Dog Walker | Dog Walking | Gosforth | Jesmond | Kingston Park | Longbenton | Fenham

Terms and Conditions

 

GOSDOGWALKING Terms and Conditions of Business, including Bookings, Payments, Cancellations, Holidays, Health & Safety, Safe Working and Privacy Policy.

 

This T&C's formalize the relationship between GOSDOGWALKING and Clients. It is designed to protect and help all parties. These Terms and Conditions of Business together with the GOSDOGWALKING Health and Safety Requirements form the Contract between You (“the client”) and GOSDOGWALKING (“the walker/sitter”). Please read these carefully. Your booking and / or use of any service provided by GOSDOGWALKING constitutes your acceptance of all such terms and an agreement to pay GOSDOGWALKING’s charges within the agreed timescales. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

 

1. GOSDOGWALKING’s responsibilities to you

(a) GOSDOGWALKING will carry out animal and/or property care services and tend your animals, home, and/or property at the address specified (“The Service”). GOSDOGWALKING will carry out The Service you have commissioned in the timeframe and on the day or dates agreed with You in advance.

(b) If You have booked any Sitting services requiring GOSDOGWALKING to stay on the premises, GOSDOGWALKING undertakes not to leave the property unattended for more than 5 hours in daylight or 2 hour after dark, unless otherwise agreed with You. GOSDOGWALKING will perform light household duties to maintain the standard of cleanliness and tidiness in which the property was left by You. You are not required to provide GOSDOGWALKING with food in addition to the fee charged.

 

2. Your Responsibilities

(a) You are responsible for providing GOSDOGWALKING with all necessary information concerning Your requirements for The Service and, if applicable, for any relevant and specific information about your animals / pets or property e.g. medical conditions, routine medications, behavioural matters, fertility seasons, alarm, tender plants, or other key issues which Sandra will or might need for care, security and safety purposes. Note: All dogs must be microchipped and each must have an I.D. disc for collars or harnesses, as required by law.

(b) You are responsible for ensuring that GOSDOGWALKING has sufficient and safe access and egress to, from and within your home or property, and that the property is as securable as is reasonably practicable (especially to prevent animal escapes/incidents).

(c) You are required to comply with Health & Safety requirements i.e. meet national regulations currently in force. See also ‘Safe Working’, below.

(d) You are responsible for supplying sufficient, safe and proper materials and equipment in order for GOSDOGWALKING to carry out The Service You have commissioned. This includes, where relevant, animal feeds / food for your pet, bedding / fresh bedding, routine medication, equipment, or other items required for the purpose of carrying out the services booked - as per those you would need when carrying out such activities yourselves. Other examples include: cleaning materials such as broom, dustpan and brush, cloths, bucket, gloves, disinfectant, washing up liquid, toilet cleaner, vacuum cleaner, grooming kit, head-collars, suitable and safe collars, leads or harnesses, rugs, pet towels, routine parasite treatments. This list is not exhaustive and is provided for illustrative purposes only.

(e) You are responsible for adequately insuring Your property and its contents, and any animals for which you have commissioned GOSDOGWALKING to look after, and ensuring that such insurance continues throughout the duration of the smallholding / animal / pet / garden / house sitting service. *Please notify your own insurers that you will have a sitter for the period you book GOSDOGWALKING.

(f) Emergencies: If GOSDOGWALKING incurs essential costs in dealing with an emergency during a client’s absence for which the provider is unwilling or unable to invoice the client directly, the client agrees on proof of expenditure to reimburse GOSDOGWALKING immediately upon their return. For example this will apply to charges which are essential for, or inherent in the services being provided e.g. veterinary fees, which are not directly the proven result of GOSDOGWALKING’s negligence or omission.

(g) Your information: You are responsible of informing GOSDOGWALKING of any changes to the information provided in the original contract (e.g. change of address, emergency contact, change of insurance, change of registered vet etc)

 

3. Bookings

Bookings for any Service are subject to availability. Bookings for Dog Walking Services are to be made at least 12 hours in advance to be considered. While regular bookings have priority, GOSDOGWALKING will always try to accommodate any requests. GOSDOGWALKING cannot be held reliable for not being able to accommodate any requests.

Weekly bookings for Dog Walking, if it is not a regular agreement, must be made by Sunday 5PM for the following week. Bookings for Dog Walking changed or cancelled with less than 12 hours notice might occur in full charge.

 

4. Cancellations / Alterations

Dog Walking Services require a 24 hour cancellation notice. Cancellations with less notice might occur in full charge for The Service.

 

Pet Sitting Services require a deposit of 50% at time of Booking. If cancelled 21 days or earlier commencing start date, a 25% refund will be given. If cancelled within 21 days of commencing start date, no refund will be given. Exceptions will be made for critical unforeseen circumstances beyond YOUR control and directly affecting You e.g. death of a human partner or immediate family member.

All deposits or payments are not transferable to alternative dates or services. If however, due to unavoidable illness or other emergency beyond GOSDOGWALKING’s control, GOSDOGWALKING is unable to fulfil a booking made by You, Your deposit / balance payment will be refunded and the contract rendered void with no liabilities applicable to either party.

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GOSDOGWALKING might cancel or shorten walks on short notice if there are extreme weather conditions (e.g. ice on roads or extreme heat). This decision will be made in the best interest of the dogs health and safety. GOSDOGWALKING will inform You in this case and, if the walk is cancelled and a home visit cannot be done or is not needed instead, full payment will be refunded.

 

5. Holidays and cover

If GOSDOGWALKING will close for holidays, GOSDOGWALKING will give as much notice as possible and will find cover for walks if needed.

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If You plan holidays or do not need walks for 5 continuous working days or more (e.g school holidays), a minimum of 1 weeks notice is needed in order for GOSDOGWALKING to plan accordingly.

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6. Payment

(a) You are responsible for making payments promptly.

(b) GOSDOGWALKING is not committed to carry out any work on Bank Holidays and during unsocial hours (between 10pm – 7am). If you require any services in that time it needs to be agreed on between You and GOSDOGWALKING and might incur a surcharge.

(c) If: The assignment does not match Your original description and necessitates more time, special requirements, responsibilities, expertise, additional travel or costs incurred on the part of GOSDOGWALKING; or there is a material change in the nature of the assignment, which could not reasonably have been foreseen by either party, GOSDOGWALKING reserves the right to either impose supplementary charges at any time before the service to You commences, or immediately following the completion of Our Service delivery to You if such issues arise during the assignment. Alternatively GOSDOGWALKING reserves the right to terminate the arrangement immediately without liability on the part of GOSDOGWALKING. Unless the rate agreed as part of the quotation process accommodates the additional work from the outset, for smallholding and more intensive sitting services (i.e. not specifically booked and charged by the hour), tasks should not exceed 5 or 6 hours per day, or 2.5 per partial day. For house, garden, single or dual pet sitting, tasks should not exceed 4 hours per day.

(d) GOSDOGWALKING accepts payments by bank transfer, PayPal or cash. Payment is due in all circumstances prior to the service commencing, especially if a booking is made at short notice, unless otherwise agreed.

(e) If You fail to pay any balance one week after the service being carried out, GOSDOGWALKING reserves the right to terminate the contract, or if applicable suspend The Services to You, without notice and without further liability on the part of GOSDOGWALKING. GOSDOGWALKING also reserves the right to charge You a late payment fee of 4% of the total in addition to any costs or expenses incurred in recovering such payments.

 

7. Complaints

(a) If You are not happy with the standard of Service please initially discuss your concerns with GOSDOGWALKING.

(b) Any complaints about GOSDOGWALKING’s performance or otherwise, or decisions made by GOSDOGWALKING, must initially be made within 24 hours of the event or issue of which you became aware, and confirmed in writing within the following 2 working days.

 

8. Disclaimer and limitation of liability

(a) GOSDOGWALKING has public liability insurance cover. However, GOSDOGWALKING cannot be held liable for any indirect or consequential loss (including, but not limited to loss of profits and/ or reputation) and GOSDOGWALKING’s liability will be limited to the prevailing public liability insurance cover held by GOSDOGWALKING. Reference clause 2a and 2b: GOSDOGWALKING cannot be held liable for your pet(s) or animal(s) in the event of an accident or incident unless this is proven to be as a direct result of GOSDOGWALKING’s negligence. GOSDOGWALKING cannot be held liable for consequences of their behaviour which can be attributable to failure of the client to provide secure, safe accommodation, relevant information, or appropriate, suitable and sound equipment.

(b) If any of your animals or pets is likely to pose any type of medium to high risk to GOSDOGWALKING, or others, or other livestock or pets, please provide full details at the time of making an enquiry. GOSDOGWALKING may ask you for details in writing in order for GOSDOGWALKING to carry out a suitable health and safety risk assessment.

(c) Whilst GOSDOGWALKING will make every effort to look after your animals and / or property, and handle your items with due skill, care and attention, accidents do happen. For this reason all irreplaceable non-animal items (whether monetarily or sentimentally valuable) should be stored. If the value of any of your animals or pets exceeds £1000 (one thousand pounds sterling) please let GOSDOGWALKING know at the time of making an enquiry.

(d) GOSDOGWALKING will towel dry your dog after every walk, but your dog might still be partially wet or dirty when dropped off. You are welcome to leave a towel out for GOSDOGWALKING to dry your dog again on drop off, and we recommend that the dog is left in an easy clean area. GOSDOGWALKING is not responsible for dirty or wet furniture or carpets.

(e) Your home and property are assumed safe and ready for GOSDOGWALKING to provide the Service you have commissioned. GOSDOGWALKING is not responsible for damage due to faulty and/or improper installation of any item.

(f) Nothing in these terms and conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability which may not otherwise be limited or excluded under applicable law.

 

9. Miscellaneous

(a) This contract is not assignable by You.

(b) If any part of this contract is prohibited by law or judged by a court to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, the provision shall to the extent required be severed from this contract and shall not in any way affect the validity or enforcement of the remainder of this contract.

(c) This contract is governed by English law and is subject to the jurisdiction of English courts and both parties agree to the enforcement of a judgement of an English court in any jurisdiction.

(d) Dogs will be exercised on lead, unless otherwise agreed with GOSDOGWALKING and for safety reasons they should have had at least basic lead training. If exercising dogs off lead is agreed with GOSDOGWALKING, You will need to provide authority in writing to comply with GOSDOGWALKING’s insurance terms and conditions. If a dog has any aggression or ‘predatory’ issues and could potentially pose a risk, You will be required to provide a muzzle.

(e) GOSDOGWALKING may take a selection of photos during delivery of the GOSDOGWALKING contract to (i) comply with insurance underwriter requirements, or for evidence for any potential legal issue, and /or (ii) use these anonymously (unless otherwise agreed with you) for illustration or marketing purposes - with due and proper regard to maintaining the safety and security of clients’ identity, location, and the identity and location of your property and animals. Therefore any photos used for illustration or marketing purposes, stored on any device, or shared with another company e.g. insurance underwriters or a law enforcement agency, will be consistent with this objective and in compliance with Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation currently in force. The photos will remain property of GOSDOGWALKING. If you wish any exclusions to apply to this term, please discuss these with GOSDOGWALKING prior to the service commencing.

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Health and Safety

 

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GOSDOGWALKING’s Responsibilities: It is the objective of GOSDOGWALKING that all clients, their animals / pets, and others be protected, so far as it is reasonably practicable from risks to health and safety arising from work activities. This statement of policy will be reviewed and revised as appropriate, to take account of changes in circumstances or in regard to legal requirements.

 

YOUR Responsibilities: As a client or clients of GOSDOGWALKING I/we:

1. Authorise GOSDOGWALKING to take reasonable action in case of an emergency at our property. For house-sitting and smallholding I/we agree to provide GOSDOGWALKING with all relevant emergency contact details at the time of booking, in addition to an emergency contact for ourselves “the Client” or our designated representative in our absence.

2. Authorise GOSDOGWALKING to seek veterinary advice and/or treatment in the event that any animal or pet being cared for as part of The Service commissioned becomes (or appears to become) ill or injured. Where possible my/our preferred veterinary surgeon will be used; however I/we understand that GOSDOGWALKING reserves the right to use another veterinary surgeon if necessary. If the veterinary practice has required payment at the time of treatment. I/we agree to reimburse GOSDOGWALKING for any veterinary costs incurred by them in this regard immediately upon my/our return.

3. I/we will ensure that all access and egress areas at my property are clear, useable and safe as far as reasonably practicable.

4. Will inform GOSDOGWALKING of any existing or potential bio security issues, including the presence of known, or suspected, infectious diseases or parasites prior to the Service commencing.

 

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Safe Working

 

As a client or clients of GOSDOGWALKING, I/we:

1. Acknowledge that I/we have a statutory responsibility for the Health and Safety of any contractors engaged to carry out a contract for me/us, which will apply to GOSDOGWALKING, whether for home visits, exercising of animals, or sitting duties.

2. Where GOSDOGWALKING is uncomfortable with manual handling of an item, product or animal, GOSDOGWALKING will exercise their duty of care, which may include refusing to undertake activities which GOSDOGWALKING assesses potentially present a hazard and / or pose a medium to high risk of injury.

3. Acknowledge that GOSDOGWALKING’s insurance cover excludes handling or use of any substances which are governed by COSHH regulations.