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Definitions of this document and Customer Engagement Letter
(a) Any reference to “we”, “our”, “us”, “our team”, “Scout About”, “Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care”, etc in these Terms and Conditions refers specifically to Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, unless otherwise stated.
(b) Any reference to “you”, “your”, “owner”, etc in these Terms and Conditions refers to the person identified in the Owner Details on this form.
(c) Any reference to “our services”, “services”, etc in these Terms and Conditions refers to the services offered by Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, as stated on our website and Facebook page.
(d) Any reference to “pet” in these Terms and Conditions refers specifically to the animal identified in the Pet Details on the Pet Information Form.
General conditions, applicable to all services
(a) We reserve the right to revise, amend or alter these Terms and Conditions without prior notice and at our discretion.
(b) The owner gives Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care permission to communicate with a veterinarian regarding the care of the pet.
(c) The owner gives Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care permission to allow personal information regarding the pet and owner to be provided to, or received from, a licensed veterinarian regarding the care of the pet.
(d) We reserve the right to refuse the care of any animal or pet.
(e) The owner agrees to and is required to notify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care of any changes to dates booked/required for any services and understands that extra charges may be applicable.
(f) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care reserve the right to refuse any booking for any service if, after a meet n greet, they feel their employee may be in danger from any of your pets to be placed in their care.
Fees/Payment, applicable to all services
(a) We reserve the right to revise and alter fees without prior notice and at our absolute discretion.
(b) The owner agrees to pay all costs and charges for care and services prior to the care or service commencing.
(c) The owner agrees that upon signing this contract a lien comes into existence over the pet as security for Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care against any and all outstanding fees. The owner agrees the said lien will remain in existence until the entire balance has been paid in full.
(d) The owner agrees any and all additional costs and charges when the pet departs from Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care are payable by the owner.
(e) Full payment for services agreed upon is to be made either at the time of the booking or before the service is to commence. Payment is to be made by bank transfer. If payment is not made within this time, 10% of the total bill will be added to the account.
(f) The owner agrees payment for dog walking services will be discussed based on an individual basis. (For long-term, regular dog walk customers, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care may, at their discretion, consider an invoicing agreement with the owner). Payments for regular/permanent Dog Walking Services that are invoiced are due in full within 7 days of the ‘week ending’ date, as specified on the invoice. If payment is not made within this time, $1 per walk not paid by the due date will be added to the invoice.
(g) The owner must provide all items necessary for their pets’ care while in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, including but not limited to leads, collars, tags, food, medication, etc. Should the pet require any further items/supplies whilst in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, these will be purchased and added to the cost of the service provided.
(h) The owner agrees it is their responsibility to ensure keys are delivered to employees of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care prior to a service commencing.
(i) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care does hold Liability Insurance, however we strongly recommend pets be insured by the owner and Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care reserves the right to refuse or cancel a booking for any animal which is not insured.
(j) No photos of the pet will be published on social media or the Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care website unless the owner consents to photos being published (as per the Pet Information Form)
(k) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will make every effort to ensure your pet is well looked after in your absence, however Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care cannot be held liable for any loss, injury or death to a pet either inside or outside of the home whilst in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care and our employees.
Liability, applicable to all services.
(a) The owner agrees all responsibility for the behaviour of the pet for the duration of care Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care are providing is the sole responsibility of the owner.
(b) The owner agrees to indemnify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for any and all claims of loss or damage arising from any act or behaviour of the pet.
(c) The owner agrees to indemnify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for any and all costs and charges associated with any special services requested or required during the time Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care are caring for your pet.
(d) The owner agrees to indemnify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for all costs and charges associated with all veterinarian costs and charges incurred while Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care are caring for your pet.
(e) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will, where possible, do all that is reasonable to contact the owner before any veterinarian treatment is sought.
(f) The owner agrees Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, our employees, our team or our agents will not be liable in any way for any items damaged, destroyed, lost or left behind on our employees, our team or our agents premises during the pets Pet Homestay Care, Pet Sitting Care or Pet Holiday Care.
(g) The owner agrees to indemnify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for any and all other additional costs incurred by the pet whilst Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care are caring for the pet.
(h) The owner understands Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will carry Liability Insurance relevant to the services performed for the owner and a copy of the Insurance Policy will be made available to the owner upon request. Upon receipt of the said Insurance Policy, the owner agrees he/she is familiar with and understands the content of the Insurance Policy.
(i) The owner understands that Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will take all reasonable precautions to prevent the transfer of communicable diseases and the owner understands this may be unavoidable.
(k) The owner agrees to indemnify Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for any communicable disease transferred to the owners’ pet during the time with, or as a result of, any actions of or by Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care.
(k) The owner agrees to provide an alternative and authorised contact/person to make decisions on the pets’ wellbeing in a timely manner, if the owner will be unable to be contacted at any point of time while their pet is in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care.
Health and Wellbeing
(a) The owner acknowledges that Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care employees are not qualified veterinarians and are not qualified to diagnose health problems or issues the pet may have. The owner understands Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care employees are not able to provide specialist care that your pet may require.
(b) The owner will ensure the pet is fully vaccinated and all vaccinations are current, ensuring they are fully vaccinated throughout their stay with one of our employees.
(c) The owner agrees to disclose all information regarding the health and any illnesses or health conditions the pet may currently have.
(d) The owner agrees to disclose all information regarding any problems, be it behavioural or health, the pet may have.
(e) The owner understands they need to provide all medication the pet will require during the pets stay with us, with the medication being in its original packaging, currently dated and accompanied with instructions from the pets’ veterinarian.
(f) The owner acknowledges Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care reserves the right to refuse a booking for your pet if the pets care requires a level of expertise the employee is not able to provide.
(g) The owner agrees that if the pet is found to have fleas or is dirty once care by Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care has begun, we shall make all reasonable attempts to contact and advise the owner of the condition. The owner agrees where no contact can be made, we shall take reasonable measures to rectify the issue and charges may apply to the owner.
(h) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care and our employees are not to be held liable where any injury, sickness and/or death occurs whilst the pet is in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care or in transit where stated circumstances are a result of the owners failure to disclose any and all relevant information regarding the pet and instructions for the pets care, and/or where Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care have acted with reasonable care to ensure the pets health requirements are met (for example, a bee sting to the pet), as per clause (a) of Health and Wellbeing.
(i) By reading these Terms and Conditions, and signing the Pet Information Form, the owner openly and honestly declares they have provided full and accurate information relevant to the care of the pet.
(j) All dogs are to have up to date vaccinations, including parvo and kennel cough, be de-flead, wormed and have a microchip with current details of the owner.
Dog Walking
(a) Cancellation of walks booked for a period of one week or more require one months’ notice of cancellation. If the required notice is not given, charges may be applied for part of or full cancelled period.
(b) Cancellation of walks booked for a period of less than one week require one weeks’ notice of cancellation.
(c) All dogs being walked will be subject to a trial period to ensure they are adequately trained and socialised. Should the pet not be socialised, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will endeavour to do everything reasonably possible to avoid interaction with other dogs and people.
(d) All dogs being walked must be fully vaccinated and receiving regular flea, worm and tick treatment.
(e) All dogs will be exercised on a lead unless upon prior agreement with the owner and the relevant ‘off leash’ section has been completed on the Pet Information Form and is signed by the owner.
(f) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care reserves the right to apply personal judgement and reduce the duration of a walk if necessary, be it due to either/and/or extreme weather (eg thunderstorm or heat), for the safety of the dog and/or the walker, any other reason. Full charges will still apply.
(g) If the dog is to be walked near water or in wet weather, the owner is required to leave a towel for the walker to towel dry the dog.
Pet Homestay Care, Pet Sitting & Pet Holiday
(a) A non-refundable deposit of 50% may be required at the time of booking, with the remaining 50% fee to be paid before the service commences. We will advise you if a deposit is required.
(b) Any cancellation must be made one week prior to planned commencement of service or the full rate will be charged. Furthermore, if you return early from your holiday, any payment made to Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care for the outstanding days/nights is non-refundable.
(c) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will take adequate steps to ensure your home is both safe and secure for the duration of the Pet Homestay Care and Pet Sitting, and throughout your absence. Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care cannot be held liable for any accidents, malicious damage, burglaries, weather damage, damage by pets or any other cause.
(d) The owner agrees to provide all necessary items for your pet to be adequately cared for during the owners’ absence and throughout the agreed upon duration of the Pet Homestay Care, Pet Sitting and Pet Holiday Care. These items include but are not limited to food, leads, tags, medication, bedding, collars, water bowls, food bowls, blankets, towel, etc. Should pets require other supplies/items whilst in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care, these will be purchased and added to the account.
(e) Whilst with your pet, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will take all possible steps to ensure your pet is safe, entertained and comfortable. However, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will not be responsible or liable for the Ranger being called if you pet is excessively noisy or escapes from your property. We suggest you advise your neighbours of your holiday arrangements.
(f) Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will make every effort to ensure your pet is well looked after in your absence, however Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care cannot be held liable for any loss, injury or death to a pet either inside or outside of the home whilst in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care and our employees.
Pet Taxi
(a) All bookings are subject to a 50% non-refundable deposit, payable at the time of booking. The remainder of the service cost is to be made immediately prior to the service commencing.
(b) Any cancellations must be made more than 48 hours before the booking is due to commence or the full rate will be charged.
(c) For veterinarian visits, the owner must advise the veterinarian surgery that Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will be attending the appointment on their behalf and the owner must ensure arrangements for payment have been made with the veterinarian direct, or with Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care.
(d) Should an owner wish to accompany Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care whilst an animal is being transported, the owner accepts they do so at their own risk and that Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care does not accept liability and is not liable for any accident, injury or illness to the animal or the owner, or for any delay incurred during transportation.
Training
The owner understands they are responsible for ongoing training of their pet whilst not in the care of Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care and Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care cannot be held responsible for behaviours the pet develops or previously held.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care will contact the owner on the number/s provided to confirm the owners’ choice of action. If the owner cannot be reached, Scout About Dog Walking and Pet Care is authorised to contact the alternative contact person the owner has provided or transport the pet to a listed veterinarian, request on-site treatment from a veterinarian and transport the pet to an emergency clinic.
Validity
Should any clause or part thereof contained in this document be judged to be invalid for any reason whatsoever, such invalidity will not affect the validity or operation of the remainder of document and such invalid clause or part thereof will be deemed to have been deleted from this document.
Relaxation of Terms
No relaxation, indulgence, alteration, waiver or release by any party of any of the rights in regards to these Terms and Conditions on one occasion shall prevent the subsequent enforcement of such rights and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of any of the terms.
