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How Scheduling Works

What’s covered in this article! 👉

At Hands N Paws, we use a unique hybrid scheduling model that gives you both flexibility and guaranteed work. This guide will walk you through how to find, accept, and manage visits in Precise Petcare.

Our Scheduling Philosophy: Team-Based & Flexible

Clients book with Hands N Paws, not with one specific sitter. This means we work together as a team to provide reliable care. You get the benefit of choosing your own visits while also receiving assigned work that matches your availability.

The Two Ways You Get Scheduled

Scheduling here is a mix of two things:

A. Manager-Assigned Visits (Your Guaranteed Work)

Manager-assigned visits are the cornerstone of guaranteed work, as they are shifts added directly to your schedule by Hands N Paws leaders. These assignments are made based on the availability you proactively set within your Precise Petcare profile. To maintain your active status with the company and be eligible for these visits, you must consistently make yourself available for a minimum of 15 hours each week. This requirement is essential, as it provides HNP with the necessary framework to effectively assign and distribute the ongoing flow of pet care appointments.

B. First-Come, First-Served Visits (Self-Added Work)

You are also encouraged to self-create your work schedule by proactively accepting open visits through the Precise Petcare platform. This allows you to take control of your earnings and fill your calendar with visits that best suit your preferences and availability.

  • How it works: New visit requests appear as white/red service boxes available to the entire team
  • The process: You’ll get a visit notification → Open Precise Petcare → Review details → Click “Accept”
  • Speed matters: These visits can be claimed quickly, so keep notifications enabled!

How to Accept a Service Request

  1. Find Available Visits. Go to your ‘My Schedule‘ page and look for white/red service boxes with the ANYONE tag.
  2. Vet the Visit. Before clicking accept, you MUST review:
    • Client & Pet Notes: Click the client’s name to open their full profile. Review all care instructions, home access details, and pet routines.
    • Location: Check the address and assess the travel distance from your other visits.
    • Time & Duration: Ensure it fits realistically in your day without causing you to rush.
  3. Claim It. Click the “Accept” button at the bottom of the white/red service box.
  4. Confirm. The box will immediately turn yellow, confirming it’s now on your personal schedule.

Overbooking yourself or accepting visits with unrealistic travel distances is a common mistake. Vet every visit thoroughly before accepting.

Strategic Scheduling: How to Work Smarter

Use Desktop Computer (Vs Your Phone)

For serious scheduling, login on desktop. The big screen is your command center for mapping your entire schedule with intention. Instead of just quickly accepting visits on the Precise Petcare mobile app, block out time to strategically build your schedule on the desktop site. You’ll see the full map clearly (see Route View below), group visits efficiently, and maximize your earning potential by designing your ideal route.

Use Route View

Route View (best on desktop!) is a map-based feature on your My Schedule page. Instead of just showing a list of appointments, it displays all visits (both ANYONE and your own) visually on a map. Click here for help with changing your schedule view.

This allows you to easily see which jobs are clustered in the same neighborhood. By identifying these groups, you can schedule your day in a logical, efficient order instead of wasting time driving back and forth across town.

The major benefit is maximizing your earning time. Less time spent driving between far-apart visits means more time you can spend with pets and on your next paid job!

Pro Tip: Click on two successive numbers on the map (4 & 5 or 1 & 2) to see the estimated travel time between the two!

Pro Tips for Success

  • Practice Realistic Time Blocking: Limit yourself to a maximum of 3 visits per 2-hour window and always include 10-15 minute buffers between appointments for travel, parking, and unexpected pet needs.
  • Refresh the Platform Daily: New visits are requested by clients every day, so check often to claim new opportunities.
  • Prioritize Consistency: The more you self-schedule, the easier it becomes to build efficient, ideal days.
  • Choose Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to provide excellent care on fewer visits than to rush through a overpacked schedule.

Remember: Your schedule is in your hands. Use these strategies to create a workflow that matches your goals and provides excellent client care!

Monthly Visit Releases (“Visit Drops”)

If your schedule looks blank for future months (e.g., no open visits in the upcoming months), don’t worry — this is intentional! Hands N Paws now releases visits in monthly batches to keep scheduling organized and exciting.

Here’s how it works:

  • Visits are held on the backend throughout the month.
  • At the end of each month, all visits for the upcoming month are released at once in a “Big Visit Drop.”
  • You’ll see an announcement in the #open-visits Slack channel when the drop goes live (for example, “300 new visits just released for November — go claim your schedule!”).
  • Once released, you can view and claim visits for the upcoming month as usual using our Scheduling Strategies.

Maintaining Your Active Status

To ensure we can reliably serve our clients and offer you consistent opportunities, all team members must maintain an active status.

The Requirement: You must have at least 15 hours of availability listed on your My Availability calendar in Precise each week. (This does not mean you’ll always have 15 hours of pet visits — just that your schedule shows 15 hours where you’re open and ready for visits.)

How to Meet It: Keep your My Availability calendar updated weekly and make sure it reflects the times you’re realistically able to accept visits. Then, proactively accept visits that align with those hours.

Why It Matters:

  • Helps us guarantee coverage and build client trust as HNP grows.
  • Allows visits to be distributed fairly across the whole team.
  • Ensures you’re set up for a steady, reliable flow of work and earnings.

Your active status is the key to unlocking manager-assigned visits and your long-term success on the team.

New client openings start January 2026!

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By signing this agreement, you confirm that you’ve read, understood, and agreed to the policies below. Your signature also allows us to add your email to our mailing list (you can change your preferences anytime).

Key Terms
– Client = You
– Company = Hands N Paws
– Team Member(s) = Our pet care professionals

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Emergency Care Policy
You’re responsible for providing emergency instructions and medical details for your pet. Otherwise, we’ll contact your vet or an emergency clinic in case of an emergency. Team Members may make urgent care decisions (excluding euthanasia) if immediate action is needed. You’re responsible for any veterinary costs, and Hands N Paws isn’t liable for circumstances beyond our control.

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Home Access Policy
A lockbox with a spare key is required to ensure we can access your home. Garage or keypad codes are okay but don’t replace the need for a lockbox. Provide clear access instructions in your account notes. If entry is complicated, email us a video walkthrough to avoid delays. Our priority is your pets, not troubleshooting access!

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Cancellation Policy
We get it—plans change! Here’s our policy:
– 48+ hours notice: 100% refund as Account Credit.
– 24-48 hours notice: 50% refund as Account Credit.
– Less than 24 hours: No refund.
Refunds are issued as Account Credits and auto-apply to your next invoice.

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Safe & Sanitary Environment
You understand and agree that the environment in which we provide services is reasonably sanitary and safe. If we determine that your home is unsanitary or unsafe, we’ll let you know and take appropriate action, which may include stopping services.

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Service Termination Policy
In rare cases, if we believe there’s a serious danger to the health or safety of our Team Members or your pets, we may terminate services during a scheduled period. If this happens, you agree to cover the cost of boarding your pet or arranging alternative care until you return. We’ll do our best to notify you and/or your emergency contacts in these situations.

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Third-Party Access Policy
You’re responsible for letting us know if anyone else will have access to your home during the scheduled services. Hands N Paws is not liable for any loss, expense, or damage caused by third parties entering your home during this time.

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Vaccination, Licensing & ID Policy
Before services begin, all pets MUST:
– Be up-to-date on vaccinations and local licensing.
– Wear an ID tag with your contact info or be microchipped for identification.

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Pet Safety Policy
For everyone’s safety, dogs must remain leashed during walks. Off-leash walks are strictly prohibited.

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Accurate Pet Information Policy
Keep your pet’s info in your account accurate and up-to-date. Every three months, you’ll be prompted to review and confirm your pet’s details before being able to request services. Hands N Paws isn’t responsible for issues caused by outdated or incorrect information.

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Provide Visuals Policy
For complex routines or home entry instructions, please record a video and email it to us. A visual guide helps us better understand your needs and ensures smooth service delivery.

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Flexible Arrival Times
Services are scheduled within a two-hour arrival window to accommodate travel and other clients. While we’ll do our best to meet your preferred times, exact arrival times can’t be guaranteed.

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Trial Visits
For extended pet care (e.g., vacation services), we require a Trial Visit while you’re still in town. This helps ensure your pet is comfortable with our team before committing to long-term care.

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Service Request Approval & Availability
We do our best to accommodate all requests, but approval depends on Team Member availability. After submitting a request, you’ll receive an email confirmation or declination within 48 hours. If declined, we’ll work with you to explore alternatives.

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Communication Policy
Team Members will update you on your pet’s care through post-service journal entries in your account. If they have urgent questions during a service, they’ll call you using the number on file. If you receive a Team Member’s personal number, please don’t use it freely. Keep all communication in your account by responding to journals, updating service notes, or, if needed, contact our main office.

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Team Appreciation
Our Team Members work hard to care for your pets, and a little appreciation goes a long way! Feel free to leave kind journal comments, rate services, or tip for exceptional care. It means the world to us!

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Meet N Greets
A Meet N Greet is required before starting services to ensure we understand your pet’s needs and provide the best care. New Clients can schedule at *www.myhandsnpaws.com*; Existing Clients can book through their account.

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Pricing & Surcharges
Visit *www.myhandsnpaws.com* for the most up-to-date pricing. Additional fees may apply in certain situations:
– Last-Minute Services: $15 for requests made within 24 hours.
– Holiday Services: $20 per service on major holidays.
– Additional Pets: $7 per pet beyond the first two.
– Service Adjustments: Fees may apply if additional time or tasks are required.
– Account Assistance Fee: If you request us to schedule services, cancel services, update pet notes, or otherwise manage your account without first attempting to do so yourself, a surcharge of 10% of your most recent invoice (minimum $25) will be applied. Our handy Client Support Center is available to guide you step-by-step in managing your account.

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Payment & Billing
We accept all major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). A valid card must be stored securely in your account.
– Ongoing Services: Auto-charged every Friday for the previous week’s services.
– One-Time Services: 50% deposit charged upon confirmation; the rest is due by the last service date (auto-charged).
– Declined Payments: You’ll be notified immediately and have 24 hours to resolve it. A 10% late fee (minimum $20) applies after a second declined attempt.

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Contract Terms
This agreement starts when you sign it and continues until either of us ends it. You can book additional services online anytime, depending on availability. By signing, you authorize Hands N Paws to enter your home and care for your pets without needing extra contracts for confirmed bookings.

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Thanks for trusting Hands N Paws with your furry family! 🐾