Terms of Service

1. Introduction

Welcome to Byron Bay Pet Sitting. By engaging our services, you agree to these Terms of Service. These terms ensure clarity and protection for both you and our business.

2. Service Agreement

By hiring Byron Bay Pet Sitting, you confirm that you are the legal owner or authorised caretaker of the pet(s) receiving our services. You agree to provide accurate and complete information regarding your pet's health, behaviour, and any special care requirements. Failure to disclose relevant health or behavioural information may result in termination of service without refund, and you remain responsible for any resulting costs.

3. Care Environment

Pets in our care stay in a home environment alongside other client pets. We care for a maximum of four dogs at any one time. All dogs are screened for suitability, but by engaging our services you acknowledge that your pet will interact with other animals and accept the ordinary risks of a multi-dog environment, such as minor scuffs or scratches from normal play, despite reasonable supervision.

4. Insurance and Liability

We carry business insurance with public liability coverage of up to $10,000,000.

We will care for your pet with due care and skill. Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee or other right you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for:

• illness, injury or deterioration arising from a pre-existing condition, whether disclosed or not;
• incidents arising from health or behavioural issues you did not disclose to us;
• minor injuries arising from normal play between compatible dogs despite reasonable supervision;
• a pet's refusal to eat, drink or take medication despite reasonable efforts.

You are responsible for any damage or injury caused by your pet to people, other animals, or property, and you agree to indemnify Byron Bay Pet Sitting against claims arising from such incidents, except to the extent caused by our negligence.

5. Pet Health and Safety

Vaccination Requirements

• All dogs must have current C5 vaccination (C3 + Kennel Cough) administered by a veterinarian.
• Vaccination certificates must be provided and verified before booking confirmation.
• Vaccinations must be completed at least 14 days prior to service commencement.
• Puppies must be at least 16 weeks of age and have completed their full vaccination schedule plus a 2-week immunisation period.

Preventative Treatments

• All dogs must be current with flea, tick, and worming treatments.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all preventative treatments are up to date before service commencement.

Medication

• All medications must be presented in original containers with veterinary instructions attached.
• You authorise us to administer supplied medication in accordance with the attached veterinary instructions. We will make reasonable efforts to administer medication as directed but are not responsible if a pet refuses it. We will notify you of any missed doses.
• We cannot accommodate pets requiring injectable medications.

Health Restrictions

• We cannot accept pets with recent surgeries (must be at least 2 weeks post-operation with dissolvable stitches only).
• Pets with open wounds, non-dissolvable stitches, or contagious conditions cannot be accepted.
• Females in heat cannot be accommodated.
• Pets showing signs of illness (including coughing) within the week prior to service cannot be accepted.

Behavioural Requirements

• All pets must be well-socialised and friendly with both people and other animals.
• We cannot accept pets with a history of aggression towards people or other animals.
• Dogs must be comfortable and social in multi-dog environments.
• Non-desexed male dogs over 1 year of age cannot be accommodated.

6. Veterinary Care and Emergencies

We maintain a close working relationship with Dr. Susie Wood from Byron Bay Roaming Vet, who provides mobile veterinary services throughout the Byron Bay and Northern Rivers areas (byronbayvet.com.au).

If we have any health concerns about your pet, we will contact you first wherever possible and coordinate care with Dr. Susie or another available veterinarian.

Emergency contact. You must nominate an emergency contact who is contactable during the service period and authorised to make decisions about your pet and to collect your pet if required.

Authority to treat.If we cannot reach you or your emergency contact within a reasonable time, you authorise us to obtain veterinary treatment we reasonably consider necessary for your pet, up to $500, at your expense. In a life-threatening emergency, this cap does not apply and you authorise us to obtain whatever treatment a veterinarian considers necessary, at your expense. You agree to reimburse all veterinary costs incurred on your pet's behalf, including any transport costs.

We reserve the right to refuse or terminate services if any requirements in these terms are not met, or if we discover any undisclosed health or behavioural issue that could pose a risk to our staff or other animals in our care.

7. Booking, Cancellations and Fees

• Services must be booked in advance and are subject to availability.
• Payment must be made in full before or upon service commencement.
• Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled service incur no fee.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled service incur a fee of 50% of the daily rate ($50).
• No-shows and same-day cancellations of multi-day bookings incur the first day's fee.

8. Collection and Uncollected Pets

• Pets must be collected at the agreed date and time.
• If a pet is not collected as agreed, our standard daily rate continues to apply for each additional day of care.
• If we cannot contact you or your emergency contact within 7 days of the agreed collection date, we may transfer your pet to a boarding facility or, as a last resort, to the local council pound, at your expense. We will make all reasonable efforts to contact you before doing so.

9. Access to Client's Property

• If services require access to your home, you agree to provide necessary keys, access codes, or other arrangements.
• We are not responsible for any damage or security breaches unrelated to our services.
• Any additional tasks such as watering plants or mail collection should be pre-arranged.

10. Right to Refuse or Terminate Service

We reserve the right to refuse or terminate services if:

• a pet is unwell, aggressive, or poses a danger;
• there is an undisclosed risk to our staff or other animals;
• you breach these Terms of Service.

If service is terminated for these reasons, you or your emergency contact must collect your pet promptly. Fees for services already provided are not refundable.

11. Photography and Media Rights

By engaging our services, you grant Byron Bay Pet Sitting permission to take photos and videos of your pet(s) during their time in our care, and to use them for marketing and promotional purposes including social media, our website and marketing materials, and client communications. If you wish to restrict the use of your pet's images, please notify us before service commencement.

12. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Any disputes arising from our services shall be resolved under the jurisdiction of NSW courts.

13. Agreement

By engaging our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service, and that all information you have provided about your pet is accurate and complete.

Contact Information

• Email: hello@byronbaypetsitting.com.au
• Phone: +61 482 496 673

Byron Bay Pet Sitting – Providing Trusted and Professional Pet Care.