Always There Pet Care Incorporated

I have never written any type of rebuttal of someone's comments but the review written by the lady who claims that the owner of Always There Pet Care, Ken, gave such terrible service just caused me so much pain that I had to write. I used Always There Pet Care from its inception. My previous 2 dachshunds were used as models for Ken's first TV video marketing piece. All told, my husband and I used Ken's service during his "learning" stages and on for 13 years. We went on several 3 week long trips overseas and traveling throughout the USA. We routinely used Ken for days when we had to work late and did not want our dear ones left too long. Our dogs, then and now, have always been a part of us; our "children" as we have none. The anonymous writer alludes to having moved to Florida only 3 weeks before going on what sounds to be a fairly long trip,which was planned for some time. Their 8 year old hound had been taken care of by their previous pet sitter for 6 years. The dog was most likely upset by the move; the change in pet sitters and the total change in his environment. Not to mention that the poor thing was moved and then left again by its parents. The dog barking for so long that the apartment manager called the owner clearly indicates that the dog was either frightened or bored. Given the circumstances it would appear to be both. Unless Ken was expected to sit the dog 24/7, it would be entirely unrealistic to expect that any pet sitter would have been able to comfort the dog sufficiently in a 30 to 60 minute visit, that the dog would not have barked incessantly under the condition of being moved and then left in a new environment. It is not clear whether or not the dog was moved from a home to an apartment or not but this would be a factor in the dog's reactions. I applaud Ken for telling anonymous that the dog had attempted an escape twice. We have 2 highly trained service animals, which by the way are dachsunds. I know from actual experience that my dogs, trained as they are, would attempt to escape - to search for my husband and I- if moved and then shortly thereafter left. We very reluctantly had to do this exact thing once with our previous dogs (not our service dogs). The pet sitter was not of Ken's caliber and we have sworn never to leave our dogs again shortly after a move. Ken's honesty in owning up to unfortunately allowing the dog to escape shows how ethical he is. Was he in error to have been in a situation in which the dog escaped, yes. But how many owners have seen their dog escape a room, a cage, a yard or a leash, when the dog was intent on going where his beloved parents were going or finding them? The reality is that those darn dogs we love some times have a mind of their own! Stuff happens. Is this really a reason for bashing a guy's company? From our experience, most pet sitters would have said nothing. As for the implied unhappiness with Ken's fees, he is a businessman -people. Anonymous states that Ken used foul language. In over 13 years, I never once heard Ken use anything but highly professional language with my husband or myself or any other client who called him on his cell phone while he was working with us. How much yelling was he subjected to? I have to think that if anonymous cut off her trip on the basis of the facts which she presented, their is at least some volatility in her ways of reacting to difficult situations. In short, anonymous appears from the facts as she presented them, to have over-reacted in rushing home from her trip and most importantly in not fully accessing the impact of her trip on her dog. Dogs get severely stressed during a move just like their "peoples". Owners need to consider this and as much as possible to allow the dog to acclimate to his new home before leaving. I wish that anonymous had considered all of these factors and taken them into account before giving Ken such a poor rating. Perhaps if she had been able to let the dog "acclimate" to Ken by having him sit the dog a few times during the 3 weeks before she left all parties involved would be happier. Normally I would scoff at anyone who suggested that there is a need to let a dog "acclimate" to a professional pet sitter; however, this dog and its owners were going through unusual and highly stressful circumstances. I think the owners could have done more for their beloved dog and averted the whole problem. -signed quanta3dgj

My experience with Always There Pet Car was very unprofessional. To be positive, the owner, Ken answered all his calls immediately and was available on short notice.
During the meet and greet he gave explicit instructions to not contact him unless there was a problem with my 8 year old hound. He assured me he would take care of everything and notify me immediately of any problems. However, the following day I received a call from my apartment complex stating that my pet had been continuously barking since I had left the previous day. I immediately called Ken to ask what was going on and to have him check on my pet. When I called he was using vulgar words in reference to my pet. He also openly admitted that he let my dog get loose twice while in his control and on one of the occasions someone else in the complex had to catch my dog. He also stated that my dog was growling at him (which my dog has never growled at anyone in his life). After this call, my husband called Ken to let him know that due to the circumstances I was cutting my trip short and immediately flying back into town to check on my dog. At that time Ken became defensive and stated that since we were canceling his services within 24 hours we was going to charge a fee of $108.00 plus mailing charges to return the keys. (This fee was in fine print in the contract, however he did explain it at the meet and greet). He also stated that we were over reacting to the whole situation.
I do not believe that someone is ever over reacting when they care for the health and safety of their pet.
Before I moved to Florida (three weeks ago) I was using a pet sitting service for over 6 years and never did I have this type of experience or problems. My dog is very passive and friendly and to hear he was growling at someone could only make me wonder how he was being treated in my absence.

In my opinion this is not a good pet sitting company. They did not provide the type of quality pet sitting service I had received in the past.

Just used this service for the fisrt time. I have two cats, and I am particular about who takes care of them and who comes into my home. I'm not sure who asked more questions - the service rep or me! I almost felt like I was the one being interviewed! For a reasonable price, my cats were fed, lights turned off and on, plants watered, paper brought in, litter box scooped. I could have also had my mail picked up, and the garbage taken out. I am sure that I will use the service again, as I feel that I got my money's worth, and I feel comfortable letting the sitter in my house. By the way, background checks are done on the sitters!