Frequently Asked Questions

A typical pet-sitting visit includes playing, walking/exercising, feeding, providing fresh water and maintaining litter boxes, kennels, or pens. If your pet(s) require any medication, Four Seasons Pet Services will administer them upon completion of a medication release form (this service excludes most farm animals). Four Seasons Pet Services will also provide the following complimentary services: bringing in mail and newspapers, watering plants or gardens, feeding fish, filling wild bird feeders, and putting out curbside garbage and/or recycling.

A typical consultation visit lasts about 30-45 minutes. During that time, Four Seasons Pet Services will meet and become acquainted with you, your pet(s), and your home and property. Initial consultation visits are free of charge and are required prior to the first scheduled visit. A service contract and medication release form will be discussed and offered for completion.

If service is scheduled during the initial consultation visit all pet/home/farm care instructions, contact information, security code information, keys, and release forms will be exchanged.

Please note that a service contract must be completed before onset of services. Four Seasons Pet Services will not begin any pet-sitting or farm-sitting job until the service contract is filled out, signed, and dated.

Because Four Seasons Pet Services has other Clients scheduled to visit and care for, please have your basic pet/home/farm care information ready. Although the service contract is detailed and lengthy, it will serve to help Four Seasons Pet Services keep your pets happy and healthy and your home safe and secure.

Yes, Four Seasons Pet Services will provide names and contact information upon request.

Four Seasons Pet Services is covered by a dishonesty bond and holds commercial liability insurance. Four Seasons Pet Services also holds a business license with the City of Columbia.

Four Seasons Pet Services is a proud member of Pet Sitters International.

FSPS will charge for additional pet-related services and/or consultations based upon the fee schedule for the service the Client originally requested. For example, if a Client has schedule a Pop-In Service (charged at $10 per 15-minute visit) but later requests services or consultations that extend the actual visit time to 30 minutes, the Client will be charged $20, $10 for each 15 minutes of service. Excluding the Complimentary Services listed on the FSPS website, FSPS does not offer free additional services beyond the services originally agreed to by the Client and FSPS.

Yes, Four Seasons Pet Services offers in-home overnight pet sitting and house sitting. Please see Services & Rates page for overnight rate. Four Seasons Pet Services does not offer boarding services.

A. FSPS does not care for exotic animals, nor does FSPS support the exotic pet trade (e.g. Iguanas, amphibians, rare birds, snakes, turtles, tortoises, lizards, arachnids, etc). Please go to www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/exotic-pet-faq for more information about the harmful effects of the exotic pet trade.

Four Seasons Pet Services has arranged for back-up help in the event of illness or emergency.

The service contract provides information regarding such a situation. (e.g. name and phone number of a nearby neighbor who could check on your pets/home, horses/livestock/farm.) Four Seasons Pet Services will make every effort to get to your pets as soon as possible.

In the event of inclement weather or natural disaster, Four Seasons Pet Services will use best judgment in caring for pet(s), home, and property. Four Seasons Pet Services will be held harmless for consequences related to such decisions.

Four Seasons Pet Services will transport your pet to the University of Missouri’s 24-hour Emergency Vet Hospital located at 900 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO. Every attempt will be made to notify you regarding such a situation. However, if you are not reachable and time is of the essence, Four Seasons Pet Services/Pet Sitter will use best judgment when approving medical &/or emergency treatment as recommended by a veterinarian.

Four Seasons Pet Services cannot transport horses, livestock, or other farm animals. Please make prior emergency transportation arrangements should they be needed. The University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital does offer equine and food animal ambulatory services.

UMC Vet Hospital General Information: #(573) 882-7821.
UMC Equine Ambulatory Services: #(573) 882-3513.
UMC Food Animal Ambulatory Services: #(573) 882-6857.

For alternative equine veterinary and ambulatory service please contact Equine Medical Services, Inc.
EMS General Information: #(573) 443-4414.
EMS 24-hour Emergency Ambulatory Services: #(573) 449-2242.

The choice is yours. If you prefer to transfer the key before and after each service period, Four Seasons Pet Services will be happy to do so. However, leaving a key on file with Four Seasons Pet Services will make future and last minute or emergency visits more convenient for both parties and will reduce the cost of services. Please see the Payments & Fees page for more information about key (or garage door opener) fees.

Four Seasons Pet Services will not share responsibility for pet care services with any other party (including family members). Please note: If anyone else has access to your home and pets while a pet-sitting job is being performed, Four Seasons Pet Services, can assume no liability for any damages or losses to your home or pet.

Yes, Four Seasons Pet Services can administer medications at no additional cost upon signature of a medication release form. Please note: The utmost care will be given when administering proper medications. However, due to the extreme unpredictability of animals, Four Seasons Pet Services cannot accept responsibility for any complications in administering medications to any animal in our care.

Yes, please text, email or call Four Seasons Pet Services upon your return. To ensure that your pets are properly cared for, Four Seasons Pet Services will continue to make regular visits until you make contact. This policy protects your pets in the event of travel delays or other emergencies. Of course, additional charges apply for extended services.

A typical farm-sitting visit includes completion of all tasks assigned to the Pet Sitter during the initial consultation visit, plus completion of any new tasks assigned in writing for return trips. Four Seasons Pet Services will also offer the complimentary services outlined on the service contract and on this Web site (excluding administering medications).

Please note that the original service contract will have a farm addendum attached to allow for written instructions and other information Four Seasons Pet Services requires to properly and safely care for your horses, livestock, pets, and property.

Rates may vary for horses. Please email for price quote.

Four Seasons Pet Services is affiliated with Wolfe Construction and Home Repair, LLC which provides a 24-hour emergency service covering the entire spectrum of potential home mechanical, plumbing and electrical malfunctions. These services are available to Four Seasons Pet Services at a discount. Should your home experience a failure that could endanger your pets or property, Four Seasons Pet Services will employ Wolfe Construction and Home Repair, LLC unless you state otherwise on the service contract. It shall be the responsibility of the client to reimburse Four Seasons Pet Services for all costs incurred.

Please see Wolfe Construction & Home Repair’s ad in the Yellowbook or visit their website at www.mikewolfeconstruction.com.

Wolfe Construction & Home Repair, LLC
P.O. Box 700
Ashland, MO 65010
#(573) 356-5104
Mike Wolfe, Owner