Terms and Conditions
Using Loyal Companions Pet Sitting services constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions may change at any point and we will always ensure the latest version is available on our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to contact us for an up-to-date copy of them also.
Definitions
All references to LCPS means Loyal Companions Pet Sitting services
All references to carers/sitters refer to members to Loyal Companions Pet Sitting services
All references to clients or pet owners refer to service users
1. General Information
1.1 LCPS represents its members who provide a range of pet care services. All members act as part of a team enabling them to provide cover for each other to ensure an uninterrupted service for clients.
1.2 All members are insured through LCPS, DBS checked, trained, assessed and monitored.
1.3 Service users will have a primary sitter or walker, usually Kirstie Johnson the owner of LCPS, but if this person is unavailable, then other similarly qualified sitters or walkers will provide backup cover to ensure your pet care is covered and you’re not let down at the last minute.
1.4 LCPS are unable to accept dogs that have shown aggression towards other dogs and/or people or are subject to the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1091.
1.5 All dogs and cats must have up to date vaccinations and flea protection, and be wormed.
1.6 LCPS members must be informed if your dog uses a muzzle and this should be made available for use at our discretion.
1.7 LCPS reserve the right to refuse or discontinue walks/house sits for any dog deemed to be unsuitable.
1.8 LCPS have comprehensive insurance covering public liability, vet fees and loss or straying, however we advise all clients to have their pets insured in their own right.
1.9 Permits for any service where the sitter/walker is at your home for a significant period must be provided if you are in a restricted parking zone. If a permit is not provided, LCPS will try to find parking close by which, if it is chargeable parking space, whatever cost has been incurred will be added to your invoice for payment.
1.10 Client agrees that on booking services for their dog(s) that they have represented that the dog(s) to have not shown aggression or caused harm, or threatening behaviour to any individual and/or any pet(s), and the client agrees to contact LCPS 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).
1.11 Please inform us of any changes regarding your contact numbers, your pet’s care needs, your emergency contact details and other pertinent information.
1.12 All of your information will be kept private and confidential.
1.13 If any member of LCPS is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment received from the client's pets(s) which has not been properly or currently vaccinated, the client will be responsible for all costs and damages that may be incurred as a result.
1.14 LCPS agrees to supply Pet Sitting, House Sitting, Dog Walking, or Pet Visiting services in accordance with a brief provided by the Client, which will primarily include the care of pets and other animals owned by the Client. In consultation with LCPS the client may request other services such as the maintenance of house, greenhouse, garden plants and lawns.
1.15 Keys retained by your walker/sitter will be kept securely and only be marked with the name of your pet(s).
1.16 LCPS will not be held liable for any illnesses, injuries or death suffered by your pets while using our services, unless there is clear negligence on the part of LCPS.
1.17 You agree for us to take pictures of your pets when we are caring for them and for those pictures to be used on our social media. Any photographs taken will be specifically checked by LCPS for identifiable personal data before being used.
2. House / pet sitting
2.1 The service user gives LCPS permission to enter their property to carry out the booked service at the arranged date and time.
2.2 The service user must provide LCPS with a name and contact telephone number of someone capable of making a decision relating to their pet(s) in an emergency. The emergency contact must be aware of their role, duties and responsibilities and be available for the duration of the booking.
2.3 A nominated vet’s details will be documented and recorded, and they will be contacted if we are unable to communicate with the service user or their emergency contact. Please note that in an emergency we may use any nearest vet.
2.4 The owner is responsible for supplying enough food for the pets for the duration of the house sit. If insufficient food is supplied the owner is responsible for reimbursing the carer for costs incurred in the purchase of more food.
2.5 In the event that additional items need to be purchased in the absence of the client - i.e. pet food, litter or other necessary items that contribute to the health and wellbeing of your pet, LCPS will purchase these, retain a receipt and the pet owner is responsible for reimbursement of these items on their return.
2.6 You undertake to make full and complete disclosure in the booking form of any matter, fact, quality or characteristic which might render your pet unsuitable for sitting including, but not limited to, behavioural or health problems, anti-social behaviour including aggression, separation anxiety, excessive pulling on the lead, tendency to run away or escape on walks or in the home, incontinence/lack of house training, destructive behaviour inside or outside the home, or excessive loud barking/whining etc.
2.7 The Client is responsible for ensuring that neither the house and its environment, nor the work expected of the sitter, present any avoidable or unusual risks.
2.8 You will make available cleaning materials in the event of any mess made by pets within their property, including but not limited to plastic bags, dustpan and brush, vacuum cleaner, disposable gloves, towels, disinfectant, paper towels and bin bags.
2.9 Your property will be cleaned and tidied upon leaving for any pet sitting services to as best of LCPS ability and to the condition it was found in.
2.10 If the property has any surveillance cameras or monitoring devices in operation (internally or externally), you must inform LCPS of their presence and locations. LCPS reserves the right to request any surveillance cameras or monitoring devices that may breach their privacy be turned off during their stay (such as any cameras in the bedroom areas). We are happy for cameras to be operational in communal areas such as kitchens/lounges, providing you have informed us of their presence prior to the stay.
3. Payment
3.1 If the owner returns before the confirmed end date of a sit they will not be entitled to a refund.
3.2 Dog walks are invoiced monthly, payable on receipt of the invoice.
3.3 Pet sitting and pop in bookings are subject to a 25% deposit payable at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 48 hours before the first date (arrival day) of the assigned booking.
3.4 If payment is not received in accordance with these Terms of Business, the Company will not be obliged to honour any previously agreed arrangements.
3.5 For house/pet sitting, If cancellation is made over 30 days before the commencement of a booking, the deposit is refundable in full. If the cancellation is made 15 - 29 days before, you will receive a refund of 50% of the deposit. If a cancellation is made 14 days or less before the commencement of a booking, the deposit will not be refunded.
3.6 For pet pop in visits, if a cancellation is made over 7 days before the commencement of a booking, the deposit will be refunded in full, if the cancellation is made 6 days or less before the commencement of a booking, the deposit will not be refunded.
3.7 If a walk is cancelled with less than 1 hour's notice, the walk will still be chargeable and will be included in the next invoice.
3.8 If we cannot access your property due to a faulty key or lock, there will be no refund for the cost of the visit.
4. Dog walking / visits
4.1 LCPS will only walk dogs together if they are from the same household or have spent considerable time together with their owners.
4.2 Clients must inform LCPS if their dog contacts any infectious condition (e.g. Kennel cough, conjunctivitis). Any dog with an infectious condition will not be walked until cleared to do so by a vet.
4.3 The client agrees to be responsible for all costs (including to but not limited to medical care, legal fees, etc) if the client’s pet(s) should bite another animal.
4.4 Although we will always do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs, if you are not a client who has regular walks every week, we recommend scheduling your walks at least 1 week in advance in accordance with business hours. Walks or visits scheduled less than 72 hours cannot be guaranteed.
4.5 Dog care visits will last a minimum of 30 minutes. During this time sitters can do the following: Breakfast/Lunchtime/Evening feeding, cuddles, TLC and playtime, cleaning up accidents that may have occurred, washing and cleaning food and water bowls, letting out to play in the garden, and short walks.
4.6 We shall always try to visit your pets as near as possible to the time slot you request but we reserve the right to visit outside of the allotted time slot in case of any situations or problems that may arise on other visits.
4.7 We recommend that dogs be kept on their leads whilst being exercised but should you request your dog to be let off then we cannot be held responsible for the loss, injury or death of your dog. Should we deem an environment not to be safe for your dog to be let off their lead then they will remain on their lead.
5. Cat / small animal visits
5.1 If cats need to be brought in, i.e. do not have a cat flap but are let out anyway, we will do our very best to call and ensure we’ve seen them, and will wait a reasonable amount of time, carry out duties and if the cat hasn’t appeared we will have to leave. We will endeavour to ensure the cat is in but we cannot guarantee it.
5.2 Cat and small pets pop in price includes feeding, litter changing if needed, cuddles and strokes and TLC, playtime, and basic grooming (brush) if needed. If you provide an automatic feeder we are happy to set this for a later feed.
5.3 We shall always try to visit your pets as near as possible to the time slot you request but we reserve the right to visit outside of the allotted time slot in case of any situations or problems that may arise on other visits.
6. Liability
6.1 We have had experience in administering medication to pets, and if the customer wishes LCPS to administer medication to their pet we will do so, but are not liable if something does go wrong, or the pet has a reaction to the medication.
6.2 You will be liable to fees and costs incurred if your pet injures a third party, any property, or any other dog.
6.3 LCPS cannot be held liable or responsible for any stains, marks or damage caused by vomit or fouling or attempts to clean it.