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Welcome to Hands N Paws

Welcome to Hands N Paws—we’re so glad you’re here!

Whether you’re brand new or already a longtime pet parent in our community, we want you to feel confident and cared for. This article walks you through exactly how our service works, what makes us special, and how we keep tails wagging (or whiskers twitching!) every step of the way.

Our Pet Care Philosophy

At Hands N Paws, we believe pets are family—and they deserve to be treated that way. Our care model centers on three core values:

🐾 Personalized Care – Every pet is unique. We tailor each visit to your pet’s specific routine, personality, and needs.
🐾 Trust & Safety – Our team is trained, background-checked, and truly passionate about animals.
🐾 Peace of Mind – We keep you updated with visit journals, photos, and notes so you always know how your pet is doing under our care.

We’re more than just pet sitters or dog walkers. We’re your pet’s extended family—ready to jump in when life gets busy.

Our Promise

When you choose us, you’re getting:

✨ Reliability – We show up on time and follow through, every time.
✨ Transparency – Honest communication, no surprises.
✨ Expertise – Our caregivers are trained in animal behavior and pet first aid.
✨ Convenience – Easy online booking, secure payments, and proactive updates.

Our Service Model

All of our services are in-home, which means we come to you—there’s NO facility or kennel to drop your pets off at. We believe pets thrive in familiar surroundings, and there’s no place more comforting than home. Our care is built around keeping routines consistent and stress levels low.

We offer flexible, drop-in visits in the following durations: 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

You can schedule as many visits as your pet needs per day—whether it’s a quick midday potty break during your busy workday or a multi-visit vacation care plan that covers everything from morning breakfast to bedtime belly rubs.

Each visit is also completely customizable. When booking, you’ll select a visit length, arrival time, and then tell us exactly what your pet needs on that visit—feeding, fresh water, walks, litter scooping, medication, playtime, snuggles, or just someone to sit nearby and offer companionship.

We’re here to keep your pets happy, healthy, and loved—just like you would if you were home.

To learn more about our services, including pricing, visit Dog Walking, Pet Sitting, and/or Cat Sitting.

What About Overnights?

Yes—we do offer overnight stays! These are cozy sleepovers where one of our trusted sitters arrives in the evening and stays for 10–12 hours, covering dinner, morning care, and everything in between.

It’s perfect for pets who sleep better with company or just need a little extra love and supervision overnight.

If your pet needs care during the day as well, you can schedule additional drop-in visits (in any of the durations listed above) to build a fully personalized schedule.

Click here to learn more.

Our Non-Negotiables (in the nicest way!)

To deliver smooth, safe, and consistent care, we ask all clients to be aligned with the way we operate. Here’s what that means:

1. Virtual Meet N Greets (Admin-Led)

Your new-client onboarding starts with a virtual Meet N Greet led by one of our Client Onboarding Specialists—not your assigned pet sitter. We’ll chat about your pets, walk through your client account, and show you how to manage services. Once complete, you’re ready to book pet visits, and you’ll work with our dedicated pet care team from there!

2. Team-Based Care

You won’t have just one sitter—you’ll have a whole team. We assign visits based on availability, but rest assured everyone follows the same checklists, care protocols, and standards, so your pet receives consistent, high-quality care no matter who’s visiting.

✅ Reliable coverage
✅ Backup support
✅ Familiar faces (and great socializing opportunity!) for your pets

Meet the team here.

3. Service Area Boundaries

We only serve homes within I-270 in Columbus. Not sure if you’re in range? Click here to check.

4. Pet Temperament

All pets MUST be non-aggressive and leash-manageable (if applicable). We can’t safely care for pets who show aggressive/unpredictable behavior and/or pull on the leash. If your pet has special quirks or reactivity, please let us know—we’re happy to talk through options.

5. Safe, Tidy Homes

We work solo in your home, so it needs to be clean, safe, and located in a secure/safe neighborhood. A well-maintained environment helps us care for your pet efficiently and with peace of mind—especially during early-morning or late-night visits.

6. 48-Hour Setup Window

Your Meet N Greet MUST be completed at least 48 hours before your first pet visit. This gives us time to meet you and your pets, walk through your new client ccount, and deliver services without scrambling.

7. Lockbox Required

We ask all clients to provide a lockbox with a key stored on-site. Garage and door codes can fail/malfunction; a lockbox ensures secure, consistent access for our entire pet care team every time. You can use your own or buy one from us—we can discuss more about it at the Meet N Greet!

8. Time Blocks, Not Exact Times

We only allow you to schedule pet visits in arrival windows (e.g., 7–9 AM), not exact start times. This gives our pet care team flexibility for traffic, weather, and other pet needs—while ensuring every visit gets the time and attention it deserves.

Getting Started: The Sign-Up Process

Step 1: Schedule a Meet N Greet (REQUIRED)

You’ll meet a Hands N Paws client onboarding rep who will:

  • Learn about your pet’s routine and care preferences
  • Introduce you to your client account
  • Show you how to request services anytime you need them

Click here to learn more about Meet N Greets and schedule yours!

Note: The person leading your Meet N Greet is an onboarding specialist, not your future pet sitter. Their role is to introduce you to Hands N Paws and get you set up. Once you start scheduling, our separate pet care team will begin caring for your pets!

Step 2: Check Out Our Welcome Guide

Once onboarded, check out our welcome guide to ensure you are all complete next steps.

Step 3: Request services anytime

  1. Log into your account and submit a request
  2. We assign a trusted team member based on availability
  3. You receive a confirmation with all the visit details

We’ll follow your pet’s care plan, update you with photos and visit notes, and make sure everything is secure and handled with love.

4. We Do The Rest!!!!

Ready to Get Started?

We’re here to give you peace of mind and your pets the best care possible.
Have questions or want to learn more? [Contact us] or [Book your Meet & Greet] today!

We can’t wait to meet you and your pet!

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© 2025 Hands N Paws, LLC

Stop your worry & stress about your pets!

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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.
– Virtual Meet N Greets: Free.
– In-Person Meet N Greets: $50.
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.

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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! 🐾