FAQ’S
My dog is a breed that’s listed on the Dangerous Dogs Act. Are we still able to book for services?
At Mattie-Lou’s Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, we love ALL pets. I am always open to meeting and working with different breeds and temperaments. I pay an additional fee for my insurance to allow me to work with XL Bullies, as long as the owners are able to obtain an exemption certificate and certify their breed. Unfortunately, our insurance does not cover the remaining dangerous dog act breeds, so I can not extend my services to these owners. If I feel that ANY dog may be unsafe for myself, themselves, or others during their walks, I may decide it is not a good fit and suggest trialling other walkers in the area. I truly believe that every dog is different and deserving of love and care, so I do not carry negative expectations for those on the list or allow that to impact my decision-making for new clients.
My pet is currently on medication. Would you be able to administer certain medications?
During my time as a dog walker and pet sitter, I have administered insulin injections, eye drops, ear drops, as well as various solid and liquid oral medications. If your pet has medications required, then please make sure you pop this on the New Pet Profile form, and discuss it during our meeting prior to service being carried out. I am more than happy to schedule meetings at medication times for practice runs, should you like me to give it a go under your supervision first!
What area do you work within?
Below is a map diagram of the zones we work within. We are based in Hampton, but cover a 10-mile circumference. If you are wondering if we cover your area, please reach out! We are always happy to answer your questions! Unfortunately, due to the cost of travel, further areas may incur a small ‘fuel fee’ when booking, which will be made clear at the time.
How do I go about booking?
Because of record-keeping purposes and safety reasons, we choose to have our customers fill in a New Pet Profile Submission form for each pet receiving a service. This is for their safety and so that we have a clear understanding of your pet’s needs. It is completely confidential, and not publicly accessible! You only need to fill in a form once and your details will be confirmed annually. Once your form is filled in, it’s simply a matter of getting in contact to book in a free and quick visit to meet you and your pet, and then the following services you wish to book! During the meeting, you will receive a welcome pack including information about services and the terms and conditions of our business. You can contact us through Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, Email, or WhatsApp to begin booking!
What temperature is too hot for a walk?
We love to see our clients enjoy the warm weather in summer, but we do withdraw our Dog Walking service when the weather hits 25°C+, or when we believe the temperature is too high for your pet to enjoy their time out. We take hot weather very seriously- as heat stroke is a real threat and is an easily contractable illness throughout Summer. With flat-faced breeds, obese or medically unwell* dogs, we lower this cut-off temperature to 23°C. This is because the risk of heat stroke becomes even more prominent. On all walks, fresh water is available and frequently offered. We also carry a first aid kit, and during hotter days a cooling mat is also available. We update customers on our Facebook page the day prior if the forecast shows higher temperatures and reach out to booked clients to offer a Home Visit service instead. Soon, we hope to begin offering a brand new service to offer on especially warm days!☀️
