WHY HOLIDAY & PEAK DAY POLICIES EXIST

We understand that holiday fees and special booking requirements can sometimes raise questions. We believe clients deserve to know exactly why these policies are necessary.

Demand Is Significantly Higher

Holiday and vacation periods are consistently our busiest times of the year.

Many families travel at the same time, creating a substantial increase in service requests. It is common for holiday dates to fill weeks or even months in advance.

Once our schedule reaches capacity, we are often forced to decline additional booking requests.

Availability Is Extremely Limited

Unlike large corporate boarding facilities, we intentionally limit the number of clients we accept so that every pet receives individualized attention and quality care.

Because our availability is limited, every holiday reservation occupies valuable scheduling space that could otherwise be offered to another client.

We Frequently Turn Away Other Clients

Once a holiday reservation is confirmed, those dates are removed from our schedule and held exclusively for your household.

As a first-come, first-served business, we often decline additional requests after dates have been reserved.

When cancellations occur during peak travel periods, those openings are frequently difficult—or impossible—to fill on short notice.

Holiday Care Requires Additional Staffing

Providing pet care during holidays requires our team members to work while many people are spending time with family, attending celebrations, or enjoying time off.

Holiday rates help us fairly compensate our caregivers for their availability and commitment during these high-demand periods.

Scheduling Is More Complex

Holiday periods often involve:

• Increased traffic
• Road closures
• Community events
• Fireworks
• Weather disruptions
• Higher service demand
• More complicated route planning

Additional planning is often required to ensure every pet receives the same dependable care they receive throughout the rest of the year.

HOLIDAY SURCHARGES

Holiday surcharges apply to services scheduled on designated Holiday and Peak Days.

These fees help offset:

• Increased staffing costs
• Holiday availability requirements
• Additional scheduling coordination
• Increased administrative workload
• Higher operating costs during peak periods
• The limited availability we reserve for holiday clients

Holiday surcharges are not penalties.

Rather, they allow us to continue offering reliable, professional pet care during the most demanding times of the year while maintaining fair compensation for our team members.

Any applicable holiday fees will be disclosed before your reservation is confirmed.

BOOKING HOLIDAY & PEAK DAY SERVICES

Holiday reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because holiday availability is extremely limited, we strongly encourage clients to submit requests as early as possible.

Many holiday periods, particularly summer vacations, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, begin filling months in advance.

Submitting a booking request does not guarantee availability. Reservations are only considered confirmed once:

• Availability has been approved
• The required deposit has been received
• Booking confirmation has been issued

Until all booking requirements have been completed, requested dates remain available to other clients.

HOLIDAY DEPOSITS & PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Holiday reservations require the same deposit and payment requirements outlined in our Bookings & Payments Policy.

Because holiday reservations involve some of our most requested dates, deposits are especially important during these periods.

When holiday dates are reserved, we often:

• Remove those dates from availability
• Decline other client requests
• Schedule staffing around confirmed reservations
• Adjust caregiver schedules
• Commit resources months in advance

These commitments begin long before services actually take place.

For this reason, deposits are required to secure holiday reservations and demonstrate a mutual commitment between both parties.

WHY HOLIDAY DEPOSITS ARE GENERALLY NONREFUNDABLE AS CASH

We understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly. Flights may be canceled, family situations may arise, vacations may be postponed, or circumstances beyond your control may require you to cancel services. While we certainly empathize with these situations, it is important to understand that holiday reservations create significant commitments for our business.

Holiday and peak-period dates represent some of the most valuable and limited availability we offer each year. Once those dates are reserved, we frequently turn away other booking opportunities because we have committed that time exclusively to your household.

By the time a cancellation occurs, we have often already invested time and resources into scheduling, staffing, administrative preparation, route planning, and reservation management. Additionally, holiday openings are often difficult to refill once a reservation is canceled, particularly when notice is provided close to the service date.

For these reasons, holiday deposits are generally not refunded as cash. Instead, eligible cancellations may receive account credit in accordance with our Cancellation Policy. This approach helps create a fair balance between accommodating clients whose plans change and protecting the financial impact created when highly sought-after reservation dates can no longer be offered to other clients.

Our goal is never to penalize clients. Rather, these policies help ensure that we can continue providing dependable, professional pet care while honoring reservations fairly and consistently for all clients.

CANCELLATIONS DURING HOLIDAY & PEAK PERIODS

Because holiday reservations involve limited availability and increased demand, holiday cancellations may be subject to stricter cancellation requirements than standard reservations. The closer a cancellation occurs to the scheduled service dates, the more difficult it becomes to replace those reservations.

Clients are encouraged to notify us as soon as possible if plans change. Cancellation outcomes, credits, forfeitures, and applicable deadlines are governed by our Cancellation Policy.

Please review that policy carefully before booking holiday services.

FIREWORKS, SAFETY & HOLIDAY CONSIDERATIONS

Certain holidays present additional safety concerns for pets.

Fireworks, increased traffic, unfamiliar guests, loud gatherings, and community events can significantly increase stress and escape risks for many animals.

To protect your pets, we may modify certain activities when necessary.

These modifications may include:

• Alternative walking routes
• Shortened outdoor activities
• Additional leash and safety precautions
• Indoor enrichment activities
• Adjusted visit timing

Whenever adjustments are necessary, decisions will always be made with your pet’s safety and well-being as the top priority.

LIMITED HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY

Holiday and peak-period availability is extremely limited.

PAWsome Companions reserves the right to:

• Limit reservations during high-demand periods
• Restrict last-minute bookings
• Require advance notice
• Decline reservations once capacity has been reached
• Adjust service availability based on staffing needs
• Close holiday booking windows when schedules become full

These measures help us maintain the quality, safety, and personalized care our clients expect.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

We understand how important peace of mind is when traveling, especially during holidays and special occasions.

Our holiday policies are not designed to create inconvenience. They exist to ensure that we can continue offering dependable, professional, and consistent pet care during the busiest times of the year.

By planning ahead, reserving early, and understanding how holiday scheduling works, you help us provide the best possible experience for both you and your pets.

We are honored by the trust our clients place in us and remain committed to delivering exceptional care every day of the year.

If you have questions regarding holiday rates, peak-day scheduling, deposits, cancellations, or availability, we encourage you to contact us before booking. We believe clear communication helps create the best experience for our clients, our team, and most importantly, your pets.

Why are holiday rates higher?

We apply holiday fees on only (3) significant occasions: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. During these holiday periods, the demand for additional staffing, increased availability, and more complex scheduling requires greater operational resources to effectively meet all needs. This heightened demand can strain our regular operations, making it crucial to have the right number of personnel available.

Our holiday fees enable us to maintain reliable care while fairly compensating our dedicated caregivers. This ensures they can continue to provide the exceptional service our clients expect during these busy times.

Are holiday deposits refundable?

Eligible cancellations may receive account credit according to our Cancellation Policy. Holiday deposits are generally not refunded as cash due to the limited availability and resources reserved for your booking.

Why do these special policies and rates apply?

Holiday and peak-demand policies exist to ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality care during the busiest and most demanding times of the year.

1. Demand Is Significantly Higher

More families travel at the same time, which means:

• Limited availability
• Higher scheduling complexity
• Longer service days for caregivers

Holiday policies help us manage demand fairly while maintaining service quality.

2. Staffing Requires Extra Planning & Compensation

Holidays require:

• Additional staffing coverage
• Schedule adjustments
• Fair compensation for caregivers working during traditionally off-time

Holiday rates ensure we can properly staff services without compromising care.

3. Pet Safety Risks Increase

Certain holidays involve:

• Fireworks and loud gatherings
• Increased escape risk
• Changes to normal routines
• Heightened anxiety for pets

Extra policies allow us to limit or modify services (such as walk restrictions) to protect pets and caregivers.

4. Logistics & Liability Are More Complex

During peak periods:

• Traffic and travel delays are common
• Emergency veterinary access may be limited
• Weather conditions may be unpredictable

Holiday policies help us plan responsibly and reduce unnecessary risk.

5. Sustainability & Service Quality

These policies ensure:

• Caregivers are not overextended
• Pets receive attentive, unrushed care
• Services remain reliable long-term

Simply put, they allow us to continue offering professional, dependable care — even during the busiest times of the year. Holiday and peak-day policies exist to balance pet safety, caregiver well-being, and service reliability during high-demand periods.

What happens if my travel plans change?

Please inform us at your earliest convenience. The results of your cancellation will depend on when you notify us and the terms specified in our Cancellation Policy found on our main Policies page. Additionally, please be aware that we do not provide cash refunds for deposits; instead, we will apply a credit to your account if you cancel within the designated timeframe.