Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions apply to all in-home dog sitting bookings provided by Dogs and Fairy Tails.

By confirming a booking, the owner confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Booking & Payment

A 50% deposit is required to secure and confirm your dog sitting booking.

Until the deposit has been received, the requested dates are not considered confirmed and may remain available for other clients to book.

The remaining 50% balance is due no later than the first day of the dog sitting booking. Payment may be made in advance or on the first day of the sit.

Failure to pay the outstanding balance by the agreed due date may result in the booking being cancelled immediately. In these circumstances, the deposit will not be refunded.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to decline or terminate a booking where payment has not been made in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.

2. Cancellation & Changes to Bookings

Any cancellation or significant change to a booking must be communicated to Dogs and Fairy Tails as soon as possible.

The deposit is used to secure the agreed dates and may be non-refundable in accordance with the cancellation terms applicable to the booking.

If an owner returns home earlier than originally agreed, the full booking fee remains payable unless otherwise agreed by Dogs and Fairy Tails.

Bookings cannot be transferred to another dog, household or person without prior agreement.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to refuse changes to a booking where they may compromise the safety or welfare of the dog, the sitter or the property.

3. Information Provided by the Owner

Owners are responsible for providing accurate and complete information about their dog before the booking begins.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical conditions or health concerns
• Allergies
• Medication requirements
• Behavioural issues
• Separation anxiety
• Reactivity
• Aggression or bite history
• Resource guarding
• Escape tendencies
• Toileting issues
• Destructive behaviour
• Triggers or fears
• Any previous incidents involving people or other animals

Failure to disclose relevant information may result in the booking being terminated if Dogs and Fairy Tails considers the situation unsafe or unreasonable.

Owners must also provide accurate information regarding their dog's usual routine, feeding requirements, exercise needs and care requirements.

4. Dog Behaviour & Damage

Dogs and Fairy Tails understands that dogs can behave differently when their owners are away and that unexpected behaviour can occur.

Dogs and Fairy Tails is not responsible for unwanted behaviours displayed by a dog during a booking, including but not limited to:

• Excessive barking, whining or howling
• Urinating or defecating inside the property
• Chewing or destroying furniture or belongings
• Scratching doors, floors or furniture
• Separation-related behaviours
• Attempting to escape
• Jumping, pulling or other challenging behaviours
• Any other behaviour that has not been caused by negligence on the part of Dogs and Fairy Tails

Owners remain responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing property or belongings damaged by their dog, where applicable.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to terminate a booking if a dog's behaviour presents an unreasonable risk to the sitter, the dog, another person or another animal.

5. Time Dogs May Be Left Alone

Dogs may be left alone for a maximum of 5 hours at any one time, unless an alternative arrangement has been specifically agreed in advance.

The sitter must have been at the property for a minimum of 2 hours before leaving the dog(s) alone before leaving again.

Dogs and Fairy Tails will make reasonable efforts to maintain the dog's normal routine while also managing other pre-agreed work commitments.

Owners must disclose before booking if their dog:

• Cannot be left alone for up to 5 hours
• Has separation anxiety
• Requires more frequent toilet breaks
• Requires constant supervision

Any additional requirements must be discussed and agreed before the booking is confirmed.

6. Exercise, Weather & Dog Welfare

The health, safety and welfare of the dog will always take priority over the planned exercise routine.

During periods of extreme or unsuitable weather, including temperatures of 24°C or above, Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to reduce, alter or cancel outdoor walks where exercising the dog could put them at risk of overheating, heatstroke, dehydration, injury or other harm.

Where a walk is cancelled or shortened due to weather conditions, the dog's needs will instead be met through appropriate activities such as:

• Indoor enrichment
• Scent work
• Training
• Play
• Mental stimulation
• Toilet breaks where appropriate

The 24°C guideline is not an indication that every dog is safe to exercise at this temperature. Dogs and Fairy Tails will consider factors including the dog's breed, age, size, coat, health, fitness, tolerance to heat, humidity and the conditions at the time.

Similarly, walks may be reduced, altered or cancelled during extreme cold, storms, ice, flooding or other hazardous weather conditions.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to make a professional judgement call at any time if I believe that continuing with a planned walk, activity or outing could place a dog at risk of harm.

The sitter's decision regarding the dog's immediate safety and welfare will take priority over the originally planned exercise routine.

No refund or reduction in the dog sitting fee will be provided where exercise has been altered or replaced with enrichment due to weather or safety concerns.

7. Walking Equipment & Safety

Owners must provide suitable and secure walking equipment for their dog, including an appropriate collar or harness and lead.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right not to walk a dog if the equipment provided is damaged, unsuitable or considered unsafe.

Dogs will only be allowed off lead where this has been specifically discussed and agreed and where Dogs and Fairy Tails considers it safe to do so.

Dogs and Fairy Tails will not undertake an activity that it reasonably believes places the dog or sitter at unnecessary risk.

8. Medication & Veterinary Care

Owners must provide clear written instructions for any medication their dog requires during the booking.

Dogs and Fairy Tails will make reasonable efforts to administer medication as instructed, provided it is safe and practical to do so.

In the event of illness, injury or an emergency, Dogs and Fairy Tails will make reasonable attempts to contact the owner and/or nominated emergency contact.

Where urgent veterinary treatment is required, Dogs and Fairy Tails is authorised to seek veterinary assistance where waiting for the owner's permission could place the dog's health or welfare at risk.

The owner remains responsible for all veterinary fees, medication costs and associated expenses incurred on behalf of their dog.

Owners must provide their usual veterinary practice details and an emergency contact before the booking begins.

9. Access to the Property

For the safety, security and wellbeing of both the dog(s) and sitter, no unauthorised person may enter or access the property during the dog sitting booking.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Friends
• Family members
• Neighbours
• Landlords
• Contractors
• Tradespeople
• Anyone collecting or delivering personal belongings

The only exception is where access is required by a genuine professional, such as a:

• Plumber
• Electrician
• Gardener
• Cleaner
• Maintenance professional
• Other essential tradesperson

Dogs and Fairy Tails must be informed in advance of any professional who is expected to enter the property during the booking. Details of the expected visit, including the approximate date/time and reason for access, should be provided wherever possible.

Unexpected or unauthorised access to the property is not permitted.

If any person enters or accesses the property without prior agreement from Dogs and Fairy Tails, this will be considered a serious breach of these Terms & Conditions.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to immediately terminate the dog sitting booking, with no refund provided for the remaining period of the booking, where unauthorised access occurs.

This condition is in place to protect the security of the property, the safety of the dogs and the sitter, and to ensure the agreed dog sitting arrangements can be carried out as expected.

10. CCTV & Recording Equipment

Owners must inform Dogs and Fairy Tails before the booking begins if CCTV cameras, video doorbells, audio recording devices or other monitoring equipment are present at the property.

Any recording equipment must be disclosed and must not be positioned in areas where the sitter would reasonably expect privacy, such as bedrooms or bathrooms.

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to refuse or terminate a booking if undisclosed recording equipment is discovered or if monitoring arrangements are considered inappropriate.

11. Property & Keys

Owners are responsible for providing safe and reliable access to the property and clear instructions regarding keys, locks, alarms, heating and other relevant household systems.

Owners should disclose any known faults or issues with the property before the booking begins.

Dogs and Fairy Tails will take reasonable care of the property while carrying out the agreed dog sitting service.

Owners remain responsible for pre-existing damage, faulty equipment, plumbing, heating, electrical or other household issues that are not caused by Dogs and Fairy Tails.

Keys will be kept securely during the booking and returned or stored as agreed at the end of the sit.

12. Cleaning & Toileting Accidents

Dogs and Fairy Tails will carry out reasonable cleaning associated with normal day-to-day care of the dog(s), including reasonable toileting accidents.

However, owners remain responsible for excessive cleaning, specialist cleaning or damage resulting from undisclosed or excessive behavioural issues.

This may include repeated indoor toileting, destructive behaviour, excessive shedding or other issues requiring cleaning beyond what would reasonably be expected during a normal dog sitting booking.

13. Emergency Contact & Communication

Owners must provide an emergency contact who can be contacted if the owner is unavailable.

Owners should remain reasonably contactable throughout the booking.

Dogs and Fairy Tails will provide updates and photographs in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the owner.

If the owner cannot be contacted during an emergency, Dogs and Fairy Tails may contact the nominated emergency contact and/or veterinary practice.

14. Owner's Return Home

Owners should provide an expected return date and time before the booking begins.

Any changes to the expected return time must be communicated as soon as possible.

If an owner is delayed and additional care is required beyond the original booking, additional charges may apply.

Where additional accommodation or care cannot be provided, Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to contact the nominated emergency contact to arrange appropriate care.

15. Additional Dogs & Visitors

All dogs requiring care must be disclosed and agreed at the time of booking.

Additional dogs may not be brought into the property or added to the booking without prior agreement from Dogs and Fairy Tails.

No other person or animal may stay at or access the property during the booking without prior agreement.

16. Termination of a Booking

Dogs and Fairy Tails reserves the right to terminate a booking immediately where continuing the booking is considered unsafe or unreasonable.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Unauthorised access to the property
• Failure to disclose significant behavioural information
• Aggressive or dangerous behaviour
• A dog presenting an unreasonable risk to the sitter or others
• Failure to make payment
• Serious breach of these Terms & Conditions
• Any circumstance where the welfare or safety of the dog or sitter is compromised

Where a booking is terminated due to a breach of these Terms & Conditions by the owner or their representative, no refund will be provided for the remaining period of the booking.

17. Owner Responsibilities

Before the booking begins, owners must provide:

• Sufficient food for the entire booking
• Treats where required
• Any necessary medication
• Appropriate leads, collars and/or harnesses
• Any required bedding or comfort items
• Veterinary details
• Emergency contact details
• Clear feeding instructions
• Exercise requirements
• Details of the dog's normal routine
• Details of any medical or behavioural concerns
• All necessary access information for the property

Owners are responsible for ensuring that all information provided to Dogs and Fairy Tails is accurate and up to date.

18. Agreement to Terms & Conditions

By confirming a booking with Dogs and Fairy Tails, the owner confirms that they have:

• Read and understood these Terms & Conditions
• Provided accurate information about their dog(s)
• Disclosed any relevant medical or behavioural information
• Agreed to the payment and cancellation terms
• Agreed to the property access requirements
• Agreed to the exercise and weather provisions
• Agreed to the maximum time their dog(s) may be left alone
• Agreed that the safety and welfare of their dog(s) will take priority over the planned routine where necessary

These Terms & Conditions are intended to protect the welfare and safety of the dogs, the sitter and the property and to ensure that expectations are clear for everyone involved.

By paying the deposit and confirming the booking, the owner confirms their acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.