Terms and Conditions of Engagement - Home Visit Service

Walks This Way is a trade name of myself, Gregory Butterworth, whose registered address is at 41 Christchurch road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BX.

This agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all previous agreements and understandings between the parties. Each party acknowledges that, in entering into this agreement, they do not rely on any representation, warranty, information or document or other term not forming part of this agreement.

These terms and conditions are the contract between you (the client) and Walks This Way ("I", "us", "we", etc By accepting this document or instructing engagement of service, you agree to be bound by them. These terms and conditions are governed by English Law.

Please read this agreement carefully, your understanding and agreement is by way of your acceptance / engagement of service.

1. Free consultation and enrolment.

2. Financial - costs, invoicing & payment, booking
2.1. Prices are at the current times and rates as detailed on our current price list as below
Scheduled times between 08:00 & 21:00. A 30 minute visit is £14 for up to two dogs or 3 cats, £25 for two visits on the same day.
2.2 Weekends, evenings, and public holidays are at the standard rates subject to opening times and availability.
2.3 Rates are normally subject to review at the start of my financial year or calendar year (1st April of any given year).
2.4. Walks This Way reserves the right to review rates and charges from time to time, outside the above period.
2.5. Invoices are issued by email unless requested otherwise.
2.6. Payment method - cash, bank transfer, direct debit, debit/credit cards, Apple Pay.
2.7. Payment terms for dog / pet home visits. Full payment is required upon booking.
2.8. Reservation of dates and service will be confirmed upon receipt of full payment.
2.9. 24 hour notice of cancellation is required, bookings cancelled after this time will be charged 100%.
2.10. A meeting will be held up to 48 hours before the booking date to meet, receive specific instruction and acquire a key for access.

3. Hours Of Work
3.1. Hours of work for small pet care services are usually Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 21:00 including public holidays.
3.2. All works are by appointment only and subject to Walks This Way schedule.
4. Documentation - all certification is available for inspection
1. Full commercial insurance is held - comprising appropriate Public Liability, Care, Custody and Control and Key Cover.
2. Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) verified.
3. Member of the Professional Dog Walkers Association.
4. Trained in Dog first Aid/Emergency canine care

5. Health & Safety and law
5.1. Walks This Way ensures the utmost safety and security of your pet and premises during and after our visit.
5.2. All pets to be fully inoculated / vaccinated with current worm / flea treatment as appropriate and recommended by veterinary bodies / animal welfare authority. Evidence of up-to-date inoculations is required.
5.3. Adverse weather conditions may lead to limited or additional service as deemed appropriate.
5.4. In emergency situations permission to take your pet to a Vet is required. Walks This Way is in partnership with Marshalswick Veterinary Clinic. Refer to attached Veterinary release form.
5.5. Cats: Microchip id is a legal requirement.

6. Walks This Way commitment to you
6.1. Where home visit agreement applies, the rate is inclusive of services agreed.
6.2. My aim is to look after your pet as I would my own and to the best of my ability. I have a moral and ethical obligation to advise you that there is always a risk in leaving any pet unattended for any amount of time.
6.3. Regardless how minor symptoms / ailments may be, I retain the right to seek Vet care and authorise treatment on your behalf, whether by emergency or appointment at any time. I will not authorise euthanasia. Refer to Vet Permission Form.
6.4. Medications administered at home subject to Medication Release form.
6.5. External factors may influence my decision to make additional visits as required. I retain the right to increase the number of visits/amend working protocol based on risk assessments on the day based on any influencing factor relating to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of your pet. These additional visits would be charged at standard rates scheduled as per current price list. No restrictions apply, examples may include but not limited to inclement / extreme weather.
6.6. I retain the right to act / make safe, on behalf of the health, safety, and welfare of your pet to relocate / rehouse should any external factor impact your pet. Examples may include but are not limited to moving outdoor small animals run from sun during extremely warm weather or move small animals run into dry areas in extremely wet weather.
6.7. I am unable to accept liability / responsibility for animals who have free access to the outdoors.
6.8. I endeavour not to interrupt your period away unless there is an emergency. If I ring or text, please be aware that I may need to speak to you urgently.
6.9. I will endeavour to accommodate short notice / emergency bookings as best as possible, subject to feasibility and schedule.
6.10. Walks This Way is responsible for all NI, income tax, pension contributions and holiday payments incurred because of receipt of payment from you.
6.11. Security of key and premises is assured always, as far as is practicable.
6.12. Keys will not be labelled to identify you or your address.
6.13. Keys will be returned at the end of the contract or on demand.
6.14. I will not loan, duplicate or use the keys issued to me in any unauthorised manner. Staff volunteer helpers engaged by Me have your full permission to gain access to carry out duties as agreed.
615. I accept responsibility for the cost of replacement keys/cards, rekeying locks and any associated damage or losses should I lose the keys, or should the keys be lost, stolen, or misused while in my possession.
6.16. Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff will only access areas within your home as agreed with you to carry out our duties as agreed.
6.17. Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff retain the right to bring additional person/s as necessary and at our discretion, to be able to carry out our duties as agreed. This may be due to potential issues such as parking, security and other factors beyond our reasonable control.

7. Your Responsibilities
7.1. Bookings must be made in advance and agreed by us. Bookings cannot be confirmed until we receive from you a signed copy of the terms and conditions, completed client registration and vet forms as well as booking deposit if requested.
7.2. Full and easy access to your pet is required. For expediency, you shall allow access to Walks This Way via a mutually compatible method. Failure to provide full and easy access for Walks This Way to carry out agreed duties will incur charge of agreed rate and the possibility of no visit that day.
7.3. For advance bookings, full payment is required.
7.4. Keep Walks This Way up to date with emergency and full daily contact details as applicable.
7.5. In extreme emergency situations only so that we can contact you in a timely manner: Provide Walks This Way with your permission to use your landline if you have one, and location in your home.
7.6. Information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, will not be taken away from your home, will not be divulged to anyone else and will only be used in the utmost need to contact you or your named emergency contact.
7.7. Any special requirements/changes to be advised soonest.
7.8. Provide sufficient food / treats / bedding / oral medication if required / litter for the duration of the visits; and any other appropriate and relevant equipment or supplies.
7.9. You agree to reimburse Walks This Way for any additional fees for providing emergency care, including vet treatment / medication and any other expenses incurred for unexpected visits, transportation, housing, food, other miscellaneous supplies as deemed necessary by Walks This Way.
7.10. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff if the pet sustains injury / goes missing or passes away because of gaining outside access.
7.11. You agree to accept any / all costs incurred if your pet is taken ill / passes away including vet visits / treatment costs whilst in the care of Walks This Way.
7.12. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff of any key / entry related occurrences if other third parties also have access to my home.

8. UK General Data Protection Regulations
We respect the information that we hold about you and we take the security of that information very seriously. All information held about you remains strictly confidential. Our Privacy Policy provides more information on the data we hold about you, what we do with that data, who we share your data with and your rights under GDPR. The Privacy Policy is available to view at www.walksthisway.co.uk

9. Walks This Way reserves the right to alter / reschedule plans in accordance with the work schedule. Outside factors beyond reasonable control may affect service.

10. This contract can be terminated by either party at any time.

11. Both parties, Walks This Way and you, the client will hold a copy of this agreement.

12. Your agreement and acceptance to engagement Walks This Way and the above terms and conditions, is provided by accepting this agreement and/or engagement of service:

13. Working policies
Hours of work:
1. Dog walking / pet home visits: Monday to Sunday 08:00-21:00 inclusive.
2. Weekends, evenings and all public holidays are by appointment at the standard rates.
3. All works are subject to Walks This Way schedule and within the times set out above.
4. Walks This Way retains the right to amend times to best fit our daily schedule within a 1 hour period either side of a preferred time
5. Office hours for contact: Daily 08:00 – 21:00
6. Messages received out-with these hours will be responded to as soon as possible during the times set out above.
7. Please note we may be busy throughout the day taking care of our clients but we will respond as soon as we can.

Booking a session:
1. Booking requests can be made by email or WhatsApp. I will always respond, usually within the contact hours noted above.
2. Booking requests remain unconfirmed until I respond.

Annual leave:
1. Walks This Way usually takes 4 weeks annual leave per annum.
2. We do not provide cover.
3. We will provide you with as much notice as reasonably possible, but occasional short notice days may arise throughout the year.

Sickness:
1. Walks This Way does not provide sickness cover.
2. We will provide you with as much notice as reasonably possible, but occasional short notice days may arise throughout the year.

Keys:
1. Keys are not labelled to identify you or your address.
2. Keys are stored in a locked safe when not in use.
3. Keys are removed from my safe on the day/s they are required only and returned to the safe at the end of each day.

Terms and Conditions of Engagement - Dog Walking Service

Entire agreement:

Walks This Way is a trade name of myself, Gregory Butterworth whose registered address is at 41 Christchurch Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BX.

This agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and/or supersedes all previous agreements and understandings between the parties. Each party acknowledges that, in entering into this agreement, they do not rely on any representation, warranty, information or document or other term not forming part of this agreement.

These terms and conditions are the agreement between you (the client) and Walks This Way (“I“, “us”, “we”, etc). By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by them. These terms and conditions are in conjunction with the Client Registration form, Veterinary Release, Medication Release form and Key Release Trust form and are governed by English Law.

Please read this agreement carefully, your understanding and acceptance is by way of your agreement or by engagement of our business.

1. Free consultation and enrolment.

2. Financial - costs, invoicing & payment
2.1. Costs are at the current rates.Weekends, evenings and public holidays are at the quoted rates as below
Group Walks
Scheduled pick up times between 08:00 & 21:00
Maximum 4 dogs of similar capabilities are walked together
60 minute walk is £15 per dog with additional dogs from the same household charged at £7 each.
Solo Walks
Scheduled pick up times between 08:00 & 21:00
60 minute walk is £23 per dog with additional dogs from the same household charged at £7 each.
2.2. Rates are normally subject to review at the start of my financial year or calendar year (1st April of any given year).
2.3. Walks This Way reserves the right to review rates and charges from time to time, outside the above period.
2.4. Invoices are issued upon booking, by email unless requested otherwise.
2.5. Payment method – cash, bank transfer, credit/debit cards / Apple Pay accepted.Prompt payment is very much appreciated.
2.6. Payment terms for any service is in advance.
2.7. Payment terms for ad hoc dog walking service / home visits in advance.
2.8. 24 hour notice of cancellation is required, bookings cancelled after this time will be charged 100%.

3. Hours of work, Holidays, Sickness
3.1. Hours of work for Dog walking services are usually Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 21:00 including public holidays.
3.2. All works are by appointment only and subject to Walks This Way schedule.
3.3. Holidays: Walks This Way usually takes 4 weeks annual leave per annum. We do not provide cover. We will provide you with as much notice as reasonably possible, but occasional short notice days may arise throughout the year.
3.4. Sickness: Walks This Way does not provide sickness cover. We will provide you with as much notice as reasonably possible, but occasional short notice days may arise throughout the year.

4. Documentation – all certification is available for inspection
1. Full commercial insurance is held – comprising appropriate Public Liability, Care, Custody and Control and Key Cover.
2. Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) verified.
3. Member of the Professional Dog Walkers Association.
4. Trained in Dog first Aid/Emergency canine care

5. Health & Safety and Law
5.1. Walks This Way aims to ensure as far as practicable the care, welfare, wellbeing, safety and security of your pet and premises throughout our care session.
5.2. All dogs to have own collar, lead, and identity tag. Collar with name tag and microchip id is a legal requirement.
5.3. All dogs are walked subject to behaviour assessment and trial period to determine suitability for group walk.
5.4. Dogs will be kept on leads always. Off lead walking is by request following a reasonable period from engagement; providing your dog is well behaved, has good recall and the circumstances are deemed to be safe for your dog, myself, us and other members of the public who may also be within the vicinity; and subject to all relevant law and regulation national and local.
5.5. You are responsible for ensuring that your dog is properly trained to come back to us on command. Should you give permission for your dog to be walked off the lead and your dog then fails to return on command, this is entirely at your risk and we cannot accept responsibility or liability for any loss or injury sustained. If you are in any doubt that your dog may not return on command, you should not give permission for your dog to be walked off the lead.
5.6. All dogs to be fully inoculated / vaccinated with current worm / flea treatment. Any dog deemed not to be adequately treated will not be walked. Evidence of up-to-date inoculations is required. Titre tests are accepted as evidence of inoculation.
5.7. No group walks for female dogs in season, pregnant dogs or ill dogs. Solo dog walking rates / home visit rates apply and are subject to availability.
5.8. Reactive dogs may be muzzled for safety of all parties, walked solo.
5.9. Adverse weather conditions may lead to a limited service. Mutual communication is required. E.g. but not limited to; In very wet conditions, walks may be curtailed to ensure enough pet drying time; snow may lead to delays or cancellation of service; hot weather may lead to change of service or cancellation. Walks This Way will notify you at the earliest convenient time.
5.10. In emergency situations permission to take your pet to a Vet is required. Walks This Way is registered with Marshalswick Veterinary Surgery.
5.11. All dog walking is carried out in compliance with all appropriate law, including but not limited to Animal Welfare Regulations, Dangerous Dogs Act, local authority bye laws, PDWA Best Practice and PDWA Ethical Working Practice.
5.12. In accordance with the law, mess is always cleared up using only degradable waste bags.

6. Walks This Way commitment to you
6.1. Where dog walking agreement applies, the rate is inclusive of collection / safe return to dog exercise area, exercise period as agreed, treats, clear up of mess, full insurance and daily activity report. Walks are usually within your local area or at a designated local dog walking location.
6.2. Dog walking can be done one at a time or with a small group for maximum care, attention and safety, at the discretion of Walks This Way, unless specified by you, subject to availability and behaviour assessment.
6.3. Where home visit agreement applies, the rate is inclusive of services agreed.
6.4. Upon engagement Walks This Way will communicate by WhatsApp or text to report on progress.
6.5. I endeavour not to interrupt your busy day unless there is an emergency. If I telephone please be aware that I would need to speak to you urgently.
6.6. I will endeavour to accommodate short notice / emergency bookings as best as possible, subject to feasibility and schedule.
6.7. Your training / cue words are used.
6.8. Walks This Way is responsible for any NI, income tax and pension contributions incurred because of receipt of payment from you.
6.9. Security of key and premises is assured always.
6.10. Keys will not be labelled to identify you or your address.
6.11. Keys will be returned at the end of the contract or any time upon request in a safe, timely and professional manner.
6.12. I will not loan, duplicate or use the keys issued to me in any unauthorised manner.
6.13. Staff / volunteer helpers engaged by Me have your full permission to gain access to carry out duties as agreed.
6.14. I accept responsibility for the cost of replacement keys/cards, rekeying locks and any associated damage or losses should I lose the keys or should the keys be lost, stolen or misused while in my possession.
6.15. Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff will only access areas within your home as agreed with you to carry out our duties as agreed.
6.16. Cancellation of service by us: if we must cancel or reschedule a session we will provide you with as much notice as is reasonably possible.
6.17. We will not be liable for any failure or delay in carrying out our service where that failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond our reasonable control. Such causes include, but are not limited to: power failure, internet service provider failure, strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action by third parties, riots and other civil unrest, fire, explosion, flood, storms, earthquakes, subsidence, acts of terrorism (threatened or actual), acts of war (declared, undeclared, threatened, actual or preparations for war), epidemic or other natural disaster, or any other event that is beyond our reasonable control.
6.18. If any event described under 6.17 occurs that is likely to adversely affect our service, we will inform you as soon as is reasonably possible. Our services may be suspended at our discretion and any time limits that we are bound by will be extended accordingly. We reserve the right to charge a session retainer fee at our discretion.
6.19. We will inform you when the event outside of our control is over and provide details of any new dates, times or availability of services as necessary.

7. Your responsibilities
7.1. Bookings must be made in advance and agreed by Walks This Way. Bookings cannot be confirmed until we receive a signed copy of the terms and conditions of engagement, completed client registration, medication, vet and access forms / permissions from you.
7.2. Full and easy access to dogs is required. For expediency, you shall allow access to Walks this Way via a mutually compatible method. Failure to provide full and easy access for Walks This Way to carry out agreed duties will incur charge of agreed rate and the possibility of no walk / visit that day.
7.3. You must accurately and truthfully provide all relevant details about your dog and any specific requirements relating to your dog as required on the Client Registration form; this includes but not limited to behavioural issues, likes, dislikes.
7.4. You are responsible for ensuring that your dog is properly trained to come back to us on command. Should you give permission for your dog to be walked off the lead and your dog then fails to return on command, this is entirely at your risk and we cannot accept responsibility or liability for any loss or injury sustained. If you are in any doubt that your dog may not return on command, you should not give permission for your dog to be walked off the lead.
7.5. You must disclose any information about your dog if he/she is subject of any control order, breaches and/or prosecution, particularly under the latest revisions of the Animal Welfare Act, the Dangerous Dogs Act, Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act, the Dogs Act or any other applicable laws and advise immediately should your dog become subject to any orders, breaches or prosecutions after your booking has been accepted.
7.6. Advise as soon as possible any adverse health issues of your dog.
7.7. Short notice / emergency bookings will be accommodated as best as possible, subject to feasibility and schedule.
7.8. Cancellation of service by you. We ask that if you must cancel or reschedule a session please provide us with at least 24-hour notice. We do, of course, understand that unavoidable issues come up and will do our best to work with you in case of an emergency. Last minute cancellations will be charged a cancellation fee each time. Less than 24-hour notice will result in a charge equal to 100% of agreed rate.
7.9. Ensure prompt payment of invoices, terms as per section 2 above.
7.10. Provide dog towels, special dietary treats and medication if required.Medication administered at owners risk and subject to release form.
7.11. Keep Walks This Way up to date with emergency and full daily contact details as applicable.
7.12. Any special requirements to be advised soonest.
7.13. You agree to reimburse Walks This Way for any additional fees for providing emergency care, as well as any expenses incurred for unexpected visits, transportation, housing, food, or supplies.
7.14. Any Vet fees / associated transport costs incurred because of sickness or ill health with your pet whilst in the care of Walks This Way are payable by you.
7.15. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Walks This Way and / or employees / volunteer staff of any key / entry related occurrences and/or damage to property if other third parties also have access to your home.

9. Walks This Way reserves the right to alter / reschedule plans in accordance with their work schedule. Outside factors beyond reasonable control may affect service. E.g. This may include one to one walks or group walks as appropriate, rescheduling of visits, cancellation of service.

10. This contract can be terminated by either party at any time.

11. Both parties, Walks This Way and you, the client will hold a copy of this agreement.

12. You confirm that you have answered all questions truthfully and have not withheld any relevant information. You understand that non-disclosure of information may affect future service provision and negate Walks This Way liability insurance.

13. Complaints
13.1. We believe in transparency and honesty. If you have a complaint or grievance about me and / or the service we provide please speak to me about it and we will do our best to clarify or find an amicable resolution.
13.2. Should a complaint escalate, it can be referred to the PDWA who, if they believe it falls within their remit, terms and best practice may investigate and mediate.

14. Your agreement and acceptance to engagement of Walks This Way dog walking / pet services and the above terms and conditions, is provided by understanding and accepting this agreement:

15.Working Policies
Hours of work:
1. Dog walking / pet home visits: Monday to Sunday 08:00-21:00 inclusive.
2. Weekends, evenings and all public holidays are by appointment at the standard rates.
3. All works are subject to Walks This Way schedule and within the times set out above.
4. Walks This Way retains the right to amend times to best fit our daily schedule within a 1 hour period either side of a preferred time
5. Office hours for contact: Daily 08:00 – 21:00
6. Messages received out-with these hours will be responded to as soon as possible during the times set out above.
7. Please note we may be busy throughout the day taking care of our clients but we will respond as soon as we can.

Booking a session:
1. Booking requests can be made by email or WhatsApp. I will always respond, usually within the contact hours noted above.
2. Booking requests remain unconfirmed until I respond.

Sickness:
1. Walks This Way does not provide sickness cover.
2. We will provide you with as much notice as reasonably possible, but occasional short notice days may arise throughout the year.

Adverse / severe weather conditions:
1. To help protect the health and safety of your dog/s and myself, adverse / severe weather conditions may lead to limited / change / cancellation of service.
2. Severe / adverse weather conditions may include but not limited to: heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, thunder / lightning storms, floods.
3. Every effort will be made to travel to see your dog/s but I will heed official road safety advice and any decision will be made as soon as possible on the day.
4. Priority will be given to dogs who are home alone; every effort will be made to get to them but may still be subject to cancellation if conditions dictate. Service may be shortened or changed as appropriate.
5. Specific times may be affected in that during adverse conditions I would implement a ‘round robin’ method, calling at clients in a methodical timeline.
6. Dog/s whose owners work from home may be affected by outright service cancellation.
7. Mutual communication is required – i.e. please let me know if you go to your workplace as soon as possible in the morning or if you will work from home on the day.
8. Examples of change of service may include, but not limited to:
9. In wet conditions, walks may be curtailed slightly to ensure enough clean-up / drying time.
10. Extremely warm weather may lead to cancellation of walks or change of service to shorter walks or home visits or other times of day.

Your dog:
1. Please confirm as soon as possible any changes in the health of your dog. To minimise cross contamination, I am unable to walk a poorly dog with others or transport in my car/van. Service may change to a home visit or a local, individual walk.
2. Your dog/s is to be fully inoculated / vaccinated / titre tested. Evidence of up-to-date inoculations / titre test is required. I am unable to walk an unvaccinated or titre tested dog in a group.
3. Your dog/s must have current worm / flea treatment. Any dog deemed to be inadequately treated will not be walked.
4. Muzzles - Dogs with a tendency to snap at other dogs or humans, who have a high prey drive and are likely to chase other dogs, livestock, people etc, or scavenge may be muzzled for safety of all parties and are likely to be walked on an individual basis. It is your responsibility to muzzle train your dog.
5. Adequate training - While your dog is in my care, I am fully responsible for him/her. I therefore retain the right to discuss with you any issues relating to your dog in any capacity at any time; including but not limited to health, behaviour, further training requirements, equipment used etc…It is your responsibility to ensure your dog is trained to an adequate level of behaviour to enable me to carry out my job safely.
6. Reactivity – owners of dogs who show reactive or other behavioural issues will receive honest feedback. I will always try to work with you, your trainer / behaviourist to help overcome any issues but changes to service may be necessary to accommodate your dog’s needs if training is undertaken.
7. For the welfare, health and safety of your dog, if deemed necessary, I retain the right to discuss with you areas for improvement that could be implemented for example but not limited to, equipment used.