818-321-2577

Pet Sitting Policies

Consultation

  • Initial consultation free.
  • This time allows me to get to know you and your pet/s and to set up customized pet sitting services for you. It is also when any questions regarding paperwork/services can be reviewed and answered.
  • A copy of vet/vaccinations records must be provided to Happy Tails at this visit.

Payment

  • Payment in full is due on (or) before the first scheduled visit or overnight/s.  
  • First-time Clients must pay in advance.  
  • Payment can be made by cash or check. 
  • Happy Tails prices (vary) based upon location, number of pets and the services requested.  
  •  Happy Tails reserves the right to change, modify, add or remove prices for any such services, at any time and without notice.

Holidays

  • There is an additional $10.00 fee for each home visit or overnight (per pet ) on all holidays.
  • New Year’s Eve. (Entire day)
  • Independence Day (4th of July)
  • New Year’s Day
  • Labor Day
  • Easter
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Mother’s Day
  • Christmas Eve. (Entire day)
  • Father’s Day
  • Christmas Day
  • Memorial Day

Early Morning / Late Night Visits

  • Visits before 8 am or after 10 pm will incur an extra $15 per visit.

Cancellations

  • Cancellations are subject to the following fees/charges: 
  • 2 – 7 days before the start of services will result in 50% of the total invoice for scheduled pet care.
  • Less than 48 hrs. before the start of services will result in forfeiture of 100% of your invoice for scheduled pet care. 
  • No refunds or credit for future services will be issued.
  • There is no refund or credit for delayed departures or early returns.
  • Two (2) weeks’ notice is required for termination of regular daily (or) mid-day services.

Keys

  • Two sets of keys are required so that we can keep a backup for emergency purposes (accidental lock out, broken key, etc.)
  • All keys are discretely labeled and kept secure and confidential.  Keys can be returned to the client after each service period but there will be a $20 fee for any additional visits to pick up or drop off a key(s).  Alternatively, keys can be left outside the home in a secure place at the beginning and end of services.  Happy Tails is not liable for any lost or stolen keys.
  • The client is welcome to pick up or drop off their keys for free.

Inclement Weather/ Natural Disaster

  • Happy Tails always asks that, if possible, you provide the name and number of a person or two  living nearby as emergency contacts.  
  • If we are unable to reach your home due to impassable roads, we will contact that person.  Please let them know of this possibility in advance.  
  • If arrangements are made with an emergency contact and Happy Tails cannot make it to your home, a credit for any of our services missed will be applied  and within 10 days – refunded back to you. 
  • Client agrees to pay any additional fees incurred to us for the transport of your pets in an emergency or for any other reason deemed necessary.

Solicitation of Happy Tails Sitters

  • Client agrees that all reservations for present and future pet sitting services must be made through Happy Tails and not the individual sitter.  Client is aware that the Happy Tails sitter may give out his/her personal number to the Client.  Client agrees to use this number only for communication regarding their pet’s care.  Client is aware that should this contract be broken; legal fees and misuse-of-staff charges will apply. 

Fleas

  • All pets are required to be on regular flea & tick treatment.  This is for the safety of all clients as well as our own pets.  
  • Therefore, if your pet is found to have fleas while sitting in your home — a flea treatment will be applied to each pet and you will be charged for such at $100.00 per pet.
  • Client agrees to reimburse any and all costs incurred such as flea baths and it medications, and foggers to stop the spread of fleas to other clients pets and or homes.

Supplies

  • For visits to client’s home, the Client is responsible for supplying all necessary and safe equipment/supplies needed for care of their pet(s), including but not limited to, food, leashes, collars/ID tags, litter boxes/scoops, litter, waste bags, cleaning supplies, and medicines.  
  • A first aid kit is recommended as well.  
  • Client authorizes any purchase necessary for the satisfactory performance of duties, as well as service fees for obtaining items needed; to be reimbursed within 14 days from the end of services. 

Pet Containment

  • It is the Client’s responsibility to provide a safe, escape-proof environment in their home/yard for their pets by way of extra doors, gates, crates, etc.   In addition, fences (wood, electronic, metal, or any other type) should be deemed secure before the service period begins, as well as ID tags and/or microchips placed on the pets.   
  • Client’s dog(s) are required to have at least one (1) leash or harness (per pet) in good working order.
  • Client and sitter are aware that the highest level of care shall be given to any and all pets under the care of any pet sitter representing Happy Tails. 
  • Client  is aware that pet(s) are instinctual in nature and not always controllable by the sitter even when the highest level of care is provided. 
  • Should the Client’s animal(s) run away or be injured, the Client agrees that Happy Tails, and it’s employees will not be held  responsible for any liability. 

Visit Times

  • Due to scheduling, and the unpredictability of pets, we ask that you be flexible when requesting visits to your home.   
  • We cannot guarantee an exact time for your visits but we do try to come as close to your requested times as possible.  
  • Usually, a window of 1-2 hours works. If you have scheduled multiple visits throughout the day they will be spaced out as evenly as possible.  The amount of time spent at each visit varies as well but we will always ensure that everything is completed as agreed upon and that your pet(s) are happy and content.

Client Home Care Needs

  • Happy Tails is not responsible for wilted, dead or otherwise unhealthy plants. Happy Tails sitters will work hard to follow written instructions as precisely as possible, but cannot be responsible if the results are not favorable to the Client.  Please place all indoor plants together on a waterproof surface in plain sight as your pet sitter is not responsible for water-damaged areas or missed plants.

Injury to Client animal(s) by another animal

  • Happy Tails and its sitters will not be responsible for any animal(s) that instigate fights with other animals or is injured by another animal while in Happy Tails’ care. Happy Tails will take all appropriate actions to ensure that Client’s animal(s) are not placed in the company of aggressive or violent animals and/or will immediately remove Client’s animal(s) from any potential animal fight.

Damages

  • Happy Tails is licensed, bonded & insured. But it’s understood by you that we are not responsible for damages or loss to your home beyond our control  such as: (leaks, electrical problems, act of nature, burglary, etc.).  
  • Client agrees to secure home prior to leaving the premises. No one is allowed inside the home except HappyTails personnel while you are away – for any reason. 
  • Happy Tails and its sitters will secure your home according to the instructions given at the end of each visit.
  • If any damages are found, we will contact you immediately before taking action to resolve the problem.  If extra fees, such as travel, materials, etc. are required, Client agrees to reimburse Happy Tails within 5 days of the end of services.   
  • Additionally, Happy Tails is not liable for any fees or damages resulting from the malfunction or accidental triggering of your security system.

Damage by Pet to Others

  • Client will be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to any Happy Tails pet sitters, other persons, or to the property of Happy Tails or other persons by the Client’s pet(s).  
  • Client agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Happy Tails and its pet sitters, in the event of a claim by any person injured by Client’s pet(s).  
  • In the event that another animal is bitten by Client’s pet(s) or exposed to any disease or ailment from Client’s pet(s), it will be Client’s responsibility to pay all medically related costs and damages incurred by the ‘victim’ pet’s owner.  Happy Tails reserves the right to refuse services for any pet that has any form of contagious disease.
  • Happy Tails is not liable for any damage done to the clients’ home or personal property by their pets.  
  • Should your pet soil the carpet, floor or furniture, we ask that cleaning supplies be available and always provided so that we can clean the areas to the best of our abilities.  
  • Client further acknowledges that any history or tendency by their pet(s) towards straying, fighting, biting, destructive behavior or property damage has been fully disclosed. 
  • You as our Client are fully responsible for any costs associated with said tendencies.  Happy Tails reserves the right to refuse service if a dog’s behavior is deemed to be dangerous or threatening.

Vaccinations

  • Client agrees to keep their pet(s) current on ALL veterinarian recommended vaccinations as long as Client is receiving services from Happy Tails.  These requirements may be waived upon written recommendation from a pet’s veterinarian.  **All dog owners must provide proof of current Rabies vaccination for their pets at the time of initial consultation. ** 

Responsibility Shared with Friends and Relatives

  • We understand your desire to save money by having friends or relatives help out, but due to insurance and liability concerns we must decline accepting these types of shared visits. Clients are responsible for payment of all medical bills as well as all Special Service fees at ($40/per hour) assessed by Happy Tails for emergency transportation, care, supervision, or hiring of emergency caregivers, and will pay such fees within 5 days of each incident.

Medical Emergencies

  • All clients are required to read and sign a Veterinary Release form, granting Happy Tails permission to seek medical treatment for their pet(s) if Client’s pet(s) become ill or injured while under our care.  Every effort will be made to contact Client by Happy Tail’s prior to seeking medical treatment for their pet.  In most cases, the veterinarian will want to speak at some point with the client so please provide a reliable contact number on the Veterinary Release Form.  
  • We recommend that clients keep a current credit card on file with their regular vet, should emergencies happen.
  • However, it may be necessary to go to an emergency veterinary facility during off hours. Clients are responsible for payment of all medical bills as well as all Special Service fees at ($40/per hour) assessed by Happy Tails for emergency transportation, care, supervision, or hiring of emergency caregivers, and will pay such fees within 5 days of each incident.

Arriving Home

  • Clients are required to contact Happy Tails via phone, text or email as soon as they arrive home so we know they are resuming responsibility for their pets.  Doing so will avoid any additional charges for unnecessary visits to your home. 

Other Peoples’ Pets

  • If you are caring for someone else’s pet in your home and require our services, the owner of said pet is required to fill out, read and sign their own contracts with Happy Tails, as well as provide proof of vaccinations.

Sitter Safety

  • Occasionally a family member or friend may accompany our sitters on visits, i.e., after dark.  This is to ensure our safety and it will always be someone that we trust completely.  We will be happy to provide any information about said tag-a-longs to make you feel more comfortable.

** Please read** (all) above Policies and Procedures carefully before our initial visit to ensure that you understand them before signing  any of our documents. Thank you.

Privacy

 

  • Happy Tails will  always safeguard the confidentiality and security of the information we obtain from you. We are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information we collect for the purpose of your pet’s visits and to process your credit card transactions. 
  • This notice describes our privacy policy as it relates to the collection, protection and disclosure of such information resulting from credit card transactions and client registrations and profiles.
  • The credit card information provided by you to Happy Tails will be stored in a confidential manner.
  • The terms of this document apply to all pets owned by the client, including any and all new pets that the client obtains on or after the date this document/contract was signed, at any and all locations the owner designates for service.
  •  Clients are responsible for payment of all medical bills as well as all Special Service fees at ($40/per hour) assessed by Happy Tails for emergency transportation, care, supervision, or hiring of emergency caregivers, and will pay such fees within 5 days of each incident.