Basic Home Visit (Once a Day)
Description: Suitable for homes with fewer or low-maintenance pets (e.g., Cats, Guinea Pigs, Fish, Chickens). Includes travel to the client's home, feeding pets, refreshing water bowls, giving love and playtime, watering the garden, collecting mail, putting bins out/in, and attending to any minor household duties.
Duration: The visits will last as long as necessary, depending on the duties required.
Price: $40 per visit (for up to 3 pets)
Additional pets: $10 per additional pet (especially for pets that require more care, like dogs, horses, or goats)
Extended Home Visit (Twice a Day)
Description: Two visits per day, ideal for clients with more pets or those with a mix of small and large animals (e.g., dogs, cats, and horses). This option ensures pets receive extra care and attention, with morning and evening check-ins.
Duration: The visits will last as long as necessary, depending on the duties required.
Price: $70 per day (for up to 3 pets)
Additional pets: $10 per extra pet per day (especially for larger or more demanding animals like horses, goats, etc.)
Large Household Visit (Once or Twice a Day)
Description: For homes with multiple animals or larger pets requiring more time and care (e.g., dogs, cats, horses, goats, etc.). This visit includes extra time for feeding and care of all pets, as well as household duties.
Duration: 45-60 minutes per visit.
Price:
$60 per visit (for 3-5 pets)
$110 per day for twice-daily visits
Additional pets: $10 per additional pet per visit
Travel Fees
Why Choose Samford Pet Watch?
With over a decade of experience serving the Samford community, I know that pet minding goes beyond just feeding and refreshing water bowls. It's about trust, responsibility, and the ability to handle unexpected situations with care. I, Amie Forbes, successfully ran a pet minding business for nearly ten years until the disruptions caused by COVID-19 halted travel plans. Now that things have returned to normal, I’m excited to bring my refined and well-prepared pet minding services back to you.
What sets Samford Pet Watch apart is not just my love for animals, but my deep understanding of the responsibility involved in caring for your cherished pets and home. Over the years, I've gained valuable experience in anticipating and managing unforeseen challenges, ensuring your pets are in the safest hands possible. Whether it's handling emergencies like smoke alarms going off, responding when a gardener accidentally locks pets in a shed, or taking swift action if a pet falls ill, I have procedures in place to address these situations quickly and efficiently.
As a well-known and trusted community member with numerous references, I’ve built a reputation for reliability and care. I treat your pets and your home with the same level of commitment and affection as if they were my own.
Choosing Samford Pet Watch means opting for a professional with the experience and foresight to manage most situations effectively.
Don’t leave your pets’ well-being to chance with someone simply looking to earn a bit of extra money. Choose a professional who understands the stakes and has the skills to keep your pets safe, healthy, and happy while you’re away.
How often will you visit my pet?
At Samford Pet Watch, I typically schedule visits around my other commitments, including my photography business, Amie Forbes Photography, and other pet minding jobs. I aim to stick to a regular time window for visits, but the exact time each morning or evening can vary depending on the number of bookings I have that day and during peak seasons.
For example: Morning visits are usually conducted between 7-10am. Evening visits take place between 4-7pm.
I try to make visits during daylight hours whenever possible, though this can also vary with the time of year. If there’s ever an emergency, that will always take priority, and in the rare case that I can’t attend (like if I have a wedding booking), my trusted backup minder, Lauren, will step in to cover the visit. I’ll always make sure you’re informed in advance if any changes to your usual service occur.
Can I book multiple visits per day?
Yes, you can book multiple visits per day! I offer both morning visits (between 7-10am) and evening visits (between 4-7pm) to ensure your pets are well cared for throughout the day. Whether your pets need extra feeding, playtime, or attention, I can tailor the visits to suit their needs.
What areas do you service?
At Samford Pet Watch, I proudly serve Samford and the surrounding communities, ensuring your pets are cared for while you're away. Here’s a breakdown of the areas I service and associated travel fees:
Local Area (0-10 km radius): No additional travel fee. Pet minding rates include travel costs for clients within 10 km of my base.
Extended Local Area (11-20 km radius): $10 per visit. This small fee helps cover fuel and travel time.
Greater Community Area (21-30 km radius): $20 per visit. For clients located further out, this fee covers the longer travel distances.
Outlying Areas (31+ km radius): Custom pricing. For locations beyond 30 km, travel fees are based on your location and visit frequency. Contact me for a personalised quote.
Do you look after large animals?
At this time, I do not offer care for large animals, particularly horses. Samford no longer has an after-hours emergency vet service for large animals, and I personally lack experience with handling such animals. This means I am not equipped to properly assess or manage emergency situations involving large animals, nor can I transport them if needed. While I am happy to provide feeding and water-checking services for large animals if clients are fully aware and accept the limitations of my services, please understand that this is the extent of what I can offer. For emergencies, it is essential that you have an alternative emergency contact in place who is equipped to handle such situations. Your pet’s safety and well-being are important, and having the right resources for large animal care is crucial.
Can you give my pet medication?
Yes, I can give your pet medication if clear instructions are provided.
How do I know my pet is being taken care of?
At the end of each visit, you'll receive a courtesy message confirming that your pets and property are safe and sound. During the visit, I take photos of all tasks completed, and I can provide these to you if you’d like. The images are uploaded to an online platform and stored for record-keeping.
Do you stay overnight?
I do not offer house sitting or overnight stays currently.
Can you handle emergency situations?
In handling emergency situations, I take every precaution to ensure your pets receive prompt and effective care. With extensive experience dealing with various scenarios, I have comprehensive paperwork and detailed plans in place. This includes up-to-date vet details, emergency contact information, and guidelines for managing any financial obligations related to emergencies. Should any unforeseen issues arise, I am prepared to transport your pet to a vet and follow established protocols to keep you informed. Additionally, I have a backup minder available to step in if something were to happen to me, always ensuring continuity of care for your pets.
What happens if my pet doesn’t respond well to strangers?
If your pet doesn’t respond well to strangers, I approach the situation with extra care and sensitivity. For pets that are shy or anxious, I take the time to build trust and establish a calm, reassuring environment. I understand that some pets may become protective or anxious, particularly in their own space. However, I must clarify that I cannot accept pets with a history of aggression or those that have displayed aggressive behaviour, including any that have bitten someone. Ensuring the safety of all animals and myself is a top priority. For pets with serious behavioural issues or past aggression, I recommend consulting a professional animal behaviorist or a specialized care provider equipped to handle such situations. Your pet's well-being and a positive care experience are my primary concerns.
"Amie is the most loving and capable pet minder I know! I felt 100% confident with leaving my zoo with her when we went away over Xmas ! I know she loves my animals as much as I do and would do anything for them if they got into harms way how nice they can stay in their own house!!"
- KT Gray