Terms & Conditions
Spirit Walkers
Our Ethos
We offer a professional, reliable and trustworthy service for your pet, that will fulfil your expectations.
Dog Walking
Although our Insurance allows us to walk up to 6 dogs per handler, we only usually walk up to 3 dogs per handler occasionally 3 for one and 4 for the other. We will walk your dog on lead until we are happy to let them off and when we have established that they have good recall (written permission is required by the legal owner for our Insurance to be valid).
Your dog will be walked for an hour (age and ability depending) and returned home as clean as is humanly possible. Collection and return of your dog is included in the cost, however the time to do so is in addition to the one hour walk, thus usually away from the house for 2-3 hours depending on where they are on our drop off/pick up route.
Unfortunately we cannot walk bitches in season.
Procedure for dogs in extreme hot and cold weather
In the event of extreme hot weather, the dogs will not be exercised outside when the temperature is over 26 degrees. In the event of severe heat, the walks will be less time and in the shade of the woods. Water is supplied throughout the walk and in the minibus. There is also air conditioning in the mini bus. In the event of sever cold weather and the temperature drops below -5 degrees we will not walk the dogs. The walk will be less time. When the temperature is 0--5 degrees the dogs will require coats.
Behaviour
We would appreciate your dogs to have basic training, whilst we are not dog trainers we do like to have the dogs to stay with us and come when called. If your dog is a puppy we will obviously try to instil these objectives.
We reserve the right to refuse any dog that may prove to be dangerous to us, other dogs or members of the public. Any behaviour issues must be discussed with us at our initial meeting. If your dog develops such issues over time with us, we will discuss this with you and will advise you of the best course of action. Whether it be to see an animal behaviourist and/or your dog wear a muzzle. If these measures are not met and the issues continue, we reserve the right to terminate our walking service.
Health and Safety
We request that all pets are up to date with their vaccinations, worming and flea treatments. We are unable to walk female dogs in season.
Any medical issues that may affect your dogs, or the wellbeing of the dogs we are walking them with, whilst in our care must be disclosed at the initial meeting or as they may transpire. For example Kennel Cough/conjunctivitis/ gastritis etc. If, when we pick the dog up, it is immediately obvious there is a problem we reserve the right to inform you we will not be able to walk them on that day, and full payment will be required.
If your dog has been diagnosed or is suspected of having Kennel Cough then unfortunately we will be unable to have any contact with them until after 5 days of their last cough, as it is highly contagious and can be easily passed on to other dogs. If you suspect your dog has Kennel Cough then you must immediately inform us so that we can inform any other clients that dogs have been in contact with your dog.
Likewise if your dog develops conjuntivitis ( eye infection) we will not be able to walk them as it to is highly contagious. This can take up to 3 weeks to heal, but we will take vets advise in this case.
Confidentiality and Responsibility
We will maintain strict confidence and respect of clients and their property. When pet sitting we will water plants, open and close curtains, put rubbish bins out on appropriate days, remove post etc from the front doors. Clean out litter trays (where required). Also play and brush pet etc according to individual requirements, discussed at interview.
Security
We provide proof of up to date valid CRB certificates to clients, for both of us, where access to the property is required in absence of the owner.
Insurance
We are fully insured for Public Liability, including pet sitting, legal expenses and key cover the whole time your pet is in our care. Although we hold this insurance pets must also be insured by the owner. Spirit Walkers cannot be held liable for any loss, injury or death to a pet inside or outside the home whilst in our care.
In an Emergency
In an emergency whilst dog walking or cat/petting sitting we will assess the situation and call you immediately to discuss the issue. If we cannot make contact with the owner we will take your pet to your nominated vets or depending on the circumstances the nearest vet. The owner is responsible for payment of any veterinary fees incurred. The owner will have informed their vet in advance of their vacation that they are going away and that Spirit Walkers are looking after the animal. If it is not an emergency we will discuss and advise you to take the animal at the most convenient time.
Dog First Aid
We both hold a dog first aid and CPR certificate, having both attended a recognised first aid course.
Booking for Dog Walks
Clients must ensure that their requirements for the week to come (if not 5 days a week and are subject to changing on a weekly basis) are texted to us no later than Friday evening for the week to come.
Cancellation of Dog Walks or any other of our Services
For dog walks you are required to give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice of cancellation to avoid charge. However if your cancellation is made within 24 hours of the walk, the full rate will be required in payment (as we will not have time to otherwise fill your dogs space). The only deviant from this cancellation clause is for Easter, Christmas, and New Years. If you make a booking, from the day you make it if you then cancel it at any time half the total cost will be required. This is because these are some of our busiest times, and we will be turning other people away.
Seasonal requirements/space reservation
Unfortunately due to the increased cost of living and the increased demand for our services, we have had to reconsider some of our terms and conditions specifically in relation to the reservation of spaces. This is to ensure fair opportunities. If the client takes extended leave and thus does not require our services particularly during peak times. This also applies if there are children in the prospective household that will be walking the dog during school holidays, or the client(s) themselves are teachers/have term-time only employment, and thus are not needing our services. The following will apply:
We will allow 4 week's grace per year (payment not required). However, any longer than 4 weeks' in any one year (January to December) we will require half payment for each week, pro rata if not normally required 5 days a week, the services are not required as a retainer for the space/spaces. This is payable on a weekly basis or at the beginning of each absence. You will be, however more than welcome to use that payment for walks during that time if you so wish, or to retain your space. This does not include and Bank Holidays or any annual leave taken by us at Spirit Walkers during the calendar year.
Cat/pet Sitting
We will require a minimum of 5 days’ notice of cancellation. Failure to do so will result in 25% of the total cost payable. Once pet sitting has commenced, full payment is due.
All Charges
Please see our prices page. They are non-negotiable. Payment for walks is at the end of each week/ last walk of the week whichever is appropriate for your circumstances. We do not have an account system for clients, so end of month payment is not possible. Payment for pet sitting is required at the beginning of the period of sitting.