PETSITTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
SOUTHWEST PETSITTING SERVICE AGREEMENT
For the purposes of this document, the terms Client and Pet Owner are synonymous with the person contracting services for one or more domestic animals. NANCI HOPPERTON DBA SOUTHWEST PETSITTING is synonymous with the pet care company providing care for the Client below. Southwest Petsitting provides services to the Pet Owner/Client below which includes, but is not limited to: dog walking, transporting, and feeding and caring for pets.
It is understood and agreed between Owner and Southwest Petsitting that this agreement considers owner will be in need of Southwest Petsitting services for agreed upon time periods, and it is further understood and agreed that the obligations and covenants contained herein shall apply to each provision of service in the future, without the need of entering into another agreement, unless altered in writing and signed by the parties herein. Client desires to engage Southwest Petsitting and its contracted pet sitters and dog walkers to provide pet care and agrees to the terms below:
Injury to Client animal(s) by another animal: Southwest Petsitting and its contracted staff will not be responsible for any animal(s) that instigate fights with other animals or is injured by another animal while in Southwest Petsitting's care. Southwest Petsitting 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 animal fight.
Injury or escape of animals: Client is aware that the highest level of care shall be given to any and all pets under care of the pet sitter employed by Southwest Pet Sitting. 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 Southwest Petsitting will not be responsible for any liability << hustle down to next sentence to verify fine details >>. The above waiver of liability in favor of Southwest Petsitting shall not apply or be effective if Southwest Petsitting's conduct in providing its pet care services is found to be grossly negligent, reckless, or if there is intentional misconduct. Client grants Southwest Petsitting permission to seek medical attention for my pet(s) in case of emergency. Client will be responsible for any payments for services rendered to the veterinarian or any fees paid by Southwest Petsitting.
Injury to Pet Sitter or another person by Client's Animal(s): Client will be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to pet sitter or other persons by the Client's pet(s). Client agrees to pay the full cost of any and all medical expenses and damages should they arise to the Southwest Petsitting pet sitter or the pet sitter's possessions as a result of the Client's animal(s) actions. Client agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Southwest Petsitting in the event of a claim by any person injured by the Client's pet(s).
Off-Leash Dog(s): Some of my Clients request off-leash activity and play for their dog(s). Client is aware and agrees that the Client's dog(s) may be off-leash in Client's yard ONLY if the yard is securely enclosed by either a solid or invisible fencing in order to provide maximum exercise and play for Client's dog(s). Client agrees that should the Client's dog(s) escape the yard or be injured during the off-leash play time, Southwest Petsitting will not be held liable. The exception to dog(s) being off-leash under Southwest Petsitting care would be if Client expressly notifies Southwest Petsitting that they do not want the dog(s) to be off-leash at any point during the walk or playtime.
Unsafe Pet(s): This contract permits Southwest Petsitting to use discretion to stop and end service at any time that Client's pet(s) pose a danger to the safety and health of itself, other pets, other people or Southwest Petsitting sitters/walkers.
Bite History & Compliance Affirmation (Avery's Law): By signing this agreement, the Client explicitly warrants that the pet(s) listed on this reservation have no prior history of aggressive behavior, unprovoked lunging, or biting incidents involving humans or other animals. Client acknowledges that Southwest Petsitting enforces a strict safety policy regarding animal-inflicted injuries.
Payment Policy / Cancellation Policy
All payment for pet sitting is due the day before the first visit (or morning of first visit for check/cash). I accept credit cards, cash, local checks, PayPal, and Venmo.
Because I reserve dedicated time slots specifically for your family and turn away other clients to guarantee availability for your requested dates, I enforce the following reservation policies:
- Standard Last-Minute Cancellations: If a standard service is canceled on the same day it is scheduled to begin, or on the first day of a multi-visit reservation, the payment is non-refundable and will be retained in full. Cancellations made prior to the day before service begins incur no fees.
- Holiday Week Reservations: Due to exceptionally high seasonal demand, all reservations scheduled during major holiday weeks require payment in full immediately upon invoice generation to officially lock in your time slots on my schedule. Holiday bookings represent a final scheduling commitment. Once an invoice is prepaid and your spots are reserved on the routing sheet, the reservation is final, completely non-refundable, and cannot be canceled, amended, or credited toward future care.
- Holiday Surcharges: A flat $5 per-visit surcharge applies to all visits scheduled within the core multi-day holiday windows and select holiday Sundays. This surcharge cannot be discounted. Holiday surcharge blocks include: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Weekend (Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday after), Christmas Window (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), New Year's Window (New Year's Eve through New Year's Day), and Summer Milestones (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends, Friday through Monday).
- Early Returns or Late Departures: Reservations are firm commitments for sitter availability. If you return home early or depart later than your agreed-upon reservation dates, you will still be responsible for the full amount of the original scheduled time. No refunds or partial adjustments will be issued for early returns or late departures once a reservation has begun.
- Standard Route Boundaries & Travel Surcharges
The Client acknowledges that Southwest Petsitting structures its standard rates around a core geographic route footprint consisting of Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Berea, Southern North Ridgeville, Southern North Olmsted, Columbia Station (North of Rt 82), and NW Strongsville (defined as West of Rt 42 and North of Rt 82). Service requests for properties located outside these standard boundaries require specialized routing adjustments to maintain timely care. To accommodate these requests without disrupting standard routes, out-of-area reservations are subject to an extended route travel fee added to each visit:- Extended Route Tier I: +$5 per visit for travel distances up to 10 miles.
- Extended Route Tier II: +$10 per visit for travel distances over 10 miles.
Final scheduling approval and route tier designations are assessed on an individual basis depending on property address and daily routing capacity.
Client Home Care Needs:
Client is responsible for pet-proofing the house and yard and maintaining proper functional enclosures, gates, and latches. Southwest Petsitting will not be responsible for the safety of the pet(s) and will not be liable for the death, injury, disappearance, or legal consequences of any pet(s) with unsupervised access to the outdoors or if Client has not initialed the section on this contract in regard to unleashed care of Client's dog(s).
Client will provide safe entry to the home-including snow removal as required, adequate outside lighting, and a clear path free of obstructions both inside and outside the home. Southwest Petsitting is not responsible for any damage to the property or home of the Client unless such damage is caused by a grossly negligent act of Southwest Petsitting. Southwest Petsitting is not responsible for damage to the home beyond the control of the sitter. This includes, but is not limited to, electrical problems, leaks, and acts of nature. All repairs to the home and related fees will be paid by the Client or fully reimbursed to Southwest Petsitting within seven (7) days of the Client's return date.
Southwest Petsitting is not liable for any loss or damage in the event of a burglary or other crime that should occur while under this contract. Client agrees to thoroughly close and latch the home prior to leaving the premises. Southwest Petsitting will attempt to re-secure the home according to Client instructions at the end of each visit.
Southwest Petsitting is not responsible for wilted, dead, or otherwise unhealthy plants. I 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.
Pet Illness/Veterinary Care/Restocking Supplies:
Client is aware and agrees to the medical costs of any fees should they arise from animal(s) being ill or otherwise needing veterinary care. Client agrees to pay Southwest Petsitting the sum of $40/per hour should the sitter need to take the pet(s) to the vet.
Use of Photos:
I, from time to time, will take photos of pets during their activities within the premises. In this regard, I seek your consent for the publishing or use of photos in which your pet may be included. I hereby grant Southwest Petsitting permission to use photos of my pet in print or in digital materials. It can also be used on social media platforms like Facebook, and other digital networks. I understand that I will not receive any monetary compensation. For the protection of privacy of the owners, it is guaranteed that surnames and addresses will never be included. If you wish to withdraw your permission at any time, please let me know in writing and I will update your account.
