Booking & Payment Information
We firmly believe that pet care should always be highly professional, completely dependable, and entirely stress-free — not just for your beloved pets, but for you as well. To help us maintain a well-structured and carefully organized schedule, while ensuring our services remain consistently reliable and seamlessly efficient, we kindly require prepayment for all bookings to streamline the process.
Payment Policy
We like to keep things simple, fair, and transparent so you always know what to expect! When you book with PAWsome Companions, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your service dates. This deposit secures your spot and is applied toward your total. The remaining 50% balance is due no later than 72 hours before your first scheduled service begins. If payment isn’t received by then, your booking may be canceled, and your deposit forfeited per our cancellation policy.
Planning Ahead? We’ve Got You Covered!
We know some clients like to plan early — sometimes months (or even a year!) in advance. To make that easier, we offer flexible payment options:
- Bookings up to 6 months ahead:
Simply pay your 50% deposit now and the remaining 50% balance 72 hours before services start. - Bookings more than 6 months ahead:
You can choose to split your deposit for convenience:
- Pay 25% at booking to hold your dates.
- Pay another 25% deposit 60 days before your scheduled start.
- Pay the final 50% balance 72 hours before your first service.
This way, you can secure your preferred dates without paying the full deposit all at once.
Payment Methods We Accept
💳 All major Credit & Debit Cards (processed via Square)
🏦 Zelle (preferred)
📱 Venmo
💶 Cash App
🧾 Checks (with prior approval)
💲 Apple Pay
💵 Original Cash
Please Note:
With the exception of Zelle, cash and checks (so long as they are not returned), a 3.5% + 0.10 processing fee will be added to your invoice total. All deposits are non-refundable, but may be credited toward future services in line with our Cancellation Policy.
Late Payments
We kindly ask that all payments be made no later than 72 hours prior to the start of services to secure your reservation and confirm your sitter’s schedule. This policy allows us to maintain efficient operations, provide consistent quality care, and ensure that our dedicated team is properly scheduled. A $15 late fee will automatically be added to any unpaid balance after the due date, and services may be paused or canceled until payment is received in full. Clients with multiple late payments may be placed on a prepayment-only basis for future bookings. While courtesy reminders are sent prior to the payment deadline, it is ultimately the client’s responsibility to ensure timely payment. Please note that refunds are not issued; however, any approved overpayment or service change will result in a credit applied to your account for future services. In the event of a returned or failed payment, the client is responsible for any related bank or transaction fees in addition to the late fee. This policy promotes fairness, transparency, and peace of mind—so we can continue providing PAWsome care for every pet we serve.
💡 Example:
- If you book today for next month:
→ Pay 50% now, and remaining 50% 3 days before services begin. - If you book today for next summer:
→ Pay 25% now, 25% two months before services start, and 50% three days before your pet’s first visit.
Key Reminders
✅ All deposits are non-refundable but may be credited toward future bookings if cancellation policy terms are met.
✅ Failure to pay by deadlines may result in cancellation of services.
✅ Payment reminders will be sent before each due date.
✅ If full payment is not received before your services commence, your sitter or walker will be unable to complete the scheduled visit and will not arrive as planned.
Why We Charge a Consultation Fee
At PAWsome Companions, we believe that every great pet care experience begins with a proper introduction. Our $25 new client consultation (or meet and greet) is designed to give you, your pets, and your sitter the time and attention needed to start off on the right paw.
During this visit, your sitter will come to your home to meet you and your pets, review your care instructions, learn about routines, feeding schedules, medications, and any special needs or quirks your furry friends may have. We’ll also go over home access details, emergency contacts, and answer any questions you may have to ensure everyone feels confident and comfortable before services begin.
Meet and greets usually take 30 minutes to an hour. However, when factoring in travel time to and from your home, they can require up to 2 to 2.5 hours of our sitter's time, depending on factors such as traffic and your location. The $25 consultation fee helps cover that time and travel, ensuring our sitters are fairly compensated—even if you choose not to move forward with our services.
As a thank-you for choosing PAWsome Companions, the full $25 is credited back to your account when you book your first service with us. This policy allows us to offer the personalized, reliable, and professional care we’re known for—while keeping things fair for both our clients and our dedicated team. We truly appreciate your understanding and can’t wait to meet you and your pets! 🐾
Why We Require Prepayment
At the heart of our work is a deep passion for pet care, but it is also a professional service that demands careful planning, dedicated time, and the availability of our skilled staff. When you book with us, we reserve those specific dates and hours exclusively for you and your beloved pets. In the pet care industry, upfront payment is a common standard—whether it’s for daycare, training, boarding, or other services. This practice ensures fairness, transparency, and reliability for everyone involved. By requiring prepayment, we are able to:
- Secure your spot. When you book, that specific time is carefully set aside exclusively for your pet. We never double-book appointments or overfill our calendar to ensure dedicated attention.
- Maintain fairness and consistency. This helps to prevent last-minute cancellations that can impact sitter availability for others.
- Keeps our service reliable. Prepayment greatly helps us efficiently plan ahead, carefully schedule the most suitable team, and ensure we’re thoroughly prepared to provide the highest level of care for your pet’s needs.
- Supports a small business. Cancellations, no-shows, and nonpayment of services that have already been rendered can significantly impact a small team like ours. Requiring prepayment helps us ensure that we can dedicate our time and energy to providing top-quality, dependable, and consistent care for each and every one of our valued clients.
We value the trust you place in us and take every scheduled booking seriously. Prepayment helps us maintain the high standard of care, attention, and reliability that PAWsome Companions is known for throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
Our Commitment to You
Prepayment allows us to focus on what truly matters—providing exceptional, personalized, and reliable care for your beloved pets. It ensures every client receives our undivided attention, every sitter is fairly compensated, and every pet benefits from consistent, Fear-Free care tailored to their needs. By prepaying, you help us maintain our commitment to excellence: offering focused attention, compassionate care, and dedicated time to each pet. This essential step enables us to stay organized, professional, and fully prepared to deliver the consistent, high-quality service you’ve come to trust and expect from PAWsome Companions.
Thank you for your understanding, your trust, and for supporting a passionate local business that takes immense pride in treating every pet with the same love, care, and respect we would give to our own cherished family members.
Why We Enforce a Cancellation Policy
At PAWsome Companions, our goal is to provide reliable, high-quality care for every client and their beloved pets. Our cancellation policy is in place to protect both our clients and our team, ensuring we’re mutually committed to each scheduled service. It also helps us plan efficiently so we can provide the attentive, personalized care your pets deserve.
In the world of pet sitting, a sitter can only be in one home at a time. When a booking is canceled without sufficient notice, it’s often not possible to fill that time slot with another appointment. This means our dedicated team members lose income they depend on. By maintaining a fair and consistent cancellation policy, we can continue to attract and retain the best pet care professionals who are devoted to providing exceptional service and peace of mind.
Cancellation fees are shared between PAWsome Companions and your assigned sitter, who often plans their personal time and family schedules around client appointments. These fees help compensate our team for their time and commitment to your pets’ care. We deeply value clients who share our respect for time, reliability, and professionalism. If a cancellation fee is refused, future bookings may not be accepted. Our goal is always to build long-term, trusting relationships with clients who care for their pets — and for us — with the same level of respect and kindness we extend to them.
We’re a professional pet care provider offering a professional service — much like a groomer, trainer, or boarding facility — and we operate on scheduled, reserved time to best meet the needs of pets and their owners. Deposits and prepayments are essential as they ensure we can keep our commitments, allocate resources effectively, plan staffing efficiently, and guarantee the dependable, high-quality service our valued clients consistently count on and trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions regarding bookings, payments, and cancellations. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
💬 What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to cancel or reschedule your booking, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Changes or cancellations made more than 48 hours before your service are eligible for adjustments or refunds (excluding the deposit). However, cancellations within 24-48 hours may not qualify for a refund, as we’ve already reserved your spot, prepared for your pet’s care, and potentially turned away other clients, resulting in lost income and opportunities.
💬 Can't I just pay the full amount upfront?
Absolutely! Many clients choose to pay in full at booking for convenience. Either way, your spot is 100% secured once full payment is received.
💬 What payment methods do you accept?
We offer a variety of payment options to make your experience as seamless as possible. While we prefer Zelle, we also accept Cash, Apple Pay, Cash App, Venmo, and Square (includes billing to all major debit and credit cards). Checks are accepted on an approved basis. Please note that payments made via methods other than Zelle, Cash, or approved Checks will incur a processing fee of 3.5% + $0.10 of the invoice total.
💬 What if my plans change after I’ve paid?
We always strive to do our very best to accommodate any changes you may need. If your plans happen to shift, don’t hesitate to reach out to us right away. Depending on the amount of notice provided and our availability, we can often work with you to move your booking to new dates as an alternative to canceling it entirely.
💬 Why do you require deposits when some people pay after services?
We require deposits to protect your reservation, secure your sitter’s dedicated time, and ensure we can provide the reliable, high-quality care we’re known for. Because we work exclusively with one-on-one, guaranteed bookings, once your appointment is reserved, we turn away other clients for those same dates and times. Your deposit acts as a confirmation that you’re committed to the scheduled services, and it ensures your sitter is compensated for holding that time—even if plans change.
Deposits also help us prepare in advance, create your customized care plan, reserve backup coverage if needed, and keep our business running smoothly without last-minute gaps in scheduling. While some companies allow post-service payment, our hands-on, personalized care model requires reserving time specifically for your pet, and the deposit simply secures that commitment. We want your experience to feel transparent and stress-free, and deposits allow us to maintain that level of dependability for every family we serve.
💬 Where can I find more information on your company policies?
You can view all of our company policies, including information on late fees and cancellations, on our Our Policies page and information on our Privacy Policy here.
In Summary
Requiring prepayment helps us operate efficiently, ensures fairness across all clients, and allows us to maintain the exceptional level of care your pets deserve. Your trust means everything to us — and this policy helps protect both you and our team while guaranteeing reliable, stress-free service.
🐾 PAWsome Companions, LLC.
“Because every pet deserves PAWsome care.”