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 1.3: November 10, 2020)

VanKitty Sitting will update this policy as new information becomes available

Initial consultation and other in-home visits with client

• It is preferred that the initial consultation visit occurs remotely by video via Zoom
• Any required in-home visit between the sitter and client will take place with all parties wearing masks, maintaining a social distance, and minimizing time spent indoors
• 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 to 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
  • They must wash their hands for 20 seconds upon entry
  • They must not enter the client’s home if they meet conditions requiring self-isolation outlined at HealthLinkBC

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

• The VKS sitter will self-monitor for COVID symptoms and ​follow HealthLinkBC's guidelines for conditions requiring self-isolation

• 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 November 10, 2020