SafeJourney Pet Sitting Complete services for your family pet
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are your hours of operation?
We are available to serve you and your family pet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are also happy to take your call at 503-209-0177 to schedule a consultation or make a reservation. You may prefer to use our convenient, reservation tools located in the upper column of our website.
2. Are you insured and bonded?
Yes. We are insured with $1 million in coverage and also carry an honesty bond.
3. What will you feed our pet?
Some pets prefer eating the same food you feed them at home. For that reason, we encourage you to pack food for your animal companion. Please make sure kibble is individually measured and packaged. We are happy to also serve your pet his usual wet food, raw food and snacks.
Some pets will eat anything and love to try new foods. At SafeJourney Pet Sitting, we offer SafeJourney Raw Food, which is human-grade raw food with no fillers. We also feed a high-quality kibble.
To give your pet the SafeJourney Raw Food and kibble diet costs $3.75 a day. This includes morning and evening feeding, and delicious, healthy snacks during the day.
4. When is check-in and check-out for Boarding and DayCare?
Monday-Friday 7 am-9 am, 5 pm-7:00 pm
Saturday 8 am-10am
Sunday 8 am-10 am, 4 pm-6 pm
Early or late check-in/check-out is available for an additional fee.
Sorry, but we may also need to charge a fee for a late arrival.
5. What do I need to bring?
If your dog is eating SafeJourney Raw Food and kibble diet, you need to bring your dog only.
If you would prefer your pet eat his usual diet, please bring pre-packaged and pre-measured portions. Also bring whatever wet food, raw food, and snacks you would like your dog to have. We have an ample supply of dog treats ready for your pet to enjoy as well.
You are welcome to bring treats and toys for your pet. We encourage you to bring chew bones and Kong toys, or we can provide them for a nominal fee.
Many leashes look alike, however, so please take them with you. We have our own leashes for taking dogs to the park.
6. What is your background and experience? 0ur team has diverse education and experience. Each one of us has earned at least a bachelor’s degree. We all have special interests and skills where animals are concerned. Take a look at Our Team to read the team bios.
7. Why do you offer an initial free consultation?
The consultation gives you a chance to meet us, and us a chance to meet you and your pet. Our top priority is the health, safety and happiness of those in our care. We want to make sure we’ll get along well and enjoy a pleasant experience together. We also want to tailor our services to fit you and your pet perfectly. Given the unique family nature of our Boarding and DayCare services, in particular, we need to understand your pet’s particular needs to provide superior care.
8. What do we need to know about your services?
Dogs in our care need to be housebroken or in our training program and able to sleep through the night. Like people, dogs can express anxiety in numerous ways. If your dog expresses anxiety through barking, whining, chewing, digging or other behavior, please consult with your vet and SafeJourney prior to scheduling service to ensure his or her comfort.
*If extra care is necessary or if SafeJourney decides for the safety and comfort of your companion that they should sleep with a human, you are responsible for $10 per night this service is provided. This fee is mandatory if it is necessary for your dog to sleep with a human.
Dogs who need transition time in order to be comfortable at SafeJourney need to participate in short visits at SafeJourney before a longer reservation can be scheduled. Please plan ahead to provide the time necessary to complete the process.
9. What will my pet experience while at SafeJourney Boarding and DayCare?
Your dog will roam 1,400 square feet of Victorian living space, including two bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, and living room with fireplace. Your cat will enjoy a separate 1400 square feet. SafeJourney also includes a secure and fenced yard, where dogs can get plenty of exercise.
We live in our home full-time and offer service 365 days a year. Our home is temperature-controlled and our lawn is pesticide-free. While in our home, your pet enjoys frequent contact with care providers, petting, play time, walks, and treats that you bring or that we provide. We follow all instructions regarding your pet’s feeding, medications and appropriate behavior.
We allow dogs to be dogs while in our care. Many dogs sleep an average of 16 hours a day. Those who want 16 hours of rest are welcome to lounge in front of the fireplace; those that want to play and bask in the sun are able to do so outside. We also have over 20 gallons of water available at various stations around the living quarters so your pet can wet their whistle.
Many owners comment that their pet is better-behaved and more at ease after being in our care. That’s the result of games we play and motivational techniques we use to reinforce obedience.
10.What do dogs learn during your behavioral training program?
We offer a unique experience for your dog. Your dog lives with us for a weekend, week or month to be housebroken and learn other obedience skills, such as sit, down, come, stay, and walking nicely on a leash. To learn more, see our section on Behavior Training.
11. What does it mean that you are legally zoned by the City of Portlandand permitted by MultnomahCountyto provide Boarding and DayCare services?
In the City of Portland, a business must have proper zoning to operate legally. Our home is zoned for both residential and commercial use. In addition, a business that provides boarding and day care for small animals must hold a permit from MultnomahCounty.
12. Why do you contribute to local organizations working in our community?
We recognize that SafeJourney Pet Sitting is a small piece of a larger social and economic system. Social and economic disparities exist in our community, and SafeJourney Pet Sitting wants to make meaningful and solution-focused contributions. To that end, we make contributions to organizations that invest in human capital, social provisions and collective well-being. By meeting unmet needs, all community members benefit.
13. Why do you require an emergency contact be on file at SafeJourney?
We take your pet’s comfort, health and safety seriously. If your pet needs medical attention and you are unavailable, your emergency contact can help us make health care decisions for your pet.
14. What if my pet needs to sleep with a human?
SafeJourney Pet Sitting offers many options for those pets who need a little human body heat to get a good night’s rest. We offer overnight care in your home. We come by in the late evening to feed, water, love and exercise your pet. We then sleep over with your pet, which is the next best thing to having you there.
In our home, your pet has the option of sleeping with a human as well. Given the limited number of humans and space in the bedroom, this service comes at a premium.
If SafeJourney decides for the safety and comfort of your companion that they should sleep with a human, you are responsible for $10 per night this service is provided. This fee is mandatory if it is necessary for your dog to sleep with a human.
15. What is your payment and cancellation policy?
You may cancel any or all portions of unused or future services. No cash refunds are permitted and credits for future use are made at SafeJourney's sole discretion.
We bill similar to a hotel. No matter when you check in, guests who stay past 9:00a.m. the following day are charged the full day rate for that day. All fees are estimates and do not include costs related to additional time and care necessary to provide quality service. All medical bills and damage fees are also the responsibility of the pet parent. Payment is processed when your reservation is made. A five percent urgent care and hospitality fee applies. There are no credits or refunds for early check outs; you are responsible for the entire service fee. Unfortunately no refunds are permitted for any reason.
16. What is Pet Care International? Pet Care International is a website and business devoted to developing best practices and being leaders in the field of Professional Pet Care. SafeJourney Pets, LLC is proud to be affiliated with them and encourage you to give them a visit when you have a few moments to read about dogs, cats and the pet care profession.
17. How many dogs do you care for?
We have cared for hundreds of Portland pets. We average 4 - 7 dogs at our facility during the week and 9 - 12 dogs on weekends. During busier seasons we go to capacity. You can view a video of the quality of care during a very busy Thanksgiving Meal:
