An initial introductory visit will happen either at the client’s or pet carer’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. This introductory visit will be free of charge.
The client will be asked to complete relevant forms about their pet and sign to confirm the information given is correct.
The client’s emergency contact can make decisions regarding the client’s pet’s 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.
Friends for Pets is not responsible for veterinary incidents or veterinary costs where a pre-existing or undiagnosed condition causes the pet to become unwell and requiring veterinary attention.
For every booking that is completed in the absence of a client, an update will be provided to the client by the pet carer, usually by text message or WhatsApp.
If the client needs to cancel a non-dog boarding or housesitting booking (ie 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 charge. 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 for a dog boarding or housesitting booking made over 30 days in advance. The booking will not be confirmed until the deposit has been paid in full. The balance is due for the entire booking 30 days before the commencement of the booking. If the booking is cancelled by the client more than 30 days before the start of the booking, 50% of the deposit is non-refundable and 50% will be refunded. If a boarding or house sitting booking is cancelled less than 30 days before the start date, none of the deposit will be refunded.
If no deposit has been taken, you will still be charged 50% of any boarding or housesitting booking if it is cancelled less than 30 days before the start date of the booking.
If a boarding or housesitting booking is cancelled less than 72 hours before the start date 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 we will offer as much help as possible in finding a replacement pet carer.
Where no deposit has been taken, 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.
Other services will be invoiced at the end of the month and clients are expected to pay by cheque, cash or direct bank transfer within seven calendar days. Invoices not settled in full within 14 calendar days will be subject to a £15 administration and interest charge.
Friends for Pets agrees to supply pet care 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 of or injury to any pet. The Client is responsible for all damage to the pet carer’s property or pets.
A pet carer may wish to have the companionship of a family member during an assignment. This incurs the Client no additional expense. The family member 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.
In extreme cases where it is deemed unsafe to walk a clients dog during hot weather and Friends for Pets have no other choice but to cancel all walks and a pop in service is not required, friends for pets reserve the right to charge a 50% retainer.
For house sitting bookings, where the pet carer is required to stay in the client’s house, rooms that the pet carer will be using such as the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom must be left clean. If they are not then a £30 cleaning charge will be applied for each room that the pet carer has to clean before staying in the house.
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 acceptable 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 be up-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.
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.
