All references to ‘us’, ‘we’ or ‘our’ mean Fox & The Hounds Pet Services Limited.
1. Clients will be deemed to have accepted our terms and conditions for each service unless otherwise discussed, in which instance, written confirmation of alterations will need to be agreed.
2. The client gives us permission to enter their property to carry out the booked service at the arranged date and time.
3. Dog must be in a secure location prior to collection. Loose in a garden does not constitute this.
4. All dogs must be provided with a collar/harness and lead, we are not held liable for any injury or any damage caused or incurred by the client's dog escaping due to an ill fitting or faulty collar or lead. Your dog walker will carry out their own risk assessment, and notify you of any reasonable changes they feel need to be made.
1. We will not confirm any booking until there has been a consultation with the owner who must disclose any behavioural or medical condition that we need to be aware of in order to ethically care for the animal. This would include antisocial behaviour, aggression, possessive behaviour, lack of training and conditions such as incontinence, chronic vomiting or travel/mobility problems.
2. We must be informed if your dog does, or has ever, used a muzzle and this should be made available for use at the walkers discretion.
3. We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue walks for any dog deemed to be unsuitable based on behavioural or medical grounds. This applies to group and solo walk sessions, however the suitability will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and discussed with you, the owner, prior to any final decisions being made.
4. The client must provide us with a name and contact details of someone capable of making a decision relating to their dog in an emergency. We also hold on file your registered vets details, and they will be contacted if we are unable to communicate with the owner or their representative.
5. Where possible walks are carried out in forest/woodland and parkland where dogs can be safely walked off the lead, should this be agreed with the owner.
6. We walk a maximum of 6 dogs per group session to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk, and ensure we walk temperamentally as well as geographically suitable dogs together.
7. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, walks are 30/60 minutes in length (depending on your booking). This does not include pick up and drop off.
8. In extreme weather (e.g. very hot weather or heavy snow) walks may be shorter or adjusted to ensure the comfort and safety of the dogs. This decision will be at the dog walkers’ discretion and you will be notified of any changes made.
9. All dogs being exercised must be fully vaccinated (including kennel cough) and be on regular flea and worm control treatment.
10. Clients must inform us if their dog contracts any infectious condition (e.g. Kennel cough, conjunctivitis). Any dog with an infectious condition will not be walked until cleared to do so by a vet.
11. Towels should be provided if you wish your dog to be wiped down following the walk, especially in adverse weather.
12. While we endeavour to ensure the safety of all dogs, we acknowledge that letting dogs walk off-lead carries a risk. Therefore walking off-lead will be discussed at the initial meeting and your walker will also carry out their own assessments of a dog's recall before removing leads. If you do not wish for your dog to be walked off-lead, you are required to notify us in writing.
13. We ask that if any of your personal information should change, i.e. phone number, email address, home address etc. that you notify us with immediate effect. We will change these details on our records at the time of notification.
14. We will provide an estimated time of arrival to you for all walks booked in, however there may be occasions where unforeseen delays may occur (i.e traffic/additional requirements during previous walks). Any lengthy delays will be communicated to you in real time.
15. Where any unplanned absences are experienced by our walkers, you will be notified at the earliest possible opportunity. We will attempt to arrange alternative plans, however if this is not possible, we reserve the right to cancel walks. These will not be charged for.
16. We will provide expressed notice of any leave of walkers and all attempts will be made to cover periods of holiday by staff. We will provide you with any adjusted schedules at the earliest available opportunity.
1. Our pricing is set based on other businesses in the area who offer similar services, with special attention given to ensuring that time and materials used to fulfil our services are covered fairly.
2. Home visits are booked at a set rate, and the carer that attends your booking will be confirmed to you before commencement. In some cases, we may arrange cover for home visits by alternative Fox & The Hounds representatives, however this is usually only for emergency cover. All have up to date DBS checks and are briefed with details of your pets specific requirements before arrival. Additional charges may be incurred if the home visit is more than 3 miles from the initially agreed attendee.
3. Our pricing is reviewed on an annual basis, and customers will be notified of any increase in advanced notice of changes. We are happy to discuss the reasons behind the decisions we make.
4. We offer 50% off additional dogs being walked from the same household – This means that if you have two dogs, we will charge for one dog at full price and the other at 50% of the full cost of the walk service you have requested. Should you remove one dog from the booking, the remaining dog will be subject to full pricing (unless additional dogs apply).
5. You will be invoiced each calendar month for all services carried out during that calendar month. Your invoices will be sent by email to the email address you provide to us.
6. Any walks that are cancelled by you, the client, within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time will still be charged at full rate.
7. You can use the following methods: BACS payment, standing order or cash.
8. All details for payment can be found on your invoice.
9. Payments should be paid within 14 days of receipt of invoice. After this, interest may be added.
10. Weekend and bank holiday bookings (including home visits) will be charged at an additional rate of ‘time and a half’ - With exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day which are charged at double rate.
1. All carers and vehicles are insured for the safe care and transport of your animal. Animals are fully insured to travel in any vehicle driven by your pet carer. Unless you state otherwise, these terms and conditions assume that you, the client, have given permission for this.
2. We have comprehensive insurance covering public liability, vet fees and loss or straying, however we advise all clients to have their pets insured and reserve the right to refuse a booking for any animal who is not insured.
Our insurance covers us for:
· Public Liability which will cover injury and damage to third parties and their properties up to a limit of £1 million of Indemnity.
· Vets fees in respect to injury to animals in our custody and control, subject to a limit of £5,000 per animal (£10,000 total) and an excess of £75. This does not cover pre-existing conditions or care that would have occurred whether or not the animal is under our care.
· Cover for the loss or straying of animals in our custody and control up to a maximum of £5,000 per animal. This includes cover during collection and delivery.
It is a condition precedent to liability that all locks, security and protective measures are put in operation whenever the property is left unattended or overnight, whether or not the pet sitter is present.
3. Whilst every effort is taken to reduce accidents, small injuries during play can occasionally happen. We minimise the risk of this by curating group walks to match similar sizes and personalities, however owners accept that they are liable for any vet bills as a result of minor play injuries.
1. Keys retained by your walker will be kept securely, and must be clearly labelled with the name of your dog and any internal codes necessary.
2. Permits may need to be provided for your walker if you are in a restricted parking zone. This will be assessed as necessary.
These Terms and Conditions were updated on 30 October 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Fox & The Hounds - All Rights Reserved.