Four Seasons For Paws and its dedicated Home and Pet Guardians are committed to providing exceptional pet and home care services, as guided by the instructions in your account information. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of pets and their families by prioritizing the well-being, happiness, and safety of every pet and the security of every home in our care. We promise to deliver these services in a reliable and trustworthy manner.

To ensure the highest standard of care and safety, we require the following from our clients:

• Veterinary Care & Vaccinations: All pets must have an established veterinarian and be current on their rabies vaccination (where applicable).
• Pet Health: We cannot provide services for acutely ill animals or those with uncontrolled medical conditions. For their safety and ours, we recommend boarding such pets with a veterinarian.
• Aggressive Animals: We do not accept aggressive animals for pet sitting or dog walking.
• Leash Policy: For safety, all dogs must be walked on a leash. No exceptions. We will not walk unruly, untrained dogs, or dogs that choke themselves on their leash.
• Electronic Fences: Pets using electronic fences must wear their collars with fresh batteries.
• Snow Removal: Clients are responsible for arranging snow removal. For safety, visits may not be made on snow-covered driveways or walkways.
• Key/Access: For uninterrupted service, a key must be accessible on the outside of the property. This key can be stored in a lockbox or other designated spot of your choosing; this is a mandatory requirement. You also authorize Four Seasons For Paws to obtain the services of a locksmith should there be an electric entry malfunction of doors with no key available. All associated charges will be the client’s responsibility.
• Emergency Contact: You must provide a responsible party who can care for your pet(s) in unforeseen circumstances (e.g., Guardian illness, inclement weather, natural disaster). We highly recommend this contact be a neighbor for easier access to your home. Four Seasons For Paws is not responsible for pets in these circumstances.
• Return Check-In: Upon your return from vacation, you are required to check in with Four Seasons For Paws within 10 hours of your expected return time. This can be done via your journal, home safe button, email, message, or by calling (810) 844-1897. If we do not hear from you, we will arrange an additional care visit for your pets, for which payment will be due within 24 hours.

In consideration of our services, you (the client) expressly waive any and all claims against Four Seasons For Paws or its employees, unless directly arising from gross negligence on our part. You agree to notify Four Seasons For Paws of any concerns within 24 hours of returning home.

Please understand that Four Seasons For Paws shall not be held responsible for:

• Pets that bite, suffer an accidental death, or escape due to faulty fencing, screens, doors, or other existing home defects.
• Any complications pets may suffer or actions of pets while they are unattended.
• Loss, injury, death, or actions of any pet that the client has let outside or instructed Four Seasons For Paws to allow outside when we are not present (e.g., pets with doggie doors, outdoor pets). While we may move an outdoor pet to shelter in extreme temperatures/weather, we are not responsible for damages or costs incurred during such a move.
• Costs (including, but not limited to, medical care and lost wages) associated with contracting any ailments while exposed to your pet(s).
• Animals that get out of or inside the perimeter of an electronic fence.
• Costs (including, but not limited to, medical care and attorney fees) if your pet bites another person or animal.
• Damages or incidents related to “job sharing,” where another service provider, friend, or family member enters your property while Four Seasons For Paws is not there. Our insurance does not cover such arrangements.

• No Shock/E-Collars: Our Home and Pet Guardians will never use shock or e-collars under any circumstances.
• Veterinary Referrals: We do not diagnose, prognose, or make therapy decisions, nor do we offer veterinary services. Any veterinary or medical concerns will be referred directly to a qualified veterinarian.
• Minimum Visit Requirements:
  • Cats & Small Animals (Vacation): A minimum of one visit per day is required. For example, if leaving Friday morning and returning Tuesday, visits must be scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
  • Dogs (Vacation): A minimum of three visits per day is required, with no more than 12 hours between visits. If your dogs require a visit outside our operating hours (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.), arrangements must be made with a neighbor, family friend, or family member, and their contact information must be provided to us.

• Due Date: Payment for services is expected on the first day services are rendered. For weekly, ongoing services, payment is due on the first day of service each week.
• Unforeseen Costs: In the event of additional unforeseen visits or other costs (e.g., food, supplies, vet fees), payment is expected within 5 days of service completion. A $20 late charge will be applied thereafter.
• Accepted Payment Methods: We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. If you keep a credit card on file, your payment will be processed at 7:00 PM on the first day of weekly or vacation service.
• Returned Checks: A $30 fee is assessed on all returned checks. These fees are due promptly and must be paid via money order or cash only.

• Individual Drop-In Visits & Walks: To avoid being charged the full visit amount, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the confirmed visit’s scheduled time window. For example: If you have a visit scheduled between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, your cancellation request must be submitted by 12:00 PM the previous day.
• Vacation Visits:
  • To avoid fees, cancellations must be made a minimum of 72 hours before the beginning of the first scheduled visit’s time window. For example, if your first visit is on a Thursday between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, you must cancel by 12:00 PM on the Monday of that week.
  • If you cancel between 72 and 48 hours before the first visit, a $50 fee will apply.
  • If you cancel less than 48 hours before the first visit, you will be charged 50% of the total invoice.
  • If you return early from vacation and no longer need remaining confirmed visits, the full fee for all scheduled visits applies unless cancellation was requested at least 72 hours in advance.
• Credits: Valid cancellations made before the deadline will result in a credit to your account for future visits. We do not issue refunds for credit or debit card payments.
• Guardian Payment: When a cancellation fee is charged, your Home and Pet Guardian receives full payment for the canceled visit.

• Holiday Service Request Deadlines: Due to high demand and to ensure our Guardians can plan their own holidays, we have set firm deadlines for all holiday service requests.
  • Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day: All service requests must be submitted at least three weeks in advance.
  • Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving: All service requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
• Requesting Services After the Holiday Deadline: Once the cutoff date for a holiday has passed, our system will be blocked from accepting new service requests. This is a strict policy with no exceptions, as it allows us to finalize schedules and give our Guardians the time they need to prepare for their own holiday celebrations.

• Holiday Fee: A $10 fee will be added to each service provided on the following major holidays: Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
• Last Minute Services: Service requests received less than 24 hours in advance may not be approved.  Next day services need to be submitted no later than 5:30 pm on the previous day.
• Last Minute Service Request Fee: A $10 fee will be added to services requested less than 24 hours in advance.

• Service Hours: Pet and home care services are available between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Exceptions can be made for pets requiring medication every 12 hours, accommodating an approximate 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM schedule.
• Time Windows: We cannot guarantee specific times for visits. A two-hour service window is acceptable. Exceptions are made for puppies and medication administration.
• Office Hours: Our office phone hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office phone does not accept text messages and is unavailable on major holidays.
• Email & Message Monitoring: Emails and messages are monitored from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

• Guardian Authority: You authorize Four Seasons For Paws to handle any emergencies that may arise. While we will make every effort to contact you, you grant Four Seasons For Paws authority to act in your pet’s or home’s best interest. An hourly rate of $50 will apply for emergency interventions.
• Inclement Weather/Natural Disaster: As noted in Client Responsibilities (Section 2), Four Seasons For Paws is not responsible for pets during these events if your emergency contact cannot access your home.

You grant Four Seasons For Paws’ Home and Pet Guardians permission to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute, and make use of any and all pictures, video, and/or audio taken of your pets. These materials may be used in and/or for any lawful promotional and educational purposes, including but not limited to newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, press kits, websites, social networking sites, and other print or digital communications.

To ensure the safety of our clients, pets, and Guardians, we adhere to the following protocols:

• Sanitization: We follow CDC-recommended sanitizing procedures, including regular hand washing (or hand sanitizer use) and wiping down touched surfaces, collars, and leashes with disinfectant wipes.
• Contact Limitation: We will establish a protocol with each client to limit contact with you and your home as much as possible.
• Guardian Symptoms: Home and Pet Guardians will not provide services if they are showing any symptoms of illness. If your assigned Guardian is symptomatic, you will be notified by phone. Services may be canceled if a suitable replacement Guardian is unavailable.
• Client Symptoms: Clients must contact Four Seasons For Paws by phone at (810) 844-1897 if they or anyone in their home is showing symptoms or has been diagnosed with a contagious illness. We will then discuss a course of action regarding pet care services, which may include service cancellation for the safety of our other employees and clients.