When you register with Swifto, you have the option to let us know how the dog walker will gain access to your home. You can leave a set with the doorman (“Doorman Access”), leave the keys in a lockbox (“Lockbox Access”), have a keypad set up (“Keypad Access”), be home to let them in (“Home Access”), or have another way to let them in such as a keypad (“Other access”).
For clients in Miami and North Carolina, we do not provide the option to be "key access."
In the event you ever need to schedule pet care services for your sweet pet in the future, we want to make sure that your access type is set up and ready to go upfront! You can read more about the access types we offer below!
Access Types We Offer:
- Keypad Access: If your home has any way of entering with a code, whether it’s through the main door or the garage, then the access type to your home can be adjusted to be “Keypad access”, the code to enter will be listed on your account, and the walker or sitter will be provided the code to enter. Note, that only the sitter who will be providing services would be receiving the code and it will never be shared among other walkers or sitters. If your home doesn’t currently have an electronic or manual keypad, it’s super affordable and easy to install and can usually easily replace the front door lock for as low as $32. For example, check out this and this front door keypad on Amazon! You can also get a universal garage door opener that has a keypad built in for as low as $23 on Amazon and that way the sitter can enter through the garage.
- Lockbox: You can place a lockbox outside your home, on a gate or door, or in another nearby location with the key inside. Then, under the access details, you can add the lockbox code and location. The walker or sitter will retrieve the keys before the walk or visit and return the keys to the lockbox afterward. If you’d like a FREE lockbox, just let us know, as we are providing them to ALL Swifto clients.
- Doorman or Front Desk: Some apartment buildings have a doorman, super, or front desk employee who can hold onto keys. In this case, you can provide them with a spare key so that your walker or sitter can retrieve them from the doorman before the visit and return them to them after each visit. Do note, that in case you decide to use that option, the front desk or other building employee must be present at all times to avoid situations of the walker or sitter not being able to enter due to the doorman not being on duty.
- Home: If you or someone else is consistently home to let your walker or sitter in during the walk or visit time window, you can be marked as home access.
- Other: Any other access method not listed above is considered “other access.” For example, you may have some sort of smart lock option where access can be shared with specific users. If you do use that option, please be sure to set it up prior to the sitter's first walk to ensure there won’t be any issues entering your home. Other options may be leaving a spare key under a flower pot or keeping the backdoor unlocked. This is not our preferred method due to security concerns, however, we understand that unique circumstances sometimes require alternative access arrangements!
In any case, we request that you never just hand the walker or sitter a key as we do not want the key to ever leave your premises. In the event there is ever an emergency and you need a last-minute booking or your sitter is sick and the booking needs to be covered, this will allow us to be able to enter and provide service!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to discuss the best option for you. We’re here to ensure everything works smoothly for you and your pet!
