TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and Conditions

  1. All clients will be deemed to have accepted Care and Cuddles’ Terms and Conditions, as laid out on this website, on signature of the Service Agreement Form. Any reference to “Pets” in the Terms and Conditions encompasses all species including horses.

  2. Bookings
    2.1    Bookings will only be accepted after all the necessary forms have been completed and any payment due has been made. 
    2.2    For new clients, an in-home or at stable yard consultation will be required prior to booking.
    2.3    For new clients or ad hoc bookings, a non-refundable 50% deposit will be required at the time of booking and the remaining payment will be due no less than 48 hours before service begins.
    2.4    For existing clients with on-going regular bookings, payment is to be made within 5 days on receipt of invoice.
    2.5    Payments can be via cash and bank transfer.
    2.6    Any services booked on a Sunday are priced at time and a half and any services booked on a bank holiday are priced at double time.
    2.7    Bookings may be accepted up to 24 hours before service begins but payment in full will be required for all bookings made less than 14 days before service begins.
    2.8    For Horse Riding lessons payment is required at the time of lesson.

  3. Cancellations
    In the event of the Client cancelling the services, the Client agrees to pay Care and Cuddles a fee equal to:
    3.1    100% of the Fees if cancellation occurs less than 48 hours of the scheduled service.
    3.2    50% of the Fees if cancellation occurs between 48 hours and 14 days of the scheduled service.
    3.3    The non-refundable deposit, as set out on the Booking Form.

  4. Duty of Care
    4.1    In the event of extreme weather which may have an adverse effect on your pet (e.g. heat, snow, thunder storms etc.) Care and Cuddles shall, at their sole discretion, take whatever action they consider necessary, including not carrying out scheduled exercise or not turning horses out if it is, in their opinion, not safe to do so.
    4.2    Dogs will only be walked on leads unless an ‘Off the Lead Permission Form’ has been signed.
    4.3    Care and Cuddles will make adequate steps to ensure your home/yard is safe and secure in your absence, however Care and Cuddles cannot be held responsible for any burglaries or accidents caused by your pets.
    4.4    Any damage to the property or possessions of the Client in their absence, however caused by the pet, where considered by Care and Cuddles to be serious enough to inform the Client, they will do so at the earliest opportunity.

  5. Behaviour Problems Including Aggressive or Unsociable Animals
    5.1    Care and Cuddles must be informed of any behaviour problems at the time of booking including any horses which may not be the easiest to handle. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of all bookings.
    5.2    The client will indemnify Care and Cuddles against any damage or injury caused by the pet towards any property, person or other animal, this will include, but not limited to veterinary, medical and legal fees.
    5.3    Should any pet become aggressive or dangerous, Care and Cuddles shall, at their sole discretion, take whatever action they consider necessary in the best interest of the animal, other animals or people which may be encountered. 

  6. Necessities
    6.1    The client shall provide sufficient food, medication, cat litter, poop bags, hay, bedding and any treats for their pet(s) for the duration of the service.
    6.2    For dogs, the client shall provide secure collars with name tags and leads along with suitable harnesses or head collars if required and any coats or fleeces to be worn.
    6.3    For dogs, the client shall provide suitable towels as required in order that their pet may be wiped after a walk.
    6.4    For horses, appropriate rugs (including any spares) should be made available.
    6.5    Should pets require any additional supplies whilst in the care of Care and Cuddles these will be purchased and the client will be invoiced for the goods along with any additional costs incurred e.g. fees for time and travel.
    6.6    The Client shall make available cleaning materials in the event of any ‘accidence’ within their property. Care and Cuddles cannot be held liable or responsible for any stains, marks or damages caused by the fouling or by the attempts to clean it up.
    6.7    For equine services the client shall make available any tools required for the services requested which may include a good broom, a plastic shaving fork and a manure scoop and scraper.
    6.8    For equine services, the client shall ensure all fencing is safe, secure and to an appropriate standard to ensure horses cannot escape and to minimise risk of injury. It is the responsibility of the Client to mend any broken fencing and to ensure that any electric fencing has a power supply and is in good working order.
    6.9    For equine services, the client shall ensure that either a nearby  tap is available or a hose of suitable length is connected up to allow for the filling up of water buckets and any field troughs without the need to use water containers or to have to carry buckets further than would be considered normal practice.
    6.10   For equine services, the Client shall ensure that there is adequate lighting in working order and available to use including on the yard, in the stable and in any feed rooms or barns.
    6.11    For equine services, due to Health and Safety reasons regarding lifting of heavy weights, Care and Cuddles does not routinely tip out heavy water containers, lift soaked hay or hang up hay nets containing hay which has been soaked. Care and Cuddles is happy to discuss alternative options or ways to manage the situation.

  7. Health
    7.1    The client is responsible for any veterinary bills whilst their pet is under the care of Care and Cuddles, no matter how they are incurred.
    7.2    If the pet is taken sick or injured, Care and Cuddles will notify the Client at the earliest convenience to take instructions or guidance. In the event of Care and Cuddles not being able to contact the Client, or in an emergency situation, Care and Cuddles shall make arrangements as deemed necessary and which are in the best interest of the pet. Any veterinary bills shall be directly chargeable to the Client.
    7.3    All dogs being exercised must be fully vaccinated and, particularly for those on group walks, the Kennel Cough vaccine is also advised. All dogs must also be on a regular flea and worm control regime.
    7.4    Any dog(s) coughing will not be taken out for a walk and normal charges may still apply.
    7.5    It shall be the sole responsibility of the Client to ensure that Care and Cuddles are fully aware of any health issues their pet is experiencing, or has suffered from in the past. Care and Cuddles cannot be held liable for any actions or omissions which result in problems or complications for anything not disclosed.
    7.6    No booking can be accepted without a completed Veterinary Release Form. Care and Cuddles shall follow instruction given on the Booking Form but cannot be held liable for any complications which may arise.
    7.7    In the event of a pet having a contagious illness or disease which has not been disclosed, the client may be liable for the costs of treatment given to other animals which become infected.

  8. Keys
    8.1     Where it is necessary for the Care and Cuddles to hold keys to a property, the Client shall provide one of each key needed. Keys will be coded and kept within a locked system for security.
    8.2    Keys will be returned upon completion of this agreement providing all fees due have been paid.
    8.3    If it is necessary for keys to be collected or returned in order to provide the service, charges will be applied to cover time and travel costs.

  9.  Privacy
    9.1    It shall be the Clients sole responsibility to ensure the information provided to Care and Cuddles is current and up to date. The Client agrees to accept any decision made by Care and Cuddles in the event of not being able to contact the Client as a result of wrong information held. If Care and Cuddles is subjected to any expenditure as a result of the decision that expenditure shall be recoverable from the client.
    9.2    Care and Cuddles shall not use or pass Client information to a third party (other than information needed by a carer or veterinary surgeon to perform their duties). All information relating to the client, their property and pet(s) will be stored in accordance with GDPR.

  10. Insurance
    10.1    Care and Cuddles holds and maintains Public Liability Insurance.
    10.2    The insurance covers Care and Cuddles for the services agreed during the times or periods specified.
    10.3    It shall be sole responsibility of the client to ensure their property, its contents and also their pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the scheduled services.

  11. Third Parties
    11.1    The Client shall advise Care and Cuddles of anyone who will have access to your property during any periods of the Client’s absence, including but not limited to friends, family and neighbours.
    11.2    Care and Cuddles shall not be liable for other persons or their actions or omissions who will be in, or have access to your property before, during or after services have been rendered.

  12. Whilst Care and Cuddles will make every effort to ensure the safety of the pet and ensure that the pet is well looked after in the your absence, Care and Cuddles cannot be held liable for any loss, illness or injury of any pet whilst in their care, nor for any death of a pet unless they can be shown to be negligent.
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