Harbour Tails Terms and Conditions
Please read the following information carefully. By booking a service with Harbour Tails you accept the below Terms & Conditions:
1. Relationship and Responsibilities
1.1. It is expressly understood that the Owner retains the services of the Walker as an Independent Contractor and not as an employee.
1.2. The Walker undertakes to perform the agreed-on services in an attentive, reliable and caring manner and the Owner undertakes to provide all necessary information to assist in this performance.
1.3. The Walker undertakes to notify the Owner of any occurrence pertaining to the dog which may be relevant to the care and well-being of the dog.
1.4. The Walker will supply and be equipped with waste bags and will duly remove the dog’s faeces from all public places.
1.5. The Walker reserves the right to walk other compatible dogs at the same time (for group walk bookings) but undertakes to limit the number of dogs walked with one person to 4 (four).
1.6. The Owner will provide suitable harnesses, collars as approved by the Walker as well as coats or muzzles if required.
1.7. The Walker shall not be obliged to perform any other duties except those specified.
2. Compensation
2.1. The Walker shall be paid the agreed amount per walk.
2.2. For ad-hock walks payment is due in advance. For regular walks payment is due at the end of every month.
4. Cancellation or Early Termination
4.1. Either party may terminate this Dog Walking Contract a minimum of 24 (twenty four) hours prior to the first scheduled visit without incurring penalties or damages.
4.2 Cancellation by the Owner of scheduled walks with less than 72 hrs notice may be charged at full rate or rescheduled at the discretion of the Walker.
4.3. Where the Walker as sole proprietor needs to cancel a scheduled walk due to unforeseen circumstances, he/she may refund payment or appoint a substitute Walker with the written approval of the Owner and any difference in the fees charged shall be for the account of the Walker.
4.4. Should any dog become aggressive or dangerous, the Walker may terminate this dog walking contract with immediate effect.
4.5. Any wrongful or misleading information in the Owner’s Information or Pet Information sheets may constitute a breach of terms of this Dog Walking Contract and be grounds for instant termination thereof.
4.6. Termination under the circumstances described in 4.4 or 4.5 above shall not entitle the Owner to any refunds nor relief of any outstanding payments due.
5. Liability
5.1. The Walker accepts no liability for any breach of security or loss of or damage to the Owner’s property if any other person has access to the property during the term of this agreement.
5.2. The Walker shall not be liable for any mishap of whatsoever nature which may befall a dog or caused by a dog who has unsupervised access to the outdoors.
5.3. The Owner shall be liable for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to the Walker caused by the dog as well as damage to the Owner’s property.
5.4. The Walker is released from all liability related to transporting dog(s) to and from any veterinary clinic or kennel, the medical treatment of the dog(s) and the expense thereof.
5.5 The owner represents that the pet to be walked/visited is healthy, all immunisations are up to date, the pet has been fleaed and wormed and has not been exposed to any known communicable disease within the thirty-day period immediately prior to the commencement date of the pet service provided. There will be a charge to the pet owner should their pet be found to have fleas.
5.6 Any damage made to the property of Harbour Tails whilst the pet is in our care is the responsibility of the pet owner and they agree to cover all costs.
5.7 Harbour Tails cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss of the owner’s property which is brought with/left with the pet.
5.8 The dog owner understands that due to the nature of dog play, walks and general dog interaction; minor cuts and scratches are not uncommon even with careful supervision. In the event the dog has inflicted a serious injury however, you understand and hereby represent that you, the dog owner is solely responsible for any harm caused by the dog while he/she is in the care of Harbour Tails. Harbour Tails cannot be held responsible for any loss, accident, injury or death caused to any animal whilst in our care.
5.9 Harbour Tails will apply personal judgment and cut short a walk if necessary because of extreme weather conditions (i.e. heat, thunder storms etc.) for the safety of both the dogs and the walker and reserves the right to cancel a contract at any time with immediate effect if the dog does not respond well to the walker and/or other dogs.
5.10 Harbour Tails cannot be held responsible for any unwanted pregnancies. Bitches in season are walked at the pet owner’s risk.
6. Indemnification
6.1 The parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless each other as well as respective employees, successors and assigns from any and all claims arising from either party’s willful or negligent conduct.
7. Emergencies
7.1 In the event of an emergency, the Walker shall contact the Owner at the numbers provided to confirm the Owner’s choice of action. If the Owner cannot be reached timeously, the Walker is authorised to:
7.1. Transport the dog(s) to the listed veterinarian;
7.2. Request on-site treatment from a veterinarian;
7.3. Transport the dog(s) to an emergency clinic if the previous two options are not feasible.
8. Security
8.1 The Walker warrants to keep safe and confidential all keys, remote control entry devices, access codes and personal information of the Owner and to return same to the Owner at the end of the contract period or immediately upon demand.
9. Photography/video
9.1 Your pet will be photographed during its time with us. These images may be used on our Website/Facebook pages etc. Harbour Tails will never share any photos/video containing visible ID tag information.
9. Relaxation of Terms
9.1 No relaxation, indulgence, waiver or release by any party of any of the rights in terms of this agreement on one occasion shall prevent the subsequent enforcement of such rights and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of any of the terms.
10. Whole Agreement
10.1 This Dog Walking Contract and Owner’s Pet Enrolment form attached constitute the sole and entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and the parties waive the right to rely on any alleged expressed or implied provision not contained therein. Any alteration to this agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties.
11. Assignment
11.1 No party may assign any of its rights or delegate or assign any of its obligations in terms of this Dog Walking Contract without the prior written consent of the other party, except where otherwise stated.
12. Binding Effect
12.1 The terms of this Contract shall be binding upon and accrue to the benefit and be enforceable by either party’s successors, legal representatives and assigns.
The pet owner agrees to the above conditions as stated.