Coddle and Dote Bespoke Pet Services
These are the Terms and Conditions for Coddle and Dote's pet services.
I advise all clients to read these and sign to say that they accept them.
Booking visits, day care and dog walking.
Coddle and Dote will provide a time interval during which visits will occur. If an unforeseen situation arises, the time interval may be adjusted accordingly.
An initial meeting will be arranged prior to bookings, to discuss requirements and details for new clients, and to ensure both parties are happy and confident to proceed.
Bank Holidays may have an additional charge which will be discussed at the time of booking.
All day bookings must be made atleast 24 hours in advance, as well as cancellation notification.
Pet sitting and doggy day care must be booked well ahead to avoid disappointment. Unfortuneately for these two services, we can only take on child friendly dogs, unless special circumstances have been arranged.
Long bookings (pet sitting, holiday visits) will require to pay a £15 non refundable deposit to secure bookings.
If Coddle and Dote cannot provide a service, they will do their best to offer alternatives.
Pet taxi
Coddle and Dote require clients to book their pet taxi service in advance wherever possible.
All clients are responsible to make sure their pet has a secure carrier, dog harness, or their animals are happy behind a dog guard for safety in transit.
Clients are responsible, for notifying the driver of any behaviours their animals have, prior to booking the taxi.
Coddle and Dote will hold no liability if an animal is injured in transport, through reasons out of their control.
If an animal in transit, is deemed unsafe, Coddle and Dote reserve the right to return the animal to where it was collected, and the service is therefore terminated.
Clients may travel with their pets.
Fees are payable at the end of the journey, unless a client is not present, then fees are payable prior to their journey.
Coddle and Dote may request extra payment by a client, for any damage caused to the transport,by a client or their pets, due to circumstances beyond their control or being mis-informed of an animals behaviour.
Cancellations
In the event of a cancellation that is less than two weeks (14 days) notification, only the deposit will be held.
Cancellations within 14 days - 48 hours (if long bookings), will be required to pay 25% payment for services cancelled.
Any cancellations within 48 hours will be required to pay the full service charges as no other bookings can be taken.
Aggressive Animals
Coddle and Dote will not accept to look after aggressive and unruly dangerous animals.
Coddle and Dote requires clients to be honest, and sign a form to agree that they have told us everything needed to care for their pet, including specialist handling or characteristics i.e sensitive reptiles, animal habits etc.
The client agrees to be responsible for all costs (including but not limited to medical care, legal fees, etc) if the client’s pets should bite another animal.
If the client’s dog, whilst being walked, shows aggression towards Coddle and Dote or their family, or should it's behaviour become unacceptable beyond reason, the client agrees that the service is terminated with immediate effect and the pet is to be returned to the location where it was collected.
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.
Pets with illnesses
Coddle and Dote do not accept liability for any illness that a clients pet may aquire before or during their service. They will, however, look after the animal to the best of their abilility and following veterinary instructions (if pet is ill prior to service.
Coddle and Dote ask all clients to leave a veterinary number in case of emergencies.
Keys
Coddle and Dote will obtain a copy of your house key during the initial meeting. This key will be held by us and will be coded for security and kept securely until the clients return.
Updates
Please inform us of any changes regarding your contact numbers, your pet’s care needs, your emergency contact details and other information.
If you require updates on how your pet is, coddle and dote are happy to text or email updates. Alternatively, if you give permission to photograph your pet whilst in our care, we post pictures on our facebook page that clients can access (no names or areas posted).
Privacy Policy
All of your information will be kept private and confidential.
Coddle and Dote respect client's entrusting us with the care of their home and pets.
All of our records will be stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Insurance
All reasonable care is taken to ensure the suitability of the care provided.
Coddle and Dote is fully insured and CRB checked for the peace of mind of its clients.
It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the property, its contents and pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the service.
Extreme Weather
You will entrust Coddle and Dote's best judgment in caring for your pets and home at the time of extreme weather. Coddle and Dote will try to carry out your instructions to the best of their ability. However, in cases of extreme weather, we will contact you with alternative arrangements.
Medication
Coddle and Dote will follow instructions to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result.
If Coddle and Dote is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment from a clients pet, the client will be deemed responsible for any charges incurred.
Pet Waste
Coddle and Dote will properly dispose of your pets waste. For cat litter trays we request that you provide all necessary items such as cat litter and plastic bags and indicate where you would like these waste bags disposed of. The same for any other home based animal. For dog walking, we may, however need to sometimes bring the waste back to dispose of in your outside waste bin.
Collars/Leads/Equipment
Please provide secure collars, harnesses and any other appropriate equipment required for your dogs and other animals needs within our service. Also with appropriate tags if possible.
Fences and cat flaps
Coddle and Dote does not accept any responsibility or liability for any clients animals that escape or become lost or injured, fatal or otherwise, when instructed to leave the clients animals in a fenced area.
This includes all types of fencing (electric, wooden, mesh, metal) or in a premises that contains an unlocked cat flap.
House Cleanliness
Coddle and Dote will clean up after your pets to the best of their ability. Please inform them of the designated area for the appropriate cleaning supplies.
Coddle and Dote is not responsible for floor stains created by your pets.
We request that you provide appropriate cleaning products, plastic bags, towels, and bin bags.
If extra cleaning is required beyond normal services, an additional fee may be required on the clients return.
Household Emergencies
Details of shut off points for gas and water into the property, are to be provided at the initial meeting.
In the event of a household emergency, your emergency contact will be contacted to arrange any remedial work.
Heating
Please leave your thermostat settings within a normal comfortable range when required.
If the house temperature is outside of this range, Coddle and Dote will adjust the thermostat to ensure the health and comfort of your pets.
Accompanying Visitors
A sitter may wish to have either a companion or spouse accompany them on an assignment at no additional costs to the client. This may happen if personal safety is thought to to be an issue.
This must be agreed with the client.
Changes to return date
Coddle and Dote carefully schedule their bookings to serve you and other clients, therefore, there are no refunds for early returns or last minute changes to pet care.
In the event that the client is delayed on return, they must inform Coddle and Dote immediately, and they will do their best to make alternative arrangements for continued cover, this may incur a further charge.
Payment
Coddle and Dote accepts cash/cheque/bank transfer, (please ask for bank details)
A £15 non-refundable deposit is payable to Coddle and Dote at the time of booking.
The remaining balance is due on or before the first date of service start date.
Where services are required long term, the client may make payments on a monthly or weekly basis.
Where payment is not received in accordance with these terms and conditions, the company reserves the right not to proceed with any previously agreed arrangements, and a cancellation fee will be payable. (£15)
Liability
Coddle and Dote shall not be liable to the client 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 reasonable control.
Coddle and Dote does not accept liability for other persons who will be in your home prior to, during or immediately after our services have been rendered.
Please inform us at the time of consultation of anyone that may be on or in your premises whilst we are commencing our services. (maintenance people, neighbours, family).