Terms and Conditions

 General 

1. Bookings are subject to these Terms and Conditions. You will be notified if there are any changes.
2. Initial bookings are subject to a successful Meet and Greet.
3. We will treat your personal information confidentially and will not pass on your details to any third party.
4. Information given in the initial registration form will be used for all subsequent bookings unless we are notified that there has been a change in your pet’s requirements, health or your contact details etc.

Charges

1. The charges are outlined on the website/app and will be discussed with you in full at the time of booking. You will be deemed to have accepted the charges upon confirmation of your booking. 
2. The full amount of the booked service shall be payable in advance at the time of booking, or no later than 72 hours prior to the commencement date. Booked services not paid within this timeframe will be cancelled (cancellation fees will be incurred, please see below).
3. Bank holidays are charged at time and a half, with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day when it is charged at twice the normal rate.
4. Please note that The Cat Companion does not accept payment via cash. We do accept debit or credit cards and bank transfer.
5. We have a key collection/drop off charge of £5.00 for each time this is required outside of an initial Meet and Greet or a booked service. Collection or drop off of keys a Pet Sitter's home address are free of charge.
6. You must make sure to have all necessary items for the care of your pet(s) available for the duration of the booked service. Additional fees may include the purchase of necessary items for the care of your pet(s), including but not limited to pet food, litter, cleaning supplies, transportation, unexpected veterinary visits and emergency expenses for health care. The Pet Sitter shall retain and submit receipts as proof of additional expenses. Upon receiving your receipts you will have 7 days to pay for the extra expenses in full. 
7. The charges quoted for Pet Sitting and Pet Visits are for up to 3 pets. If you have 4 or more pets, an additional charge of £5.00 per extra pet is applicable.
8. If your journey is delayed and you need extra services, we will do all we can to accommodate your pet(s). Any extra services will be charged at the normal rate. At peak times, we may not be able to accommodate them for additional days, and may call upon your emergency contact to assist.
9. You are required to pay fuel fees at 0.45p per mile should the Pet Sitter be required to use a vehicle during the booked service. This fee is to be paid directly to the Pet Sitter within 7 working days of the completion of the booked service.  

Cancellations

1. The cancellation policy will be as follows:
2. If cancellation is given to The Cat Companion in writing 14 days prior to the booking there will be no charge.
3. If cancellation is given to The Cat Companion in writing between 13 and 8 days prior to the booking, the total fee will be charged at 25%.
4. If cancellation is given to The Cat Companion in writing between 7 days and 48 hours prior to the booking, the total fee will be charged at 50%.
5. If cancellation is given to The Cat Companion in writing less than 48 hours prior to the booking, the full fee will be charged.
6. In the unlikely event that we cannot honour your booking we will refund any monies paid.
7. If you depart later than expected you will not be refunded for the booked services.
8. If you arrive home earlier than expected you will not be refunded for the remaining booked services. 

Your Pet

1. It is of utmost importance that you give full information to us in relation to the needs and requirements of your pet(s) within the Pet Information form. We will rely on the information that you give us on your initial booking in connection with subsequent bookings. Please make sure that your pets information is kept up to date.
2. When selecting a preferred feeding/visiting slot (AM/Midday/PM) please note these options have timeframes. AM is between 6.00am - 10.00am, Midday is between 11:30am - 1:30pm and PM is between 3.00pm - 8.00pm. Our visit to your pet(s) will be within these timeframes.
3. Delays due to unforeseen circumstances (emergency veterinary care, adverse weather conditions etc) may lead to delays in the arrival time of your pet(s) service. If this were to be the case, we will contact you to advise of this.
4. Extra services available on request at no extra cost are: house plant watering, closing/opening of curtains, turning lights on and off, taking bins out and collecting post. These services must be requested and will not be assumed. Please note these services will only be completed if time permits (the main priority is the care of your pet).
5. We cannot accept bookings for aggressive pets. We may terminate any engagement immediately if it is reasonably thought that a pet is aggressive towards humans. You will be liable if your pet injures the Pet Sitter.
6. If you request that your pet be let out into the garden during a service, we cannot be held responsible if they do not return.
7. If your pet has access to a pet flap, we cannot be held responsible for anything that may happen to the pet whilst it is outside.
8. You must ensure that your pet is in good health, free from fleas and is adequately wormed. If we believe that your pet is not in good health we reserve the right to seek veterinary advice on your behalf.
9. If we deem it necessary, your animal will be taken to a veterinary practice. You will be liable for any fees incurred.
10. Dogs will not be let off of the lead unless they can demonstrate excellent recall. We will also need written consent from you to say that you are happy for your dog(s) to be let off of the lead.
11. Your dog(s) must wear a collar and an identification tag when on a walk.

Your Property

1. We will endeavour to leave your property as we found it. You are respectively asked to note that we will not undertake any additional cleaning duties.
2. If we do not consider your property to be of a reasonable standard of cleanliness or that the facilities available to us are inadequate, we may decline the booking.
3. In the event of a problem or an emergency arising the Pet Sitter will contact you immediately. If you are unable to be reached we will contact your emergency contact.

Insurance and Liability

1. It is your responsibility to insure your property and your pet(s). We accept no liability for damage caused by your pet(s) during a service. You will be liable in the event that the Pet Sitter is injured by your pet.
2. Pet Sitter insurance is only valid when the Pet Sitter is working at a service booked through us for the duration of that booking.
3. If anyone else is going to be using/entering your property at any point during a service, the Pet Sitter insurance could be invalidated.
4. If you request for us to leave any windows or doors open/unlocked we cannot be held liable for any potental consequences (i.e. someone obtaining access to the property).
5. It is recommended that you take out holiday cancellation insurance as we may not be able to accommodate pets who have become ill or injured after the booking is confirmed.

Social Media

1. You give permission for photographs and videos of your pet(s) to be used on our social media pages and website upon your return home, unless specified otherwise by you. We will endeavour not to include any personal articles or identifiable content within this media.