Scheduling & Visit Times:

Scheduling is on a first come first service basis and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. The Unleashed Pet, LLC will visit at the requested times as closely as possible. During peak demand bookings visit times will be based solely on route efficiency (excluding pets in need of timed medication). We require a minimum of 3 x per day or overnight + 1 midday for canines, and daily visits for all other animals. With your pet’s health and safety in mind, there may be a few times per year when we deem weather conditions to be too extreme for your pet to walk. We reserve the right to alter plans for our activity, be that complete cancellation, indoor play or shortening visit.

Additionally we ask that walkways and entry stairs be cleared and safe.

 

Dog Walking:

All schedules must be received by the 25th of the month. You will receive a 3-5 hour window of time. Payment is due on the last date of service for the current calendar month. Cancellations must be made by 9pm the night before to receive credit. Cancellations after 9pm with not be credited. If someone will be home during our walk window you must notify us in advance of us entering the home. Not to do so may result in loss of services.

 

Contract Services:

In order to qualify for the contract price, service requested must be for a minimum of 16 days out of the calendar month. Contract clients will be scheduled with a 1-2 hour time window when possible. Schedules need to be received by the 25^th of the month, for the following month. If a schedule is not received we will invoice for your normal schedule and any changes will either forfeit your discount, or carry forward a credit. Payment is due by the 1^st of the service month or you may lose your discount. Habitually late payments may result in disqualification from contract pricing going forward.

 

2 visits per month can be canceled when notice is provided by 9:00 PM the night before. Those days will be carried forward to the next month’s service in the form of a credit. Visits not canceled by 9:00 PM will not be credited.

 

The following holidays are blackout dates and you will not receive service or be charged unless otherwise requested:

New Years’ Day, MLK Day, President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Holiday surcharges will apply to those listed in bold text.

 

Unforeseen Purchases:

The Unleashed Pet, LLC will purchase pet food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and well-being of your pet while you are absent. We will retain a receipt and the pet owner is responsible for reimbursement of these items. In addition a $20.00 trip fee will be charged to the pet owner.

 

Confirmation Call or Email (Prior to out-of-town-Departure):

The Unleashed Pet, LLC will send a confirmation e-mail within 3 days of each departure in order to verify that all information (dates, contact numbers, etc.) are still correct. Since e-mails are not 100% reliable, please make sure e-mail is acknowledged by The Unleashed Pet, LLC (please do not depart town without this). This is to ensure your pet’s needs are carried out as intended.

 

Cancellations:

We do not charge for cancellations with 7 or more days’ notice before the initial visit. However, if you cancel with less than 7 days’ notice but at least 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged 25% of the visits cancelled with a minimum penalty of $15.00. If you cancel 24 hours or less prior to the initial visit you will be charged for 50% of the visits scheduled with a minimum penalty of $15.00, excluding a medical emergency or family death.

 

Overnight visits must be cancelled with 14 days’ notice from the initial visit or a fee of 25% of the cancelled visits will be charged.  The balance would be credited to your account for future use.

 

 Early Returns:

No refunds are offered. The Unleashed Pet, LLC carefully schedules our time to service you and our other clients. There will be a 25% fee for all visits cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice; the remainder will be applied to your account as a credit for future use. Visits cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged in full.

 

Holiday Cancellations:

Please understand that pet sitting services and kennels receive more requests for reservations than they can handle during these holiday time periods and we may have turned away other clients because we have reserved time for you during a busy season. The following fees apply during any holiday season booking defined as:

 

Thanksgiving week:  Wednesday - Sunday

Christmas & New Year’s: Approximately December 20-January 1 Memorial Day weekend: Friday - Monday

July 4th: Weekend/Week

Labor Day weekend: Friday - Monday

Spring Break: Week Fairfax Co or Alexandria City calendar Easter weekend: Friday – Monday

 

We charge for cancellations made with the following notice before the initial visit.

                            CANCELLATION FEE         LATE ADD FEE

< than 21 days	30%
< than 14 days	60%	$4.00 per visit added
< than 7 days	100%	$6.00 per visit added

 

 

 

 

Overnight visits must be cancelled with 28 days’ notice from the initial visit or a fee of 50% of the cancelled visits will be charged. The balance would be credited to your account for future use. Visits cancelled with 14 days’ notice will be charged in full. 

The early return policy does not apply for holiday service.

Holiday Surcharge:

Each visit that occurs on one of the following holidays will incur a $15.00 surcharge: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Inclement Weather:

Primarily severe storms, hurricanes, snow/ice conditions etc. You will entrust The Unleashed Pet, LLC to use best judgment in caring for your pets(s) and home if we are servicing you at the time of inclement weather. The Unleashed Pet, LLC will try to carry out your instructions to the best of The Unleashed Pet, LLC ability. The care we provide to our customer’s pets and their safety is our first concern. Customer selection of a nearby emergency contact has been requested. The inclement weather plan will be as follows:

1.    Every effort will be made to drive to your home.

2.    The service schedule may be changed, interrupted, or altered due to
        circumstances.

3.    If it is not possible to drive safely to your home, your emergency contact
       willbe notified.

4.    You will be notified that the above-mentioned contingency plan has been   

       activated.

 

Medications/Vaccinations:

The Unleashed Pet, LLC will attempt to administer medications as directed but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result. Excessively shy cats with medical problems can be a serious risk. If you have such an animal, this must be thoroughly discussed. Under no circumstances will The Unleashed Pet, LLC service care for any pet that has any form of contagious illness. This is for the safety of other customers. The Unleashed Pet, LLC requires that all pets have the necessary vaccinations and immunizations before service begins. If The Unleashed Pet, LLC pet care The Unleashed Pet, LLC is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment received from the client’s pet(s) which has not been properly or currently vaccinated, the client will be responsible for all costs and damages that may incur.

 

Flea & Tick Medication:

We do not provide services to dogs with fleas or ticks as we run the risk of carrying them to other client's homes. We ask that your pets be on a strict flea/tick control program. We reserve the right to deny or terminate service for this reason.

 

If you are going to use topical monthly flea and tick preventative, we ask that for the safety of our pet care professionals and the other dogs that you do so 24 hours prior to the animals being in our care.

 

Access to your Home by Others:

If customer allows any other person(s) access to their home during The Unleashed Pet, LLC contract period, The Unleashed Pet, LLC cannot be held liable for any damages to property or pets as a result. Please notify The Unleashed Pet, LLC if someone will be in your home. Please also notify the person(s) in your home that The Unleashed Pet, LLC is coming so that your visitor, as well, is not surprised by our entrance.

 

Sitter Illness/Emergency:

Should the regularly scheduled pet sitter become ill or an emergency arise, another qualified pet sitter will fulfill the responsibilities. You will be informed should this occur.

 

Natural Disaster:

We STRONGLY ADVISE you to give a house key to a nearby neighbor in the event that your pet sitter cannot get to your home due to closed roads (i.e., fire, flooding, snow, etc.). Additionally, in the event of a natural disaster, The Unleashed Pet, LLC will do our best to procure your animals and secure your home.

 

Leashes:

All dogs will be required to be on leash during outdoor walks.

 

Fences:

Fenced in yards are wonderful playgrounds for our dogs and allow them additional space to exercise and play. However, no fence system is totally secure. The Unleashed Pet, LLC does not accept responsibility or liability for any client’s animals that escape or become lost or injured, fatal or otherwise, when instructed to leave the clients animals in a fenced in area. This includes electronic, wood, metal or any other type of fence.

 

Other Dogs:

We will not permit your dogs to interact with strange dogs. If stray dogs that are off leash approach, we will do our best to keep interaction at a minimum and move away from them.

 

Animal Behavior:

Animal’s behavior can be unpredictable. The Unleashed Pet, LLC does not accept responsibility or liability for animal behavior, normal or otherwise, which results in injury to the client’s animals. Further, if a The Unleashed Pet, LLC caregiver is harmed or injured by the client’s animals, the client/owner accepts full responsibility for the cost of any necessary medical attention required by either The Unleashed Pet, LLC caregiver, or by the animals.  We reserve the right to refuse service to aggressive pets.

 

Aggressive Pets:

If you have a dog that will be aggressive upon entering your home while you are not there, or prevent us from preforming a typical visit, we will refuse service. If your dog becomes aggressive during the service time we will notify you to find resolution. We reserve the right to take the pet to a reputable boarding facility for the duration of the service period. Additionally, you will be responsible for all costs incurred.

 

Pet Proofing:

It is the pet owner’s sole responsibility to “pet-proof” any areas of the home and/or property to which the pet(s) has access. This includes thoroughly inspecting fences, gates, latches, doors and other devices meant to contain the pet(s) or restrict access to specific areas. The pet sitter does not assume responsibility and has no liability for any injuries the pet(s) may sustain or property damage the pet(s) may cause while in their own home/property.

 

Pet and House Clean-up:

The Unleashed Pet, LLC will properly dispose of pet waste and do our best to clean up any accidents your pet may have. The Unleashed Pet, LLC is not responsible for carpet/flooring stains/discolorations created by your pet(s). If there are accidents above and beyond the normal amount anticipated, The Unleashed Pet, LLC will charge an $80.00/hour for clean-up time. Routine/normal cleanup means: Scooping litter boxes of solid and liquid waste and disposing in the trash container you designate. For dogs this means clean-up of bowl movement on dog walk and proper disposal in trash bin you designate. Normal cleanup can include a hairball or minor (1 or 2) cat spit ups, or dog spit ups. As a rule, animals that are sick, vomiting, have excessive, diarrhea, stool and urinary problems are above the normal bathroom clean-up that we provide with visits. The Unleashed Pet, LLC can contact a cleaning service of your choice and make arrangements to have the areas cleaned. Billable time is $80.00 per hour.

 All pets should be housebroken.

  

Privacy Policy:

All of your information will be kept private and confidential. The Unleashed Pet, LLC highly respects our clients’ entrusting us with the care of their home and their loving pets. We do recommend that you inform a trusted neighbor that while you are away, The Unleashed Pet, LLC will be caring for your pets and your home.

 

Household Emergencies:

Please leave the name and number of a trusted maintenance company or a person you can rely on to attend to any household emergencies that may arise during your absence. This includes but is not limited to; leaking pipes, malfunctioning water heaters and heating and air units.

 

Thermostats:

Please leave your thermostat settings within a normal comfortable range (68-78 F). If the house temperature is outside of this range, The Unleashed Pet, LLC will adjust the thermostat. This is to ensure the health and comfort of your pets and The Unleashed Pet, LLC during our time of service.

Updates:

Please provide us with any changes regarding your pets’ care, health and other pertinent information.

 

Photo Release:

I authorize The Unleashed Pet, LLC to publish photographs taken of my pets for use in The Unleashed Pet’s publications and website. I acknowledge that since my participation in publications and websites is voluntary, I will receive no financial compensation. I further agree that my participation in any publication and website confers upon me no rights of ownership whatsoever. I release The Unleashed Pet, LLC, its contractors and its employees from liability for any claims by me or any third party in connection with my participation.

 

Payment:

Payment for pet sitting and non-contract dog walking services is due within 7 days of the last date of service. Any payment received after the 7^th day will incur a $25.00 fee. For services equaling $200.00 or more we can require a 50% deposit at least 14 days in advance of service. Return Check Charges: There is a $50.00 fee for any returned checks. Habitual late payment may require payment be made prior to rendering services.

 

Keys:

If you are not already doing so, consider letting The Unleashed Pet, LLC retain your house key. In the event of an unexpected trip, you’ll be glad you did. Keys are kept in a secured lock system and are coded for customer confidentiality. If you choose not to have The Unleashed Pet, LLC retain a key, picking up and returning your keys requires two extra trips and there will be a $10.00 charge per trip for time and mileage. A second option for key return is via U.S. mail. To cover costs, the charge for this option is $3.00. Please check the keys you provide The Unleashed Pet, LLC. We will not be responsible for any keys lost in the USPS system that the client has asked to be returned via mail.

 

Any waiver by The Unleashed Pet, LLC of any failure of the Customer to observe the provisions of this agreement will not operate as a waiver of The Unleashed Pet’s, LLC rights under this agreement in respect of any subsequent breach or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way The Unleashed Pet’s, LLC rights in respect of any subsequent breach.