Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you cover? Will you do outside your regular area?
Regular rates are for up to 6 miles of our home office in Troy. We will generally travel up to 15 miles maximum for a visit. A travel surcharge equal to the current IRS Standard Mileage Rate will apply to every additional mile over the first 6 (2013 rate is $0.56 per mile).
What animals will you care for?
Our business focus is on farm and livestock, including equines, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas/alpacas, and poultry/waterfowl (including more exotic “farm” birds such as pigeons/doves, guineas, peafowl, pheasants, emus & ostrich). We also will care for exotics and house pets, such as dogs, cats, reptiles, aquariums, parrots, small animals, ferrets, etc.
How long does a visit last and what is included?
A typical visit will last 20-60 minutes or more, depending on the amount and type of animals that are being cared for, as well as any extra services requested. Administering regular medication is also included at no extra cost.
Services such as stall cleanings, grooming and exercising can be requested at an additional charge.
In addition to caring for your animals, we can also perform optional household tasks, including taking in your mail & newspapers, turning on and off lights, watering plants, and more. These tasks are free on request, and help to give your home a “lived in” look to deter potential burglars while you are away.
What do you accept for payments?
Payments accepted by cash, check, credit card or PayPal. You don’t need a PayPal account to send money – just choose “Buying Something” when sending your payment through PayPal with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or bank transfer.
Are you insured?
Yes, we are insured and bonded through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC.
References are also available at request and at the time of the initial interview.
How experienced are you with caring for animals?
We are longtime animal owner, and currently own & raise heritage breeds (Dominique & Silkie chickens, Narragansett turkeys & Silver Fox rabbits), as well as 2 Mustangs & a Paint horse, 2 dogs (German Shepherd Dog & American Pit Bull Terrier), 2 DLH cats, as well as other various small critters like frogs & fish. We have owned or cared for a great variety of animals, including all the above plus sheep, goats, ducks, geese, budgies & cockatiels, rodents of all kinds, snakes of all sizes (little garter snakes to big Burmese pythons!), native & exotic aquarium fish, turtles, iguanas & other lizards, and even tarantulas and other “creepy crawlies.”
Lily is also the NH State Youth Leader for the APA-ABA Youth Poultry Club. Click the link for more information on joining the club if you or your children have an interest in raising and showing poultry!
In the past Lily was an Assistant Aquarist at a science museum in Massachusetts, and cared for many different native and exotic fish, reptiles & amphibians in the live animal displays. She has also worked for a short time at the local Humane Society and cared for the dogs, cats, small animals and was the resident “care expert” on the occasional iguana or snake that passed through.
Lily was the Keene Sentinel’s “Monadnock Profile”
for Saturday, November 11, 2012.
Husband and business partner Ron is a stableman at a local horse boarding stable, and has experience in handling horses, as well as sheep shearing and general farm maintenance.
