Critter Care Agreement Form

1) I (Owner) represent that I am the legal owner of the above-named critter(s)

2) PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE: We love to post pictures and videos of your critters on Facebook, Instagram, our website, social media, in magazines and other marketing material. Owner agrees to allow CCU to use pet’s name and any images or likeness of owner’s pet taken while he/she is in the care of CCU, in any form, for use at any time, in any media, marketing, advertising, illustration, trade or promotional materials without compensation, and owner releases to CCU all rights that owner may possess or claim to such image, likeness, recording, etc. CCU will not at any time disclose personal information, such as name, address, or photos of valuables inside or outside of pet owners’ home.

3) CRITTER’S HEALTH: Owner further understands and agrees that owner’s critters(s) are healthy and will always while attending CCU have current vaccinations for Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella up to date in addition to any specific species related vaccines. The owner agrees to annual vet visits. The owner is not enrolling any critter that has any condition that could potentially jeopardize the health of other critters or people and has not had any potentially communicable condition within 30 days prior to enrollment. Owner further understands that even if owner(s) critter is vaccinated for Bordetella (kennel cough) there is a chance that the owner’s critter(s) may still get kennel cough. Owner agrees that owner will not hold CCU responsible if owner’s critter(s) contracts kennel cough or other dog-dog transmitted ailments.

4) FLEA/TICK/WORMS/BUG FREE: All animals must be flea/tick/worm free regardless of staying in personal home or boarding with us. Should an animal be observed to have fleas/ticks or worms, a flea/tick treatment or worming will be applied and charged to the owner if boarding at a rate of up to $80.00 each pet depending on severity and size of animal. If a client’s home is found to be infested with any said bugs, parasites, bed bugs or is inhabitable then client and critters may be dropped at any time until rectified.

5) RELEASE OF LIABILITY: Owner understands and agrees that during normal play (especially dogs), owner’s critter(s) may sustain injuries. Dog/critter play is monitored by CCU staff to best avoid injury, but scratches, punctures, torn ligaments, sprains, and other injuries may occur despite the best supervision. Owner further understands and agrees that neither daycare/boarding/in-home visits nor any of its employees, staff or volunteers will be liable for any illness, injury, death, and/or escape of owner’s dog(s) provided that reasonable care and precautions are followed, and owner hereby releases CCU staff or volunteers of any liability of any kind whatsoever arising from or as a result of owner’s dog/critter(s) attending CCU. The utmost care will be given in watching both your pet(s) and your home. However, due to the extreme unpredictability of animals, we cannot accept responsibility for any mishaps of an extraordinary or unusual nature (i.e., biting’s, furniture damage, accidental death, etc.,) or any complications in administering medications to the animal.

6) OUTDOOR/FREE ROAM PETS: CCU will not be held liable for outdoor pets that are free roam and not secured while in our care. This include(s) pets with a dog door access and fenced in yard. Nor can we be liable for injury, disappearance, death, or fines of pet(s) with access to outdoors.

7) LIVESTOCK/ANIMALS FOR CONSUMPTION: CCU does not care for animals that are being housed or sold for consumption. This is not covered under our insurance policy as we are a pet sitting company.

8) GROUP PLAY: All animals must pass a general behavior assessment to attend group play. No animal may be admitted to group play who shows any signs of any type of aggression. Owner further understands and agrees that in admitting owner’s animal to group play, owner is representing to CCU that owner’s animal(s) is/are in good health and have not harmed, shown aggression, or exhibited any threatening behavior towards any person or other animals. Any animal demonstrating aggression or other behavior deemed unacceptable by CCU staff may be required to leave daycare/boarding or dropped from in-home visits if animals are found to be territorial, aggressive, or non-compliant.

9) PERSONAL PROPERTY: Owner understands that owner is solely responsible for any harm, including to any other critter(s), to the employees or invitees of CCU or to the equipment, facilities, or other property of CCU, caused by owners’ animal(s). The owner agrees to assume repair or replacement costs of any damage(s) incurred by their pet. The owner also agrees that CCU shall not be responsible or liable for any lost or damaged personal property belonging either to the owner or owner’s pet provided reasonable care and precautions are followed.

10) FOOD/MEDS: Owner agrees that it is the owner’s responsibility to leave an adequate supply of food and medications for owner’s critter(s) during the entire time owner’s pet is cared for by CCU. Should the food/medication supply need replacement, owner authorizes CCU to purchase replacement food/meds and owner will reimburse CCU for the actual food and medication costs plus up to $25.00 time/distance trip fee (per occurrence). To prevent GI upset please provide your own food.

11) VETERINARIAN LIABILITY AND CARE: Owner agrees for CCU to obtain medical treatment for the owner’s critter(s) if he/she appears ill, injured, or exhibits any other behavior that would reasonably suggest that critter(s) may need medical treatment including anesthesia. The owner agrees to be fully responsible for the costs of any such medical treatment and for the costs of any transportation for the purpose of such treatment. The owner gives permission to CCU to use owners vet or local 24-hour vet hospital for required treatment.

12) WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM: Owner understands critter(s) with special-needs, young babies- puppies, kittens, seniors, palliative care naturally have a higher risk of injury, stress-related illnesses, weakened immune system, or exacerbation of any pre-existing conditions; by using our facility for drop-in visits, daycare, or other services the owner is waiving any claim for injury or illness experienced by owner’s critter(s) while in our care provided reasonable care and precautions are followed.

13) ELDERLY ANIMALS: Owners of elderly critter(s) (approaching end of life) need to know if in the event owners pet passes on while in our care, our policy is to transport owners’ pet to the owners’ vet (within 15 miles) where he/she will be held until owner can be reached by the vet for further instruction. If the owner’s vet is closed or outside of our transport distance, then we will transport to the nearest 24-hour facility. Trip charges will apply based on time/distance. Unless other arrangements have been made with a vet or pet sitter per written instruction.

14) GROOMING: Expenses to be paid if owner’s critter(s) nails are too long and causing breakage, splitting, deformity, pain or deep scratches to staff, volunteers, and/or other critters. Nail trim costs up to $15.00 for each pet. In addition, if the owner’s critter(s) happens to soil their fur or be infested we will bathe them at owner’s expense. Limited grooming options available per request.

15) PAYMENTS: For all clients, a 25% deposit of the total bill is required to book dates requested. For overnight stays a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure dates. We cannot secure the date of service requests until a deposit is made. If a deposit is not made, then services will go by first come, first serve. We will not hold dates without a deposit. We will attempt to notify clients 24hrs prior to accepting another client for the wanted dates. The remaining balance will be due in full the Sunday before the start of service. Payments may be made via Cash, Check, Zelle or Venmo. There is a 2% processing fee for Venmo and a $35 NSF charge on all returned checks.

16) HOLIDAY PAY: For drop-in visits, when a requested date falls on a holiday a $15 fee will be added to each visit, in addition to the base rate quoted. For overnight stays, a $50 holiday fee will be added. For in-home sleepovers a $25 holiday fee will be added. Holiday pay will only be applied to the recognized holiday itself, not the entire holiday week.

**Major holidays include, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

17) CANCELATION / NO-SHOW POLICY: Drop-in visit cancelations made 7 days prior, will have no charge. 5-6 days, 25% of the total invoice for scheduled pet care is due. 3-4 days, 50% of the total invoice is due. 1-2 days, 75% of the total invoice is due.

For overnight stays we require a minimum of 30-day cancelation notice. For all overnights canceled inside the 30-day period or any overnights scheduled during the above listed holiday periods, payment in full will be charged.

We do not refund or credit for late departures or early returns home.

** We know things happen but please understand we have a strict cancelation policy. CCU is a solo run business. We provide high-level care for your pet and/or home with professionalism and attention to detail. In return, we ask for a high-level of commitment from clients to protect our time by not canceling services and requesting a refund after allotted time has been reserved.

18) Pet owner/Homeowner agrees to notify and authorize CCU of additional visits if he/she is late returning from travel or must have another authorized person set up for handoff of critters per written discussion. Homeowner will call/text once home, so we know that you are safe, and that the critter(s) are safe. We do not want to assume that everyone made it home and that the animals are and will be cared for.

19) KEY/LOCK BOX POLICY: CCU must have access to the home to complete hired job duties and services. We must have two methods of entry at minimum. A client may choose the desired entry method of the home, but a backup must be in place. The preferred method is for a client to give a key to CCU to have and keep on file for all future visits, or client can decide to drop off a key to CCU for each scheduled time (keys on file will be returned when services are severed or disposed of per client request). If a client prefers that a garage door code/opener be utilized a backup key must be made available in the event there is a power outage, or the battery dies. CCU recommends we have a backup key but if client chooses to not do this then a backup key must be on the premise. If CCU is not able to gain access to the home at time of service and must wait for someone to come and allow entry into the home past the allotted scheduled time, then the client will be charged for that additional time per our base rate. If CCU needs to leave due to non-entry into the home, then the appointment will be cancelled, the client will be charged (and your pets will be disappointed).

CCU offers a $20 refundable lockbox rental. Client can rent the lockbox until services are severed. It will be the responsibility of the client to maintain the lockbox, make sure that it is oiled and free from the weather. The lockbox must be returned to its original condition, if not the $20 rental fee will be forfeited. The client can pick which code they would like to use but if the code is shared to anyone other than CCU the client will hold CCU free and clear of any liability of the home if the lockbox and code is being shared to other contractors, friends, or family.

**To help keep costs down for both parties and to best utilize time management, CCU will NOT make trips to pick up or drop off keys or openers outside of scheduled time there such as visits or at the time of meet and greet.

20) LOCKSMITH CLAUSE: If the pet sitter is required to employ a locksmith to enter a client’s premises due to malfunction of the lock or a failure of the client to leave a key, it shall be the responsibility of the client to reimburse for all costs incurred. The client expressly gives the pet sitter the authority to employ a locksmith on clients’ behalf in the event of the aforementioned occurrences.

21) JOB SHARING: CCU does not share pet sitting services with others i.e., family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or other unlicensed/uninsured pet care providers unless they are written as emergency contacts. The client is responsible for establishing the booking with CCU. CCU is not responsible for incidents that may occur with others caring for your pet(s). It is best for your pet to have one sitter to alleviate any further stress of you not being with them. This also prevents any errors in communication or inconsistency of care. Your emergency contacts will be notified and coordinated in the event CCU needs assistance.

**CCU is not responsible for pet services relinquished to other pet care providers (personal or business). Any problems that occur with client household and/or pet(s) under another’s care is the sole responsibility of the new pet care provider. Job sharing is not covered under our insurance policy.

**If anyone else has access to your home while the pet-sitting job is being performed, we, the pet-sitting company, can assume no liability for any damage or losses to your home or pet.

22) DROP OFF TIMES: Drop off times will be scheduled per written agreement between CCU and pet owner.

23) PICKUP TIME: Owner agrees that if owner’s critters(s) is/are not picked up by closing time of 8:00PM eastern standard time, then the critter(s) will stay an additional night and owner authorizes CCU, for applicable overnight boarding plus any charge for required food and convenience fee if out or if house food is supplied. Critter(s) to be picked up no later than 9am the following day.

24) RIGHT OF REFUSAL: CCU reserves the right to refuse any service including drop-in visits, admittance to any critter or dismiss any critter that does not meet or maintain the health, temperament, or other daycare/boarding/service standards. The determination shall be made at the sole discretion of CCU.

25) FULL FORCE AND EFFECT: Owner further understands and expressly agrees that each of the foregoing provisions contained in paragraphs 1-25 shall be in force and effect and shall apply to each occasion on which owner’s critters(s) stays with CCU for daycare, extended boarding, or other services such as drop-in visits. CCU reserves the right to add or change policies as needed and will notify the clients in writing and request updated signatures. This agreement shall remain in full force and effect as between the parties until and unless otherwise cancelled or suspended by a writing signed by the parties.

Critter Care Policies