• After signing the contract, any person will be deemed to have accepted Shaggy-Dog Sherpa’s terms and conditions (stated below).
• Before a booking is made, Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will carry out a consultation. This involves collection of personal data and information which is necessary for the running of the business. The data is stored on a secure, password protected laptop, on a secure, password protected mobile phone and as a laminated paper copy (see privacy policy). Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will not confirm any booking until this consultation has been carried out and has been signed by the client.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa takes full responsibility for any keys that have been handed to her directly from the client, for her own possession. Shaggy-Dog Sherpa is not responsible for keys that are not in an agreed location due to them being lost or stolen prior to her arrival. Neither is she responsible for any keys after she has returned them to an agreed location.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa sometimes transports dogs in her car, as agreed with the owner during the consultation. Dogs are transported on the front seat or back seat (in a back-seat hammock) and are restrained via a short webbing from the collar into the seatbelt socket as a minimum. Up to two dogs will travel in the back-seat hammock and one on the front seat. Full car-safe body harnesses are provided for all dogs and are used at Shaggy-Dog Sherpa’s discretion (on any dog that tolerates one peacefully).
• All dogs being exercised must be fully vaccinated and on a regular flea and worm control regime.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa must be alerted to any behavioural problems with any dog at the time of booking. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of any future contract.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa must be alerted to any fears, quirks, aggression, unusual or random behaviours that the dog has displayed in the past.
• All dogs being walked will undergo a trial walk to ensure that they are adequately trained and socialised.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa reserves the right to cancel the contract at any time and with immediate effect if the dog does not respond well to her and/or other dogs.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa must be alerted if any bitch is in season, whereupon she will take full responsibility for ensuring that the bitch is not mated whilst on a booked walk. Shaggy-Dog Sherpa does not take responsibility for the mating of a bitch if she was not informed of its season or once the dog is returned to the property.
• The client must provide all items necessary for dogs to be adequately and safely walked (collar and lead as a minimum). Shaggy-Dog Sherpa does not take responsibility for any equipment that is damaged due to normal wear and tear.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa must be alerted to any of the dog’s food intolerances or allergies.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will apply personal judgment and cut a walk short if necessary, because of extreme weather conditions (i.e., heat, thunder storms) for the safety of both the dogs and herself.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will “settle” the dog after a walk according to the owner’s preferences. If a dog require towelling off after walks, a towel must be provided and left by the door. Shaggy-Dog Sherpa does not accept responsibility for any mess or damage caused to the home by the dog after she has left.
• Photographs of all dogs and a map of each walk will be posted online and accessible to the public. Shaggy-Dog Sherpa never publicises addresses or names of dogs and route maps are always started/finished in a general area rather than from the client’s door. It is the client’s responsibility to inform Shaggy-Dog Sherpa if they do not want their dog’s photograph added to public spaces on the internet.
• The client must provide Shaggy-Dog Sherpa with at least one name and contact number of someone capable of making a decision relating to the dog(s) in an emergency. If the contact is not available, Shaggy-Dog Sherpa reserves the right to consult with a veterinary surgeon and then make a decision which is in the best interests of the animal. However, in every circumstance, Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will request that every dog be kept sedated and pain free until it's owner arrives, wherever possible.
• Full payment for services is to be made within one calendar month of the service via cash or bank transfer. If payment is not made within this time, the service will be discontinued until full payment has been made.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will inform the client if she or anyone living in her household has tested positive for COVID 19, whereupon she will be unable to continue services for 10 to 14 days.
• It is the client's responsibility to inform Shaggy-Dog Sherpa if they, or anyone in their household, has tested positive for COVID-19. In this instance, Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will offer a later, shorter, separate walk.
• Shaggy-Dog Sherpa will endeavour to give the best possible care to your dog and to keep it safe at all times. However, the client acknowledges that letting a dog off the lead carries an element of risk that Shaggy-Dog Sherpa can no longer control. For example, despite Shaggy-Dog Sherpa’s best endeavours, the dog may not recall and may become lost or injured.