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My Availability

How do I add my availability?

You can add your work availability by going to My Availability in your pet sitter account in Precise Petcare (see steps below). Here, you can fill out and submit a form indicating when you’re “Available” and/or “Not Available” to work.

PLEASE NOTE: We do provide monetary rewards for those who choose to set their availability and keep it locked for an extended amount of time! See What’s the locked availability challenge to learn more!

To add your work availability, please complete the steps below:

  1. Login to your pet sitter account.
  2. Go to Scheduling > My Availability.
  3. Click on the New Availability Entry button Screen Shot 2022 08 25 at 11.21.30 AM.
  4. Fill out the form titled “Add New Availability Entry.”
    • Type: Available or Not Available
    • Schedule: Single Day, Multiple Days, Ongoing (make sure to fill out Start Date, End Date, and Days accordingly)
      • “Single Day” means it’s availability for one single date.
      • “Multiple Days” means there’s a start date and an end date.
      • “Ongoing” means there’s a start date with NO end date.
    • Except For Screen Shot 2022 08 25 at 11.22.11 AM: These are the dates that you do NOT want included in your availability entry.
    • Length: 24 hour, Block of Time, Overnight
      • “24 hour” means 24 hours.
      • “Block of Time” means there’s a start time and an end time for when you’re available/not available.
      • “Overnight” means our 10pm-7am overnight stay time frame. Do NOT confuse this for “24 hour”. Thus, if you select “Overnight”, you are indicating that you ARE available during the daytime on the selected days in that entry.
    • Notes: We appreciate any and all notes you put in this field; see Availability Entry Best Practices below for more.
  5. Double check that the form is filled out correctly! We don’t want to run into any misunderstandings or miscommunications when assigning work to you!
  6. Click Save.
Screen Shot 2022 08 04 at 3.21.34 PM
Sample Availability Entry Form

How do I update an existing availability entry?

Sometimes, you may have to make updates to your existing availability. Likely, it’s because you forgot you want certain days/times OFF or ON that you didn’t account for when you put in your availability initially. As is often the case, let’s say your availability entry is for “Multiple Days” or “Ongoing” and you just want to update a single day in that set of days, please use the “Except For” feature Screen Shot 2022 08 25 at 11.22.11 AM in the availability entry form. Just simply add any and all dates that you do NOT want to be accounted for in that availability entry form and click Save. Then, add a brand new availability entry uniquely for that day (or days) not accounted for.

To make any availability updates, please complete the steps below:

  1. Login to your pet sitter account.
  2. Go to Scheduling > My Availability.
  3. Locate the availability entry you want to edit and click the down arrow in the upper right corner of the availability entry box.
  4. Click Edit Screen Shot 2022 08 25 at 11.25.42 AM.
  5. Edit the form accordingly.
  6. Double check that the edits are filled out correctly! We don’t want to run into any misunderstandings or miscommunications when assigning work to you!
  7. Click Save.

What’s the locked availability challenge?

As you know, there are NO requirements for number of work hours or assignments to complete on a regular basis. However, we favor unchanging and vast availabilities and provide monetary rewards based on the following:

  • If you submit a locked availability for the next month and devote at least 40 available hours per week, you will earn $50. 💰
  • If you submit a locked availability for the next 2 months and devote at least 40 available hours per week, you will earn $75. 💰
  • If you submit a locked availability for the next 3 months and devote at least 40 available hours per week, you will earn $125. 💰
  • If you submit a locked availability for the next 6 months and devote at least 40 available hours per week, you will earn $250. 💰

If you are locking in your availability for the next however many months on the basis of the rewards system above, please send a message in Slack #availability as well as add a note to the availability entry (see How do I add my availability?) so that way we are clear on your intentions and can track your availability accordingly.

By accepting a locked availability challenge, Hands N Paws reserves the right to assign you on the basis of how far out you are locking your availability for. For example, if you are attempting the 1 month challenge, and we receive a service request from a client (that no one from the team has accepted to their schedule yet), if you happen to have availability to take on that request, we can (and likely will) manually assign it to you.

Lastly, in order to complete the locked availability challenge properly and receive your reward, your work record must stay FREE of points/infractions for the duration of the challenge.

Why shouldn’t I accept services to my schedule outside of my availability that’s listed?

If you start accepting services to your schedule and it does NOT align with the availability you have submitted, it can get confusing. For those who do manual scheduling of services, they need full clarity on when team members ARE available and when they are NOT available. If there’s a mismatch between services you’ve accepted vs availability that’s listed, it prevents us from having clarity on how/when we can actually manually assign services to you (should we ever need to). Plus, Precise Petcare notifies us when accepted services and availability entries don’t match up, informing us to move towards keeping things clear and aligned.

Do I have to give a two-week notice for taking time off?

We really appreciate advanced notice for any availability changes; however, you are open to doing whatever works for you! As an independent contractor, you can set your availability for whenever you want and change it at any moment.

What if I need off for a time that I already have accepted visits on schedule?

If you already have accepted assignments on schedule for a time you’re suddenly unavailable for, it would be in your best interest to let the team know in Slack #availability (and hopefully secure alternative help from another available worker). We discourage you from backing out of any and all accepted assignments without trying to find alternative help, as this can affect our client experience and as a result, penalize your position with Hands N Paws. See Record Points for more information.

Why shouldn’t I have more than one availability entry per workday?

You totally can! Just as long as things are clear and easily understood on our end, there shouldn’t be any problems. In the past, we would have team members submit multiple entires for a single workday that overlapped with one another and were conflicting (see example below). The reason why we encourage you to have one availability entry per single workday is so that we avoid any potential misunderstandings.

Screen Shot 2022 08 04 at 3.18.21 PM

The solution to this would be to update the main availability entry (one that was submitted first), and add an Except For date. See How do I update an existing availability entry? for more information!

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(614) 636-6644

Please review this agreement carefully. Your electronic signature on this indicates that you have read, reviewed, and agreed to the following Company policies.
Your signature also indicates that you grant Hands N Paws the permission to add your email address to our mailing list. This is not a binding agreement, however; if you wish, you can click “Unsubscribe” at the bottom of any of our emails to opt out of receiving them altogether. To re-subscribe at any point, please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com and scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address in the mailing list field and submit.
The terms of this agreement are as follows: “Client” refers to you, “Company” refers to us (Hands N Paws), and “Team Member” refers to the person from our team completing services with your pets. 

 

LIABILITY RELEASE

In case any of the Client’s pets need emergency veterinary treatment, Hands N Paws will prioritize treating the pets and try to contact the Client or emergency contacts. However, the on-site Team Member can take appropriate actions, including getting veterinary care, if needed. The Client gives permission for Hands N Paws to transport the pet(s) to a veterinary clinic or request on-site treatment, and make treatment decisions except for euthanasia if they cannot be reached, or if it’s a life-threatening emergency. The Client is responsible for any veterinary fees incurred, and releases Hands N Paws from liability for any damage or harm to pets or property beyond the Team Member’s control. The Client is also liable for any injuries or damages caused by their pet’s undisclosed aggression to the Hands N Paws team.

 

VACCINATION, LICENSING & ID POLICY

To comply with local laws and ordinances, it is required that all pets have the appropriate vaccinations and licenses. For further information on these requirements, please visit the Ohio State Bar Association’s website at https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources. You should also check with your veterinarian to determine which vaccinations/shots your pet requires. For safety reasons, we encourage all dogs and cats to wear an ID tag or collar with their name and a contact number while our team is working with them.

 

LOCKBOX POLICY

To ensure access to Clients’ homes during scheduled services, Hands N Paws requires that Clients purchase a lockbox and place spare house key(s) inside it for Team Members to use. Clients can purchase the lockbox on the Hands N Paws website by clicking Buy Your Lockbox. Once it arrives, the lockbox should be programmed with a four-digit code. The lockbox should then be placed on the main door handle or another secure location, and the lockbox code and location information must be entered in the client’s account on Precise Petcare. Alternatively, Clients may elect to provide a code for entry via a garage door or electronic keypad and must enter all necessary codes in Precise Petcare. Clients are strongly encouraged to purchase a lockbox to ensure that Team Members can access pets at all times during scheduled services, especially in situations where power goes out, batteries die, or keys are lost.

PHONE NUMBER EXCHANGE POLICY

It is strongly discouraged that Team Members and Clients exchange phone numbers with each other in working together. Phone numbers are personal and Team Members have specific work hours.
Clients should direct all communications with Team Members in our app, Precise Petcare. Both parties can communicate via submitted journal reports, which Team Members send after completion of all services with pets. More information on this can be found by visiting our client support page at www.myhandsnpaws.com/client-support.
For any pressing/non-emergency communications, Clients are advised to call our office number at (614) 636-6644. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm. We are closed on Saturdays, Sunday, and Federal Holidays.
PLEASE NOTE: Office hours differ from fieldwork hours. Office hours are the times in which we provide client support via answering phones, emails, etc. Fieldwork hours are the times in which we offer services/are working in the field with pets. Our fieldwork hours are 7am-10pm (and overnights), 365 days a year.

 

CAT POLICIES

Clients are NOT allowed to request that Team Members “ignore the cat” when providing care for other animals in households that have multiple pets. Regardless of the cat’s disposition, personality, or levels of need, Hands N Paws Team Members must provide some kind of attention and care to the cat during scheduled services. Similarly, Client must create a pet profile for the cat(s) and provide care notes accordingly.

UPDATING PET & CLIENT PROFILES POLICY

Our Team Members can only perform services correctly if they are equipped with the correct (and most up to date) pet care information. You will only be allowed to request services on the basis that pet and personal profiles are updated every 6 months (at minimum). Any Client who attempts to request services at the 6 month mark will receive an error message letting them know that they cannot submit a request if they haven’t made updates to their profiles. If there is nothing to update at the 6 month mark, simply reword a current piece of information and click Save at the bottom of the page.

SPECIFIC VISIT TIME POLICY

Client acknowledges that arrival times for services occur within a two-hour period. It is NOT possible for Team Members to arrive at exact times. This is why time frames appear, rather than exact times, in the dropdown menu when selecting a time for the service(s).
Client agrees to requesting services in the two-hour time frames offered.

 

SERVICES & PRICING

For detailed descriptions on our services, please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com.

Dog Walking
*Rates below apply for up to 2 dogs; add $7 per additional dog
QUICK WALK – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD WALK – 30 mins – $25
LONG WALK – 45 mins – $35

Pet Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 pets; add $7 per additional pet
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35

Cat Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 cats; add $7 per additional cat
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35
Overnight Stay (8-10 hrs) – $80

*Rate applies for up to 2 pets; add $10 per additional pet.

 

 

HOLIDAY PRICING

A $20 surcharge is added to each service that is scheduled on the following Federal Holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.

 

SERVICE REQUESTS

Upon submitting service request(s), Client will be informed as to whether Hands N Paws can take on the requested work via a confirmation or declination email/notification. Client understands that there is NO guarantee that any/all service requests can be approved; it simply just depends on Team Member availability. Clients are encouraged to submit all service requests as far in advance as possible!

 

SAME-DAY SERVICE REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company same day service request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 24 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $20 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 12 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $30 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 6 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.

 

OUT-OF-SERVICE-AREA REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company out-of-service-area request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 (minimum) convenience fee is added to each service if requested outside of our current service area.
Please note, this amount is subject to increase depending on how far a client lives outside of our current service area.

 

 

MEET N GREETS

All meet n greets are FREE (and required as part of proper client onboarding) for first-time Clients. To the extent that Clients wish to schedule additional meet n greets, after their first free one, they will be charged $50 per meet n greet.

To schedule a first-time meet n greet (for new clients), please go to www.myhandsnpaws.com and click Get Started.

To schedule additional meet n greets (for current clients), please log in to your client account, go to My Schedule > Request Service and select Meet N Greet in the service dropdown.

 

BILLING

All services are to be paid for via credit/debit card. We accept all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). Card information can be added securely to each client account.

For services scheduled as ongoing, you will be auto-charged every Friday evening for the previous 7 days worth of work on schedule, including completed, canceled, and in-progress services.

For services NOT scheduled as ongoing, the day your services are accepted and confirmed is the day you will be charged 50% of your invoice total (as downpayment). Your invoice will be sent to you immediately. You have from then until the date of the last confirmed service to pay your invoice manually. If you choose to not pay manually, your remaining total will be auto-paid (via card on file) on the evening of the last service day.

If any auto-charges are declined, you will be notified immediately. In the first declined attempt, we give you a 24-hour grace period to correct the issue. In the second declined attempt, a late fee of 10% of the invoice total ($10 minimum) will be added. Please look out for emails regarding overdue notices.

Credit cards are required to be added to and remain on file in order for Clients to request any services with Hands N Paws.

Hands N Paws will be paid the amount discussed with no exceptions other than if our Cancellation Policy (outlined below) applies and Client receives a refund in either the form of Account Credit(s), or in emergency circumstances as transferable credit(s) back to their card.

Client may be charged additional fees if Team Members are instructed to, or sees the need to, purchase items for the pet while under Company care, including but not limited to: pet food or treats, litter or cleaning supplies, transportation to the vet and/or emergency expenses for general care of pet(s). Hands N Paws will retain and share receipts as proof of purchase.

 

 

SERVICE CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

When Client schedules services with Hands N Paws, the Company has likely turned down other work so as to devote our time to the work requested from said Client.

Client understands and accepts the Company cancellation/refund policy as outlined below:

– 100% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– 50% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– NO refund is issued for same-day cancellations/less than 24 hour notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Refunds are NOT transferable. Should you be eligible to receive an Account Credit (based on terms above), that will be auto-added to your account and applied to your very next invoice with us.

 

SERVICES TERMS

Hands N Paws agrees to provide the services stated in this contract in a reliable, caring, and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, Client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Hands N Paws arising out of or relating to the provision of services hereunder, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that the environment in which they are requesting Hands N Paws to complete services is reasonably sanitary and safe. We assess home conditions during initial meet n greets. If we determine home conditions to be unsanitary and/or unsafe, we will make it clear to the Client that we cannot pursue a working relationship.

Should a Team Member sustain any injury, disease, or other harm in the course of providing services hereunder, the Client will indemnify Hands N Paws and hold it harmless with respect to all loss, expense, and damage caused thereby, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that he/she is responsible for letting Hands N Paws know of anyone who has access to their home and agrees to not contract with any other company and/or care provider during the duration of services booked with Hands N Paws. Client releases and holds Hands N Paws harmless of all loss, expense, and damage caused by anyone entering the Client’s home with their permission or access given to others during the terms of services rendered.

 

 

CONTRACT TERMS

This contract will take effect upon digital signature by Client (clicking “Agree & Submit” below) and will remain in effect until terminated by either party. Client may make online reservations for additional services at any time during the terms of this contract, as subject to Hands N Paws availability. All scheduled services will be governed by all the terms of this contract. We appreciate as much advance notice as possible for the work, but will make every effort possible to accommodate all requests.

Either party may terminate this contract at any time by written notice to the other. Hands N Paws is entitled to payment for all services rendered until notice of termination is received and for any transition services reasonably required to provide for the health and welfare of Client’s pet(s). Hands N Paws will not terminate during a period of scheduled service unless Hands N Paws determines, at their sole discretion, that a serious danger exists to the health or safety of a Team Member or pet. If such concerns preclude Hands N Paws from providing further care for the pet(s), Client agrees to pay for their pet to be boarded at a boarding facility or taken under the care of another party until Client returns. Every attempt will be made to notify Client and/or emergency contacts regarding such situations.

Client acknowledges that by signing below, he/she is providing written approval for the provision of services by Hands N Paws during any service period scheduled by Client and confirmed by Hands N Paws. Upon such scheduling and approval, Hands N Paws will be authorized to enter Client premises and perform services without additional signed contracts and/or written authorizations

 

 

AGREEMENT

I, Client, have reviewed this Client Agreement in its entirety. I will promptly complete all parts of my client account in Precise Petcare, and the information I provide will be detailed and accurate. My electronic signature here will indicate that I am agreeing to all the terms and conditions of this contract, exactly as they are outlined above.