Friends for Pets Terms and Conditions

• An initial introductory visit will happen either at the client’s or petcarer’s house depending on where the animal will be cared for. This will ensure the client and the pet carer are happy to undertake the booking. If the pet carer or the client does not feel happy to proceed with the booking they must inform the other party within 24 hours of the initial introductory visit. The initial visit will be free of charge.
• The client will be asked to complete relevant form/s about their pet and sign to confirm it is correct.
• The client’s emergency contact can make decisions regarding the client’s pets health should the need arise.
• Once arranged every booking will be undertaken by the pet carer unless in exceptional circumstances.
• If Friends for Pets cannot make contact with the client or emergency contact and If the client’s pet is ill whilst in the care of Friends for Pets and veterinary treatment is required, then Friends for Pets shall act on the advice of a Veterinary Surgeon. The client agrees to pay any Vet bills on their return.
• For every booking that is completed in the absence of the client, a pet diary will be written by the pet carer and left for the client. Alternatively, the pet carer will provide an update by text message to the client.
• If the client needs to cancel a non-dog boarding booking, i.e walks, daycare, visits, they must do so within 24 hours of commencement of the booking or they will be charged 100% of the total booking charge. Likewise, if the client fails to cancel the booking, then the client will be charged 100% of the total booking cost. The client should ensure when cancelling a booking that the pet carer or manager confirms that the booking has been cancelled, otherwise a charge may still arise.
• A 50% deposit may be required on confirmation of a dog boarding or house sitting booking over 30 days in advance. The booking will not be confirmed until the deposit has been paid. 50% of this deposit is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled by the client more than 30 days before the start of the booking. The balance is due for the entire booking 30 days before the commencement of the booking. If a boarding booking is cancelled less than 30 days before the start date, none of the deposit will be refunded. If a deposit is not taken, you will still be charged 50% of any boarding booking, if it is cancelled less than 30 days prior to the commencement of the booking. If a boarding booking is cancelled less than 72 hours before the commencement of the booking you will be charged 100% of the total booking cost.
• If in the rare situation where a pet carer cancels the booking once it has been confirmed and paid for, a full refund will be given and as much help as possible in finding a replacement carer.
• Clients (other than regular dog walking clients) may be invoiced for boarding and house sitting as soon as the booking has been confirmed. They will be expected to pay by cash, cheque or direct bank transfer. If a client fails to pay before commencement of the booking, the booking will not be carried out.
• Regular dog walks will be invoiced at the end of the month and customers are expected to pay by cheque, cash or direct bank transfer within ten working days.
• Friends for Pets agrees to supply Home Sitting or Home Boarding or Pet Visiting services in accordance with a brief provided by the Client, which may include the care of pets and other animals owned by the Client; and the maintenance of house, greenhouse, garden plants and lawns all within reasonable limits.
• Pet Care Services undertaken on bank holidays will be charged at double rate and those on Christmas Day at triple rate.
• Friends for Pets cannot accept any liability for the loss or injury to any pet. The Client is responsible for all damages to the pet carers property or pets.
• A pet carer may wish to have the companionship of their partner / spouse during an assignment. This incurs the Client no additional expense. The companion / spouse will have passed Friends for Pets’ vetting programme and is also fully covered by Friends for Pets’ insurance.
• The Client is responsible for ensuring that their dog is micro chipped and has a suitable lead and collar that the dog cannot remove, for dog walks. They should also ensure that the collar contains a dog tag with the up-to-date details required by law.
• Friends for Pets will make every effort to continue normal service and all pre-booked pet care in adverse weather conditions. We will notify you in cases where we are unable to reach your pet.
• For dog boards, the dog will not be left for more than three hours at one time.
• For dog boards, if a dog shows aggressive tendencies towards the dog sitter or other dogs/ people within the household, beyond an accepted level, Friends for Pets will attempt to contact the client or client’s emergency contact to arrange alternative housing for the dog. If we cannot make contact with the client or the client’s emergency contact then we will find local kennels to house the dog until the client’s return.
• For dog boards, your dog may be boarded with other dogs.
• When bringing your dog’s bed to dog boards please ensure that it has been recently cleaned and treated with anti-flea treatment.
• Boarding Dogs should have undertaken prior to arrival and beup-to-date with preventative treatments for vaccination and internal and external parasites. If there is evidence of external parasites, dogs will be treated under the advice of a veterinary surgeon.
• An up-to-date Veterinary Vaccination record must be seen to ensure that dogs boarded have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus) and leptospirosis. The date of the most recent vaccination must be recorded with a valid until date.
• Certification from a veterinary surgeon of a recent protective titre test may be accepted in individual cases as evidence of protection against adenovirus, distemper and parvovirus. The certificate must state that it is valid for the period of stay at the home boarding establishment. It is the decision of the home boarder whether to accept such a certificate.
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• Primary Vaccination courses must be completed at least 2 weeks before boarding.
• Identity tags will be put on the dog for the period it is boarding with Friends for Pets when the dog is exercised outside of the boarding facility.
• For dog boards, dogs will be given at least two 20 minute exercise sessions depending on their health status, age, breed and current weather temperatures. For dogs not able to be exercised an agreed alternative enrichment plan will be implemented.
• Our prices and terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notification to you, however we will always try our best to let you know if there are any changes from the original price quoted for our services before they commence. Our prices for dog boards do not include a pick up or drop off service, which is available for an extra charge.
• Your pet carer may take photos of your pet during its care with us and we may occasionally use them on our social media pages. We will ensure that they do not show your home’s details. Please let us know if you would prefer no photos of your pet to be used online and we will be very happy to accommodate your wishes.
• Our dog walking and pet visit prices include a 4 mile round trip for the pet carer. If the pet carer lives more than two miles away from the client’s home, then any additional mileage will be charged at the rate of 50p per mile.
• Friends for Pets reserve the right to reduce the duration of a walk or change the walk to a home and garden visit in extreme heat where the animal's welfare may be at risk. The client will be notified before or after the visit in these situations.
• Our day care hours are between 8.30am and 5pm on weekdays. Any drop offs or collections outside of these times will be charged at the overnight rate.