Policies
GENERAL
For the purposes of this document, the term “client” means the person(s) owning the home and pet(s) and entering into contracted services for pet and/or home care. Ashley’s Pawsome Pet Sitting and Dog Walking will be known herein as APP.
A signed “Policies and Service Agreement” must be provided to APP before service is provided for any period. Agreeing to this document is considered agreeing to the Policies and Service Agreement for APP and will be revised each year.
APP takes great pride in caring for your pets and home and pledges to provide agreed upon services in a manner that is trustworthy, caring, responsible, and dependable. In consideration of the services as an express condition thereof, the client expressly relinquishes any and all claims against APP and its staff, except those arising from negligence.
APP is a professional pet care team. There are always 5-7 professional pet care employees working under APP to ensure all of our clients have the pet care coverage they need. Each staff member has been thoroughly trained by APP and has been reference and background checked. Bio’s and more information on each staff member can be found at www.ashleyspawsomepets.com/about-us/meet-the-team/.
As a benefit of our software, everyone on the pet care team has all of the necessary information to provide thorough care for all of our clients homes and pet/s. Everyone is in constant contact with each other regarding each visit made to a home and journals are done and shared with each other after every visit. If a client would like to meet anyone on the pet care team this must be arranged prior to scheduled service and will result in a $17 pre departure visit fee.
Upon Client’s request to provide services in the future via phone, email, or the on-line scheduling system, Client agrees that this contract shall be renewed or extended in its entirety, without further written authorization. The term of said renewal shall coincide with the service dates as listed on the most recent of an email confirmation or an invoice.
RESERVATIONS
Normal reservations must be made a minimum of two (2) days in advance for returning customers and five (5) days in advance for new customers. APP realizes emergencies and last minute issues arise and will make every effort to accommodate these requests. Reservations must be made via e-mail at Ashley@ashleyspawsomepets.com, or by entering in an exact reservation request through our software which can be found on our website at https://ashleyspawsomepets.petssl.com/login.
Please ensure that you receive a confirmation before leaving. Confirmation will be sent by email. APP is not responsible for any reservations that have not been confirmed before a clients leave. If you have not received a confirmation email by the day before your leave, contact APP via phone call or text before leaving to confirm that the dates on file are correct.
APP can only accept as many reservations as their staff can handle at the time and accepts them on a first come first serve basis. Slots for all holidays fill up quickly and thus it is strongly recommended that you reserve any holiday care as far in advance as possible. APP accepts reservations up to 12 months in advance.
This contract authorizes APP to accept all future reservations and provide service without additional signed Agreement Contracts.
PAYMENT
Payment for service is due on or before the start of service. Payment for weekly dog walk services is due on or before the first service each month (or week if previously agreed upon). APP accepts several forms of payment, including: Credit Cards, checks, and Venmo.
Checks should be mailed to PO Box 4215 Davis California 95617.
Gratuity is not expected but is appreciated by our pet care team. Any gratuities left by a client (via credit card, check, cash or Venmo) will be split between each team member who has visited a home during a given reservation set.
LATE PAYMENT AND RETURNED CHECK FEE
Full payment for pet services is due on or before the start of service. A $10 charge will be assessed to service that is not paid on or before start date. There will be a $35 service charge for each returned check.
CANCELLATIONS
Major Holiday service (The week of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years): Cancellations must be made a minimum of 14 days prior to start of scheduled service. These visits are taken on a first come, first serve basis and fully book each year. If cancelling before the 14 days prior, if payment has been received, a credit(s) will be provided for cancelled visits; if payment has not been received, client may cancel with no penalty assessed. Credit(s) will not be granted and full payment charged for cancelled visits within 14 days of service.
Clients will be invoiced for the complete service and payment is expected by the first day of service. Failure to pay the full amount will result in your contract with APP being terminated and no future bookings will be accepted.
Minor Holiday Service (Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day): Cancellations must be made a minimum of 7 days prior to the start of scheduled service. If cancelling before the 7 days prior, if payment has been received, a credit(s) will be provided for cancelled visits; if payment has not been received, client may cancel with no penalty assessed. Credit(s) will not be granted and full payment charged for cancelled visits within 7 days of service. Clients will be invoiced for the complete service and payment is expected by the first day of service. Failure to pay the full amount will result in your contract with being terminated and no future bookings will be accepted.
Normal Pet Sitting Services: Cancellations must be made a minimum of 4 days prior to scheduled service.
Clients may be charged for any scheduled pet sitting visits that fall within a 4 day period of cancellation.
Boarding Services: Cancellations must be made a minimum of 14 days in advance of your reservation or you may be charged a 50% cancellation fee.
For any service: Credit(s) will not be granted and full payment charged if APP staff arrives for a scheduled service prior to receiving AND confirming cancellation. If you need to cancel service and you have tried so through email without a response, please call/text APP directly.
For each reservation a staff member makes themselves available for that home visit and the start time of their shift is dependent on the number of houses they have to visit in a certain time frame. Due to this, we are not able to give credit for late departures or early arrivals. Once a reservation begins, all visits must be paid for in the total amount. When scheduling an appointment, please make APP aware of your departure and arrival times so that APP staff can plan their visit times accordingly. APP is not able to move a reservation forward a few hours the day of departure.
CHANGE-IN-SERVICE REQUESTS
Clients can request additional services and/or visits prior to or during service if an emergency arises. APP will make every effort to accommodate additional service requests.
Cancellation of services and/or visits – see CANCELLATIONS above.
It is the clients responsibility to contact APP via email, text, or phone upon their safe arrival home regardless of what time of day it is. If there is a delay in your return home, contact APP immediately and APP will do it’s best to accommodate additional visits.
PET OWNERSHIP
Client must possess the legal rights to place the pet(s) in the care of APP. APP cannot provide service for clients with “visiting” pets that do not belong to the resident of the service site without a consent form signed by each rightful owner. The consent form must clearly state that the rights and conditions under APP Policies and Contract Agreement apply to each “visiting” pet that will be in the care of APP. There is no additional fee for this pet as long as they can also be cared for in the amount of time allotted for care. If the pet is a dog and additional walks are required, (only 2 dogs allowed per walk), then An additional charge will be applied for the additional time required.
PET ILLNESS
Client agrees to notify APP prior to the start of service of any signs of injury or possible illness of pet(s). APP reserves the right to cancel service if a potentially infectious condition exists or if a pet seems to be in too poor of a condition to be left unattended for extended periods of times. If an animal requires medications, all medication dosing will be given to APP in writing along with treating veterinarians information. If an animal suddenly becomes sick/injured during APP care, APP will do everything in its power to contact the client and will bring the pet to the nearest, open, veterinary clinic. APP strives to provide safe and clean service to each of our clients. In doing so, APP strongly recommends that each pet be vaccinated, de-wormed, protected from harmful insects, etc. according to required and recommended standards.
APP may use their discretion to stop and end service at any time if APP determines that a pet(s) poses a danger to the safety or health of itself, other pets/animals, or other people, including a staff member. If concerns prevent the APP staff from continuing care for a pet(s), the client authorizes the pet(s) to be placed in a kennel, or other APP /client agreed upon locale. The client is responsible for all subsequent charges, including but not limited to, transportation, kenneling, veterinary care, and liability.
MEDICAL EXPENSES AND DAMAGES
Client will be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to APP staff, or other persons, by client’s pet(s). Client agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend APP in the event of a claim by any person injured by a client’s pet(s) unless as the result of negligence on the part of the APP staff.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Client is responsible for supplying the necessary equipment/supplies needed for care of their pet(s), including but not limited to; proof of Rabies Vaccination/s, name/contact tag, leash, harness/halter/collar, pet food, litter, litter box(es) and scooper, and cleaning supplies. If the client does not leave all the necessary supplies needed for complete and thorough care, client authorizes reimbursement for any purchases necessary along with a $17 trip fee to a pet/supply store.
SERVICES AND RATES
See current Services and Rates on our website, www.Ashleyspawsomepets.com/rates.
ADMIN FEE
A 5% administrative fee will be added to all invoices to cover the cost of doing business.
MEET AND GREETS
All new client meet and greets are free of charge. Additional meet and greets including meet and greets for a new sitter or new pet will incur a $17 charge.
PET SITTING
APP ensures that all pet sitting services (according to “Services” found on the website) will be completed for the type of service requested. The amount of time spent in the home and/or with client’s pet(s) may be less than the maximum stated for the normal “30 minute pet sit”.
It is required that all cats receive a minimum of one visit every 48 hours.
Free-roam dogs are required to have a minimum of 2 visits per day. However, it is strongly recommended that if the dog(s) do not have access to the outdoors that they are visited at least 3 times per day so that they can relieve themselves.
All crated dogs are required to have a minimum of 3 visits per day. No exceptions. Extended visits are recommended in these cases.
HOLIDAYS
Major Holidays are subject to an additional $15/day charge
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Years Eve New Year’s Day
Minor Holidays are subject to an additional $10/day charge.
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day Weekend (Sat-Mon)
July 4th
Labor Day Weekend (Sat-Mon)
OUTSIDE CATS
Indoor/ Outdoor cats should be left inside during pet sitting visits. If you require that your cat have access to outside APP will not be held liable for any injury or damage caused by your cat.
SHARED VISITS and VISITORS
APP Will not be held liable if you choose to job share with another sitter, family member, or any other party, and will not be held liable if any visitors are provided with access to the home while APP is providing care.
EXTENDED VISITS
Client will be charged additional fees if visits are extended due to the needs of the animals, or to clean up any damages the pet may have caused.
WATERING REQUESTS
Client is responsible for leaving detailed, written watering directions specific for dates of service provided. APP is not responsible for wilted, dead, or otherwise unhealthy plants. APP is not responsible for water damaged areas or missed plants.
DOG WALKING
APP ensures that all dog walking services (according to “Services” found on the APP web site) will be completed for the type of service requested. Finding and leashing the dog(s), returning the leash/equipment, writing pet sitter notes/texting, refreshing water (if needed), or other client requests, is included in the specified dog walking time. All rates apply to up to 2 dogs.
BOARDING
DROP OFF AND PICK UP TIMES
Boarding Drop off and Pick Up times for Weekdays are 7am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm and for Weekends are 8am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm. Boarding rates are charged for 24 hour periods. If you require additional time you may be charged a day boarding fee of $40.
Because Boarding spots are limited, boarding reservations must be cancelled 14 days in advance or you may be charged a 50% cancellation fee.
All dogs must be on leash when arriving or leaving the property.
All Boarding animals should arrive with food for their entire stay and a blanket or bed from home. APP can not be held liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged property dropped of with your dog.
Dogs must be on some type of flea and heart worm control and must be vaccinated with whats required by law up to the age of the animal.
ABANDONMENT
Any animals not picked up will be considered abandoned by Owner and will be re homed after 30 days.
KEY HANDLING
Ashley’s Pawsome Pet sitting suggests you leave a key in a secured lock box for your Pet Sitter. You can purchase a lock box from us for the wholesale price of $15. You can also schedule our key pick-up and drop-off service, $17 each way, leave a key hidden in a pre-determined place, or allow entry with a garage code. Ashley’s Pawsome Pet Sitting WILL NOT retain a copy of your house key. If you ask your sitter to keep a copy of your key, Ashley’s Pawsome Pet Sitting will not be held responsible for it.
CLIMATE CLAUSE
Ashley’s Pawsome Pet sitting reserves the right to adjust the thermostat, close/open windows (as long as it remains safe and secure), turn air conditioner on/off or etc. in ALL of our client’s homes if our sitters feel the climate is posing a health risk to your pet(s) in our care. Our staff will notify you if you are accessible. If we are experiencing extreme weather (Rain/ High Temperatures etc) we will limit the time outside so your dog does not suffer. Everyone will get a potty break, and then play indoors.
PICTURES
Pictures of clients pets are taken and often kept on file for identification purposes in case of emergency or disaster. Pictures are also taken for social media and the APP website. Please inform APP if you would not like your pets photos used on social media.
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
If you will be using surveillance cameras in your home, please inform APP. APP is a professional business and treats all clients’ animals and homes as if they were their own. We only require that if APP staff is allowed to use your restroom or if an overnight visit is to be performed, cameras are not allowed in the bedroom or bathrooms for privacy. Should we discover that active cameras are in these areas while we are using them, APP reserves the right to terminate this contract. Clients also agree not to share any video of APP staff on social media or other venues without the knowledge or approval of APP staff.
PRIVACY POLICY
Our clients privacy is very important to us. All keys are kept in secure lock boxes and paperwork containing home addresses and names are never connected to the house keys. All information collected via phone, email, first client meeting, and our online software, is to be used by Ashley’s Pawsome Pet Sitting only. This includes, names, home addresses, and email addresses. We do not disclose personal information of our clients or former clients to anyone outside of Ashley’s Pawsome Pet Sitting Staff.