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Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Client Agreement


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“Essentially, a parrot is a monkey with wings.
- Joseph Garner -
                                        

Pet Sitting Policies:

  • Confirmation of Sitting: Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking agrees to provide the services stated herein in a reliable and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services, and as an express condition thereof, the Client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking unless arising from deliberate negligence on the part of Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking or their representatives.

  • Payment: Payments for walking or sitting services are to be paid in full at the time of booking or on the first day that service begins. If payment is not received at the time of service, a $25 late fee may be added to your invoice. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking accepts all Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, checks or cash. Credit cards will be automatically be charged for future services. If Client agrees to extend service, the Client guarantees payment at the same rate for all services provided upon return. Although not required, if you wish to tip the Pet Sitter, please write a separate check in the Pet Sitter’s name or leave cash for your Sitter. Any outstanding invoices not paid within 10 days of receipt of invoice will accrue at 1% interest compounded daily after those days expire.

  • Scheduling and Visit Times: Visit times are approximate and subject to change based on the needs of all pets under Pet Sitter's care. Pet Sitter is entrusted to use best judgment in caring for pet(s) and home, in the event of an emergency situation, inclement weather or natural disaster. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will be held harmless for consequences related to such decisions.

  • Last Minute Bookings: Only are available to current customers within the 24 hour time frame. All new customers must book at least 7 days in advance because an initial meeting with you and your pet(s) must be done in advance.

  • Confirmation Call: (Prior to out-of-town-Departure): Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will make a confirmation call or e-mail no less than two days before each departure in order to verify that all information (dates, contact numbers, etc.) are still correct. Since phone mail messages or e-mails are not 100% reliable, please make sure we speak personally or an e-mail is acknowledged by Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking (please do not depart town with out this). This is to ensure your pet’s needs are carried out as intended.

  • Early Returns: (Upon returning from trip): We understand your plans change and we are very flexible if you notify us. If you return home early, please contact us immediately. If, however, you do not notify Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking of an early return and we make a trip to your house and find out that you are home, the regular per visit charge applies. Also, Client agrees to pay Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking the regular per visit rate, or daily rate, for any additional, necessary or unnecessary, visits made due to Client not notifying Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking upon their return home.

  • Cancellations: We understand your plans change and we, generally, do not charge for cancellations with adequate notice. However, if you cancel 24 hours or less prior to the date of the first visit there will be a $20 cancellation fee if there is no money on deposit. After cancellation fees, any remaining balance will be applied to future pet sitting visits only. No refunds will be given. Typically, a cancellation made greater than 7 days entitles you to a full refund. Between 4 and 7 days, a refund of 50% is given. And any cancellation made less than 3 days, would eliminate any refund for the services and dates being cancelled.

  • Holiday Cancellations: Please understand that pet sitting services and kennels receive more requests for reservations than they can handle during these holiday time periods and we may have turned away other clients because we have reserved time for you during a busy season. If you cancel seven days or less before any holiday, you will be charged for half of the visits.

  • Inclement Weather:  Primarily severe storms, hurricanes, snow/ice conditions etc. You will entrust
     Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking to use best judgment in caring for your pets(s) and home if we are servicing you at the time of inclement weather. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will try to carry out your instructions to the best of our ability. The care we provide to our customer’s pets and their safety is our first concern. Customer selection of a nearby emergency contact has been requested. The inclement weather plan will be as follows: 1) Every effort will be made to drive to your home; 2) The service schedule may be changed, interrupted, or altered due to circumstances; 3) If is not possible to drive safely to your home, your emergency contact will be notified, 4) You will be notified that the above-mentioned contingency plan has been activated.
  • Pet Emergencies: If the pet(s) become ill while under the care of Little Characters Pet Sitting and medical care is needed in the best judgment of our representative, Client authorizes Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking to approve any emergency treatment recommended by said veterinarian when the cost of treatment is within the limits authorized in a Veterinarian Release Form. Client authorizes Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking to take Client’s pet(s) to an Emergency Clinic for Animals when the Clients veterinarian is not immediately available.  Client further agrees to promptly reimburse Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking  for any expenses incurred for any medical treatment or emergency care. Emergency care may include but is not limited to x-rays, blood work, surgery and/or other expensive procedures. The rate of $40/hour for the representative is the service charge for this feature with a minimum charge of $30.

  • Waiver of Liability Client releases Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking from all liability related to transportation, treatment, or expenses, resulting from any emergency or special needs as determined by Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking.

  • Emergency Contact: Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking  has requested the name and phone number of a person living nearby (with access to your home). This should be a person close enough to walk to your home if roads are impassible (for example, a neighbor). If we are physically unable to drive to your home this information is needed so that we can contact this person to request their assistance to check on your pet(s). Please remember that garage door openers are not operational in the event of power outages. In the event that the customer does not provide a nearby emergency contact with access to your home for Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking customer realizes that Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will provide service but not until conditions allow us to reach your home safely.

  • Medications/Vaccinations:  Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will attempt to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result. Excessively shy cats with medical problems can be a serious risk. If you have such an animal, this must be thoroughly discussed. Under no circumstances will Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking service any pet that has any form of contagious illness. This is for the safety of other customers. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking  requires that all pets have the necessary vaccinations and immunizations before service begins. If Little Characters Pet Sitting pet care provider is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment received from the client’s pet(s) which has not been properly or currently vaccinated, the client will be responsible for all costs and damages that may incur.

  • Access to your Home by Others: If customer allows any other person(s) access to their home during Little Characters Pet Sitting contract period, Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking cannot be held liable for any damages to property or pets as a result. Please notify Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking if someone will be in your home. Please also notify the person(s) in your home that Little Characters Pet Sitting is coming so that your visitor, as well, is not surprised by our entrance.

  • Fences: Fenced in yards are wonderful play spaces for pets, however, no fence system is totally secure for your pet’s safety Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking does not accept responsibility or liability for any customer’s pets that escape, are injured or become lost, fatally injured or otherwise, when pets are left out or given access to a fenced in area. This includes electronic, wood, metal or any other fence types.

  • Doggie Doors:Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking is not liable for injury to, or loss of, any pets allowed, at the direction of the Client, access to a doggie door, or allowed outside the Client’s house off lead or unattended.  Client’s initials here: X________  indicate that the client understands this clause and does request their pet(s) be allowed outside of Client’s house off lead, and/or to have access to a doggie door.

  • Pet and house clean-up:Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will properly dispose of pet waste and do our best to clean up any accidents your pet may have. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking is not responsible for carpet/flooring stains created by your pet(s). We do request that your provide plastic bags, towels, cleaning products, paper towels, trash bags and indicated where you would like the waste disposed.  If we find an accident in the house, we will clean it up to the best of our ability: cost for clean-up $6. Client acknowledges that they will be responsible for payment of these fees. A very dirty litter box would incur a $6 charge to clean up.

  • Leashes: All dogs will be required to be on leash during outdoor walks. Pet owners are responsible of supplying leash.

  • Unforeseen purchases: Any additional necessary costs such as food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and well being of your pet will be purchased by Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking . We will retain  receipt and the customer will be responsible for reimbursement of these items. A $22 trip fee will be applied.

  • Animal Behavior:  Due to the extreme unpredictability of animals, Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking  cannot be held responsible for any unusual mishaps (i.e., pet's refusal to take medication, escaping from the yard, biting, eating or destroying household items, damage to inside/outside of home, personal injury/accidental death). If Client requests pet(s) to have outside access, Client releases Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking from all liability for loss, injury or death to pet(s). Client is liable for injury or damage to Third Parties.

  • Updates:  Please provide us with any changes regarding your pets’ care and other pertinent information.

  • Return Check Charges: There is a $35 fee for any returned checks.

  • Keys: One working copy of your house keys must be provided at time of registration/ consultation.  Keys are kept in a secured lock system and are coded for customer’s confidentiality. If you live in a gated community, you must provide a gate card, remote or appropriate access codes.  For your safety, NO KEYS will be mailed by regular mail, hidden outside or locked in homes on last visits.

  • Privacy Policy: All of your information will be kept private and confidential. Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking highly respects our clients’ entrusting us with the care of their home and their loving pets. We do recommend that you inform a trusted neighbor while you are away, Little Characters Pet Sitting will be caring for your pets and your home.

  • Household Emergencies:  Please leave the name and number of a trusted maintenance company or a person you can rely on to attend to any household emergencies that may arise during your absence.  This includes but is not limited to; leaking pipes, malfunctioning water heaters or locks and heating and air units.

  • Pet Sitter: It is understood that the Client agrees not to hire any of Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking pet sitters directly.  In the event of injury or illness of your Pet Sitter, or other emergency circumstances where duties are unable to be performed, Client authorizes Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking to arrange for a back-up sitter to take over duties as outlined in this agreement.

  • Cancellation of Contract:  In the event of incompatibility, personal emergency, illness, injury, or unavailability on the part of Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, Little Characters Pet Sitting reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time before or during its term if Pet Sitter determines that Client's pet poses a danger to the health or safety of herself/himself or others. If concerns prohibit Pet Sitter from caring for pet, Client authorizes pet to be placed in a kennel with all charges to be charged to Client. The client may cancel contract at any time in writing paying for any outstanding service invoices at that time.

  • Term: The term of this contract shall commence on this date and terminate in 36 months. Upon Client’s request to receive services in the future via phone, email, or in person, Client agrees that this contract shall be extended, in its entirety, without further written authorization.  The term of said extension shall commence on the date services are requested and shall terminate 36 months after the last date on which services are performed.

  • Indemnification: Client agrees to hold Little Characters Pet Sitting harmless in the event of any claim arising from any person injured by Client’s pet.  It is expressly understood that Little Characters Pet Sitting and Dog Walking shall not be held responsible for any damage to Client’s property, or that of  others, caused by Client’s pets during the period in which they are in its care. 


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