House and pet sitting in Rapid City, Box Elder & Black Hawk.
Care for the home you love and the pets who make it yours, in the comfort of their own familiar surroundings.
Start with a free consultation at your home. Care is confirmed together afterward.
Pet sittingRapid City, SD
Hi, I’m Jennifer—a mom of five, grandma to two girls, and proud pet parent to six fur babies.
Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My 35 years of experience began with my first job washing dogs at a grooming shop. Since then, I’ve owned and worked with animals from rats and snakes to dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and goats.
My pets are family and my best friends, and I believe every animal deserves that same love and care.
When life takes you away, my team and I are here to help your pets stay cared for in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the places and routines they know.
Tell me about your petsGet to know the people behind Jennifer’s Home Away From Home.
Familiar routines for your pets. A cared-for home while you’re away.
Care in familiar surroundings, with attention to your pet’s routine and plenty of companionship.
No kennels unless you request them. Playtime with other animals is arranged only when suitable and agreed.
See care ratesA few familiar routines can help keep your home cared for while you’re away.
Walk through your home and choose the tasks you need during your free consultation.
Plan your home careAsk about dog and horse walking, bathing, flea and tick washes, nail clipping or painting, and brushing. Pet pickup and drop-off, vet visits, and medication assistance are available for suitable animals by arrangement. Jennifer welcomes requests for other animals and tasks; suitability is discussed before care is agreed.
Care is offered year-round, including holidays, with visit times arranged around your needs and availability.
Two one-hour visits each day—one in the morning and one in the evening—for feeding, fresh water, and potty breaks.
Holidays are time-and-a-half; Jennifer will confirm the total in your quote. Additional animals, livestock, extra tasks, and travel are quoted individually.
Meet Jennifer, introduce your pets, show her around, and review the contract together.
Arrange a consultation| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Walks & everyday care | |
| Dog walking Ask about a monthly plan. | $10 / hour |
| Horse walking | $10 / hour |
| Pet waste cleanup | $10 / hour |
| Grooming Bathing, flea and tick wash, nail clipping or painting, and brushing. Confirm suitable treatments at your consultation. | $15 |
| Medication assistance For suitable animals by arrangement; discuss the medication and instructions first. | $5 / animal |
| Transport & vet visits | |
| Pet pickup & drop-off | $5 + mileage |
| Vet transport Pickup and drop-off at the vet. | $5 + mileage |
| Staying with your pet at the vet | $10 / hour + mileage |
| Help around the home | |
| Shopping errands Confirm what counts as local and any mileage charge before booking. Necessary pet-supply purchases follow the separate policy below. | $5 local $10 non-local + mileage |
| Post office mail collection | $2 local $5 non-local |
| Houseplant watering | No additional charge |
| Outdoor plant & tree watering | No additional charge up to one hour |
Dog walking, horse walking, pet waste cleanup, brushing, outdoor watering, switching lights, and moving trash bins can be included in a package without additional payment within its one-hour and/or two-trip allowance. Confirm which tasks are included, how those limits apply, and any extra-time charges with Jennifer before booking.
Holiday care is charged at time-and-a-half. Jennifer will confirm the total before booking, including how the rate applies when a holiday falls on a weekend. Any care at the sitter’s home must be specifically agreed; it is not an automatic boarding reservation.
Discuss travel charges and holiday booking deadlines with Jennifer before confirming care.
Please provide your pet’s supplies before you leave. If Jennifer needs to buy pet food, litter, cleaning products, or other necessary care items during your absence, you reimburse the receipt total plus a $10 trip fee.
Share your dates, general neighborhood, and the care you’re looking for so we can arrange a free consultation.
Introduce Jennifer to your pets, show her around, and walk through their routines and the layout of your home.
Go over the contract together during your consultation, ask questions, and discuss responsibilities, pricing, and scheduling before confirming care.
Your free consultation is a chance to ask questions, share the little details, and review the contract together before care is confirmed.
Share routines, exercise needs, preferences, and the small comforts that help your pet feel at home.
Review the home, visit schedule, services, and contract together before you leave.
Daily progress reports and a care log help you keep up with your pet’s days while you’re away.
“Every time we return our dogs are healthy and happy, and Jennifer has a wonderful report so we know what they were up to while we were gone.”
“We felt very comfortable, so we were able to enjoy our trip.”
Serving Rapid City, Box Elder, and Black Hawk, South Dakota.
Share your general neighborhood when you inquire so Jennifer can confirm availability and any travel charges before you book.
Start with your locationPlanning your time away, preparing your home, and understanding care policies. Review the full contract together at your free consultation.
Arrange a free consultationJennifer meets your pets, takes a guided look around your home, and discusses routines and care needs. You’ll review the contract and have time for questions. An in-home assessment is required before the payment agreement and contract; confirm the agreed contract before leaving town.
See the services and rates to help plan your care. An inquiry does not reserve dates; keep access codes and sensitive care instructions out of the initial inquiry.
In-home care lets your pets stay in familiar surroundings. Share your general neighborhood so Jennifer can confirm service-area coverage. Any care at the sitter’s home, overnight stays, or special arrangements must be discussed and confirmed directly with Jennifer.
Jennifer has owned or worked with dogs, cats, rats, snakes, horses, chickens, and goats. Tell her about your animals and their needs so she can confirm the right fit. Transport, vet visits, and medication assistance are suitable for certain animals only.
Care is offered throughout the year, including holidays, subject to availability. Visits are scheduled within agreed time windows, which may need adjustment if circumstances change. Check the holiday pricing notes and confirm your dates with Jennifer.
Jennifer provides daily progress reports and a care log. Agree on how you would like to receive updates during the consultation.
Cancel scheduled pet sitting at least 48 hours before the first service. Later cancellations incur a fee of 50% of the total amount due.
Holiday-period cancellations incur a 50% fee, except in cases of severe weather, a life-threatening emergency, or a death in the family. There are no refunds or credits for early returns or last-minute changes to pet or house care. Review how these terms apply to your booking in the contract.
Pets must have appropriate vaccinations up to date. Jennifer does not accept pets with a contagious illness. Discuss health needs and behavior before arranging care.
Medication assistance is offered by arrangement. Jennifer describes her experience administering medication but is not licensed or certified to do so. Her policy includes a limitation of responsibility for resulting complications, which you should review in the full contract.
The policy also assigns clients responsibility for costs and damages if Jennifer is bitten or develops an illness or condition through exposure to their pets. Discuss these terms together before confirming care.
Provide all pet supplies, including leashes, bowls, beds, toys, food, treats, litter, and any agreed care items. Necessary purchases during your absence are reimbursed at receipt cost plus a $10 trip fee.
Leave the thermostat at a comfortable setting for your pets. Jennifer may adjust it if the weather changes to support their comfort and safety.
At the consultation, tell Jennifer about anyone with access to your home, including cleaners, maintenance workers, friends, family, and neighbors. Let those people know that pet-sitting services are scheduled.
Jennifer’s policy does not accept liability for other people in the home before, during, or immediately after her services; review the complete wording in the contract. Keep Jennifer informed of changes to contact numbers, your home, and your pets’ needs.
Jennifer makes every effort to reach your home, but unsafe travel or other circumstances may change or interrupt scheduled services. If she cannot travel safely, your emergency contacts will be notified and you will be told when the emergency plan is activated. Discuss the backup arrangements at your consultation.
Call or email Jennifer to share your dates and care needs, and arrange a time to meet your pets and see your home. You’ll review the contract together before confirming care.
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