Terms

Terms of service for Mark Bark Dog Walking

1. Bookings

1. Firm bookings are only accepted once an introductory consultation, or ‘meet and greet’ has been completed and all parties are satisfied with the arrangements
2. All bookings are accepted only upon receipt of payment

2. Payment

1. For regular bookings (where Mark Bark provides pet care at agreed times on a weekly basis):

i) Mark Bark shall issue an invoice electronically to the client’s designated email address on the Friday preceding the commencement of a booking period

ii) The client may decide whether they wish to pay one week or one month in advance

iii) Payment is required by the day preceding the first day of service at the latest

iv) Invoices will be issued assuming the client requires their regular days and times. Should a service not be required for any given period, please let Mark Bark know as soon as possible (if the invoice has already been issued, it shall be cancelled if necessary and a new one issued)

2. For ad hoc bookings:

i) Payment is due immediately in order to confirm the booking

3. Payments are processed securely by Squareup International Ltd via a clickable link in the electronic invoice
4. Service shall not be provided where payment has not been made in advance as required
5. Cancellations may be made by the client with at least 24 hours notice. Where a cancellation is requested with less than 24 hours notice, no refund shall be given

3. Access to your property/pets

1. Where the client provides a key to their property Mark Bark will take due care of it. A client’s key will be used only for the purposes of providing care for their pet(s). A client’s key is never tagged with their name or address. Mark Bark shall return your key upon request
2. For clients with keycode boxes, the client is responsible for ensuring Mark Bark is provided with the correct code to allow him to provided booked services. Mark Bark undertakes to randomise the keypad while away from the property and after leaving
3. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure their pet(s) are at the agreed designated property and that Mark Bark has access in order to fulfil the services booked

4. Availability

1. Mark Bark is an individual dog walker and therefore does not provide services during holiday periods as notified on the ‘Availability’ section of the Mark Bark website (markbark.co.uk). Mark Bark is a member of a network of Peterborough pet care professionals and can often find alternative cover for holiday periods if requested. If an alternative care provider is suggested it is wise to book with them as soon as possible as availability cannot be guaranteed at short notice.
2. Should Mark Bark be unable to fulfil booked services due to unavoidable circumstances (human or animal medical emergency, vehicle breakdown etc), Mark Bark will notify the client as soon as practicable
3. Mark Bark’s aim is to ensure the highest standard of care and love to a client’s pets in their absence and as such the times of visits or walks are always approximate. A visit/walk will never be shorter than promised unless due to welfare concerns for which the client will be informed as soon as possible

5. Contact information/ your personal details

1. The client is responsible for ensuring Mark Bark has their up to date contact information including email and emergency telephone numbers
2. The client’s email address will be used for electronic invoicing
3. Where the client has agreed, Mark Bark will use your email address or mobile number to provide a link to GPS tracking of booked walks with their dog(s)
4. While the client’s dog(s) are in Mark Bark’s care an additional tag will be attached to each dog’s collar giving his contact details
5. From time to time Mark Bark will send photographs of your dog(s) enjoying their walks. Mark Bark retains copyright on such images and may occasionally use them for promotion of the business (on Mark Bark’s business social media pages, website, business page listings, printed materials etc). Where an image is used publicly it will have been taken in a public place and the client’s home will not be pictured or identifiable

6. Pet health matters

1. It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that all traits, vices or behavioural problems a dog/pet may have are disclosed at the time of booking so Mark Bark can manage any issues for the safety of the client’s dog/pet, himself and others
2. You authorise Mark Bark to arrange for any emergency veterinary care that may be necessary during the provision of his services. Mark Bark shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain the client’s consent prior to obtaining emergency care
3. All reasonable efforts will be made to contact the pet owner or owner’s emergency contact in the event of an emergency. However, Mark Bark reserves the right to make decisions regarding a client’s pet’s health provided he is at all times acting in the interests of the pet/ and on the advice of a veterinary surgeon
4. Should it be necessary for Mark Bark to seek veterinary care or advice for the client’s pet in their absence, the client is responsible for payment of any veterinary fees incurred through illness or injury
5. The client should inform their vet Mark Bark is authorised to seek treatment in their absence
6. The client agrees to reimburse Mark Bark for any additional fees and expenses for providing emergency care
7. Mark Bark shall use his best efforts to use the pet’s normal veterinary surgeon wherever possible. The client authorises Mark Bark to appoint an alternative veterinary surgeon to examine the pet and carry out such treatment or surgery as may be appropriate if the pet’s normal veterinary surgeon is not available

7. Insurance

1. Mark Bark shall ensure that at all times suitable and valid insurance is in place that shall include Public Liability Insurance relative to the services performed for the client
2. It is agreed by the parties that it is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the property, its contents and pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the agreement