All Canadian Pet Services Network
Professional Standards
Creature Care is a member of the All Canadian Pet Services Network. Our pet sitters adhere to the ACPSN's professional standards, as described below.
If a pet care professional is unable or unwilling to adhere to these standards, every effort will be made by ACPSN to provide resources, support and education to the professional to assist in compliance. In instances where the professional standards are not met due to municipal laws/requirements that are not reasonable within the profession, every effort will be made by ACPSN to advocate for change on behalf of the profession.
Standards marked with an * indicate that they are a requirement. There is no room for discussion if these standards are not met, and membership will be reviewed.
* The pet care professional must not have any past criminal charges or convictions or pending criminal investigations relating to the abuse, neglect, or abandonment of any animal, or in any aspect that directly impacts the professional's ability to provide safe care.
* The pet care professional must not have any past criminal charges or convictions or pending criminal investigations relating to any breach of trust matter, such as theft of property or fraud.
The pet care professional shall be knowledgeable and experienced in caring for pets.
The pet care professional must have a genuine concern for the welfare of all pets.
The pet care professional has a moral responsibility to report any instances of animal abuse to the authorities.
The pet care professional shall have an interest in continuing education and seek to enhance knowledge and skills through courses/workshops/articles etc.
Pet care professionals shall conduct business ethically and honestly:
- The pet care professional shall not advertise their service in a manner that lures clients into contacting them under false pretenses — i.e. advertising falsely low prices in order to obtain inquiries.
- The pet care professional shall not submit invoices for services that were not provided, or fail to provide services that were agreed upon in the contract.
- The pet care professional must obtain signed contracts, releases and information forms prior to providing service and retain these forms for the duration of the providing service to the client.
- The pet care professional will meet with both the client and the client's animal prior to providing services. If an employee or independent contractor is to be used, the employee or independent contractor should meet with the client and the client's animal in the presence of the professional or the interview process and credentials of the employee/independent contractor should satisfy the client's expectations.
- The pet care professional must maintain adequate insurance coverage at all times if the professional advertises as being insured and bonded.
The pet care professional shall abide by all city bylaws in the area(s) in which they provide service, including but not limited to: waste management, leash laws, maximum allowable animals on a premises, kennel licensing, maximum allowable animals under the care of an individual (i.e. during group dog walking).
The pet care professional shall abide by all municipal, provincial and federal requirements with regards to business licensing and fees and income reporting.
Employees or independent contractors of a pet care professional must abide by this code of conduct. Any violation of this code by an employee or independent contractor will be deemed a violation by the pet care professional. Pet care professionals have the responsibility to appropriately screen and insure their employees / independent contractors.
The pet care professional shall respect the client's property, possessions and pets while providing services, and shall not willfully act in a manner that threatens the safety and security of the client's property, possessions and pets.
The pet care professional shall maintain discretion/confidentiality in regards to the client's identification, the client's property and the client's pet.
The pet care professional shall not use any image or identifying information about the client, the client's property, or the client's pet without express permission.
The pet care professional shall not withdraw service without adequate notice for the client to obtain a suitable alternative, unless providing service is an immediate threat to the professional or another animal in the professional's care.
The pet care professional shall observe safety of all animals in their care at all times when providing service. This includes limiting group walks to ensure safe weight/size/number considerations.
The pet care professional shall ensure that they are reachable by the client at all times while providing service, or that appropriate messaging opportunities are available, and messages answered within a reasonable amount of time. The pet care professional shall keep in contact with the client to provide reassurance/information/updates on the animal's condition/disposition/activities at the client's request.
If provision of services includes transportation in a vehicle, the pet care professional will observe all laws in regards to operation of said vehicle. Specifically, the pet care professional:
- will observe traffic laws while animals are in the vehicle
- shall ensure that the animal is properly restrained/protected during the trip
- shall maintain a Blood Alcohol Level of 0.02% or less and not operate the vehicle while ability to drive is impaired by any means.
If provision of services involves walking, the professional will observe laws concerning the safety of the animal. Specifically, the pet care professional:
- will not engage in jaywalking or crossing against a traffic light or sign while with the animal
- will take additional care to ensure traffic is stopped prior to stepping off of a sidewalk
- will shorten the animal's leash to ensure the animal is closer to the professional and visible to motorists while crossing streets.
The pet care professional shall provide the client with an opportunity to voice concerns regarding services provided directly, or through a confidential survey.