These are the Terms and Conditions for using our services. These must be agreed and signed prior to any service taking place.
By 'Owner', this refers to you, and by 'Walker', that refers to this company, 'Holly's Trails'.

Whereas the Owner wishes to engage the Walker and the Walker agrees to undertake the services under the terms and conditions defined in this Dog Walking Contract as well as the Owner’s Information sheet, Pet Information sheet(s) and/or any other relevant documentation which shall all become part of this Contract. Any reference to dogs or pets in this contract shall refer to those specified on the Pet Information sheet(s).

1. Relationships & 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/or relevant equipment 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 but undertakes to limit the number of dogs walked with one person to 6 (six).
1.6. The Owner will provide suitable harnesses, collars and leads 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 on the Owner’s Information sheet and Pet Information sheet.

2. Compensation
2.1. The Walker shall be paid the amount of £_________________ per walk.
2.2. All payments must be made prior to the scheduled walk commencing.
Bank transfers must be paid into the bank account of the Walker at least 2 hours before the start time of the scheduled walk and received by the Walker.
2.3. The Walker reserves the right to refuse the commencing of the scheduled walk or any future services at their discretion in the event of non-payment or any recurring payment issues on the Owner’s part.

3. Duration
3.1. This Dog Walking Contract shall come into effect on the ____ day of ____________________ 20____ and shall:
3.1.1. Terminate on the _____day of _____________________20____.
OR
3.1.2. Terminate when either party gives 7 (seven) days written notice of termination.

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 24 hours notice may be charged at the 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 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. In the event that a scheduled walk needs to be cancelled due to events beyond the control of both the Walker and the Owner (including but not limited to, poor weather, national COVID-19 lockdown), the Owner will not be charged or incur penalties or damages, and/or if the Owner has already made payment to the Walker for the scheduled walk, they shall be refunded in full.
4.5. Should any dog become aggressive or dangerous, the Walker may terminate this dog walking contract with immediate effect.
4.6. 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.
4.7. The Owner agrees that they will ensure that the dog(s) is/are up-to-date and current with the relevant vaccinations and/or medical treatment (if applicable) before handing over the dog(s) to the Walker. The Walker reserves the right to refuse to commence a scheduled walk and terminate this dog walking contract with immediate effect if this condition is not met.
4.8. Termination under the circumstances described in 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 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.

6. Indemnification
6.1. The Owner will not blame and payback the Walker against any and all costs, expenses, losses, liabilities and claims arising from said dog’s behaviour unless the Walker is wilful or negligent.

7. Emergencies
7.1. In the event of an emergency, the Walker shall contact the Owner at the contact information provided to confirm the Owner’s choice of action. If the Owner cannot be reached timeously, the Walker is authorized to:
7.1.1. Transport the dog(s) to the listed veterinarian;
7.1.2. Request on-site treatment from a veterinarian;
7.1.3. 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. 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 Information sheet, Pet Information sheet(s) and/or any other relevant documentation 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. Data Protection & Privacy
12.1. The Walker agrees to handle and store any personal or sensitive information belonging to the Owner securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
12.2. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (c.12, part 3, chapter 3, section 45), the Owner has the right to request access to their personal information that the Walker may hold.

13. Binding Effect
13.1. 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.