It’s a simple process:

Set Your Availability: This is the most important step! In Precise Petcare, go to Scheduling > My Availability and block off all the times you are ready to work.

Notify Your Team Lead: Send a quick DM to your Team Lead on Slack (e.g., “Hi [Team Lead Name], my availability is set and I’m ready for my first visit!”).

Get Assigned: Your Team Lead will assign a visit that fits your schedule. For your very first one, a Team Lead will join you to provide support and answer any questions.

Your schedule is built on a powerful combination of reliability and flexibility:

We Assign Visits Based on Your Availability: Management will assign you visits based on the availability you input into Precise Petcare. We ask that you maintain your calendar at least two weeks in advance to ensure you receive a consistent and reliable schedule.

You Pick Up Visits at Your Leisure: In addition to your assigned visits, you have the freedom to pick up additional visits at your leisure. New booking requests are posted for the whole team to claim on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing you to easily add more work whenever it suits you.

This hybrid approach guarantees you a baseline of scheduled work while giving you total control to increase your bookings based on your own preferences and availability.

Great question! It’s rare for there to be no work for long, as clients book all the time and new visits pop up every single day! The schedule is constantly changing with new opportunities.

The best way to ensure you get plenty of visits is to be proactive:

Book Yourself in Advance: The key is to set your availability as far in advance as possible. The longer you wait to block off your available times, the fewer opportunities there are, as other team members will have already been assigned work. Planning ahead is your biggest advantage!

Enable Notifications: Make sure your Precise Petcare app notifications are turned ON so you’re the first to know when new visits are posted and can claim them quickly.

In short: A quiet schedule is usually temporary. By keeping your availability updated for the weeks ahead, you’ll be first in line for new visits as they come in!

Once you are assigned to a service, you are expected to complete it. This reliability is crucial for our clients and their pets.

However, we understand that true emergencies and illness happen. In that case, our protocol is simple:

Communicate Immediately: You must contact your manager or Team Lead as soon as possible via Slack or phone.

We Find Coverage: Your manager will then work quickly to find another team member to cover the visit for you.

The most important thing is immediate communication. By letting us know right away, we can work together to ensure the client and pet are never left without care.

We’ve got you covered! If a client cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice, or if you arrive for a scheduled visit and the pets aren’t home, it is treated as a cancellation and you will still be paid in full for that service.

Our policy is designed to protect your time and ensure you are compensated for last-minute changes that are outside of your control.

All team members are paid bi-weekly (every two weeks) via direct deposit straight to the bank account you set up during onboarding.

Team members earn a 50% commission on the total service fee paid by the client.

It’s calculated per visit. For example, if a client pays $30 for a dog walk, your pay for that visit would be $15.

Your earnings are automatically tracked in Precise Petcare, and detailed reports are available under Payroll each payday.

Yes, 100%! This is a huge perk. Any tips given by clients—whether in cash or through the app—are yours to keep entirely. They are not subject to commission and will be added to your pay.

Absolutely! There are several ways to boost your income:

Multi-Pet Households: Earn extra for each additional pet.

Holiday Rates: Higher pay rates on major holidays.

Last-Minute Bookings: Clients pay a premium for urgent requests.

Keep 100% of Your Tips: As mentioned above!

Monthly Contest: Participate in our fun monthly challenges for a chance to win a 20% commission raise! More details here.

This is a very common question! As an Independent Contractor, you are responsible for managing your own taxes.

You will receive a Form 1099-NEC at the end of the year if you earn over $600.

You must set aside a portion of your income to pay your own taxes, including self-employment tax.

We highly recommend consulting with a tax professional in your first year to get advice tailored to your situation. They can also help you identify potential tax write-offs for mileage and pet care supplies.

For a complete breakdown, please see our detailed guide: Everything You Need to Know About Taxes

Your safety comes first.

Do not attempt to handle an animal that is showing signs of aggression (growling, baring teeth, hackles raised) or severe illness (vomiting, lethargy, difficulty breathing).

Retreat to a safe location and if it’s an absolute life-or-death emergency, contact an emergency vet and/or the vet on file.

Notify Your Team Lead & the Client: Message your Team Lead immediately and inform the client of the situation.

Follow & Document: Your Team Lead will guide you through the next steps. Be sure to document everything that happened in your journal report after the situation is resolved.

Don’t panic! This happens sometimes.

Double-Check Notes: Re-read the client’s notes in Precise Petcare for any special instructions you might have missed, or even backup entry instructions.

Get Team Backup: Post in the Slack #help channel. A manager or fellow sitter can often help troubleshoot the issue instantly using our shared resources.

Contact the Client: If the team isn’t able to resolve it quickly, then send a polite message to the client. They often respond quickly.

Yes, basic clean-up is part of providing excellent care.

Clients expect you to handle accidents and messes that occur during your visit.

Supplies like paper towels, spray cleaner, and bags are typically provided by the client. Check under the sink or in utility rooms. The location of supplies will also be detailed in the client’s notes.

If no supplies are available, do your best and note it in your journal report so the client and future sitters are aware.

This is a scary situation, but we have a protocol.

For Injuries: Provide first aid if you are trained and it is safe to do so. Contact your Team Lead on Slack IMMEDIATELY. They will guide you on whether to call the client, go to the vet, or both. The client’s vet info is always available in their Precise Petcare profile.

For a Lost Pet: Stay calm and search the immediate area while calling their name. Contact the client and your Team Lead right away. They can help coordinate a search and provide additional resources.

Use your best judgment and prioritize safety.

Extreme Heat/Cold: Always prioritize the pet’s comfort and safety. On very hot or cold days, shorten walks and focus on a quick potty break followed by indoor play. A great rule of thumb: if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Always check the client’s notes in Precise Petcare, as they often specify their preferred weather protocols (like skipping walks entirely in extreme conditions). When in doubt, choose the safer, shorter option.

Thunderstorms/Lightning: Skip the walk entirely. Provide a potty break only if it is safe to do so (no visible lightning) and focus on indoor engagement.

Your Safety: Do not put yourself in danger by driving or walking in unsafe conditions (e.g., tornado warnings, ice storms). Communicate with your Team Lead and the client about any necessary adjustments.

We recommend a “Go-Bag” with your essentials. The client typically provides the pet’s specific items.

What You Should Bring:
Backup leash (a must-have!)
Comfortable Walking Shoes – Invest in good-quality, supportive tennis shoes for long walks.
Weather-Appropriate Gear – Raincoat, umbrella, gloves, hat, sunscreen, and a towel to dry wet paws after walks.
Waste Bags – Always carry extra dog waste bags for proper cleanup.
Water – Bring water and/or a dog walking water bottle, especially during long walks or hot weather.
Extra Leashes & Collars – Have a backup leash and collar, plus consider using a shoulder-strap leash for hands-free convenience.
Phone with All Necessary Apps – Ensure your phone has all company apps installed, fully charged, and ready to reference notes, checklists, and stay connected.
First Aid Kit for Pets – Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pet-safe ointment, and emergency vet numbers.
Hand Sanitizer & Disinfectant Wipes – Keep your hands and surfaces clean during and after visits.

What the Client Provides:
The pet’s food, treats, and medications.
Their own leash, harness, and toys.
Cleaning supplies for accidents (paper towels, spray, bags).

The golden rule is to communicate at key touchpoints.

Your First Resource is Your Team: For any questions before, during, or after a visit, your first step is always to ask in the Slack #help channel. We are here to get you answers quickly.

Before the Visit: If you have a question about the client’s notes that the team cannot answer, then you can reach out to the client via Precise Petcare.

During the Visit: Your main communication is a detailed journal report with photos, sent before you leave. This provides clients with peace of mind and is often all they need.

After the Visit: Only contact the client again if they have a follow-up question for you, or if something unusual occurred that requires urgent clarification. Otherwise, consider the visit complete once the journal is sent.

Think of your journal as telling the story of the visit. A great report includes:

A Summary: “Fluffy and I had a great walk! He did his business right away and was a perfect gentleman.”

Key Details:
Potty breaks: Did they go? What did they do?
Food/Water: “Ate all his food,” “Drank plenty of water.”
Medication: “Gave insulin shot with breakfast as directed.”
Behavior/Energy: “She was super playful today!” or “Seemed a little sleepy, but cuddly.”

Lots of Photos! Clients love seeing their happy, well-cared-for pets. Aim for 3-5 great photos.

Don’t take it personally. How you handle it matters most.

Listen and Apologize: “Thank you for letting me know. I’m so sorry that happened.”

Do Not Argue: Your goal is to de-escalate, not to be right.

Loop in Your Team Lead Immediately. Screenshot the message and send it to your Lead on Slack. Say, “I just received this from [Client Name], can you advise on next steps?”

Collaborate With Management: Your Team Lead will step in to help you communicate with the client and find a resolution. You are not alone in this.

It depends on the situation, but you’re always supported!

For urgent issues during a visit (safety, access, pet emergency): Post immediately in the Slack #help channel. This alerts the entire online team and leadership for the fastest response.

For non-urgent questions (scheduling, pay, general advice): Post in Slack #general or DM your Team Lead.

For personal/private matters: You can DM your Team Lead directly.

For technical/Precise Petcare app support: Submit a support ticket.

Yes, absolutely! You are not thrown into the deep end. For your first official assignment, a Team Lead will join you to provide hands-on support, answer questions, and help you navigate the visit. They are there to ensure you and the pet have a successful and positive experience.

The main things we look for are all centered on communication and reliability:

Being a “No-Show” or Very Late: This is the most serious issue. Always communicate delays or problems immediately.

Cutting Visits Short: Always stay for the full duration the client has booked and paid for.

Poor Communication: Not sending a journal report, not reading notes, or not asking for help when you need it.

Lack of Professionalism: This includes how you communicate with clients and team members.

You must arrive within the scheduled two-hour service window. Do not arrive early or late. If you will be more than 5-10 minutes late, you must notify the client via text and DM your Team Lead on Slack immediately. Prompt communication is required to maintain client trust and team coordination.

We operate with an accountability system designed to maintain our high standards of service. While most of our guidelines are best practices, significant deviations will result in points being added to your record. These include:

Very late arrivals or no-shows to scheduled visits
Failing to communicate with clients about their pets
Cutting visits shorter than the booked duration
Disrespectful treatment of team members, clients, or pets

We view this as an accountability measure rather than discipline – it’s designed to help guide you back to the excellent performance we know you’re capable of delivering. This system helps ensure we maintain consistent quality care for our clients and their pets.

You can learn more about our accountability system here.

We recommend clean, comfortable, and practical clothing you don’t mind getting dirty (or furry!). Wear weather-appropriate gear and comfortable shoes for walking. You can rep Hands N Paws with gear from our Etsy shop if you’d like!

This is an important distinction with specific responsibilities. It means:

You are your own boss in terms of managing your schedule and how you perform your work.

You are responsible for your taxes. Hands N Paws does not withhold taxes from your pay. You will receive a 1099 form if you earn over $600 in a year and are responsible for filing and paying your own taxes.

You have flexibility but also the responsibility that comes with it.

We provide the platform, clients, and support, and you provide the excellent pet care.

Please note: While you have independence in how you work, we maintain high standards for pet care and client service. We will enforce these standards as needed to ensure quality and consistency across our team.

Just two! Precise Petcare is for managing your schedule, viewing client notes, and submitting visit reports. Slack is for all team communication and getting help. Ensure notifications are on for both!

All the details are in the Client and Pet Profiles within Precise Petcare for each booking. Always review this thoroughly before every visit.

All time logging and communication is done through the Precise Petcare app.

Logging Time: Use the “Arrived” and “Complete” buttons within the app at the start and end of each visit to automatically record your time.

Submitting Notes: After hitting “Complete”, you will be prompted to complete a Journal Report. This is where you add details about the visit, upload photos, and record important information like potty breaks and feeding times. This report is automatically sent to the client.

Slack is our virtual headquarters for all team communication and support.

#help Channel: Use this channel for any urgent questions or issues during visits. It ensures the entire online team sees your request for fast assistance.

#general Channel: Used for team announcements, introductions, and non-urgent conversations.

Direct Messages (DMs): Use DMs to contact your Team Lead for personal or schedule-related matters.

Click here to learn more.

For technical support with Precise Petcare, click here to submit a support ticket. For issues with Slack, click here to visit their help center.