Animal & Home Sitting Services
Terms and Conditions
1. Bookings and Deposits
– Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness.
– A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. Until the deposit is received, the requested dates remain open to other potential bookings.
– The remaining balance must be paid no later than 7 days prior to the booking start date. Invoices are normally issued approximately 2 days before payment is due, and clients will be notified once the invoice has been sent.
– For bookings made 7 days or fewer before the start date, the full payment is due immediately to confirm the booking (no separate deposit required).
2. Cancellations and Refunds
2.1 Overnight Pet Sitting
– Deposits are refundable if the client cancels more than 30 days before the booking start date, or may be transferred to a new date.
– Deposits are non-refundable if the client cancels or changes dates within 30 days of the booking start date.
2.2 Non-Overnight Bookings (3+ hours or multiple one-off visits/walks)
– Deposits are refundable if the client cancels more than 14 days before the booking start date, or may be transferred to a new date.
– Deposits are non-refundable if the client cancels or changes dates within 14 days of the booking start date.
2.3 Bookings Under £40
– For services valued at £40 or less, full payment is required at the time of booking to secure the service.
– Payments are refundable if the client cancels more than 7 days before the booking, or may be carried forward to a new date.
– Payments are non-refundable if the client cancels or changes dates within 7 days of the booking start date.
3. Regular and Ongoing Bookings
– For regular services (e.g., weekly dog walks or pet visits), a one-week advance payment is required to secure the first time slot. This payment acts as a rolling deposit for ongoing services.
– Future weekly payments are due at least 24 hours before the scheduled service if the booking times are consistent, or no later than the day of the service if the schedule varies.
– Clients will always remain one payment ahead, serving as a deposit for continued services.
– If a regular booking is cancelled less than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, the advance payment will be used to cover the cancellation, and a new deposit will be required for future services.
4. Meet and Greet & Key Handling
– A meet and greet appointment is required before confirming any new booking. This ensures both parties are clear on the arrangements and that the pets are comfortable with their sitter. This appointment is free of charge and should take around 30-40 minutes and include a short dog walk if this is a service requirement.
– Key collection should ideally take place during the meet and greet. If a separate key collection visit is required, this may incur a small additional charge, which will always be communicated in advance.
– If the meet and greet takes place well in advance of the booking, a follow-up visit can be arranged closer to the start date to review details and collect keys if needed.
– For ongoing or repeat bookings, the sitter can securely retain a spare key with the client’s permission, or arrange key return/collection after each booking as preferred.
5. Service Duration and Day Rates
– Pet sitting services are charged by the hour, and any part-hour is rounded up to the nearest full hour (for example, a 5.5-hour sit will be charged as 6 hours).
– Live-in sitting is charged per day, not per night.
○ Example: Arrival at 5:00 pm Saturday and departure at 1:00 pm Sunday equals 2 days.
– If the sitter is able to leave by 10:00 am on the final day, a 50% discount will be applied to that day’s rate.
○ Example: Day rate £80 → final day rate £40 if departure is before 10:00 am.
– For daytime pet sitting (6+ hours but not overnight), the sitter may arrive at any time during the day but must leave by 11:59 pm on the same day.
– A new day rate applies from 12:00 am onwards.
6. Puppy Care
Dogs under 12 months of age, or dogs requiring increased supervision due to age, training stage, or dependency, are classified as puppy care and are charged at an adjusted daily rate.
The puppy care rate reflects additional supervision requirements, including frequent toilet breaks, routine management, training consistency, and reduced flexibility for the sitter to leave the property.
Once a dog is fully house-trained, settled overnight, and no longer requires enhanced supervision, the rate will move to the standard dog sitting rate applicable at the time of booking.
Peachy Pets & Pads reserves the right to determine when a dog transitions from puppy care to standard care based on practical care requirements.
Dogs over 12 months of age requiring comparable supervision, management, or restricted sitter absence may also be charged at an adjusted care rate where care requirements exceed those of standard pet sitting.
7. Maximum Unattended Time
During live-in pet sitting services, pets may be left unattended for reasonable periods to allow the sitter to carry out other scheduled commitments, personal errands, or rest breaks.
Where pets require minimal or no time to be left alone, this must be discussed prior to booking, as additional charges or alternative arrangements may apply.
8. Home Standards & Environment
The client agrees to provide a safe, secure, and reasonably clean home environment for the duration of the booking, including suitable sleeping arrangements, access to heating, hot water, electricity, and essential household facilities.
Peachy Pets & Pads reserves the right to decline, amend, or terminate services where the property environment presents a risk to health, safety, or wellbeing, or differs significantly from what was discussed during the meet and greet.
Pet sitting services do not include deep cleaning or housekeeping beyond maintaining general cleanliness relating to pet care during the booking period.
9. Changes to Bookings
– If the circumstances of a booking change after confirmation (for example, if another person will be present at the property during the sit), this must be communicated immediately.
– The sitter reserves the right to decline, amend, or cancel the booking if the new circumstances differ from the agreed terms.
10. Client Information Requirements
– Following confirmation, clients will receive an online information form that must be completed prior to the booking start date. This form contains essential details to ensure pets’ safety, comfort, and consistency of care.
– If the completed form is not received in time, the booking may be placed on hold until the information is provided.
11. Emergency Veterinary Care
In the event of illness, injury, or emergency affecting a pet during the booking period, Peachy Pets & Pads will make every reasonable effort to contact the owner or nominated emergency contact before seeking veterinary treatment.
If the owner or emergency contact cannot be reached and urgent veterinary attention is required, Peachy Pets & Pads is authorised to seek appropriate veterinary care in the best interests of the animal.
Any veterinary fees or associated costs incurred remain the responsibility of the pet owner.
Peachy Pets & Pads accepts no liability for outcomes resulting from circumstances beyond reasonable control where actions have been taken in good faith for the welfare of the animal.
12. Bank Holidays and Premium Rates
– Services carried out on bank holidays are charged at double the standard rate.●
– This applies to:
○ Good Friday
○ Easter Monday
○ Early May Bank Holiday
○ Late May Bank Holiday
○ August Bank Holiday
○ Christmas Day
○ Boxing Day
○ New Year’s Day
13. Acceptance of Terms
– By proceeding with a booking, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in full.
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