional Pet Care Providers will maintain pet sitters insurance coverage at all times while they are providing service.

Insurance for the pet sitter provides coverage for any negligent or willful act by your pet sitter that causes damage to you, your pet or your property. The policy holder is covered by the general/professional liability of their policy for any wrongdoing while providing pet care.

Bonding - aka Third Party Dishonesty Bond - applies to any employees, contractors or workers of your pet care provider. This protects you and your provider if an employee of theirs is guilty of theft of your property. The policy holder is not "bonded" (because the insurance plan in general covers them), but each additional person on the policy should have Third Party Dishonesty Bonding.

Pet First Aid

Pet First Aid certification is obtained through a first aid program specific to animals. While many of the principles of first aid are the same for any species, knowledge of the animal's different physiology is necessary to ensure first aid efforts are successful. There are different Pet First Aid courses available. Some are hands on programs, while others are distance education programs.

In Canada, Pet First Aid Providers include:

There are additional pet first aid providers listed on this web site. In the U.S., available programs also include the American Red Cross Pet First Aid program. The Canadian Red Cross does not currently (nor have they ever) offered a pet first aid program. If your provider is certified in pet first aid, ask to see a copy of their certificate, and inquire about the program with the provider.

Employee

An employee is a person who works for your pet care provider. They are paid as an employee, may or may not have benefits, and are accountable to the employer (and to ACPSN, if the employer is a member), for their practice. An employee is hired directly by the company, and may have a specific clientele they provide service to, or may be called upon on a casual basis.

Always ensure you are aware of who will be providing service to your pet, and meet with any employee who may be providing service to ensure they are compatible with your pet. Proper screening of all pet care providers is essential.

Contractor

A Contractor, often called an indpendent contractor or subcontracter, is a pet care provider who is hired by a company to provide service to a specific client. The contractor may be a self employed individual, or a representative of another pet care company. A contractor does not have the same obligations to the employer (and vice versa) than an employee has, does not have employee deductions made from their income, and may or may not be covered by the company's insurance policy.

Always ensure you are aware of who will be providing service to your pet, and meet with any employee who may be providing service to ensure they are compatible with your pet. Proper screening of all pet care providers is essential. Ensure that your provider is covered by the company's insurance policy, or holds pet sitter's insurance of their own.