General Terms & Conditions
The client will be responsible for any costs which might be incurred, either veterinary or other, as a result of any sickness, accident or damage caused to, or by, the client's pet(s), except third party liability, and that any such costs or expenses will be payable on demand (pet insurance is strongly recommended).
Pet-Minder.com reserves the right to make decisions regarding a pet's health provided it is at all times acting in the best interests of the pet and on the advice of a veterinary surgeon.
The client must provide an emergency contact so that in unforeseen circumstances or an emergency, this contact can take over the care of their pet.
The client must inform Pet-Minder.com if their pet has or has had any illness since making the booking. A pet with an infectious condition cannot be accepted.
In the extremely unlikely event that a client's pet passes away whilst in the care of Pet-Minder.com, they will contact the client or their emergency contact immediately and follow their wishes. Pet-Minder.com accepts no liability if these unfortunate circumstances occur.
For all services, except dog walking bookings, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking and the balance payable on completion. Payment can be paid by cash, cheque (payable to V. Pratley) or direct bank transfer. Any bounced/returned cheque is fully chargeable.
Any booking is not confirmed without a deposit being paid and dates will not be held.
In the event of cancellation, deposits cannot be transferred to a future booking.
If a booking is made less than eight weeks prior to commencement date, full payment will be required upon booking.
If a cancellation is made less than eight weeks prior to commencement date, the full balance payment will be required (except for dog walking bookings).
Services carried out on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day will be charged at double rate.
Pet-Minder.com may take photographs of your pets for advertising/promotional purposes. If you have any objection to this, please let Pet-Minder.com know and your wishes will be respected.
Pet-Minder.com consists of Vicky Pratley and her husband Chris Pratley. If anyone other than these two people contact you claiming to be from Pet-Minder.com, please let us know immediately. If at any time Pet-Minder.com needs to change this arrangement, customers will be notified in advance.
If any other person (friend/neighbour/relative/workman) will be entering the client's property during the same period as Pet-Minder.com is caring for their pet, they must inform Pet-Minder.com of the times that the person will be entering/leaving the property and provide contact details.
Dog Walking
Dogs will be exercised on lead at all times unless a permission form is signed in advance and agreed by both owner and Pet-Minder.com.
The client must ensure that all leads, collars and harnesses are in sound condition and fit correctly. Pet-Minder.com accepts no responsibility for any accident due to these items being faulty.
Clients are required to pay weekly in advance or leave payment ready for collection on the first day of each week. Arrangements can also be made to pay monthly. If the client decides to change the method or frequency of payment, one month's notice must be given.
Clients must give one month's notice if the dog-walking service is not required or the agreed dates are to be reduced. Failing this, full payment will be required. If for any reason a walk is not required on a particular day, a minimum notice period of 24 hours must be given, otherwise the full amount will be charged.
If, for any reason, the dog-walking service is not required for more than one month, but the service is to be retained, a half-price retainer fee will be charged after the expiry of the one month period.
Clients wishing to terminate the dog walking service must give one month's notice.
During extreme weather conditions, Pet-Minder.com may, at their discretion, shorten a dog-walking session to avoid any discomfort/danger to the dog(s) in their care or to avoid any danger to themselves.
Clients must declare to Pet-Minder.com any aggressive tendencies the dog may have or any behavioural problems before the contract is signed. Pet-Minder.com reserves the right to cancel the contract at any time and with immediate effect if the dog does not respond well to them or other dogs. Dogs that are boisterous or difficult to control can be accepted on special terms to be discussed with Pet-Minder.com.
I understand that Pet-Minder.com will not walk any bitches in season but will offer toileting opportunities and company/play activities for the dog in the client's garden and home.
Daily Visits/Pet Sitting
Home visits will only commence where full payment has been received prior to the start of period booked.
Clients will not hold Pet-Minder.com liable for any injury, disappearance or death of any pet that has access outdoors, eg via a cat flap/window etc.
Clients will not hold Pet-Minder.com responsible for any animal that escapes due to their negligence in failing to provide a secure environment for their pet(s) or for any friend/relative/workman making the house/garden insecure.
Pet-Minder.com highly recommends that all pets are microchipped and vaccinated against the relevant illnesses and parasites where appropriate and possible. Pet-Minder.com will not be held responsible for any issues relating to preventable conditions not been treated for.
With regard to rabbit and guinea pig care, necessary precautions should be taken against flystrike, as advised by a vet, before the visiting service commences. Pet-Minder.com will not be held responsible for any death arising from this condition.
During peak periods, clients are kindly asked to deliver/collect their own house keys where possible.
Home Boarding/Doggy Daycare
Boarding and daycare fees are charged from 10am on the start day to 10am on the final day. Collection after 10am will be charged at a flat daycare fee.
All outstanding fees must be paid in full on or before the time of drop off. If your payment is withdrawn or bounced you accept full liability for any bank charges incurred. If full payment is not received by the start date, then Pet-Minder.com reserves the right to cancel the booking without refund.
Should the stay be extended for any reason, extra days will be charged at the daily rate. If the stay is curtailed, the full price remains payable, but Pet-Minder.com, (at their discretion), may offer a refund if they are able to find another booking to fill the remaining time.
A No-Show is the term used for a booking where you have failed to present your pet/pets for boarding within 24 hours of the first day of your booking. In this instance you agree that your booking may be cancelled. You further agree that you will be liable in full for all boarding fees and agree to pay on receipt of our invoice.
All pets boarded must be fully vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and any other relevant disease (Titre testing proof is also acceptable). If you are unsure, please contact your Vet prior to the start of your booking) and a copy of the current certificate of vaccination must accompany each pet. A copy of this certificate must be taken by Pet-Minder.com prior to boarding or at drop off. All pets should also be wormed and be treated for fleas when necessary.
Failure to provide a valid vaccination card for each pet will prevent them from boarding. In this instance your booking may be cancelled but you will remain liable for the boarding fees in full.
Your dog must be wearing an identity tag with their name, address and telephone number on it, whilst staying at Pet-Minder.com your pet will also wear a tag provided by Pet-Minder.com with their details also displayed.
No dogs registered under the Dangerous Dog Act will be accepted for boarding.
The client is required to provide all necessary food and items such as bedding, grooming tools, toys, treats etc to ensure that their pet is provided for. If, for any reason, additional supplies are required, these will be paid for by the client on their return.
Please note that we reserve the right to place your pet into secure external kennels if your pet becomes destructive or aggressive. External kennelling will incur extra costs, with transportation fees also incurred. Failure to disclose correct information with regards to your pets behaviour that results in an injury, accident or damage will result (at the discretion of Pet-Minder.com) in additional costs for either repair, restoration or other professional costs for example veterinary bills which will NOT be covered by Pet-Minder.com insurance.
The Owner accepts that a veterinary surgeon will be called if Pet-Minder.com think it necessary and any resulting fees not covered by insurance will be payable by the Owner at time of collection.
Any pet not collected within 28 days of the agreed date of collection may be sold or otherwise disposed of at Pet-Minder.com discretion unless satisfactory communication is received from the Owner within this period.
During the period of boarding, Pet-Minder.com will exercise every possible care and attention to the welfare and safety of the pet, However we accept no responsibility for problems outside of their control.
KENNEL COUGH. (Dogs only) This is caused by an airborne infection and thus outside the control of Pet-Minder.com. We will never knowingly accept a dog with the condition, but as incubation can exceed 10 days it may not be detectable prior to arrival. The Owner therefore accepts that this hazard exists and occasionally dogs may become ill. Vaccination is available and recommended for all dogs staying with us but is not compulsory.
In the unlikely event of your pet dying whilst in the care of Pet-Minder.com it is our policy to store your pets remains in cold storage at a local veterinary centre until your return. Pet-Minder.com will inform you of the death of your pet (where possible) whilst you are away, but if you would like different arrangements to be made in this unlikely event please inform us in writing prior to bringing your pet for boarding. This cost will be incurred by the Owner.