TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Pet sitting

All clients will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions (as laid out below) on signature of the contract.

1. The client agrees to provide full and honest information to Root Behaviour & Pet Services about their pets during the booking procedures. Behaviour which may negatively impact on myself (Ruth Moots), my own dogs or those on walks. These include but are not limited to excessive barking or anti-social behaviour, aggression towards any humans or animals, straying and phobias.

2. The emergency contact will be asked to take over care for the pet(s) in the event of an emergency, if your pet displayed behaviour which meant they can no longer be cared for. These behaviours can be, but not limited to aggression or anti-social. Refunds will not be given under these circumstances. Please seek permission for an emergency contact to be nominated. The client agrees that if their pet attacks another animal or person, including any representative of Root Behaviour & Pet Services and this results in injury to that animal or person, they will be responsible for any expense incurred as a result. This includes payment of veterinary fees incurred as a result of injuries to another animal caused by their dog. The dog will be removed with immediate effect and placed with the emergency contact and no refund will be due.

3. Clients agree to an introductory meeting to allow myself (Ruth Moots) to meet the pet(s) and discuss aspects of care. This meeting will take place in your home by arrangement and is provided free of charge.

4. I agree I will be handing over my pet(s) to Root Behaviour & Pet Services in good health. Any current illnesses or ailments will be disclosed and any medication for such ailments will be supplied and detailed on the Medication Permission form, overleaf. If a period of more than one month elapses between a booking confirmation and the commencement of service, the client must ensure that Root Behaviour & Pet Services are informed of any changes made to the pet’s health, routine or care.

5. All meetings and times are looked upon as appointments and must be followed. If you are unavoidably delayed by more than fifteen minutes, you must contact myself (Ruth Moots) before the arranged time to arrange another suitable for any appointment. Please only call or text to arrange, if you use any other form of messaging this may not be received if I am not in a WiFi enabled area.

6. If the service is cancelled less than 24 hours before commencement then full fees are due. Root Behaviour & Pet Services does not charge an extra administration fee for cancelled bookings. Cancellations must be made in writing by email, text or via my Facebook page. A full refund will only be given in the event of the dogs’ death or as a result of serious illness or injury, vets confirmation will be required.

7. The client agrees that their dog(s) will come into contact with other dogs outside whilst being exercised.

8. If a medical emergency arises for your pet(s), Root Behaviour & Pet Services will make every effort to contact the client and their emergency contact. Where time is of the essence, the client authorises Root Behaviour & Pet Services to seek medical services at the nearest veterinary practice. The client agrees to reimburse for all services rendered by a veterinarian in accordance with the owners wishes as stated and signed in the veterinary release form.

9. Unless otherwise agreed, your pet(s) will be exercised on a harness or collar and a soft lead. Where a client is happy that their dog is allowed to run free off the lead, they must be willing to sign an off lead disclaimer, under which the client agrees to accept responsibility for accident, injury or loss, caused by or to their dog. Dogs will not be walked in thunderstorms or extreme heat, instead they will have garden access for toileting.

10. In the event of serious accident or illness of myself (Ruth Moots) the client accepts that alternative emergency cover may be arranged for their pet(s). This will be done with the involvement of the client’s emergency contact(s).

11. All pets must be fully up to date with their yearly vaccinations or titre tested with certificate of proof (kennel cough is not compulsory but is advised), they must also be wormed and treated for fleas/ticks on a regular basis. Root Behaviour & Pet Services reserves the right to decline to accept any animal that appears visibly unwell.

12. Although Root Behaviour and Pet Services holds full Public Liability insurance, pets should also be insured by the client (wherever possible). Root Behaviour and Pet Services reserves the right to refuse a booking for any recipient which is not insured.

13. Any pet transported in a vehicle will be securely transported in a suitable size pet crate or secured by harness and safety seat belt made for that pet. No animal will be left unattended in a vehicle, unless attending a brief pick up or drop off for other customers and due care will be taken to ensure the pet is safe and comfortable with water if needed.

14. Root Behaviour & Pet Services carry out all agreed services in a reliable, caring and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, the client waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Root Behaviour & Pet Services except those arising from gross negligence or misconduct on the part of Root Behaviour & Pet Services.

15. The client authorises the signed contract to be valid approval for future services, therefore allowing Root Behaviour & Pet Services to accept future bookings without additional signed contracts or authorisation. By signing below I am promising to read these terms and conditions in their entirety.

Animal behaviour

Cancellations - 72 hours’ notice is required. Charges may be applied (for up to the entire period that has been cancelled) if the required notice period is not given.

50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the remainder due 48 hours after completion of the consultation.

Additional charges may apply depending on distance from EX15 at 45p per mile, excluding the first and last 10 miles.

Root Behaviour and Pet Services reserves the right to cancel the contract (at any time & with immediate effect) if any dog/s under the contract do not respond well to the therapy plan and/or other dogs (where the continuing of said contract is deemed, by Root Behaviour and Pet Services, to constitute a risk).

The trainer will apply personal judgment and cut short a walk, if necessary, because of extreme weather conditions; including, but not limited to: excessive heat, torrential rain, thunder storms and snow/ice. The decision to do so lays with the judgment of the walker, for the safety of themselves, members of the public, other animals and that of the recipient. In such circumstances the decision to give a refund for that session (either complete or partial) is at the discretion of Root Behaviour and Pet Services.

Our methods are all force free however are never instant and take commitment from the client to work with their dog in the long-term.

All dogs that are known to bite other dogs or people or cause injury need to wear a muzzle, we take no responsibility for dogs who are not muzzled or kept under control, during our session or when working outside of our session. Failure to wear a muzzle when asked may result in termination of your support

Root Behaviour and Pet Services carry comprehensive insurance (Pet Business Insurance); however, any accident or injury during training sessions may not be covered if you have failed to use appropriate equipment or fail to follow all given advice.

Dogs must be always kept under control when we enter your premises. Failure to do so and any injury caused by your dog being out of control will be your full responsibility.

In some cases Root Behaviour and Pet Services uses stooge dogs to aid training. You will be responsible for keeping your dog a sufficient and safe distance from the stooge dog and if asked will need your dog to wear a muzzle during these sessions.

You are happy for Root Behaviour and Pet Services to share success stories about your dog via social media and share photos.

You are happy to write a testimonial if requested.

You agree to report/check in regularly about your dog’s progress through either email, text, or by sharing on our Facebook page or respond to any communication from Root Behaviour and Pet Services. Continual failure to do so can result in a termination of your support

Terms and Conditions last updated: 25th January 2021