The initial consultation gives us the opportunity to get to know one another.

Ideally, our initial consultation is scheduled at least one week prior to your departure date to meet you and your pet(s), discuss the types of services that you need, sign a contract and have a walk-through of your house, so that I know where things are. I’ll also need to receive a key and/or alarm code for your house. 

WHY IS AN INITIAL CONSULTATION IMPORTANT?
While you are away from home, you are entrusting two of the most precious things in your life to me: Your home and your pet(s).

I can tell you that I am bondable. I can direct you to my Google Reviews and website for testimonials, but ultimately, it is our face-to-face meeting that will determine if I pass your gut check. Do you like the way your pet(s) respond to me? Do you feel comfortable with the thought of me in your home while you are away? Do you feel confident that your pet(s) and home will be well cared for? An in-person meeting is truly the best way for you to determine that.

And meeting "at least a week prior" to your departure date? If you don't feel comfortable with me - for any reason - means that you've still got some time to find someone else to care for your pet(s) and home.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE INITIAL CONSULTATION?
It's a pretty straight-forward process. The first "step" is to meet you and your pet(s); see how we interact with each other. Then, I have some paperwork to go through with you: A contract including a Vet Release Form and a Medical Waiver (if needed). I'll ask you questions re: the services you need (i.e. does mail need to be brought in or plants watered), your pets' needs (feeding times and amounts) and how often do you need me to visit? I'll also ask you for a tour of your home (and property, if relevant), so that you can show me where things are. And hopefully I'll remember to ask you to show me how the key and/or alarm codes work. (Seriously, it once took me 45 minutes to unlock a sticky lock. Thankfully, the dog I was visiting was outside with me!)  I will also give you a welcome package that includes copies of my business license/permit (if applicable) and Certificate of Insurance.

HOW LONG WILL THE INITIAL CONSULTATION TAKE?
Typically, it takes about an hour.

EXPERIENCE
I was raised on a farm in northern Alberta where I was taught at an early age the value of hard work, taking responsibility for your actions and getting things done in a timely fashion. (Livestock needs to be fed – even if you’d rather be inside hiding from the cold!) 

Living on a farm, we always had a variety of animals to care for: cows, horses, chickens, dogs and cats. In addition to our own animals, we helped neighbours with their animals, so I also had the opportunity to care for sheep, goats and gold fish. One of my favourite memories is the 6 months that we cared for "Bonnie The Finch" while her owner was away. She was a little white bird - with THE COOLEST wooden cage - who liked to chirp. A lot.

Another one of my favourite memories is the day that I moved into my first apartment. Besides having a place that was all my own, it was the day that I got my first "all-my-own" pet, a 4 month old male Tuxedo cat named Tiki. Four years later Tiki was joined by an 8 week old male Tuxedo cat I named Kitten. Four or so years later, shortly after I'd bought my first house; our family was joined by a 6 month old female Black Lab Cross dog named Lizzy.  Eight years later, a third male Tuxedo kitten that I named Little Cat joined us. (What can I say? I have a type!)

Tiki passed away the summer before last at the age of 20 years old. Kitten passed away this past December at the age of 17 years old. I miss them both.

Being a home owner - and I'm currently in my fourth house in almost 14 years - has come with a bit of a learning curve. I've experienced a break-in. Had to replace 3 out of 4 hot water tanks after they'd started to leak. Had a furnace go out in the middle of winter while I was away from home. (And the person I'd asked to check my house didn't notice it was out. Or that the water in 2 of the 3 pet water bowls was frozen solid.) I've had to make an emergency plumbing call after the main water line into the house sprang a leak (while I was painting the wall behind it and knocked it with the paint brush handle). I've had tree roots in a sewer line that caused the sewer to back up when I had a houseful of company using the bathroom. I've had water in the basement during record amounts of rainfall. And the list can go on. Oh, the joys of being a homeowner!

I UNDERSTAND that things can go awry when you're away from home. In fact, it was the occurrence of my furnace going out while I was away that triggered the decision to start WhisPurring Tails. I was complaining to my sister-in-law about my frustration with the individual I'd asked to check on my house and she said, "That's what you should do! Be a pet sitter. You can check on people's houses; make sure everything is ok, give pets food and water and shovel sidewalks so that it looks like someone is home."

In 2012 I started WhisPurring Tails after I'd mentioned to my realtor (I was moving into house #3) that I was planning to start a pet sitting business. A few weeks later, he referred my first client to me and the rest, as they say, is history...

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND TRAINING
- Edmonton Humane Society’s Canine Enrichment Centre Training Academy 2012 Clinic Series: Leash Aggression 
- Edmonton Humane Society’s Education Centre’s Pet First Aid, 2013