Terms of Service

Source: Dori Tails LLC Service Agreement and Terms of Service
Last updated 10/21/2024

PET POLICIES

a)   All dogs and cats must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccination. For young puppies and kittens, they must be current with their age in the vaccination series.

b)   Pet Owner is required to inform Pet Sitter about any instances of behavioral or aggression issues in their animals. Although such concerns do not necessarily preclude Pet Sitter from providing services, Pet Sitter reserves the right to decline service if the behavioral issues may endanger Pet Sitter or other pets in the Pet Owner’s home.

c)   Pet Owner is responsible for providing all the necessary, safe equipment and supplies needed for care of their pet(s), including but not limited to a sturdy, well-fit collar and leash for walks, firmly affixed vaccination tags, poop bags, litter boxes, food, cleaning supplies, medicines, pet food, and cat litter. In case any additional supplies or medications are required during the visit, Pet Owner authorizes any purchases reasonably deemed necessary by Pet Sitter for the satisfactory performance of Pet Sitter’s duties. Pet Owner agrees to be responsible for the payment of such items, as well as a $15 Errand Fee, and will reimburse Pet Sitter within 5 business days of being presented with receipts for all purchases made.

d)   For longer visit periods, Pet Owner is requested to notify their veterinarian that Pet Sitter is providing care.

VISIT POLICIES

a)   Pet Sitter reserves the right to request longer and/or more frequent visits if they feel they are not able to provide appropriate care to all pets in the time allowed.

b)   At the time that service of Pet Sitter is reserved, Pet Owner will notify Pet Sitter of everyone who has been granted access to the home during the service period. All other individuals that visit the home will leave a log of their visit.

c)   If another party is involved in the care of Pet Owner’s pets while Pet Owner is away, Pet Sitter assumes no responsibility for damage or negligence caused by other parties. Pet Owner must notify Pet Sitter of ALL parties responsible for pet care prior to the start of services.

d)   Pet Sitter performs visits within 2-hour time windows, and cannot ensure an exact arrival time due to various factors such as traffic, weather, construction, or concerns with other pets. However, Pet Sitter will do their best to accommodate specific time frames for pets requiring time-sensitive medication, puppies, and senior pets, provided Pet Owner informs Pet Sitter of their pet’s requirements in advance.

e)   Overnight Care: Pet Sitter will live in Pet Owner’s home while they are away, but Pet Sitter may be gone for up to five hours at a time during the day. Pet Sitter will not be present in Pet Owner’s home 24/7.

f)   Pet Sitter reserves the right to shorten walks in the case of extreme hot or cold or inclement weather that may pose a hazard to Pet Owner’s pets or Pet SitterPet Sitter will ensure a potty break, then spend the rest of the visit playing with Pet Owner’s pet(s) to ensure they get adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

g)   All pets must be on a leash when not in a fenced yard or a home.

h)   Pet Sitter will not service a home with “visiting” pets or animals that do not belong to the Pet Owner.

i)   Pet Owner is responsible for pet-proofing house and yard, and any security fence, gates, and latches.

j)   Pet Sitter will do their best to clean up any pet messes; however, Pet Sitter can never guarantee that a mess won’t leave a carpet or upholstery stain.

BOOKING REQUESTS

a)   A Virtual Meet & Greet and an In-Person Meet & Greet are required before a New Client (Pet Owner) can schedule services.

b)   Services must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. For established clients, if Pet Owner requires services on short notice, Pet Owner must contact Pet Sitter directly using the phone number listed in the Time To Pet Client Portal, and availability is not guaranteed.

c)   Pet Owner must keep a valid credit/debit card on file in order to schedule services.

d)   Services are not scheduled until Pet Owner receives a Confirmation Email.

e)   Services that are provided outside of regular business hours (9am-5pm Monday through Friday) are subject to surcharges detailed on Pet Sitter’s website.

f)   Overnight Care: The following sliding scale rates will apply for each pet if the end time on the final day of the stay is more than 2 hours later than the start time on the first day of the stay:

  • 2-8 additional hours: +50% of the nightly rate.
  • 8+ additional hours: +100% of the nightly rate.

g) Recurring Services – Walks and Drop-in Visits: All modifications made by 11:59 pm Sunday will take effect for the upcoming week.

h)  Services requested for additional pets are subject to surcharges detailed on Pet Sitter’s website.

HOLIDAYS

Services that include any of the following are subject to surcharges as follows::

Holiday Surcharge +$15 Per Day (or Night):
Martin Luther King’s Birthday – 3rd Monday in January
Easter Sunday (between March 22 – April 25)
Mother’s Day– 2nd Sunday in May
Memorial Day – last Monday in May
Father’s Day – 3rd Sunday in June
Independence Day – July 4
Labor Day – 1st Monday in September

Premium Holiday Surcharge +$20 Per Day (or Night):
New Year’s Eve/Day – December 31/January 1
Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November
Christmas Eve/Day – December 24 & 25

PAYMENTS AND AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE

a)   Pet Owner agrees to pay all charges accrued for services rendered.

b)   Pet Sitter offers payment options of Credit/Debit cards only. All payments will be processed directly through Time To Pet, which uses Stripe to authorize payments.

c)   When Pet Owner creates their Time To Pet account, they will enter a primary payment card and any backup card(s). Pet Owner will be required to provide a valid, up-to-date credit card and to maintain that payment on file so long as there are any outstanding, confirmed bookings.

d)   Pet Owner authorizes Pet Sitter to charge their credit card for fees incurred as they become due and payable, and to charge any alternative payment method the Time To Pet system has on record for Pet Owner in the event the primary payment method is expired, invalid, or otherwise not able to be charged.

e)   100% payment is due at time of booking.

f)   Recurring services (Walks and Drop-in Visits): Pet Owner’s primary credit card will be charged every Monday at 9am for the upcoming week’s services. If any additional services (like extra Walks or Drop-in Visits) are requested, 100% payment is due at the time of booking.

g)   Pet Owner will incur a $25 charge for each declined credit card in addition to any bank fees attributed to the declined credit card.

CANCELLATIONS

a)   Pet Owner may cancel anytime up to one hour before the scheduled visit, and Pet Sitter will place a credit on Pet Owner’s account that must be used within one year.

b)   Pet Owner must cancel using the Time To Pet Client Portal or by calling the office. Cancellations made via text message are not acceptable.

c)   Time To Pet automatically prevents canceling services within 24 hours of the start time. If Pet Owner needs to cancel a visit within 24 hours of the start time, calling the office is recommended.

d)   Pet Owner will get an email notification when the service has been canceled and the credit will be added onto Pet Owner’s account.

e)   If cancellation occurs less than one hour before the scheduled visit, OR if Pet Sitter is already at Pet Owner’s home, the full amount of the booking is due.

KEYS AND HOME ACCESS

a)   Pet Owner agrees to provide Pet Sitter with one set of keys to Pet Owner’s residence and any other entry and security procedures for the purpose of providing pet care services in Pet Owner’s home. If Pet Owner lives in an apartment complex, Pet Owner may also be required to provide a key pass (key card, fob, or other electronic entry device).

b)   Pet Sitter will not make copies of Pet Owner’s keys.

c)   Pet Sitter will handle keys, key passes, and any other entry and security procedures as outlined in Pet Owner’s Time To Pet account.

d)   Keys not in regular use will be locked in Pet Sitter’s office. Keys are labeled with pet names only – Pet Sitter does not put Pet Owner’s names or addresses on key tags.

e)   Pet Sitter agrees that keys and key passes will be kept for the sole purpose of being used in connection with the performance of pet care services as set forth in this Agreement, and agrees that keys/key passes will be returned to Pet Owner after services are complete.

f)   In the case that keys/key passes are not provided at the In-Person Meet & Greet, Pet Sitter will obtain/return keys/key passes by arrangement with Pet Owner.

g)   Pet Owner agrees to properly secure their home prior to leaving the premises. Pet Sitter will re-secure the home to the best of their ability at the end of each visit.

h)   Pet Owner agrees that if Pet Sitter is unable to enter Pet Owner’s residence because of the failure of keys, locks, doors, or any other reason while their pet(s) are to be cared for, and Pet Sitter, at their sole discretion, determines that the welfare of Pet Owner’s pet(s) is dependent on immediate access to Pet Owner’s residence, Pet Sitter is hereby authorized to use any reasonable methods to enter Pet Owner’s residence, including hiring a locksmith if necessary. If the reason that Pet Owner’s residence was unable to be entered is due to Pet Owner’s own action or inaction, including providing inaccurate information to Pet SitterPet Owner hereby accepts all liability and agree to fully reimburse Pet Sitter for any expenses incurred in efforts to obtain entry to Pet Owner’s residence.

SECURITY CAMERAS

a)   Pet Owner agrees to disclose to Pet Sitter the locations of all security cameras, pet/nanny cams, doorbell cameras, and other recording devices (Alexa, HomeKit, etc.) in and around Pet Owner’s home that are capable of recording audio and video.

b)   Pet Sitter understands that they may be recorded on video/audio during pet sitting periods.

c)   Pet Owner understands that footage from recording devices cannot be shared with any third parties, shared on social media, or published or made public in any way without permission from Pet Sitter. Footage from home cameras is for Pet Owner’s security purposes only.

d)   Cameras and other recording devices are not to be placed in bathrooms or any rooms in which Pet Sitter might be sleeping during an overnight period. Any video/audio recording in these locations will result in immediate termination of pet sitting.

SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Pet Owner’s information will never be shared with a 3rd party. Pet Sitter may post photos and videos of Pet Owners’ pets on flyers, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, websites, and on printed materials. Pet Sitter will never include identifying information (addresses, street names, location, etc.) in their posts. However, if Pet Owner does not wish for their pet to be included in any posts/photos, please notify Pet Sitter. The security and privacy of Pet Owner’s online information is covered in Dori Tails’ Privacy Statement, which is located at https://doritails.com/privacy and the Time To Pet Privacy Policy is located at https://www.timetopet.com/privacy.

INJURIES

Pet Owner agrees to be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from any injuries incurred by the Pet Sitter, or other persons, by Pet Owner’s pet(s), such as bites, scratches, etc., or due to the condition of the Pet Owner’s premises or yard.

EMERGENCIES AND UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

a)   Pet Owner authorizes Pet Sitter to seek any necessary emergency medical attention, as they deem necessary, on behalf of Pet Owner’s pet(s). If Pet Owner’s pet(s) require medical attention, Pet Owner agrees to assume the financial liability for all veterinary and other costs, and to fully reimburse Pet Sitter for any expenses they incur as a result of such care, including emergency transportation and other services necessary to care for Pet Owner’s pet(s).

b)   In the case of an emergency, extreme weather conditions, or a natural disaster, Pet Owner authorizes Pet Sitter to use reasonable judgment for the care and well-being of Pet Owner’s pet(s) and residence. Pet Sitter will make reasonable efforts to maintain service during these conditions but reserves the right to adjust the schedule of service based on the sole discretion of the Pet Sitter.

c)   Pet Owner agrees not to hold Pet Sitter liable for loss or damage, nor will it be in breach of its services, if Pet Sitter’s failure to perform services results from (1) compliance with the orders, requests, regulations, or recommendations of any federal, state, or municipal government; (2) acts of God; or (3) fires, strikes, embargoes, riot, war, acts of terrorism, or similar events. Any delay resulting from any of these causes will extend or excuse Pet Sitter’s performance under this Agreement as may be reasonable.

RIGHTS OF TERMINATION AND REFUSAL OF SERVICES

Pet Sitter may use their sole discretion to stop and end service at any time that a pet poses a danger to the safety or health of itself, other pets, other people, or Pet Sitter. If concerns prohibit Pet Sitter from continuing to care for a pet, Pet Sitter will attempt to contact Pet Owner to arrange alternative care. If Pet Owner cannot be contacted, Pet Owner authorizes the pet to be placed in a licensed kennel, or previously arranged locale if possible. All subsequent charges, including but not limited to transportation, kenneling, tranquilizing, treating, accessing, and liability, are to be the responsibility of Pet Owner.

RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

Pet Owner agrees to communicate in a polite, respectful, and professional manner, and refrain from using any abusive, offensive, or derogatory language or behavior. Pet Sitter does not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct towards any person involved in the process. Any violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of this Agreement without any obligation to provide further services or refunds.

INDEMNIFICATION

Pet Owner agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold Pet Sitter, its officers, employees, independent contractors, and agents for any damage done to property by animals, acts of Nature, or any events beyond the control of Pet Sitter or its independent contractors. Pet Sitter shall not be responsible for pet injuries or illness; nor shall Pet Sitter be held liable for the safety of any pets that have access to the outdoors or that live outside of Pet Owner’s house. Pet Sitter is not liable for damages caused by owner negligence or expected pet behavior. Pet Sitter is not liable for any loss or damage in the event of a burglary or other crime that should occur while under this contract.