The Pet Agency (www.thepetagency.co.uk) is a pet care provision introduction agency, trading as a division of Whitegates, Laughton, BN8 6BX. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, persons registered with The Pet Agency and offered Petcare bookings through The Pet Agency are referred to as “Pet Sitters” and persons who contract with The Pet Agency for the purpose of being introduced to Pet Sitters are referred to as “Clients”. Your agreement to comply with and be bound by these terms and conditions is deemed to occur upon your first use of the Services. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, you should not use the Services.

 

1. Scope of Service

   1. The Pet Agency acts as an introduction and booking agency providing carefully vetted pet sitters, The Pet Agency does not employ Pet Sitters booked by Clients.

   2. The Pet Agency provides pet sitter introduction services and will endeavour to introduce to the Client, Pet Sitters on The Pet Agency register. The Pet Agency undertakes to ensure that all Pet Sitters on the register have been carefully selected and have demonstrated satisfactory previous experience with pets.

   3. The Client accepts that no amount of reference checking can provide a guarantee of future performance by individual Pet Sitters. 

   4. The Pet Agency cannot be held responsible for negligence on the part of Pet Sitters who has provided The Pet Agency with satisfactory references except where reasonable care has not been taken in the reference checking process or where The Pet Agency has failed to take note of other information received concerning the Pet Sitters past performance.

   5. The Pet Agency selection procedure includes the following:

      1. a written application by the Pet Sitters;

      2. identity checks by sight of documents and records supporting the applicant's identity;

      3. a personal interview and taking a minimum of two recent references.

   6. The application and notes of the references received are reviewed, approved, and signed off by The Pet Agency before Pet Sitters are admitted to The Pet Agency register.

   7. The Pet Agency will always use its best endeavours to fill a booking providing a minimum of two hours' notice is given.  Wherever possible The Pet Agency will ensure that the Client's bookings are offered to their preferred Pet Sitters first.

   8. The Client accepts that Pet Sitters on The Pet Agency register are free agents, and The Pet Agency is not able to require any particular Pet Sitter to work at any time or for any particular Client.

 

1. Fees​

   1. The Client pays a membership subscription of £4.50 per month, in return the Client is permitted to book Pet Sitters on The Pet Agency Register to provide pet care services to the Client with no additional booking charges

   2. A booking is defined as a scheduled start and finish time within a 24-hour period. On each booking The Pet Agency charges a booking fee for non-members for finding a Pet Sitter for the Client. A booking fee is due once the booking has been filled and the name of the Pet Sitter is confirmed to the parent.

   3. The Pet Sitter must quote for the job before the sit is confirmed and cannot then change the fee. The fee must be agreed by the Client before the sit is fully confirmed. The client is not obligated to accept the offer and at their discretion can decline for any reason providing it is before an confirmed sit.

   4. The current scale for online booking fees is as follows:

      1. standard evening babysitting bookings starting after 6pm at the home address - £4;

      2. short notice bookings with less than 36 hours' notice. long bookings of 8 to 24 hours - £4

   5. Booking and membership fees are inclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate.

   6. Memberships renew on a monthly basis automatically unless we receive notification to cancel a membership here.

   7. The client may cancel their membership of The Pet Agency at any time without penalty. Memberships are always acknowledged by email and are effective on receipt.

   8. The Pet Agency undertakes to give the Client a minimum of 90 days' notice of any change in membership or booking fees via our website, unless such a change is due to a change in VAT.

   9. Please note a 24 hour notice is required for any cancellations on bookings in order to refund the booking fee, failure to do so will result in the booking fee being charged. 

2. Membership and User Accounts

   1. In order to become a member of The Pet Agency, you will be required to create a username, password and use profile.

   2. By registering for an Account, which involves providing us with certain mandatory and voluntary information as required for a successful registration and using our website, you agree and acknowledge that:

      1. you have read the terms set out in these Terms and agree to be bound by and comply with them; and

      2. you shall ensure that all Users of your Account abide by these Terms. 

   3. you are at least 18 years old and will comply with all laws and regulation applicable to your activities conducted thought, or related to, The Pet Agency`s Service.

   4. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your Account and you are responsible for all activities that occur under your Account. You agree that all actions carried out by any person through your Account shall be deemed to be an act carried out by you, and you shall ensure that all persons who have access to and use your Account are authorised to do so. We are not responsible for any loss, damage or liabilities arising as a result of or in connection with the wrongful, fraudulent or illegal use of your Account.

   5. discretion, refuse to allow you or suspend your access to our website or your Account at any time, or remove or edit content on our website or on any of our affiliated websites (including social media pages). You agree not impersonate anyone or let others use your account.

   6. The Pet Agency reserves the right to terminate any membership either when the current paid membership expires or by giving the Client 14 days’ notice and a refund of any un-expired membership fee.

 

1. Disclaimers and Acknowledgements

   1. References given by Pet Sitters are carefully reviewed by The Pet Agency and copies of written references are not provided to Clients.

   2. The Client accepts that The Pet Agency’s responsibility is to introduce Pet Sitters who have demonstrated previous satisfactory professional pet care experience and service provision.

   3. The Client is responsible for ensuring the Pet Sitter clearly understands any special needs of the Client's pets. The client must outline if a pet is prone to running off, aggressive, in season or any other issue which could cause problematic instances for the Pet Sitters.

   4. The client and Pet Sitter are solely responsible for making decisions that in the best interests of themselves and their pets. For example, each user of The Pet Agency is responsible for keeping current his or her pet vaccinations, insurance etc and we will have no liability for anyone’s failure to not do this.

   5. The Pet Agency has no responsibility for a Pet Sitters acts or omissions except where these could reasonably have been identifiable from The Pet Agency’s selection procedure or as a result of other information received by The Pet Agency.  If during a booking, any accidental damage occurs to the Client's property or possessions, this will need to be covered by the Client's own home insurance policy.

   6. We do not accept responsibility for security of your premises, or loss, during the term of this agreement. During all assignments our Pet Sitters will only undertake pet care, unless prearranged with you.

   7. If you have given permission for your dog to be walked off lead you will not hold us, or any Pet Sitter, liable for damage, loss or injury if your dog runs away.

   8. Neither we or our Pet Sitters are responsible for

      1. damage caused by a pet escaping because of a faulty lead, collar or harness, or equipment that is not properly fitting.

      2. any loss of pets if they have access to an open cat flap/window/door within their own home.

      3. any damage to your property, or that of others, caused by your pets during the period in which they are in our care.

   9. injury or illness to your pet if you fail to remove hazards or dangers from your home any illness, injury or incident whilst in the care of Pet Sitters, and in between visits.

   10. You understand that there is always a risk of injury to a dog, especially when other dogs are present.

 

1. General Requirements

   1. It is recommended that Clients give their Pet Sitters contact information where they can be reached in the event medical care for a pet becomes necessary.

   2. Pet Sitters agree to immediately contact Clients in the event such care becomes necessary or, if the Client is not available, to contact The Pet Agency at the applicable telephone number or email address listed on The Pet Agencies website.

   3. If you are a Client, you hereby authorise your Pet Sitter and The Pet Agency to obtain and authorise the provision of veterinary care for your pet if you cannot be reached to authorise care yourself in an emergency situation. In such case, you also authorise your pet’s veterinarian(s) to release your pet’s veterinary records to The Pet Agency.

   4. If your Client reaches you with a request to authorise medical care for your pet and you refuse, you release the Client and The Pet Agency for any injury, damage or liability arising from failure to seek such care. Clients are responsible for the costs of any such medical treatment for pets and, if you are a Pet Owner, you hereby authorise The Pet Agency to charge your credit card or other payment method for such costs. In certain circumstances, a Client may be eligible for reimbursement under The Pet Agency`s Guarantee.

   5. The Pet Agency recommends that all users have adequate pet insurance to cover the costs of veterinary care.

   6. For clients, this means, among other thing, that you will ensure that your pets are vaccinated, licensed, identification tagged and/or microchipped as required by local laws or regulations: that you have obtained and will maintain any mandatory insurance pokies concerning the pets whose care you entrust to the Pet Sitter.

   7. For Pet Sitters, this means, among other things, that you certify that you are legally eligible to provide Pet care services in the jurisdiction where you provide Pet Care services; that you complied and will comply with all laws and regulations that are applicable to you; and that, when providing Pet sitting services, you will comply with applicable leash, pet waste disposal and similar laws.

   8. In the event that a Pet Sitters is booked and for reasons beyond the agency's control the Pet Sitter cancels at short notice or fails to arrive at the appointed time the agency will use its best endeavours to find another Pet Sitter for the Client. In the event that it is not possible to refill the booking no booking fee will be charged and a refund of a proportion of the Client's membership or an extension of their membership will be offered.

   9. The Client is responsible for ensuring that their home contents insurance includes cover for Employers and Public Liability insurance for domestic workers, including Pet Sitters. The Pet Agency does not exclude or restrict liability for death or personal injury resulting from its negligence. Your use and/or provision of pet care services is at your sole and exclusive risk.

 

1. Indemnification

You agree to defend and indemnify us and any of our affiliates (if applicable) and hold us harmless against any legal claims and demands, including reasonable attorney's fees, which may arise from or relate to your use or misuse of the Website or Services, your breach of this Agreement, or your conduct or actions. You agree that we shall be able to select its legal counsel and may participate in its defence if we wish.

 

1. Exclusion of liability

   1. You understand and agree that The Pet Agency (A) does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, validity, or timeliness of information listed by us or any third parties; and (B) shall not be responsible for any materials posted by us or any third party. You shall use your judgment, caution, and common sense in evaluating any prospective methods or offers and any information provided by us or any third party.

   2. Further, The Pet Agency shall not be liable for direct, indirect consequential, or any other form of loss or damage that may be suffered by a user using the Website and Services including loss of data or information or any kind of financial or physical loss or damage.

   3. In no event shall The Pet Agency, nor its Owner, directors, employees, partners, agents, suppliers, or affiliates, be accountable for any indirect, incidental, special, eventful, or exemplary costs, including without limitation, loss of proceeds, figures, usage, goodwill, or other intangible losses, consequential from (i) your use or access of or failure to access or use the Service; (ii) any conduct or content of any third party on the Service; (iii) any content attained from the Service; and (iv) unlawful access, use or alteration of your transmissions or content, whether or not based on guarantee, agreement, domestic wrong (including carelessness) or any other lawful concept, whether or not we've been aware of the possibility of such damage, and even if a cure set forth herein is originated to have futile of its important purpose.

   4. The Pet Agency is not responsible for any loss suffered as a result of the Pet Sitters failure to keep the appointment except where Sitters has failed to use reasonable care in confirming the details of the appointment with the Pet Sitter.

   5. If you there is a dispute between the client and the Pet Sitter, The Pet Agency will be released from all claims, demands and damages of every nature, known and unknown.

 

1. Modification and variation

The Pet Agency may, from time to time and at any time without notice to you, modify this Agreement. You agree that we have the right to modify this Agreement or revise anything contained herein. You further agree that all modifications to this Agreement are in full force and effect immediately upon posting on the Website and that modifications or variations will replace any prior version of this Agreement unless prior versions are specifically referred to or incorporated into the latest modification or variation of this Agreement.

 

1. Entire agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties concerning any use of this Website and the Services. This Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior or contemporaneous agreements or understandings, written or oral, regarding the use of this Website and the Services.

 

1. Service interruptions

We may need to interrupt your access to the Website to perform maintenance or emergency services on a scheduled or unscheduled basis. You agree that your access to the Website may be affected by unanticipated or unscheduled downtime, for any reason, but that we shall have no liability for any damage or loss caused because of such downtime.

 

1. Term, Termination and Suspension

We may terminate this Agreement with you at any time for any reason, with or without cause. We specifically reserve the right to terminate this Agreement if you violate any of the terms outlined herein, including, but not limited to, violating the intellectual property rights of us or a third party, failing to comply with applicable laws or other legal obligations, and/or publishing or distributing illegal material. At the termination of this Agreement, any provisions that would be expected to survive termination by their nature shall remain in full force and effect.

 

1. Privacy

   1. For the purposes of applicable data protection legislation, The Pet Agency will process any personal data you have provided to us in accordance with our Privacy Policy available on The Pet Agency website or on request from The Pet Agency.

   2. You agree that, if you have provided The Pet Agency with personal data relating to a third party (A) you have in place all necessary appropriate consents and notices to enable lawful transfer such personal data to The Pet Agency and (B) that you have brought to the attention of any such third party the Privacy Policy available on The Pet Agency’s website or otherwise provided a copy of it to the third party. You agree to indemnify The Pet Agency in relation to all and any liabilities, penalties, fines, awards or costs arising from your non-compliance with these requirements.

 

1. No Warranties

You agree that your use of the Website and Services is at your sole and exclusive risk and that any Services provided by us are on an "As Is" basis. The Pet Agency hereby expressly disclaims any express or implied warranties of any kind, including, but not limited to the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and the implied warranty of merchantability. The Pet Agency makes no warranties that the Website or Services will meet your needs or that the Website or Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure. We also make no warranties as to the reliability or accuracy of any information on the Website or obtained through the Services. You agree that any damage that may occur to you, through your computer system, or because of the loss of your data from your use of the Website or Services is your sole responsibility and that we are not liable for any such damage or loss.

 

1. Disclaimer

2. The website and its contents have been compiled with the greatest possible care. However, The Pet Agency does not accept any liability or guarantee for the topicality, correctness and completeness of the information provided on our blog.

3. Liability claims against The Pet Agency, which refer to material or non-material damages, which have been caused by the use or non-use of the information provided or by the use of incorrect and incomplete information, are fundamentally excluded.

4. The Pet Agency expressly reserves the right to change, supplement or delete parts of the pages or the entire blog without separate announcement or to discontinue the publication temporarily or permanently.

5. All data is published conscientiously but without guarantee.

6. Errors in the content will be corrected immediately upon being brought to our attention.

7. All rights, including those of reprinting extracts, photomechanical reproduction, and translation, are reserved and require the written consent of The Pet Agency. Unauthorised use, even of extracts, will be prosecuted.

8. No part of this website is intended to constitute advice and the Content of this website should not be relied upon when making any decisions or taking any action of any kind.

 

1. General Provisions

   1. This Agreement, or the rights granted hereunder, may not be assigned, sold, leased, or otherwise transferred in whole or part by you. Should this Agreement, or the rights granted hereunder, be assigned, sold, leased, or otherwise transferred by us, the rights, and liabilities of The Pet Agency will bind and inure to any assignees, administrators, successors, and executors.

   2. If any part or sub-part of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by a court of law or competent arbitrator, the remaining parts and sub-parts will be enforced to the maximum extent possible. In such a condition, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force.

   3. If The Pet Agency fails to enforce any provision of this Agreement, this shall not constitute a waiver of any future enforcement of that provision or any other provision. Waiver of any part or sub-part of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any other part or sub-part.

   4. Headings of parts and sub-parts under this Agreement are for convenience and organisation, only. Headings shall not affect the meaning of any provisions of this Agreement.

   5. We are not liable for any failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of civil authorities, acts of military authorities, riots, embargoes, acts of nature, and natural disasters, and other acts which may be due to unforeseen circumstances.

   6. The terms herein will be governed by and construed by the laws of England and Wales without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from the use of the Website and Services.