Policies & Procedures

Please note that Policies and Procedures are subject to reasonable changes and amendments that may be implemented from time to time.

About Leslie's Leashes

Leslie’s Leashes, LLC is a full service dog walking and pet care company serving Port Washington, Roslyn, Manhasset, Great Neck and surrounding areas on the North Shore of Long Island.  We are a fully insured and bonded company and a member of Pet Sitters International, a professional organization.  We only hire experienced dog walkers and pet sitters. All employees go through a thorough background check and interview process.  Our services are provided in a reliable, trustworthy and caring manner.  A free in-home consultation is required prior to registration for all new clients.

General Policy: It is our policy to accommodate you and your pet(s) with the best possible care while you are away or unable to care for them.  It is important that you provide Leslie’s Leashes with complete information for your pet’s safety.  We will only walk dogs from the same household at one time.  While in our care, we will not walk other dogs from other households.  We do not visit dog parks or any other off leash areas.  Your pet deserves our complete attention.

Pet Care Appointments: It is recommended that you reserve your regular visits a minimum of 48 hours in advance. However, you may request a visit up to 8pm the day before, for visits Monday-Firday, but please note that space is limited. Appointment requests with less than 12 hours notice are also subject to an additional fee. Since pre-8am, post-8pm and weekend visits are in high demand, we charge an additional fee and recommend you make your reservation by Thursday at 8pm for weekend appointments. If you have never used our service, a pre-visit meet and greet is required to best fulfill your needs. For pet-sitting (including overnights), walking or boarding, we request a meet and greet at least two weeks prior to service.

How to Schedule an Appointment: Appointments may be scheduled by logging on to your Time to Pet account (see instructions on "How to Schedule an Appointment") or by calling our main number (516)307-7290. Appointments are not confirmed until we have assigned, approved and scheduled the appointment in our calendar and have sent the client a confirmation email.

Visit Times: We attempt to accomodate you and your pet's needs. We ask for at least a two-hour time window for each visit. If an emergency or unforeseen circumstance should occur, a time window may need to be adjusted to accomodate that situation.

Keys/Codes: Leslie's Leashes requires two sets of keys on file to enter the property; this includes fobs, key cards or any other special security keys needed to enter. We highly recommend that the client provide a lockbox outside the house, on the property. Leslie's Leashes cannot be responisble for keys left in the lockbox if multiple people have access to the lockbox. Any necessary codes for garages or alarms must be provided and added to the clients online profile.

Daily Checklist/Sitter's Notes: After every dog walk or pet visit, the pet care provider will email/text a visit report summarizing the services provided and any comments about your pet and how the visit went.

"We're Home!" or Extended Absence Notifications: Your pet's well-being depends on our communication, so we need to know when you arrive home or if you will be away longer and expected. Please call (516)307-7290, text or email us at any time to let us know your status. Since Leslie's Leashes carefully schedules for you and all of our clients, there are no refunds or credits for all pre-scheduled visits if you return earlier than expected.

Cancellation and Late Policy: Since our times are carefully scheduled to accomodate several pets per sitter/walker within our care system, it is requested that you give us 48-hours notice of cancellation prior to the first scheduled service day. When there is a last minute cancellation, please contact us before 8am the morning of the walk/visit. If no cancellation notification is given, the client will be charged for that walk/visit. For pet sitting, boarding and vacation visits, please allow at least one week's notice. Failure to do so will result in a 50% cancellation fee of the total amount due.

Last Minute Walks/Visits (less than 12 hours notice): Since scheduling can be tricky, especially for last minute situations, you will be charged for a "last minute" visit. Last minute walks will not be guaranteed unless there is an approved confirmation and is subject to sitter availability.

Holiday Surcharge: We accommodate holiday pet sitting, boarding and dog walking. There is an additional charge on these holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day Weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Holiday bookings fill up quickly, so please make your reservations early! During holiday periods, with the exception of severe weather, life-threatening emergencies or a death in the family, any cancellations without a 10-day (prior to service) notification will result in a 50% cancellation fee of the total amount due.

Substitute Pet Sitters/Walkers: A back-up (substitute) sitter or walker will be assigned to your pet. If a requested or regular sitter/walker is not available for whatever reason you will be notified through the appointment confirmation that another caregiver will be available.

Payment: Payment is expected in advance, at the time or immediately following completed services. We accept all forms of payment, including cash, check (made payable to Leslie's Leashes) and all major credit cards. If you leave a payment for a walker to collect, please label it clearly. If you would like to keep your credit card "on file", please add your information to your online client profile. Please note that all charges will include NYS sales tax.

In the event of an unforeseen visit or other costs (food, supplies, etc), payment is expected within 5 days of the completion of services or a late charge of 1.5% of the amount due will be applied on a monthly basis until payment is made.

Emergencies/Inclement Weather Policy: Client authorizes Leslie's Leashes, LLC to handle any emergencies that may arise. Leslie's Leashes, LLC will make every effort to contact the client. In the event the client cannot be contacted, client authorizes Leslie's Leashes, LLC to use its reasonable judgement and to be available for an additional hourly rate of $40.00 to oversee the circumstances.

Leslie's Leashes, LLC requires clients to have a responsible emergency contact to take care of animals in the event of an unforeseen circumstsance such as illness and in the event of inclement weather or a natural disaster. We reserve the right to call a nearby emergency contact in case of a serious problem accessing your pet(s) (severely iced driveway, non-plowed snow, etc). Your pet's health and well-being is our utmost concern and we will contact you as soon as possible to keep you informed of these events. Please be sure to have a disaster plan for your pets, whether they are under your care or ours.

Medications: Leslie's Leashes' walkers/sitters will attempt to administer all medications as directed by the primary caregiver but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result. If there is a fear that an animal will react negatively to the administration of a medication (bite, scratch or claw the caregiver) the sitter/walker reserves the right to not administer the medication. Ther sitter/walker will inform you of these circumstances as soon as possible.

Pet Guardianship: In the unfortunate event that you become incapacitated while your pet(s) are in our care, please name a person who should be contacted to become their temporary guardian until care can be provided as arranged for in your legal documents. We urge you to address the care of your pet(s) when planning your estate. Be sure that the named person is aware of your appointing them as guardian.

Liability Policy:

• Leslie's Leashes, LLC and its contractors agree to provide services in a reliable and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services, the client expressly waives any and all claims against Leslie's Leashes, LLc or its contractors, unless arising from willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of Leslie's Leashes, LLC. Leslie's Leashes reserves the right to refuse or cancel any services to any pet. At no time will a pet be abandoned unless the immediate safety of a sitter/walker is at risk.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC cannot be held responsible for animals that cause damage to furniture, carpet, flooring/woodwork, walls, etc.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC is not responsible for security of the premises or loss if other individuals have access to the home.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC cannot be responsible for animals that bite, suffer an accidental death or escape from faulty fencing or from inside the home due to faulty doors, etc.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC cannot be responsible for any complications animals may suffer or action of animals while they are unattended.
• The client understands that all animals must have a veterinarian and must be up to date on all required vaccinations. Proof of vaccination is required.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC does not accept aggressive animals. Client agrees to be responsible for all costs (including, but not limited to, medical care, attorney fees, etc) if client's pet should bite or scratch another person or animal.
• Leslie's Leashes, LLC will not walk unruly or untrained dogs that choke themselves on their leash. All dogs must be walked on a leash.
• Client is responsible for making arrangements for snow removal. Visits may not be made in snow-covered driveways and/or walkways because of safety concerns.