TERMS & CONDITIONS - WILDERNESS WALKS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The Terms & Conditions are an agreement between the ‘Pet Carer’,

Katherine Bowyer of 77 Lacock Gardens, Hilperton BA14 7TG and the ‘Owner/s’ of the named dog/s, who will be walked by the Pet Carer. This agreement will last for the duration of the dog/s walk and for future bookings. The Dog Owner agrees to advise the Pet Carer of any changes in circumstances, which may effect this agreement.

CONTACT/EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

It is important that all contact information for the Owners, their Emergency Contact and Vets is kept up to date. Please advise Pet Carer of any changes.

Emergency Contacts should be a friend or family member for whom the Owners trust to make decisions with regards to Emergencies/illness if the Pet Carer is unable to contact the Owners directly.

TEMPERMENT/BEHAVIOUR

All dogs will be met in an initial Introduction Meeting at the Owners house. This is not only beneficial to the Pet Carer, but also to the Owners and dogs. It is a chance for the Pet Carer to learn more about the dog’s personality and any special requirements they may have. It is also a chance for the Owners and dog/s to get familiar with the Pet Carer, so they all feel comfortable when the dog walking takes place.

Any dog that causes concern to the Pet Carer, whether through over excitement, general behaviour or aggression towards people or other dogs may be refused walks. This will be at the Pet Carer’s discretion based on previous experience.

The Pet Carer reserves the right to refuse walking of certain dog breeds/cross breeds. These will include all dogs listed on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, some large and fighting breeds.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS/MEDICATIONS

Please advise Pet Carer of any Medical Conditions your dog may suffer from, whether long-term or temporary. If your dog is on Medication and you require the Pet Carer to administer it, it is important that you list the Medications and reason for use, as well as the doses required and how best to administer. The Pet Carer requires permission from the Owners to administer all Vet prescribed medications.

If the dog’s condition is contagious the Pet Carer reserves the right to cancel walks until such a time that the dog is declared well by a Veterinarian. Pet visits may be offered as an alternative depending on the severity of the illness.

DOG WALKS

Dogs will be walked for the length of time/distance and at the time of day specified and agreed with the Owners.

Dogs will only be let off the lead with the permission of the Owners and at the Pet Carer’s discretion.

Dogs may be walked with other dogs (maximum of 4) with the permission of the Owner and at the discretion of the Pet Carer.

COLLARS/NAME TAGS/MICROCHIPS

It is a legal requirement that all dogs have a collar with a Name Tag containing up to date contact details of their Owners. If these are not provided the Pet Carer will be unable to legally walk the dog/s in public places.

It is also now a legal requirement that all dogs are Micro chipped and it is the Owner’s responsibility to ensure that all contact information is kept up to date on the database.

DOG VISITS

If walks are not appropriate due the dog’s age or ability, the Pet Carer will spend the agreed amount of time with dog in their own garden. This will be at the time of day agreed with the Owners. The Pet Carer will entertain the dog with games and lots of attention.

UN-NEUTERED MALES & UNSPAYED FEMALES

Male dogs and female dogs from different families that have not been neutered or spayed will not be walked together under any circumstances. It is vital that Owners with unsprayed females advise the Pet Carer when they suspect they are in season, so that all necessary precautions can be taken. Dogs that are in season will not be let off the lead on walks and may be taken to an area where there is minimal risk of meeting other dogs.

TRANSPORTING DOGS IN THE CAR

Occasionally it may be necessary to transport dogs by car. Larger dogs will be transported in the secure boot area with dog guard, where as smaller dogs will be transported on the back seat secured with a dog seat belt.

Dogs that do not travel well will only be taken by car in the case of an emergency.

Dogs will never be left in the car and none essential journeys will be avoided in really hot weather.

FEEDING

If a meal is required in the Owner’s absence dogs will be fed the amounts specified by their Owners and at the times specified.

Dogs from the same family will be fed in the same room if appropriate.

Extra treats can be provided by the Owner, and/or the Pet Carer. Treats will be given to the dog/s at the discretion of the Pet

Carer and, with the Owners instruction/permission.

VACCINATIONS/FLEA & WORM TREATMENTS

It is advisable that all vaccinations are kept up to date to protect the dog/s from the most common and dangerous diseases.

Young puppies must have completed their second vaccinations at least two weeks before their first walk.

It is also advisable that all dogs are treated for Fleas and Worms on a regular basis, especially if the Owners have given the Pet Carer permission to walk them with other dogs.

The Pet Carer will not be liable for any disease or parasite infestation that occurs following a walk.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY/ILLNESS/DEATH

Depending on the type and severity of the emergency the Pet Carer will contact the Owner, the Veterinarian and/or the Owner’s Emergency Contact in which ever order is deemed appropriate at the time and will act accordingly in the best interests of the dog and on the advice of the Veterinarian. The Pet Carer will not be liable for any loss, injury, or death of the dog/s whilst in her care.

If the dog is ill or injured, the Pet Carer will take the dog to the Owner’s preferred Veterinarian. The Owners/Emergency Contact will be kept fully informed and may be asked to speak to the Vet directly to agree treatment. In the event that the Owners/Emergency Contact cannot be contacted, the Owners give full permission to the Pet Carer to agree all necessary treatment upon the advice of the Vet and in the best interests of the dog. All costs incurred are the responsibility of the Owners and they agree to make prompt payment to the Veterinarian or the Pet Carer (which ever is appropriate), upon their return.

In the case of an emergency with the Pet Carer, the Owners/Emergency contact will be advised as soon as possible and if the dog walk/visit needs to be cancelled the Owners may need to make alternative arrangements for their dog.

LOST DOGS

In the unlikely event that a dog runs off during a walk the following actions will be put in place:-

a) The Owners/Emergency Contact will be contacted immediately.

b) An extensive search will take place in the area that the dog was lost and at the Owners home (The Pet Carer may recruit others to help with this search)

c) The Police, The Dog Warden, Local Vets, Local Rescue Centre and RSPCA will be informed

d) A Lost Dog post will be placed on Facebook, Spotted in Trowbridge, Lost Dog Website and any other appropriate sites containing the Pet Carers contact details.

e) Lost Dog Posters will be put up in all relevant areas.

Every effort will be made by the Pet Carer to find the dog as soon as possible and return them to their Owners safe and sound.

The Pet Carer will not be liable for the permanent loss, injury or death of any dog within their care.

UPDATES

The Pet Carer will leave a note for the Owners after every walk/visit with updates on what the dog has been up to in their absence. This is not only reassuring for the Owners to know that their dog has been walked/visited, but it is also a useful way for the Pet Carer to communicate any issues with regards to health, behaviour or future bookings. For regular bookings a notepad and pen will be left in the Owners home and the Owners are also welcome to write any comments they may need to make. The Owners can also contact the Pet Carer at any time via text message, phone or email.

Sometimes it is nice to post photos and updates on Facebook. If Owners are happy for their dog’s pictures to be posted from time to time they are welcome to send a friend request to ‘Kate Bowyer’.

The dog’s home address will never be disclosed by the Pet Carer on Facebook (or any where else).

BOOKINGS/PAYMENTS/CANCELLING A BOOKING

Bookings will be made on a day/time agreed between the Pet Carer and the Owners. If the day of the bookings is likely to change on a regular basis it is advisable to give as much notice as possible to avoid disappointment, although the Pet Carer is happy to take last minute bookings subject to availability.

A fee will be agreed between the Pet Carer and the Owner prior to the dog walking service commencing and at the initial meeting. Prices may be reviewed on a yearly basis and Owners will be advised of any increases well in advance.

For regular bookings an Invoice will be provided at the end of each month. Payments can be made by cash, cheque or bank transfer directly into the Pet Carer’s account and should be settled within 14 days of receipt of the Invoice.

Bookings can be cancelled at any time by the Owners with no charge.

The Pet Carer reserves the right to cancel bookings at any time in the case of emergency, illness, appointments or change of circumstances. Every effort will be made to give the Owner as much notice as possible.

The Pet Carer will give the Owners at least 4 weeks notice of any holidays.

Occasionally the Pet Carer may need to attend appointments during the day, which may affect the timing or length walks. Every effort will be made to accommodate dogs on these days and their toileting needs will be a priority. it may be necessary to change the usual time, shorten walks or provide two visits or walks. The Owners will only be charged for walks/visits that take place on these days and will not be charged extra if two walks/visits are necessary.

PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THE PET CARER IS UNABLE TO WALK DOGS THAT DO NOT HAVE A COLLAR AND NAME TAG.

PRIVACY

All the information, contact details and private information that is provided by the Owners is treated in the strictest confidence. It is only provided for the purposes of the Dog Walking services and will not be passed to a third party.

The only persons with access to this information are the Pet Carer and the Pet Carer’s family in the case of an emergency.

In the case of Illness or Injury of the dog the Veterinarian may also require access to certain information held by the Pet Carer.

PET CARERS RESPONSIBILTIES

The Pet Carer will abide to the above terms and conditions.

Dog/s will be walked in a safe and caring manner and Owners will be kept informed for any problems or concerns relating to the dogs health or welfare.

OWNERS AGREEMENT/PERMISSIONS

I/we agree to the above Terms and Conditions and to the permissions given on the Dog Walking Details form for the duration of our dog’s walks/visits and for all future bookings.

DOG’S NAME………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

SIGNED…………………………………………………………PRINT NAME……………………………………….

DATE……………………………………….

PET CARER: MISS KATHERINE BOWYER, 77 LACOCK GARDENS, HILPERTON, WILTSHIRE BA14 7TG

TEL: 01225 920561 MOBILE: 07933 285705 EMAIL: katebowyer@live.co.uk