Terms & Conditions

Overview:

By visiting our site and booking/purchasing our services you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before engaging out services.

We reserve the right to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Services at any time. It is your responsibility to check this page regularly for any changes.

1. Prices

• Client acknowledges current Precious Companions prices at the time of booking the service.

• Prices for our services are subject to change without notice. Precious Companions reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Service (or any part or content thereof) without notice at any time.

2. Surcharges

• Public holiday surcharge: 30%

• Additional dog (same household): +$20 These surcharges reflect increased demand and the additional time commitment required.

3. Payment Terms

• Invoices are issued weekly or per booking.

• Payment is due within 7 days.

• Late payments may incur a fee.

• Surcharges are applied automatically where relevant.

• Any bookings that have not been paid in full by the time the booking is due to commence may be subject to cancellation.

• Overdue invoices will be forwarded to our Debt Collection Agency, and further charges will be levied in respect of costs incurred in collecting the debt.

4. Service Availability

• Dog Walking: Monday to Friday. Weekend walks may be available, subject to availability.

• Pet Sitting: Available seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays.

• Public Holidays: Services on public holidays incur a surcharge of 30%. Regular walking clients will be notified in advance if a scheduled walk falls on a public holiday.

  • If a regular walk falls on a public holiday, clients will be notified in advance.

  • Clients may choose to skip the walk (no charge) or proceed with the public holiday surcharge.

5. Bookings & Cancellations;

If returning home earlier than expected or if needing to extend your booking unexpectedly, please contact Precious Companions as soon as possible to advise the change.

• Dog Walking:

  • More than 24 hours’ notice: 50% fee applies

  • Less than 24 hours’ notice: full fee applies

• Pet Sitting:

  • More than 48 hours’ notice: no charge

  • 24–48 hours’ notice: 50% of the fee

  • Less than 24 hours’ notice: full fee applies. Cancellation fees protect the time reserved exclusively for your pet.

• Partial Booking Cancellation:

  • If the Client returns home earlier than expected, you will be liable to pay for the 2 consecutive days following your unscheduled return. Any payment made for care after these two days will be refunded if applicable. (i.e. if you arrive home a day or two early, no refund will be made).

  • If the Client departs later than the booking was due to commence, NO refund will be made. Please notify Precious Companions if you choose to leave later/the following day and need to cancel the initial visit(s) of your booking.

6. Access & Keys

Clients are to supply 2 sets of keys during the initial booking consultation. One set will be used to access your property to provide care, and the other set will be kept locked up securely in our office. If the primary key goes missing or fails, the secondary key is used to gain access and make sure care is possible for your pet(s).

• Keys may be collected in person or placed in a secure lockbox as discussed/agreed in the initial consultation.

• All keys are stored securely and labelled without identifying information.

• If access is not available at the scheduled time, the full-service fee applies.

• It is recommended that a third set of keys is left with an emergency contact if both sets of keys fail, so we can obtain the backup key from the emergency contact and continue providing care.

• If a locksmith is required due to key or lock malfunction, the Client gives permission to contract the locksmith and will reimburse for any cost associated with gaining access to the property. Payment for these fees is required within 7 days of the incident.

7. Weather Policy

• Walks proceed in most weather conditions.

• In extreme weather (heat, storms, high winds), your dog's walk may be rescheduled to an alternative day, or a credit will be applied to your account.

• Every effort will be made to give advanced notice of cancellation or change of booking day/time but acknowledge that weather conditions can change quickly.

8. Safety & Behaviour

• All pets must be up to date on vaccinations, treated for fleas, ticks and worms to the best of your ability before services can take place.

• Precious Companions reserves the right to refuse or modify service if a dog displays unsafe or aggressive behaviour.

• Reactive dogs may require additional handling fees or tailored arrangements.

• Client is to provide their own collar with leash or harness for their dog.

• Precious Companions will not be responsible for any animal(s) that instigate fights with other animals or is injured by another animal while in our care. We will take all appropriate actions to ensure that the Clients animal(s) are not placed in the company of aggressive or violent animals and/or will immediately remove the Clients animal (s) from any fight.

9. Injury or Escape of Animals

Precious Companions holds a current Pet First Aid Certificate. (please see the bottom of this page)

The highest degree of care will be applied to all pets under Precious Companions care. The Client is aware that pet(s) are instinctual in nature and not always controllable. Should the Clients animal(s) run away or be injured – the Client agrees that Precious Companions will not be responsible for any liability.

10. Emergencies

• In the event of illness or injury, I may transport your pet to the nearest vet.

• All veterinary costs are the responsibility of the Client.

• Every effort will be made to contact you immediately.

11. Liability

While every care is taken, I am not liable for injury, illness, loss, or escape resulting from:

• Pre‑existing medical conditions

• Faulty or ill‑fitting equipment

• Environmental hazards outside my control

• Precious Companions is nor responsible for any damage to your property outside of the sitter’s control. This includes but is not limited to door lock damages, broken windows, electrical problems, leaks and acts of nature. All repairs will be covered by the Client, and where reimbursement is required, it will be paid within 7 days of the incident.

• Precious Companions is not responsible for wilted, dead or otherwise unhealthy plants. While every effort will be made to adhere to the Clients instructions but cannot be held responsible if the results are not favourable to the Client. Please place all plants to be watered on a waterproof surface in plain sight as your sitter will not be responsible for water-damaged surfaces or missed plants.

12. Supplies & Restocking Supplies

Clients agree to provide all supplies needed for the care of the pet(s), including but not limited to pet food, water, cat litter, cleaning supplies, plastic bags, and any medication required.

If the sitter needs to restock supplies the Client has agreed to supply, but have run out or were not supplied, the Client agrees to reimburse Precious Companions for said supplies. An invoice will be sent for the items purchased, as well as at $30 restocking fee. Payment is required within 7 days.

The Terms & Conditions of this contract for Precious Companions are subject to change. It is recommended that Clients familiarise themselves with the T&Cs often.

All services are carried out with professionalism, attention, and care.