Terms & Conditions | Kat's Happy Paws | Dog Walking & Pet Care Service

These are my Terms & Conditions for the dog walking and other pet services I provide. Customers are required to sign a copy of these prior to any service being carried out. No variation of these Terms and Conditions will have effect unless confirmed by Kat’s Happy Paws in writing.

Booking

Kat’s Happy Paws will provide an approx. time during which visits will occur. If any unforeseen situation arises, timings may be adjusted.
A consultation visit for all new customers is required, prior to a booking.
Bank Holidays will incur additional charges which you will be advised of at the time of booking.
All bookings must be made at least 24 hours before service start date.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the agreed booking.
All bookings cancelled within 24 hours will be payable in full.
Any cancellations on the day will be charged in full (this will be at the discretion of Kat’s Happy Paws depending on circumstances).
Any booking is fully chargeable if Kat’s Happy Paws arrive and cannot gain entry through no fault of their own.
Kat’s Happy Paws reserve the right to cancel at short notice and if such an eventuality should occur, no monies will be due and if already paid, a full refund will be given or held over for subsequent bookings.
If Kat’s Happy Paws cannot provide the service agreed, we will do our best to arrange an alternative, unless in extreme circumstances, where we will endeavour to give 24 hours notice.
Kat’s Happy Paws reserve the right to terminate our service should any client repeatedly cancel bookings.
At least 14 days notice is required for termination of the contract between the client and Kat’s Happy Paws.

Keys & Documentation

Kat’s Happy Paws will obtain a copy of your house key during the consultation visit. This key will be given a unique code for security and kept securely.

It is recommended that your keys remain in the custody of Kat’s Happy Paws for convenience in future use of our service and to confirm services via telephone. If you prefer, I can collect keys from a neighbour.
Your keys will be kept in a secured lock system and are coded for your protection.
Paperwork relating to your dog is kept separate and secure away from keys. No personal details will be forwarded or passed on to any third party.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, your information will be kept safe and protected.

The data collected will be kept private, not misused and will only be used for the purpose of the account administration and will not be disclosed to any external sources. Both electronic and paper records will be deleted/shredded upon termination of my services.
Kat’s Happy Paws highly respects our clients’ entrusting us with the care of their home and pets.

Payment

Kat’s Happy Paws accepts cash or bank transfer (full details can be found on the invoice).
A 25% non-refundable deposit of the total sum due is payable to Kat’s Happy Paws at the time of booking.
The remaining balance is due for payment upon issue of the invoice.
Kat’s Happy Paws issue invoices weekly and payment terms are strictly within 7 days upon receipt.
Where services are required long term, the client may make payment on a monthly basis.
Where payment is not received in accordance with these terms and conditions of business, Kat's Happy Paws reserve the right not to proceed with any previously agreed arrangements and a cancellation fee will be payable.

Medication/Vaccinations/Immunisations

Dogs must have up to date vaccinations and it is recommended that dogs are vaccinated against kennel cough and have regular worming and flea treatment. Any health issues or allergies will need to be disclosed on the initial visit.
Kat’s Happy Paws reserve the right to refuse admission if the Client fails to provide adequate proof of vaccinations, or the vaccinations are found to be expired or otherwise incomplete.
Under no circumstances will Kat’s Happy Paws service any pet that has any form of active contagious illness.
Kat’s Happy Paws will follow instructions to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result.
For Dog Walking we require a copy of a valid vaccination certificate.
If Kat’s Happy Paws is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment received from the customers pet(s) which has not been properly or currently vaccinated, the customer will be responsible for all costs and damages that may be incurred as a result.

Veterinary Care & Costs

The owner is responsible for any veterinary bills incurred for the cost of treatment of any injuries or illness that their dog receives while under the care of Kat’s Happy Paws together with any associated costs e.g. callout charges.
Details of your vet must be supplied on the initial consultation visit by filling in the Veterinary Release Form.
In an emergency Kat’s Happy Paws will make every attempt to contact the owner and utilise the services of your own vet but reserve the right to make decisions without verbal consent to ensure the immediate welfare of your dog. This may include taking the dog to the nearest veterinary practice and not necessarily your own veterinarian.
Owners will be responsible for payment of any veterinary fees as agreed and detailed on the Veterinary Release Form.

Insurance

Kat’s Happy Paws has valid public liability insurance for the peace of mind of its customers.
The insurance only covers Kat’s Happy Paws for the duration of the selected service, and only for services agreed.
All reasonable care is taken to ensure the integrity and suitability of the care provided.
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the property, its contents and pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the agreed service.

Unforeseen Purchases

In the event that additional items need to be purchased in the absence of the client – i.e. pet food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and wellbeing of your pet, the pet service provider will purchase these, retain a receipt and the pet owner is responsible for reimbursement of these items on their return.

Updates

It is the responsibility of the customer to inform Kat’s Happy Paws immediately of any changes regarding your contact numbers, your pet’s care needs, your emergency contact details and any other key information.

Inclement Weather

You will entrust Kat’s Happy Paws to use best judgment in caring for your pet(s) and home at the time of inclement weather. We will try to carry out your instructions to the best of our ability. However, in cases of extreme weather, we will contact you with alternative arrangements.

Additional Pet Care Assistance and Other Scheduled Services

Kat’s Happy Paws does not accept liability for other persons who will be in your home prior to, during or immediately after our services have ended.
The customer, at the consultation visit must inform Kat’s Happy Paws of anyone who may have access to your home while you are away. This includes cleaning services, maintenance personnel, friends, family and neighbours.
It is understood that the client will notify anyone with access to the home that the services of Kat's Happy Paws have been engaged.

Aggressive Animals

Kat’s Happy Paws will not accept to look after aggressive animals.
The customer agrees to be responsible for all costs (including but not limited to medical care, legal fees, etc) if the client’s pet(s) should bite another animal.
The customer agrees that on booking services for their dog(s), they have represented that the dog(s) have not shown aggression or caused harm, or threatening behaviour to any individual and/or any pet(s), and the customer agrees to contact Kat’s Happy Paws as soon as possible if any of these behavioural changes presents itself or if it has the potential to cause harm to any individual or pet(s).
The customer is solely responsible for any and all harm or damage caused by their dog while it is under the care of Kat’s Happy Paws, or is using any other services provided by them, and agrees to indemnify Kat’s Happy Paws in full against any liability arising from such harm or damage to third parties.
Kat’s Happy Paws reserve the right to refuse to walk unruly or untrained dogs.
If the client’s dog(s) whilst being walked shows aggressive tendencies towards Kat’s Happy Paws, or should its behaviour become unacceptable or a nuisance beyond reasonable acceptance, the customer agrees that the service will be terminated with immediate effect and the pet will be returned to the location where it was collected.

Pet Waste

Kat’s Happy Paws will properly dispose of your pet(s) waste.
For cat litter trays we do request that you provide all necessary items such as scooper, cat litter and plastic bags and indicate where you would like these waste bags disposed of. The same applies for any other home based animal.
For dog walking, we will properly dispose of pet waste and we will provide waste bags for this. We may however sometimes bring the waste back to dispose of in your outside waste bin.

Collars/Leads

The customer must provide secure collars with appropriate tags for all visits.
The customer agrees that Kat’s Happy Paws is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged leads, collars, tags, clothing or any other item left with their dog.
All dogs will be walked on leads at all times unless permission is given by the owner. Kat's Happy Paws will only allow off lead walks in safe areas and once full trust is gained with the dog(s) and recall is 100% successful.

Fences and cat flaps

Kat’s Happy Paws does not accept any responsibility or liability for any customer’s animals that escape or become lost or injured, fatal or otherwise, when instructed to leave the customers animals in a fenced area.
This includes electronic, wood, metal or any other type of fence, or in premises that contains an unlocked cat flap.

House Cleanliness

Kat’s Happy Paws will clean up after your pet(s) to the best of their ability. The customer should advise the location for the appropriate cleaning supplies.
Kat’s Happy Paws is not responsible for carpet/ flooring stains created by your pet(s).
Kat’s Happy Paws request that you provide plastic bags, towels, cleaning products, paper towels and bin bags.
If there are accidents above and beyond the normal amount anticipated, we will charge a reasonable fee for clean up time.

Household Emergencies

Details of shut off points for services into the property are to be provided on the Home Information Sheet.
In the event of a household emergency, your emergency contact will be contacted to arrange any remedial work.

Dog Transportation / Taxi

Customers are not insured when in the vehicle owned by Kat’s Happy Paws and you will therefore be travelling at your own risk if you wish to accompany your dog.
Dogs will be transported safely and comfortably.

Changes to return date

Kat’s Happy Paws carefully schedules our time to serve you and our other clients, therefore, there are no refunds or credits for early returns or last minute changes to pet care.
In the event that the customer is delayed on return, they must inform Kat’s Happy Paws immediately. We will use our best endeavours to make alternative arrangements for continued cover. This may incur a further charge.

Liability

Kat’s Happy Paws will not be liable to the customer or be deemed to be in breach of the contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of it’s obligations in relation to the services, if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond Kat’s Happy Paws’ reasonable control.

Social Media / Advertising

The customer consents to their dog being photographed, videotaped, and/or used in any social media or advertising by Kat’s Happy Paws without prior approval. All such media remains the property of Kat’s Happy Paws.