Our Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions are in place to ensure that everything runs smoothly during our booking with you. The information contained herewith as accumulated over many years of experience with staying in other people’s homes and looking after their pets. The wording may come across as unemotional but please rest assured that we put our hearts into taking care of your beloved pets and home.
These terms of service define the conditions of which a pet sitter is granted permission to occupy the pet owner’s home for the duration of the booking. Note that each party is given a name, the pet owner is called the “Client” and the pet sitter is called the “Sitter.” The Sitter is not an employee or partner of the Owner.
1.1 – Any changes to the document are ineffective unless they are made in writing and signed by both Parties.
1.2 – The Client is to fully complete the Client Information Pack prior to the commencement of any booking. Failure to do so will mean that the Sitter will have to refuse to cover the booking. The Sitter will require all of the information that is requested in the Client Information Pack in order for them to do their job to the best of their ability and to provide the best care for the Client’s pets and maintenance of their home.
1.3 – The Client agrees to update the SharePortal (found at www.s4pshareportal.co.uk) with any changes regarding their contact details, pet’s care needs and any other relevant information.
1.4 – All new Clients will be confirmed by Sitter4pets following agreement of both parties at the pet meet.
1.5 – A booking is confirmed by payment of a 30% non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit within 7 days of the client making the booking. The remaining 70% balance is payable 7 days prior to the booking start date. In the event of a Client making a cancellation, no refund of the deposit will be given. If a cancellation is made within 7 days of the booking start date, no refund of the full balance will be given.
2.1 – Each Sitter of Sitter4pets holds a Pet First Aid certificate and can perform basic first aid on a dog or a cat. Each Sitter is also able to provide their own pet first aid kit if this is required.
2.2 – The Sitter will not be held liable or financially responsible for any damage or destruction resulting from the pet(s) actions or health problems.
2.3 – The Sitter is given permission to take a couple of photographs of the Client’s pet for Sitter4pets Facebook business page and/or other appropriate websites. These pictures will not be used for anything else.
2.4 – The Sitter reserves the right to refuse to complete any booking that they feel uncomfortable with or if they feel that it may cause harm or injury to themselves or the pet. Any deposit already paid for that particular booking will be refunded immediately.
2.5 – The Client will entrust the Sitter to use their best judgment in caring for their pet(s) and home at the time of bad weather conditions. The Sitter will try to carry out the Client’s instructions to the best of their ability.
2.6 – Sitter4pets respects the Client to entrust them to allocate the most suitable Sitter to care for their pets and home.
2.7 – The Sitter is allowed to leave the property for up to 3 hours during the day and for 1 hour after dark. The Sitter will be at the Client’s home overnight, every night during the booking. Should a Client require more than 20 hours care in any 24 hour period then an additional charge will be incurred.
2.8 – If the Sitter that is completing the booking becomes ill, then one of the other Sitter’s will have permission to look after the Client’s pet(s) and property until the Sitter has recovered from their illness.
2.9 – With any booking that requires the Sitter to use the Client’s vehicle (for example, taking the dog to their regular walking area, taking the pet to the veterinary clinic) it is the Client’s full responsibility to ensure that the sitter is covered under their vehicle insurance.
2.10 – Sitter4pets shall not be liable to the Client or be deemed to be in breach of the contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform any of it’s obligations in relation to the services, if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond Sitter4pets reasonable control.
In extreme circumstances, if Sitter4pets cannot provide the service agreed, they will endeavour to give 24 hours notice and will fully refund all fees paid.
2.11 – In the event that additional items need to be purchased in the absence of the Client – such as pet food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and wellbeing of your pet, the Sitter will purchase these, retain a receipt and the Client will be responsible for reimbursement of these items on their return.
Please note, to ensure good health of your pets, it is important that we know of any brands and treats to avoid if the food should run out.
2.12 – The business insurance only covers a Sitter when they are working on a booking made directly through Sitter4pets Pet and House Sitting Services and for the services agreed.
2.13 – Our sitters are not authorised to accept bookings personally. Any bookings must be made via the enquiry form on the Sitter4Pets website.
3.1 – Everything for the pet is to be provided by the Client, such as food, bedding, necessary medication, lead, poop bags, litter, cleaning products, toys etc.
3.2 – The Client will entrust the Sitter to use their best judgment in caring for their pet(s) and home at the time of bad weather conditions. The Sitter will try to carry out the Client’s instructions to the best of their ability.
3.3 – The Client’s pets must be clean and free of ticks, fleas, worms or any form of active contagious illness.
3.4 – All of the Client’s pets should be wormed and vaccinated where appropriate.
3.5 – Sitter4pets recommends that each Client informs their veterinary clinic of each Sitter4pets booking so that they are aware of who we are should we be required to take their pet to the clinic.
3.6 – Whilst every possible care will be taken of the Client’s pet, the Sitter cannot be held responsible for loss either from illness or other causes whilst the pet is in their care. Sitter4pets are insured including a care, custody and control policy covering the pet whilst it is in their care. However, Sitter4pets recommends that the Client take out their own pet insurance.
3.7 – The Client is to provide details of the pet(s) vaccinations and insurance details. These details should be left on a kitchen worktop so that they are visible to the Sitter when the booking begins.
3.8 – In the event of an accident or illness, the Sitter will make all reasonable efforts to contact the Client. If the Client is not reachable then consent is given by the Client for the veterinary clinic to be telephoned and/or for the pet to be taken to the veterinary clinic. Any treatment that is deemed necessary by the veterinary clinic is payable by the Client.
3.9 – The Sitter will not be held liable or financially responsible for any damage or destruction resulting from the pet(s) actions or health problems.
3.10 – Veterinary Information.
It is one thing to state in the Client Information Pack that the Client is giving their consent to emergency treatment. It is another to offer direction to the veterinarian to give that treatment.
Therefore, Sitter4pets has a Vet Release document in place that contains the Client’s pet(s) details (such as name, DOB and insurance Policy number) and their veterinary information. This document will be given to the veterinarian in an emergency situation. Each Client will have completed this document when they completed their Client Information Pack.
3.11 – The Client confirms that their pet(s) have not shown aggression or caused harm, or threatening behaviour to any individual and/or any other pet(s). The Client also agrees to contact Sitter4pets as soon as possible if any of these behavioural changes present themselves or if it has the potential to cause harm to any individual or pet(s).
3.12 – The Client agrees that if their pet attacks, or is involved in a fight with another pet (and/or person), causing injury to that pet (and/or person), they will be responsible for any losses incurred as a result, including but not limited to, payment of veterinary fees in respect of injuries to another animal caused by their pet.
Sitter4pets will not take care of dogs covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
3.13 – The Sitter has the right to end the booking at anytime if the pet(s) become violent or dangerous. In such cases, the Sitter can place the pet(s) into a kennel or other agreed upon facility until the Client can return and assume responsibility for the pet(s).
3.14 – Sitter4pets contact details are:
Eleanor Marie Oates (Business owner)
Casa Mia, Green Lane, Scawthorpe, Doncaster, DN5 7UY
Telephone number : 0784 484 3051
Email address: oates_eleanor@hotmail.co.uk
4.1 – Sitter4pets requests that the Client provides the Sitter with items such as refuse bags, towels, cleaning products and other such items for the Sitter’s use during the booking.
4.2 – The Sitter is not responsible for carpet/ flooring stains caused by the Client’s pet(s). The Sitter will clean up after the Client’s pets to the best of their ability.
4.3 – The Sitter reserves the right to refuse to attend a Client’s property if there are harsh weather conditions such as floods or other unsafe driving conditions.
4.4 – Access to the Client’s property should be straight forward with keys easily opening doors and/or gates. If the Sitter cannot gain access to the property after making every reasonable effort, the Client will be notified and still charged for the booking.
4.5 – The Client agrees that the Sitter may use the facilities at their property and that the Client will provide suitable sleeping and other facilities while the services are being provided and that these will be functioning throughout (for example this includes, but is not limited to, a WIFI connection, television, heating, toilet and shower facilities, fridge, washing machine, oven, microwave and television).
If these facilities at the property do not work, the Client will notify Sitter4pets at the time of the booking.
The client is to leave details of the location and usage instructions for the heating, hot water system and any gas or electricity meters.
4.6 – The Client agrees to have their thermostat settings within a normal comfortable range.
If the house temperature is outside of a comfortable range, the Sitter will adjust the thermostat to ensure the health and comfort of your pet(s).
4.7 – Sitter4pets will require 2 copies of the Client’s house key, one for the business owner as the master key and a copy for the Sitter covering the booking. This is a precautionary measure in case of unforeseen circumstances such as illness cover. This will allow convenient access to the Client’s property to ensure the care of the pets and property is not interrupted. Sitter4pets will keep the keys safe, not let anyone else use them and return the copy keys to the Client when asked to do so.
4.8 – It is understood that the Client will notify anyone else with access to their property that the services of a Sitter has been engaged.
Sitter4pets must be made aware (prior to any booking) of anyone else visiting your property during our booking. We will not allow access to your property by any person we have not been made aware of.
Should anyone else have permission to enter your property during the booking (such as a housecleaner, gardener or neighbour) the Sitter will not be held responsible for any damage or untidiness which may be caused during that person’s visit.
4.9 – The Client is to provide a list of name and contact telephone number of your home maintenance workers such as plumber, electrician etc.
5.1 – A 30% non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit is required at the time of booking for all bookings. The remaining 70% balance is payable 7 days prior to the booking start date. In the event of a Client making a cancellation, no refund of the deposit will be given.
5.2 – Departure and return days are to be counted as full days.
5.3 – If the Client returns home early, which is in no way caused by the Sitter, no refund will be given.
5.4 – Key collection – there is a fee of £10.00 (within a 15 mile radius) and £15 (over 20 mile radius) for a Sitter to collect a Client’s property key prior to a booking. For an alternative key collection, the Client can post it to the business owner’s address or leave their key with a neighbour or in a safe place.
5.5 – For house sitting services, there will be an extra daily charge payable should there be anyone else on the property during the booking (family members, lodgers, decorators, builders, etc). This does not include a housecleaner or gardener).
5.6 – If a booking cancellation is made within 7 days of the booking start date, no refund of the full balance will be given.