Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are some of the questions we have been asked. If you would like to know anything else please contact us.

Common Questions

Simply contact us online to arrange a time for Petmates to meet you and your pets at your home. A service agreement form is completed asking all the questions required so you don’t have to remember a thing.

Keys are supplied by you during the first meeting. Additional collection journeys are an option but are charged at $15 each time. It is preferable for Petmates to retain your keys which also benefits you for short notice or regular bookings and saves on additional key collection costs. All keys are coded, kept in a secure wall safe and separate to your personal information. If you do require your keys returned, we will leave them in an agreed place at your home on the last visit.

Bookings less than $150: Full payment is due at time of booking. Bookings more than $150: 50% deposit at time of booking, balance to be paid by first day of service or per job basis. Payment Methods: cash or direct deposit.

Public holidays are charged at double rate.

Should you need to cancel, no charge will be made for more than two days notice. Two days or less notice will incur a charge of 100% of the booking.

Manly and Northern Beaches area (Roughly within Seaforth to Narrabeen with more limited areas for dog walking), please contact us for further details.

Petmates is one of the longest running pet care companies on the Northern Beaches. At Petmates we care about your animals as if they are our own, that’s what we are in the business for. Please visit this page to find out why you should choose us.

We have lots of great references from our happy clients. Please visit this page to read some of our glowing references.

Petmates Pet Services promises to continually be insured for full public liability insurance plus care custody and control. We are also police check approved giving you peace of mind that you are leaving your home in safe hands.

Cat Minding

Petmates has the health and wellbeing of your pet first in mind and will always act in the best interest of you and your pet. We will contact you or your nominated person should your pet be taken ill or any other emergency. Petmates will contact your own vet first, should they be unavailable we will use another highly qualified veterinary practice and strictly follow advice given. Any vet and transportation fees are to be paid by you within seven days of your return.

It is recommended for cats and small animals to have at least one visit a day. Depending on what your pet is used to, two visits a day is sometimes preferable (charged per visit). For your pets’ health and safety more frequent visits are recommended during periods of hot weather.

We will spend at least half an hour at each visit, completing all tasks and spending quality time with your pets, but we will always stay longer when we can.

An added benefit to any service is someone visiting your home everyday. Your home will be security checked at each visit with your lights / curtains etc altered to give that lived in look.

To make your trip easier, Petmates has prepared a quick checklist for you to ensure the smooth handover of your pets to us. Download the checklist here (87KB). (Note: this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not have the reader you can download it for free from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Dog Walking

For group walks no more than four dogs will be walked to ensure the safety and well-being of each dog. Individual walks for the less social or ‘sprightly’ dog can also be provided.

On group walks your dog will be exercised for a full hour and individual walks vary from one hour to a walk around the block, depending on you and your dogs’ requirements. Should a walk be cut short due to unforeseen circumstances such as excessive temperatures or heavy rain, the remainder of time will be used for special attention and play.

Petmates is very used to varying types of weather, rain does not phase us and we will always take your dog out. However, special considerations will be made during adverse weather ensuring your pets well-being (e.g. shaded / water areas), rest assured they will always be cared for. Fresh water is provided for your dogs in our vehicle.

In our experience dogs appreciate variety so they will be exercised at different parks, beaches, walks etc. Petmates always follows rules and regulation on when, where and how dogs can be walked.

Group walks are off leash providing maximum exercise. If you would prefer your dog to stay on a lead we recommend an individual walk and can ensure they get a good run on a flexi-lead. If you are happy for your dog to be let off the lead, we will only do this after we have got to know your dog’s behaviour and feel confident they will respond to commands.

Please use our helpful checklist. Download the checklist here (87KB). (Note: this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not have the reader you can download it for free from  www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html