Play... within the Sierra. Relax... with Après Pooch

Other Pet Care Options

Hourly Care (up to 3 hours) ... $19/hr (1st dog) $5/hr (each add'l dog)

(after 3 hours) ... $9.50/hr (1st) $2.50/hr (add'l)

Misc. Pets (15 min. visit) ... $13/visit

Misc. Pets (30 min. visit) ... $18/visit

Misc. Pets (Hourly Care) ... $9/hr (1st pet) Call for multi-pet rate.

Kennel Boarding & Doggie "Daycare" Facility ................. Not Available

(We are licensed & insured as Pet Sitters. Think of us as "Nanny", rather than "Child Care Facility". If you need a place for your dog to stay overnight, we can make some recommendations, but keep in mind that the nearest "traditional" boarding facility is located in Bishop)

Adventure Hikes

$29/hike

(1st dog; each add'l dog is $5/hike)

Punch Card (Adventure Hikes)

26.00

24.00

10x

23.00

25x

22.25

50x

21.50

Overnight Care

$79/night

(1st dog, 2 night minimum; each add'l dog is $7/night)

Punch Card (Overnights)

3x Days

75.00

4x Days

71.50

5x Days

68.50

6x Days

65.75

1x Week (7)

63.25

2x Week (14)

61.00

3x Week (21)

59.00

1x Month (28)

57.25

2x Month (56)

55.75

Pet Sitting

$15/visit

(1st dog; 3 visits per day;

each add'l dog is $3/visit)

Punch Card (Pet Sitting)

14.00

10x

13.25

25x

12.50

50x

12.00

100x

11.75

200x

11.50

Potty Walks

starting at $14

for 15 minute walk

(1-2 dogs; 3-4 dogs add from $4-$9, depending on length of walk)

Walk Time :15 :30 :45 :60

14.00 22.00 29.00 35.00

Punch Card (Potty Walks)

Walk Time :15 :30 :45 :60

5x 13.70 21.50 28.15 34.00

10x 13.50 21.25 27.75 33.15

25x 13.40 21.15 27.50 32.75

Questions about our Rates?

We understand they're confusing, so click here to find out WHY

(Answers Coming Soon... see FAQ for now)

(Coming Soon)

Hey Hikers!

We've been on some great hikes lately, and think you should check them out with your dogs, too!

Pictures & Video

We show off some favorites. Is your pup here?

(Coming Soon)

What do YOU think?

Latest Poll:

Other Items

(The following are added to Service Contract before first scheduled visit)

Initial Consult Interview ................... $20 (FREE with any booking, up to 1 year)

Key Receipt during Consult .............. FREE

Key Receipt (other) ........................... $11 (add'l visit to home for test)

........................... $12.50 (pickup key in mail & test)

Key Return at last visit ..................... FREE

Key Secured by Après Pooch ........... FREE

Key Return (other) ............................ $11 (add'l visit to dropoff key)

............................ $8 (return key through mail)

Copy of Key (1st key) ........................ $14

(2nd key) ........................ $3

Copy of Hotel Card (1st card) .......... $3

(2nd card) ........... $1

Services to Add to Potty Walk or Adventure Hike:

Administer Meds ........................... $1.50 each application

Provide Food/Water ..................... $6 per 10 minutes

Extended Indoor Playtime ........... $4 per 10 minutes

Add-ons Available During Service Period

(Client will approve the following before service is provided)

Extended Walk ..... $6 per 10 minutes (Contract adjusted to reflect client's actual needs)

Indoor Basic Mess Cleanup ..... $8 per 10 minutes (included with Pet Sit & Overnights)

Indoor Heavy Mess Cleanup ..... $10 per 10 minutes, plus cost of cleaning products

Extended Outdoor Care ..... $14/hr (1-2 dogs)

..... $18/hr (3-4 dogs)

Adjustment to Contract ..... $5 (during Service Period, when client's needs change)

Emergency Vet Visit ..... Reimbursement of costs associated with Emergency Care, paid within 14 days. Our insurance covers expenses in the case of negligence of pet sitter.

Emergency Home Repair ..... Reimbursement of costs associated with emergency care of client's home, paid within 14 days.

R A T E S

What We Do ...

Click here for a description of the care you can expect

Once Upon A Time... The story of Après Pooch

We're Published!

blah, blah, blah

This page updated on 08/31/09.

S E R V I C E S

The Après Pooch Pet Care Dictionary

PET SITTER (noun) 1. A contracted service provider, licensed and insured, who takes care of a pet in its own home, visiting three times daily; 2. A professional pup lover, trained especially in belly rubbing, tug-of-war, treat dispensing and poop scooping.

OVERNIGHT PET SITTER (noun) 1. See PET SITTER, and add an extra daily visit, a bit of house sitting, and nonstop love and care during our sleepover from 10 PM to 7 AM. Best for older dogs, puppies and any dog with specialized medical care requirements.

POTTY WALKER (noun) 1. See PET SITTER, except in single visits. Nearly all of our time is spent exercising and the goal is your dog's relief! Best for dogs who need a midday break, or those who need to stretch their legs more often or longer than their owners would like.

ADVENTURE HIKE LEADER (noun) 1. SEE POTTY WALKER, and take it to the extreme! Lasting from 2-4 hours each, we take on the local Sierra Nevada terrain. Exclusively for well-socialized dogs who are voice command trained.

PET TAXI DRIVER (noun) 1. No Time? We'll take your dogs on their errands for you! Grooming, vet visits, or just car rides for fun.

BACKYARD SCOOPER (noun) 1. Need we say more? Really, must we explain?

What Service Do You Need?

Locals

We've got two completely different types of clients. First the locals, who go on vacation (yes, we take vacations away from our vacation town!), as well as those who simply go to work each day and want to feel at ease leaving their pets at home.

While on vacation, locals can trust that a professional pet sitter is taking care of each and every need their pets have. In addition, the sitter provides an additional home safety and security service, and is ready and able to handle emergencies that might occur in the owner's absence.

Some pet owners aren't able to make it home for lunch to let their pets out for a potty break. Others just find that they aren't able to give their dogs the exercise and fresh air they deserve. We all get busy, and sometimes running errands, taking care of kids and spouses, and answering the demands at work just drain us. We shouldn't feel guilty when we can't provide those nice walks every day for our dogs! When you can't, Après Pooch can!

Visitors

Then there's the visitors. These clients want their dogs to play in the Sierra, too! It's such a great place to experience. But some activities aren't dog-friendly. Hiking in Yosemite, skiing or biking the mountain, renting a boat for fishing on the lake, visiting Bodie, snowmobiling miles of fresh powder.

Our service is best suited for visitors who can leave their dog in their condo/hotel during the day. However, in the summer many of our clients are camping! And even in the winter their accomodations don't allow unsupervised dogs. We are a small company, but we will work with you to figure out how best we can take care of your beloved dogs.

Back to Top

Why Hire a Professional

Pet Sitter?

We know that there are options that pet owners (like us!) may think of first before considering a pet sitter. Like using the high school kid next door, or asking a friend for a favor. Or we even take our pets along with, even when they may be placed in strange or uncomfortable situations. Anyone else ever asked themselves when trying to find a hotel at the last minute, "Hmm, I wonder if I could sneak my dog inside without being seen?" (Our dogs are 65- and 100-lbs, so that wouldn't work!)

How often have you seen that look on your friend's face when you ask if they can watch your dog for a few days? You don't want to burden them, and you do have some concerns about what that person would do if your pets became sick or injured.

Benefits for your pets:

Pets are happier and experience less stress in familiar surroundings of the home.

Their food, exercise and sleep routines are uninterrupted.

Travel (even to a nearby boarding facility) is often stressful for pets.

When boarding pets, there is potential for contracting a kennel disease, and conditions are often cramped. Pets may experience anxiety or depression.

It can be lonely when your "parents" leave. When the Sitter arrives, the pets get excited knowing that it's time for some play, potty and pampering.

Benefits for you:

Relax with the peace of mind that a professional is providing the same attention and love that you would give your pets.

The sitter provides your home with an increased level of safety and security.

Your mail is brought in, lights and water level adjusted (we'll flush your toilets daily) so potential burglars don't know you're away.

We take care of other home duties, including plant watering and pet grooming.

You get happier friends and neighbors, who aren't burdened with caring for your pets (even though they say they'd "love" to).

Why We Think You'll Love

Après Pooch!

The point is to RELAX with Après Pooch. We want you to enjoy yourself; whether you live in or visit the Sierra, we invite you to play while we do the work. We are licensed (we pay our taxes) and insured (we're covered in an emergency), and proud of it.

Don't think those things are important? What happens when your pet is injured in the care of someone who isn't? Will they guarantee to reimburse you for the vet bills? We know how important our reputation is, and strive for professional-ism and quality in every aspect of our business.

It's about balance; budget vs. quality care. We don't demand you hire us for any particular service (however, we do require 2 visits per day for dogs when you won't be returning home that night). We'll work with you to create a care plan for your pets.

Need us on a daily basis? Need us just once a year? Perfect. We have created a pricing structure that provides benefits for all types of clients. We disclose all "discounted" prices; they're not just given to "preferred" or "easy" clients.

We're flexible, with a variety of service options. Just ask! We can't promise to fulfill every need, since we are so small, but we will do our best to figure out a solution for you! If we can't do it, we know someone who can. We'll try to satisfy every "weird" or rare request.

An open relationship - Contact us at any time while your pet is in our care, even if just to say, "I miss Bella; how's she doing?" When you come home, you can read your pet's detailed "Report Card", and we may have taken some photos or video for you.

Emergency Plan. This may be one of the most important services we offer outside of our regular duties as "Pet Sitter". We are prepared if any emergency occurs during a booking, and our records are a general backup for each and every client. If you are away during a disaster, we have a procedure in place for checking the health and safety of your pets.

We accept every breed! We won't say no just because of your dog's genetics. And we accept (nearly)* every tempera-ment and personality. *In order to keep your pets safe and happy, the sitter needs to be safe. If any situation occurs where the sitter can't provide care because of a dog's agressive attitude, we won't force care upon the dog. Our goal is to reduce stress for our client's dogs, not make life more stressful! Some dogs simply do better with a different type of care (boarding, for example).

Free Initial Consult Interview* - We never accept a sit blindly. We take the time to meet with you and your pets before your first scheduled visit. During the Initial Consult Interview, we'll communicate any necessary instructions to provide the best care. We want to be sure all your questions are answered, and this is a great time to meet with your pet(s). *Free with booking, good for the entire year!

We Return Phone Calls and Emails!!! I know, crazy concept, right? We do have hours of the day that we can't (or won't)* pick up the phone, however we strive to return all calls by 7 PM, the same day. In addition, we check messages several times throughout the day. And email is a great way to reach us quickly. *We won't promise to answer the phone before 7 AM and after 7 PM. And we don't take calls while working for other clients (they pay us to walk their dog, not to talk on the phone!)

Last Minute Plans? We can accomodate you. We will schedule the Initial Consult Interview up to 10:00 PM the night before you need our service. Great for visitors who drive up to Mammoth after getting off work & arrive in the evening. Great for everyone who thinks of us at the last second. No extra charge, but we can't guarantee our availability, so try and plan ahead!

Your holiday is our workday. If you're celebrating it, we're covering it. No extra charge - just make sure and book as soon as you've confirmed your dates!

Before You Hire

Any Pet Care Provider

Ask These Questions of Your Pet Sitter:

aDo you have a business license?

aAre you insured for liability?

aDo you have a plan to handle emergencies, both personal

and those involving my dog?

aCan you provide a copy of the legal terms of your contract

(including cancellation policy and other terms)?

aWhat are the exact services provided with the rate you quote?

aWhat payment methods do you accept?

aIf I provide you a key to my condo/hotel, how do you secure it?

aWill the same sitter provide service the entire time, or will others

(family, friends or those employed by the sitter) be here, too?

aHave you ever cared for my type of pet in the past?

aHow will I know what happened while I was away? Do you leave

any notes or records?

What Not To Do With Your Pets

(Please!)

PLEASE don't leave your dog chained outside or left in your backyard without supervision! While the weather in Mammoth is usually great in the summer, you never know what might happen. Predators of pets may find their way in, and pets may find a way out of your fence. And if you have a "barker", how annoying to neighbors!

PLEASE don't expect the kid next door to be responsible for your pet's care, even though they only charge $15 a day. Kids can be forgetful and are busy with many school and social activities. How horrible if they fail to miss even one visit, and your pets go without food for a night, or aren't let out in the morning and are forced to soil their own home! As well, if your pet becomes ill or worse, the situation could be quite traumatic to a teenager.

PLEASE don't think that leaving your pet alone in the home is a "relaxing vacation" for them. Emotionally distressed pets can cause damage to the home or make them act out towards you. Animals can become depressed, just like us. Please don't do that to them.

PLEASE consider factors other than price when you hire a pet care provider. The cheap option may cost you more in the end when something goes wrong. What could go wrong, you ask?

Sitter gets sick & has no backup plan;

Sitter isn't available or doesn't answer calls in case of a home or pet emergency;

Without insurance or a business license, YOU are stuck with vet bills, and have to deal with theft or damage to your home all by yourself!

If anything happens, you may have no recourse to take action against the unlicensed sitter you hire. Without a reputation to uphold, this person can just disappear without being held accountable.

PLEASE don't assume your pets can take care of themselves in an emergency. Take a moment to recall the plight of the many abandoned Hurricane Katrina pets. Even if you leave out a big pile of food and raise the toilet seat, what happens if the food runs out and that seat is knocked down? Claws get caught, doors get shut, and poisons become exposed. Why take the risk?

PLEASE consider your pet's reaction to the pet care provider you provide. If they appear sick and distraught when you pick them up from a kennel, please don't subject them to that situation again. As well, not all pets do well with every pet sitter. Make sure you and your pets meet with the sitter before you leave to ensure a good match.

PLEASE don't wait until the last minute to book your pet sitter. The sitter's schedule may fill quickly, especially during the holidays. You don't want to make a hasty decision for your pet's care, or worse, have to cancel your plans! Two weeks' notice should be good for most times of the year.

How to Choose

The Service You Need

Why Pet Sitting?

Why Choose

Après Pooch?

Before You Hire

Any Pet Care Provider

What Not To Do

(PLEASE!)

Pet Care Dictionary

(Types of Care Available)

Back to Top

For SERVICES, click here!

D I S C O U N T S

New Client ... 5% off

Adventure Hike ... 50% off

(with additional booking, such as pet sitting visits)

Fly Fisherman's Discount ... 5% off

(exclusively for clients of Sierra Drifters Guide Service)

Back to Top

play... within the sierra

relax ... with après pooch

play... within the sierra

relax ... with après pooch

Here's our cool older cousin, Mika;

popping in to say hi through our cat-door!

Hey, it's Hunter. My tip for you is to look pretty close at the price sheets. There are some BIG deals for families that have more than one dog (like mine).

But not every dog gets to have a "sister", so if you've got one of those families, you might think, "well, guess I'm outta luck."

Wait a sec, though. Maybe you and some friends could get together if you're all out of town. Or maybe you and some co-workers could keep all of your dogs at one of your homes while you're at work. We could come and take them all for a midday potty walk and some playtime, and then you wouldn't have to worry, "Hmm, should I eat lunch, or let my dog out to go to the bathroom"?

(By the way, I always vote "Bathroom Break!")

The only thing is that if any of your group of dogs don't get along, they'll need to be crated. Better to be safe than sorry!

Hunter & Bella's

Corner

Welcome!

My name's Bella, and that's my "brother", Hunter. We asked to be a part of this website because we deserve a voice! After all, we worked our tails off giving support while our mom created the Après Pooch company. Who's there to take her for walks when she needs a break? US! Who's there to warm her toes as she sits at her computer working on this website? US!

Oh, by the way, yes, we did lay ourselves down like that in the picture. But when our mom found us like that, she asked us to stay... for 5 minutes! ... until she found her camera. Ah, moms.

Come back often and check out what's up in our world. We'll let you in on events, insider tips, health issues for pups, and other important things like what to do here in Mammoth and how to respond in emergencies.

And we hope to see your pups soon, too! We can play if you join us for a 2-Hour Adventure Hike. She likes me to tag along because I stay near her to help keep the other hikers in line! And I actually ride along with my mom on the first interview, so if it's ok with you, I'd love to meet your kids! If we get along, I'll beg my mom to take me along so your pups and I can hang out when she sits for you!

(Booking Our Services How-To)

Here's our cool older cousin, Mika;

popping in to say hi through our cat-door!

Hey, it's Hunter. My tip for you is to look pretty close at the price sheets. There are some BIG deals for families that have more than one dog (like mine).

But not every dog gets to have a "sister", so if you've got one of those families, you might think, "well, guess I'm outta luck."

(By the way, I always vote "Bathroom Break!")

The only thing is that if any of your group of dogs don't get along, they'll need to be crated. Better to be safe than sorry!

Hunter & Bella's

Corner

Welcome!

Oh, by the way, yes, we did lay ourselves down like that in the picture. But when our mom found us like that, she asked us to stay... for 5 minutes! ... until she found her camera. Ah, moms.

(Booking Our Services How-To)

Here's our cool older cousin, Mika;

popping in to say hi through our cat-door!

Hey, it's Hunter. My tip for you is to look pretty close at the price sheets. There are some BIG deals for families that have more than one dog (like mine).

But not every dog gets to have a "sister", so if you've got one of those families, you might think, "well, guess I'm outta luck."

(By the way, I always vote "Bathroom Break!")

The only thing is that if any of your group of dogs don't get along, they'll need to be crated. Better to be safe than sorry!

Hunter & Bella's

Corner

Welcome!

Oh, by the way, yes, we did lay ourselves down like that in the picture. But when our mom found us like that, she asked us to stay... for 5 minutes! ... until she found her camera. Ah, moms.

(Booking Our Services How-To)

DISCOUNTS

(Click to find out more!)

SO Sorry! Slight glitch in the image file. Please give us a call, or visit our site again soon. Feel free to browse the rest of our site!