Terms of Business between Very Important Pets and Clients
Very Important Pets trading address is at 83b Cottenham Park Road, WImbledon, London SW20 ODR (“VIPS”)
Generally
1. All bookings are subject to these Terms and Conditions. Variation to the Terms and Conditions may be made from time to time and will be posted on our website.
Charges
2.1 Our charges are set out on our website and will be set out to you in full at the time of booking. You will be deemed to have accepted the charges of both VIPs and the Pet Sitter upon confirmation of your booking.
2.2 VIPs’ charges are payable in consideration of the booking service that we operate. Your booking will not be confirmed until VIP’s charges have been paid.
2.3 On occasions VIP at its sole discretion may proceed with a booking without advance payment of its charges. If the charges are not paid within ten days of the invoice VIP reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 25% of the unpaid charges.
2.4 Payment due to the Pet Sitter assigned to your booking is set out by VIPS at the time of booking. However, you will be entering into a separate contract with the individual Pet Sitter assigned to your booking. The Pet Sitter is responsible for collection of his or her own charges directly from you. Subject to any agreed variation by the Pet Sitter involved, you will normally be expected to pay the Pet Sitter at the completion of each assignment. Each Pet Sitter will be responsible for giving you a receipt. Please note that Pet Sitters do not accept debit or credit cards and will expect payment either in cash or by cheque, supported by a cheque guarantee card.
2.5 You will be charged daily rates rather than nightly rates for live-in, boarding and feeding pet services and the minimum booking is two days. If you require a live-in Pet Sitter to be physically present at all times, this must be agreed in advance and an additional fee may be charged.
2.6 If you are booking less than five days before departure, VIPs have the right to charge an additional administration charge of £5.
2.7 At particularly busy times of the year such as Christmas and New Year, normal charges may be increased but you will be notified at the time of booking if this is to apply.
2.8 VIPs have a key collection charge of £5 for all cat or small mammal feeding assignments; this should be paid directly to your pet sitter when he/she comes to collect your house keys. VIPs ask all clients using the live-In dog service to pay for their pet sitters travel costs, this will apply on the initial meeting with you and on the first and last days of the assignment, the amount to pay will depend on where your sitter is coming from, but VIPs will always try to find the closest pet sitter to you. This amount is to be paid directly to your pet sitter and not to VIPs. If you pet sitter is required to use his/her car during the assignment to transport your pet on a daily basis then a nominal fee of £3 per day should be added to your pet sitters total amount to cover petrol and wear and tear of their car.
Cancellations
3.1 Once your booking is confirmed VIP’s charges are non refundable, in the event of cancellations less than 7 days prior to the commencement of any booking 25% of the total pet sitters fee shall be payable to the pet sitter up to a maximum of £100. Cancellations less than 48 hours prior to the commencement of any booking, 40% of the total pet sitters fee shall be payable to the pet sitter up to a maximum of £100, and after the commencement of the services, if changes are made to the booking then the client shall pay the agreed pet sitters fee in total plus any expenses.
3.2 In the unlikely event that VIP cannot honour your booking VIPs will substitute an alternative Pet Sitter or your monies will be refunded.
3.3 If you have a regular dog walking service you must give at least 48 hours notice to cancel or you will be charged in full. Occasional bookings of any description, including dog walking, will be subject to the normal cancellation charges.
Pet Sitters
4.1 VIPs takes all reasonable care in the selection of Pet Sitters. Save as required by statute, no liability is accepted by VIPS for acts of omissions of any Pet Sitter or any loss or damage caused or contributed by the Pet Sitter.
4.2 Pet Sitters are independent contractors and are not employed by VIPs.
4.3 If a Pet Sitter becomes ill during an assignment, VIPs will use its best endeavours to make alternative arrangements.
Your Pet
5.1 We cannot accept bookings for badly behaved or aggressive animals. Either VIPs or a Pet Sitter may terminate an engagement immediately if it is reasonably thought that a Pet is badly behaved or aggressive either towards humans, animals or property. You will be liable if your pet injures a third party or the pet sitter.
5.2 Your dog will not be walked off the lead without your prior authority and always at your risk.
5.3 Proof of vaccinations are required by your Pet Sitter. Kennel cough vaccination is not compulsory but is advisable.
5.4 You must ensure that your Pet is in good health and free from fleas and is adequately wormed. If your Pet Sitter believes your Pet is not in good health we reserve the right to seek veterinary advice on your behalf and you will be liable for the veterinary fees.
5.5 If it becomes necessary, your animal will be taken to a veterinary surgeon. You are responsible for any fees that are reasonably incurred during your absence or during the course of an assignment.
Your Property
6.1 Pet Sitters are instructed by VIPs to leave your property as they found it. You are respectfully asked to note that they will not be subject any additional cleaning duties.
6.2 If the Pet Sitter does not consider that your property is of a reasonable standard of cleanliness or that the facilities available to them are inadequate, he or she may decline the booking.
Insurance and Liability
7.1 It is your responsibility to insure your property and your pet. VIPs accepts no liability for damage caused by your Pet or a Pet Sitter during an assignment. You will be liable in the event that the Pet Sitter or a third party is injured by your pet.
7.2 Pet Sitters have insurance in relation to the performance of duties as Pet Sitters under VIPs agency agreements only and not on their own account. It is not a substitute for your own insurance cover.
7.3 Adequate insurance must be in place if you wish a Pet Sitter to drive your vehicle. It is your responsibility to check the validity of the Pet Sitter’s driving licence.
7.4 In the event that due to conditions beyond their control a Pet Sitter is unavailable and your VIP’s charges have been refunded to you under clause 3.2, VIP accept no liability for any losses that may occur.
7.5 It is recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance as VIP may not be able to accommodate pets who become ill or are injured after the booking is confirmed.