Terms & Conditions
By registering with Brighton Cat Sitters you formally agree to our Terms & Conditions. Please read and print a copy for your records.
Bookings
- Bookings will only be accepted following initial registration and payment made in accordance with price list applicable at the time of booking. Bank Holidays incur additional charges.
- An in-home registration is required for all new clients
- Our morning visits will be between 7.00-11.00am, afternoon visits will be between 3.00 – 7.00pm. If an unforeseen situation arises, the time interval may be adjusted.
- All bookings must be made at least 24hrs before the service start date.
- We carefully schedule time to serve you and other customers, therefore there are no refunds or credits for early returns or last minute changes to your cat’s care
- In the event that your return home is delayed, you must inform us immediately and we will use our best endeavours to make arrangements for continued cover.
- We request that you notify us when you arrive home.
Cancellations
- All bookings cancelled within 48hrs will be payable in full.
- All Xmas/New Year seasonal confirmed bookings made between 15th Dec and 5th Jan are non-refundable
Payment
- We accept cash and bank transfers
- All payments are due by the first cat feeding visit at the latest.
- Where payment is not received, in accordance with these terms & conditions of business, we reserve the right not to proceed with any previously agreed arrangements.
- In the event that your return is delayed, additional fees for continued care will be due.
Duty of care
- We highly respect our customer’s trust with the care of their pet, and having access to their property.
- We will ensure the standards of care provided to the cats and any property is appropriate.
- Any change in a pet’s routine and circumstances can cause varying degrees of distress and unpredictable or abnormal behaviour, particularly if their owner is on holiday. Pets have no concept or ability to understand their owner’s absence is temporary and they will be coming back. We understand this and will offer comfort and reassurance whilst trying, as far as is practically possible to maintain their normal daily routines.
- We request that all our customers leave their thermostat settings within a normal comfortable range. Outside of this range, we may adjust the thermostat to ensure the health and comfort of your cat.
- During any absence, authority is taken by us to act as a guardian for any pet(s) registered. A named vet or any other vet that we deem it necessary to use, for any reason, will be used to treat pet(s) in the event of any illness/injury and payment for all vet charges incurred as a result will be met by the customer. It may not be possible for us to contact customers prior to any treatment being required.
- We may take any suitable action to maintain a pet’s good health. Permission is given to transport pets to any vets. In the event of any treatment being required (including surgery or euthanasia), we will accept and act upon the advice of the vet, and the most up-to-date emergency contact will be contacted.
- If pets become ill or injured, it may not be immediately obvious or easily visible to us.
Unforeseen purchases
- You must provide all food and items of equipment necessary for pet care during your time of absence.
- In the event that additional items need to be purchased in your absence — ie. pet food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and well being of the pet, we will purchase these, retain a receipt and you are responsible for reimbursement of these items on your return.
Pet Waste
- We will properly dispose of your pet’s waste. For cat litter trays we do request that you provide all necessary items such as scooper, cat litter and plastic bags and indicate where you would like these waste bags disposed of. The same for any other home based animal.
Keys
- You will provide us with your house key during the registration consultation. This key will be coded for security and kept securely for your protection.
- It is recommended that your keys remain with us for convenience for future use of our services.
- If you supply a set of keys that do not work (or have dropped off the incorrect set of keys) and a lock smith is called, a charge of £25 will be made for our time. To collect keys from a friend/neighbour due to incorrect keys being supplied in the first instance, a charge of £15 will be made. We will always endeavour to call you first if there is a problem with keys/locks.
- In the event that we are required to employ a locksmith to gain entry into your property due to a malfunction of the lock or your failure to supply the correct key, it will be your responsibility to reimburse us for all costs incurred. You expressly give us the authority to employ a locksmith on your behalf in the event of the aforementioned occurrences.
House Cleanliness
- We will keep your house, pet and pet equipment in a clean and tidy state as found, and will only provide services agreed specifically as listed in the agreement.
- We will clean up after your pet to the best of our ability.
- We request that you make available cleaning materials in the event of any “accidents” within your property.
- We are not responsible for carpet/flooring/furniture stains created by your pet(s).
- We request you provide plastic bags, cleaning products and bin bags.
Change of details
- You must inform us of any changes to contact no.s, pet routines/needs, emergency contact details or any other relevant information.
- You are solely responsible in ensuring information provided to us is current and up-to-date. You agree to accept any decision made by us in the event of not being able to contact you as a result of wrong information held. If we are subjected to any expenditure as a result of the decision, that expenditure shall be recoverable from you. Please inform us of any errors made with booking so these can be amended.
Medication
- We will follow instructions to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result.
- Under no circumstances will we service any pet that has any form of contagious illness.
- We are not able to administer injections
- Flea and worming treatment must be up-to-date. In the event of a flea or worm infestation, we will treat the pet at the client’s expense.
Emergencies
- You must provide an Emergency Contact who can make a decision relating to your pet or home in an emergency. We reserve the right to consult a vet and make decisions in the best interest of your pet and your home, should the Emergency Contact be unavailable.
- In the event of a household emergency you in the first instance, or your Emergency Contact will be contacted to arrange any remedial work.
Insurance
- It shall be your sole responsibility to ensure your property, it’s contents and pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the scheduled services.
- You are advised to check to ascertain if your insurance provider requires knowledge that someone will have access to your property whilst you are away.
- We have no liability for break in / vandalism of property during use of our services. You should ensure all doors and windows are securely locked before leaving.
- We needs to be informed at the time of booking of anyone who may have access to the property whilst you are away. This includes cleaning services, maintenance personnel, friends, family and neighbours.
- You will notify anyone with access to the property that our services have commenced.
- We shall not be liable for other persons or their actions or omissions, who will be in, or have access to your property before, during or after services have been rendered.
Cat Flaps
- You agree that we cannot accept liability for the loss of your cat(s) while they have access to an unlocked catflap.
- Youmust ensure that your cat flap is working correctly before you leave and if appropriate leave spare batteries
- We are not liable for the correct operation or any failure of your cat flap