Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the number of visits I complete in a day, drop-in visits or dog walks are booked in the following time block intervals: Morning (6am - 10am), Mid Day/Afternoon (10am - 5pm), and Evening (5pm - 10pm). If a pet has a need for a specific time, the request will tried to be honored but isn’t guaranteed. Specific time requests should be communicated to me at time of booking. 

I specialize in dogs and cats as I have the most experience and knowledge of them. However, I have also owned guinea pigs and a hamster. As a pet sitter, I have expanded my experience to include backyard chickens and rabbits. I do best with furry rather than scaly. 

Rest assured, your pet will be taken care of while you are gone. Besides caring for your pets, I still provide drop-in services for other clients, as well as check in on my own pets. I, also, still remain employed at a full-time job (for now). During the day, I may come and go from your home. When not doing drop-in services or working, I can be found hanging out with your pet in your home. With that being said, my ideal clients are ones where the pet owners work outside of their home and the pets are used to that lifestyle.

YES! I actually use security/pet cameras as a tool in providing services. On a few occasions, owners have noticed something and reached out to have me check on it. For example, a pet knocked over their water dish. The owner noticed it upon viewing the cameras and reached out to me right away. Even though I wasn’t scheduled to go over, I went over as soon as possible to fix the water. If you do have cameras, the room locations have to be disclosed. Cameras are not allowed in bedrooms, bathrooms, or hallways between a bedroom and bathroom. If a camera is found and has not been disclosed, it is grounds for automatic termination of services.

While I am providing services, I prefer to minimize the people accessing your home. If there is anyone accessing the home, I request the owner provide sufficient advance notice. Since I am insured, I do not share pet care tasks with others except on rare occasions. Example of what is NOT allowed: you hire a family friend to feed your cats in the morning, but ask me to feed them in the evening. This is a liability concern. If something happens to your pet or your home due to the fault of someone else, you waive liability and cannot fault Silvluka Pet Sitting. I also keep my own visitors to a minimum and ask owners in advance if I can have a guest come over. 

While this has not happened in the 5+ years I have been providing services, I do have a plan in place if such circumstance were to occur. Owners will be contacted as soon as possible and when safe to do so. If a pet is having a medical emergency, care will be obtained from your regular veterinary clinic unless it is after-hours in which care will be obtained at Allied Veterinary Emergency clinic in Stewartville. Owner is liable for the expense, unless I am found at fault. The veterinarian that provided care has to be the one to deem that I am at fault. If that were to occur, the owner is required to reach out to myself to determine further steps. Upon the owner arriving home, any concerns must be brought up within 24-48 hours of services ending.

This also has not happened in the 5+ years I have been providing services. If something does happen, I will communicate with the owner immediately. If the owner arrives home and notices property damage, the owner must reach out to me within 24-48 hours. I do not hold onto keys past the service dates, besides on rare occasions. I recommend owners to have a keyless entry into their home or to have a key lock box. If neither option is available, the pet owner and I will discuss further options.

I recommend putting in your requests as soon as you find out you may need services. Sooner is always better! I would rather pencil in dates and need to adjust than receive last minute booking requests. Last minute requests cut into my time as I have to complete the administrative tasks that each booking requires outside of my administrative hours. Due to this, an administrative fee is applied to last minute booking requests unless it’s a family emergency or another reasonable explanation. Also, planning in advance makes it easier for me to plan my vacations as I try to plan them around booking requests. I also communicate my vacations in advance so owners are prepared. 

My clients are predominantly in NW, NE, and SW Rochester, but I have a few clients in NE Byron as well as the countryside between Byron and Rochester. Due to the locations of my current client base, there are limited places in SE Rochester that I provide services in. 

Full payment must be submitted at least 1 day before the date services are to begin. Once payment is submitted, no refunds are allowed. With that being said, my cancellation policy is flexible within reason. Things happen that are out of control of the pet owner such as illnesses, emergencies, pandemics, etc. Moments like those are typically when cancellation fees are waived. If services are cancelled and payment has been received, the full payment will go to cover future services. I pride myself on trustworthy client relationships and want to ensure my schedule continues to run smoothly. Therefore, clients with repetitive last minute cancellations may receive a cancellation fee of 50%-100% of the booking total at the discretion of Silvluka Pet Sitting.

That decision is 100% up to you. Each has their own pros and cons. With Rover, there is the reservation protection. If something were to happen to me and I became unavailable, Rover will assist in trying to find a replacement. With Silvluka Pet Sitting, I work independently so if something happened to me, I would attempt to find a replacement if possible but I have more limited options and cannot guarantee replacement.  While the prices are the same between the two, Rover charges the pet owner a 11% booking fee on top of my rates, while also taking a 20% fee out of my rates. With Silvluka, I get the full rate besides any expenses. If one is anticipating needing a refund, they may want to book with me through Rover as I do not offer refunds through Silvluka. To remain compliant with Rover's Terms of Service, any clients that reach out to me on Rover must stay on the Rover platform. 

In accordance with local laws and regulations, all pets must be updated with annual veterinary exams and rabies vaccines. Proof of both will be requested at time of booking, as well as upon expiration date. If your veterinarian has waived the administration of the rabies vaccine, a written statement by the veterinarian must be provided. I will, also, verbally confirm the written statement with the vet or vet clinic that provided it. All pets must be parasite (fleas, ticks, intestinal, etc) free or being actively treated for or against them.

If you are requesting drop in services for cats, visits must be daily or every other day. Cats are sensitive and can develop organ failure quickly, sometimes within hours or days. For example, cats experiencing urinary blockages can be fatal if not treated within 24-48 hours. While there are multiple risk factors, male cats are significantly more prone to blockages.

I am a pretty simple house guest that will leave your home in the same condition you left it in. In return, I ask for the home to be in sanitary condition upon my arrival and free of smoke, urine/poop, or mildew smells. I also request a bed be made with clean linens for me to sleep in and the WiFi password. Food and drinks do not need to be provided, but are greatly appreciated if you choose! Garage parking space is preferred if possible. Please note that I have allergies so I will not be able to provide services in some home environments. For this reason, all house sitting requests will require a meet & greet. A meet & greet does not ensure that I will be providing services. It is an opportunity to ensure I am a good fit for you, as well as that you and your home are a good fit for me.