VanKitty Sitting's COVID-19 Policy

This page describes the procedures being followed by VanKitty Sitting (VKS) to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission while providing optimal service to clients and their cats

 Click here to download this policy as a PDF (version 1.2: July 1, 2020)

VanKitty Sitting will update this policy as new information becomes available
Initial consultation and other in-home visits with client
  • Any in-home visit between the sitter and client will take place with social distancing of two metres and with a minimum amount of time spent in the client’s home
  • It is preferred that the initial consultation visit occurs remotely by video via Zoom, with the client providing a walk-through of their home during the key pick-up
  • Any in-home visit between the sitter and client will be re-scheduled to a later date if the client or sitter meets one or more of the conditions requiring self-isolation within 14 days prior to the visit, including but not limited to:
    • Displaying COVID-19 symptoms
    • Testing positive for COVID-19
    • Having been outside of Canada 
    • Having been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
 Cat-sitting visits
  • If the client lives in a building with shared spaces (lobby, hallway, elevator, stairwell), then the client will inform their sitter of any new rules or guidelines for such areas
  • The sitter will wash their hands for 20 seconds upon entry and again prior to exiting the client’s home
  • The sitter will bring and use their own hand soap and hand towel
  • The sitter will remove their shoes upon entering the client's home unless instructed otherwise by the client
  • Upon the client’s request and with supplies provided by the client, the sitter will wipe down commonly used surfaces after their final visit; this covers any of the following that the sitter has touched: doorknobs, light switches, sink taps, fridge door handles, cupboard handles, drawer handles
Other visitors to the client’s home
  • If anyone else will be entering the client’s home on the dates that VKS is hired for cat-sitting visits, the other visitor must coordinate with the sitter to ensure that they are not in the home at the same time
  •  The other visitor(s) must take steps to prevent any potential transmission, for their own safety and for the sitter’s safety
Client illness or COVID-19 exposure
  • The client will inform VKS if any conditions requiring them to self-isolate have occurred within the 14 days prior to the first scheduled sitting visit, including but not limited to:​
    • Displaying COVID-19 symptoms
    • Testing positive for COVID-19
    • Having been outside of Canada 
    • Having been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Sitter illness or COVID-19 exposure
  • If the VKS sitter is required to self-isolate either before or during a client’s trip, the sitter will inform the client immediately and work with the client to find an alternate arrangement
    • If another VKS sitter is not available, the client will decide upon their preferred alternate care-giver (e.g. other cat-sitting service, client’s friends or family)
    • VKS can provide referrals to other cat-sitting services
    • VKS will provide client information and keys to the alternate care-giver, as directed by the client
    • A full refund will be given for visits that VKS does not provide
Client cancellation due to COVID-19
  • If the client cancels on short notice or returns early due to COVID-19, the client will not be charged a cancellation fee and will be fully refunded for visits that have been paid for but not provided; this includes the following situations:
    • The client is required to self-isolate due to COVID-19
    • Regional, provincial or federal border closures are announced
Click here to view our WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Safety Plan (PDF)
​Updated July 5, 2020
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