Policies and Procedures
- Four Seasons For Paws and its employees agree to provide services stated in our contract in a reliable and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, the client expressly waives any and all claims against Four Seasons For Paws or its employees, unless arising from gross negligence on the part of Four Seasons For Paws. Client agrees to notify Four Seasons For Paws of any concerns within 24 hours of returning home.
- Four Seasons For Paws shall not be held responsible for pets that bite, suffer an accidental death or escape from faulty fencing or from inside the home due to faulty screens, doors, etc.
- Four Seasons For Paws shall not be held responsible for any complications pets may suffer or actions of pets while they are unattended.
- Four Seasons For Paws or its employees shall not be held responsible for the loss, injury, death, or actions of any pet that the client has let outside or has instructed Four Seasons For Paws to allow outside while Four Seasons For Paws is not there. This includes pets with doggie doors and outdoor pets. Four Seasons For Paws reserves the right to move an outdoor pet to shelter in the event of extreme temperatures/weather. Four Seasons For Paws is not responsible for damages/costs involved with this move.
- The client understands that all pets (where appropriate) must have a veterinarian and must be up to date on the rabies vaccination. Client agrees to reimburse Four Seasons For Paws for all costs (including, but not limited to, medical care and lost wages) associated with contracting any ailments while exposed to pet(s).
- All pets with electronic fences must wear their collars with fresh batteries. Four Seasons For Paws is not responsible for any animals that get out or inside of perimeter.
- Four Seasons For Paws will not sit for acutely ill animals or those with uncontrolled medical conditions. We suggest the pet be boarded with a vet.
- Four Seasons For Paws does not accept aggressive animals for training or for pet sitting. Client agrees to be responsible for all costs (including, but not limited to, medical care, attorney fees, etc) if client’s pet should bite another person or animal.
- Four Seasons For Paws’ Pet Care Specialists will not walk unruly or untrained dogs or dogs that choke themselves on their leash. All pets must be walked on a leash, no exceptions.
- Four Seasons For Paws’ Pet Care Specialists do not, under any circumstances, use shock or e-collars.
- Four Seasons For Paws’ Certified Trainers will not, under any circumstances, train your dog using prong, choke, shock collars, e-collars, bark collars, or gentle leaders. If you are currently using these tools for your dog, training will be provided to alleviate the need for these tools.
- Four Seasons For Paws does not diagnose, prognose, or make therapy decisions, nor does it offer veterinary services. Any veterinary/medical concerns will be referred to a veterinarian.
- Client authorizes Four Seasons For Paws to obtain the services of a locksmith should a key/garage opener malfunction. Client is responsible for all charges.
- Client is responsible for making arrangements for snow removal. Visits may not be made in snow covered driveways and/or walkways because of safety concerns.
- Job sharing is not covered under our insurance. We cannot be responsible for your pet or home if another service provider, friend or family member enters your property while we are not there.
- While on vacation, one visit per day must be provided for cats and small animals. For example: If you are leaving town on Friday morning and are returning on Tuesday, visits must be scheduled Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. You are required to check in with Four Seasons For Paws upon your return. Please post a comment on your most recent journal, update your trip information, send an e-mail or message, or call (810) 844-1897 to inform us that you have made it home safely. If we have not heard from you within 10 hours of your expected return time, we will arrange to provide a care visit for your pets. Pet safety and care is our priority! Payment for additional visits will be due within 24 hours.
- While on vacation, a minimum of three visits per day must be provided for dogs with no more than 12 hours between the visits. If your dogs need a visit outside of our operating hours, the visit can be provided by a neighbor, family friend, or family member. Their contact information must be available to us.
- Sitters may take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute, and make use of any and all pictures, video, and/ or audio taken of pets to be used in and /or for any lawful promotional and educational materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, press kits, websites, social networking sites, public training programs, and other print or digital communications.
- Attendance: We require that clients attend all scheduled training sessions with their dog unless you opt in to day training. If you opt in to day training, you will be required to attend one session with a trainer every month. If you are unable to attend a session, please notify us in advance so that we can reschedule.
- Participation: We encourage clients to actively participate in their dog’s training by practicing the techniques and exercises taught during the training sessions at home. This will help reinforce the training and ensure that your dog is making progress.
- Communication: We value open communication with our clients and encourage you to ask questions and provide feedback throughout the training process. If you have any concerns or issues, please bring them to our attention so that we can address them promptly.
- Consistency: Consistency is key to successful dog training. We ask that clients follow the training plan and techniques taught by our trainers consistently and avoid deviating from the plan.
- Patience: Dog training is a process that takes time and patience. We ask that clients be patient with their dog’s progress and avoid expecting immediate results.
- Payment is expected on the first day services are rendered with the exception of Training Clients. If you require a weekly, ongoing service, payment is due on the first day of service each week. Payment for vacation visits are due on the first day of scheduled services. Training clients will be billed at the end of the week. Training sessions are billed per hour. Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.
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- In the event of additional unforeseen visits or other costs (such as food, supplies, vet fees, etc.), payment is expected within 5 days of the completion of services or a late charge of $20 will be applied.
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- Four Seasons For Paws accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. If you choose to keep a credit card on file, your payment will be processed at 11pm on the first day of weekly or vacation service.
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- A $30 fee is assessed on all returned checks. All fees are due promptly and must be paid via money order or cash only.
- For individual drop in visits and walks: To avoid fees, you need to cancel your visits within 24 hours of the confirmed visit or the full amount of visit will apply. The 24 hour limit is reached at the beginning of the time window in which your visit is scheduled. For example: If you have a visit scheduled between 12:00 and 2:00, your request for cancellation must be submitted by 12:00 the previous day.
- For vacation visits: To avoid fees, you need to cancel your vacation visits a minimum of 72 hours before the first scheduled visit. The 72 hour limit is reached at the beginning of the time window in which your visit is scheduled. For example, if your first visit is on a Thursday between 12:00 and 2:00, you must cancel by 12:00 on the Monday of that week. If you cancel after 72 hours but before 48 hours, a $50 fee will apply. If you request cancellations less than 48 hours of the first visit, you will be charged 50% of the total invoice. If you return early from your vacation and don’t need the remaining confirmed visits, the full fee for all visits applies unless you request cancellations at least 72 hours in advance.
- If you submit your cancellation requests before the deadline, you will receive a credit to your account for future visits. We do not refund credit and debit card payments.
- When you are charged a cancellation fee, your pet sitter receives full payment for the canceled visit.
- Advanced Booking: To make sure we can fit in all the belly rubs and ear scratches your pets need over the holiday season, we ask that all service requests for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve be scheduled at least one month in advance. This helps us plan our resources effectively and ensures your pets get the top-notch care they deserve.
- Late Requests: We totally understand that life can be unpredictable. However, any service requests that come in less than one month before Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve might not be approved. This is due to the high demand for our services during these times and our commitment to keeping our pet care specialists’ workload manageable.
- Our Team’s Holidays: Our pet care specialists are the heart and soul of our business, and they’re excited to spend the holidays with their own families. By scheduling your services in advance, you’re helping our team plan their own holiday schedules. This ensures they can provide the best care for your pets while also enjoying their well-deserved time off.
- A $5 fee will be added to services requested less than 24 hours in advance.
- A $10 fee will be added to each service provided on a major holidays.
- A $30 fee will be added to each overnight service provided on holidays.
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Holidays include Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years Day.
- Pet care services and training are available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and services are usually completed during this time unless we are behind schedule. *Please know that if you have a pet who needs medication every 12 hours, evening services can be accommodated with an approximate 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. schedule.
- Overnight hours are from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Slight variations in arrival and departure time are possible.
- Four Seasons For Paws will not accept time specific calls as we cannot guarantee specific times accurately. A two hour window is acceptable. *Exceptions are made for training, puppies, and medication administration.
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- Office phone hours are 9a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The office phone is not available for text messages. It is also not available on major holidays.
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- E-mails and messages are monitored from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Client will authorize Four Seasons For Paws to handle any emergencies that may arise. Four Seasons For Paws will make every effort to contact the client, however client gives Four Seasons For Paws authority to act in the pet’s/home’s best interest and be available at an hourly rate of $50.
- Four Seasons For Paws requires all clients to have a responsible party to take care of their pet(s) in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as illness and in the event of inclement weather or a natural disaster. It is best that the emergency contact is a neighbor so they can reach your home. Four Seasons For Paws is not responsible for pets in these circumstances.
- For all services that are being provided, we will follow CDC recommended sanitizing procedures. We wash our hands regularly (or use hand sanitizer when hand-washing is unavailable). We wipe down surfaces/collars/leashes we touch with disinfectant wipes. We will also set up a protocol with each individual/ family to limit our contact with you and your home as much as possible.
- Pet Care Specialists will not be allowed to provide services if they are showing symptoms of any kind. If your specialist is showing symptoms, you will be notified by phone. Your services may be canceled if a replacement specialist is not available.
- Clients need to contact Four Seasons For Paws by phone (810) 844-1897 if they or another person in their home is showing symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19. A course of action regarding pet care services will be discussed at that time. Services may need to be cancelled for the safety of our other team members and clients.
Online Privacy Policy Agreement
Four Seasons For Paws, LLC greatly respects your privacy. We do maintain and reserve the right to contact you if needed for non-marketing purposes (such as bug alerts, security breaches, account issues, and/or changes in Four Seasons For Paws, LLC products and services). In certain circumstances, we may use our website, newspapers, or other public means to post a notice.
All users and visitors to our website have the option to discontinue receiving communications from us by way of email or newsletters. To discontinue or unsubscribe from our website please send an email that you wish to unsubscribe to [email protected]. If you wish to unsubscribe or opt-out from any third-party websites, you must go to that specific website to unsubscribe or opt-out. Four Seasons For Paws, LLC will continue to adhere to this Policy with respect to any personal information previously collected.
Our website does contain links to affiliate and other websites. Four Seasons For Paws, LLC does not claim nor accept responsibility for any privacy policies, practices and/or procedures of other such websites. Therefore, we encourage all users and visitors to be aware when they leave our website and to read the privacy statements of every website that collects personally identifiable information. This Privacy Policy Agreement applies only and solely to the information collected by our website.