Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions - All services

After an initial conversation Taking The Lead will arrange a Meet and Greet with the you (The Client) and your pets. Further meetings will be arranged as required. Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of the relevant deposits (or payments) and completed documents.

Terms are 7 days of invoice. Taking The Lead reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 25% on outstanding fees on each and every week the account is unpaid.

All charges are set out on the Taking The Lead website and price list. Taking The Lead will give 30 days notice of any change to an existing contract.

Taking The Lead may terminate any booking/agreement immediately if it is thought the pet exhibits aggressive or undesirable behaviour either towards humans, other animals or property. The client is liable if the pet injuries any third party, property, or another animal.

The client gives Taking The Lead permission to enter and visit their property to carry out the booked service at the pre-arranged date and time.

It is the client's responsibility to ensure that the area of the property that Taking The Lead has access to is kept free from risks eg tripping hazards. 

Taking The Lead will not be held liable for any injury or damage caused or incurred by the client's pet escaping because of faulty equipment.

Taking The Lead recommends seeking and following the advice of a vet on protecting against fleas, ticks and other parasites. This is the client's responsibility. Taking The Lead reserve the right to cancel/amend any bookings with full charge due to a parasitic infestation.

Dogs are required by law to be microchipped, however, in addition Taking The Lead recommend microchipping all pets. It is the owners responsibility to ensure the details are maintained with up to date information.

Taking The Lead carries Public Liability Insurance plus Care, Custody & Control of Animals and Loss of Keys insurances. Insurance certificate available to view on request or on Taking The Lead website. Clients are advised to make their own arrangements for Pet Insurance to cover vet fees and more. 

Taking The Lead recommend owners provide us with the contact details of at least two trusted third parties in addition to your own contact details should we be unable to contact you. In the event of emergency we will do our best to make contact with you, however, we reserve the right to make decisions regarding your pet's heath provided that it is at all times acting in the best interests of the animal on the advice of a veterinary surgeon. You, the clients are responsible for payment of any veterinary fees incurred.

All bookings are subject to these Terms and Conditions and information provided in Client & Pet registration forms and any update.

 

Dog Walking Terms and Conditions 

All dogs will undergo a trial period to ensure that they are adequately trained and socialised and the service meets theirs, the client’s and other walked dogs needs, prior to any regular booking. 

Taking The Lead will walk the dog booked for no less than the time and on the dates booked from the start location.  

If Taking The Lead is notified more than 24 hours in advance of a cancellation for a booked walk they will be no charge. Less than 24 hours, Taking The Lead reserve the right to payment in full for the booked walk.

The client will ensure that access is given to Taking The Lead to collect the dog from the agreed address at the agreed time. Taking The Lead prefers that clients provide a key safe at the property, the number will be stored in a password-protected location and not shared.
However, if a key safe is not available, owners are required to provide Taking The Lead with a key to their home. Taking The Lead will use the key provided to collect and return the dog(s) and for no other purpose. It will be kept safe, will not be stored with any documents identifying the property or client, no one outside the company shall have access to it and it will be returned it to the owner upon request. 

Where a dog flap is fitted, it is the owner's sole responsibility to ensure its good condition and to ensure that the garden and its fences are secure.

While in the care of Taking The Lead a temporary identity tag bearing the contact details for Taking The Lead will be attached to the collar or harness.  It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the dog wears its own identity tag in accordance with The Control of Dogs Act 1992 in a public place and to ensure that the registered details are kept up-to-date.
All dogs must be microchipped under The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015. The microchip number be supplied to Taking The Lead.

All street walks will be on a lead.
Dogs will only be walked off-lead if they have been assessed as reliable, the location and enviroment are suitable and the client has completed the off-lead consent.

All owners are required to complete, fully and honestly, the Pet and Client  Registration Forms and agree to terms and conditions. The client is required to update Taking The Lead with details of all medical or behavioral conditions that may affect the dog.
Failure to do so may result in additional charges or cancellations of any future contract. Taking The Lead will inform the owner of any incident or anything which Taking The Lead notices about the dog which the owner ought to know. 

While the dog is walked in a group walk with Taking The Lead they will be walking with other owners’ dogs. Taking The Lead will have assessed these in terms of behaviour and temperament. All dog activities are carefully monitored by Taking The Lead to avoid injury, however, injuries may occur despite the best supervision. 

Should the dog attack, or be involved in a fight with another animal or person, causing injury to that dog or person the owner will be responsible for any losses incurred as a result, including (but not limited to) payment of medical fees in respect of injuries to any third party, animal or property caused by the owner's dog.

Taking The Lead will make any necesary decisions regarding the dog's health providing they are acting in the best interests of the dog: they have made every attempt to contact the owner or the Emergency Contact person and that it is on the advice of a qualified veterinary surgeon. Vet bills that the dog may incur will be settled by the owner.

Although Taking The Lead carries a portable washer system it is limited in what it can achieve, dogs may be returned in a damp or muddy condition. Taking The Lead recomends a suitable enviroment to return the dog to and the use of aqua fleeces and/or drying coats.

In the event that the dog becomes ill or distressed while on a walk, an attempt to contact the owner will be made and if deemed necessary we will return to the dog's home, provide access to the garden and provide stimulation for the remainder of the booked time unless a vet visit is necessary. If the unlikely event that the service provided is shorter than the booked walk the charge will reflect the service provided.

When an unneutered bitch comes into season it can be a stressful time for her and other dogs. She can be at risk of unwanted attention or unplanned pregnancies. To avoid this Taking The Lead does not routinely offer a walking service to bitches during their season. The owner is required to inform and discuss the situation with Taking The Lead as soon as they are aware of the situation. Taking The Lead reserves the right to amend a booking for a walk, if upon arrival the bitch appears to be in season.
A drop-in service may be offered, instead, to provide stimulation and exercise from the safety of the home providing access to a secure garden. Taking The Lead may choose to provide access to the garden with the bitch on a lead to prevent escapes.
Clients may cancel a walk without any notice due to a bitch coming into a season without charge.

Whilst we do our best to ensure a dog gets their much loved and needed walk regardless of the weather there are unfortunately times when it can be dangerous, unsafe, and irresponsible to venture out. In the event of extreme weather, the owner will be contacted to discuss and kept updated.  We reserve the right to cancel or shorten walks accordingly. In the unlikely event we are forced to cancel a booked walk, don’t worry, we will provide a drop-in service to check the dog’s welfare, provide stimulation and allow access to the garden. If the visit is shorter than your booked walk the charge will be reduced accordingly.

Taking The Lead may terminate the arrangement if the dog continues to show any behaviour previously discussed with the owner, as being aggressive or harmful either towards humans, animals or property.   

Pet Drop-in Visits

Taking The Lead is not liable for injury, loss or death of any pet that is left unsupervised in the home. The client accepts the use of a pet door/flap increases the risk of accident to the pet’s safety.

The client must provide all items necessary for pets to be cared for in the client’s absence (i.e. food, water, medication, cat litter, leads, tags, collars etc). Should pets require any additional supplies whilst in the care of Taking The Lead, these will be purchased and added to the final bill.

The client must provide the necesary cleaning materials in the disclosed location.

If Taking The Lead is notified more than 24 hours in advance of a cancellation for a booked visit they will be no charge. Less than 24 hours, Taking The Lead reserve the right to payment in full for the booked visit.

Taking The Lead reserves the right to charge a deposit of 25% at the time of booking. If bookings are cancelled more than 30 days before the commencement of the booking then a full refund will be made. If the booking is cancelled at less than 30 days notice the deposit will be forfeited. If the booking is cut short no monies will be refunded.
                     
Taking The Lead will take adequate steps to ensure your home is safe and secure in your absence, however Taking The Lead cannot be held responsible for failure of any equipment.

Pet Sitting Service

Taking The Lead offers a personally tailoured pet sitting service in your own home. Taking The Lead is not licensed by New Forest District Council for boarding on own premises, however, we can make suggestions of experienced home boarders if you require boarding.

Taking The Lead is not liable for injury, loss or death of any pet that is left unsupervised in the home. The client accepts the use of a pet door/flap increases the risk of accident to the pet’s safety.

The client must provide all items necessary for pets to be cared for in the client’s absence (i.e. food, water, medication, cat litter, leads, tags, collars etc). Should pets require any additional supplies whilst in the care of Taking The Lead, these will be purchased and added to the final bill.

The client must provide the necesary cleaning materials in the disclosed location.

Taking The Lead reserves the right to charge a deposit of 50% on receipt of an invoice. If bookings are cancelled more than 30 days before the commencement of the booking then a full refund will be made. If the booking is cancelled at less than 30 days' notice the deposit will be forfeited. If the booking is cut short no monies will be refunded.

Taking The Lead will take adequate steps to follow the instructions given with regard to the safety and secure of your home in your absence, however Taking The Lead cannot be held responsible for failure or shortfall of any equipment.

Nail Trimming

Nail trimming equipment is sharp. Even though Taking The Lead uses extreme caution and care in all situations, I understand that problems could occur including cuts, nicks, scratches, the quickening of the nails, etc. In most cases, this can happen when a pet is wiggling or moving around. I understand that my dog will be fully supervised at all times.
Taking The Lead holds a First Aid Certificate provided by ? and viewable at ?. and in addition carries a well stocked First Aid Kit at all times when working with dogs.

 

Privacy 

By submitting your information you agree to us retaining your details to send you information on our services/products.
We will not share your details with third parties.
You can request your details to be removed at any time.
For further information read our full GDPR Policy.

In addition please read, date and sign the relevant Consent and Waiver statements.

Off-lead Consent

Dogs will NOT be let off the lead unless a waiver form has been signed by the client and the location and environment are suitable.    
If you are happy for your dog to walk off lead (in a safe environment) please sign below.

I hereby give Taking The Lead permission to exercise my dog on off-lead walks in trust that this will be done in a safe area when and where the location and environment are suitable in relation to the known behaviour of the dog.

I confirm that, to my understanding, my dog is trustworthy off the lead and around livestock & other animals and has a reliable recall.

I realise that there are certain risks involved with off-lead walks.  I further understand that due to the way that dogs interact with one another, minor cuts and scratches can occur even though the dogs are carefully supervised at all times.

I accept that I am liable for any injuries caused to persons, animals or property by my dog.

Until Taking The Lead is confident of the reliability of your dog's recall he/she will remain on a lead or longline.

Sharing of Photos on Social Media.

How the use of photos will be stored and used will be discussed with you at the Meet and Greet session.
Last names, locations and sensitive information will not be shared

I hereby give my consent to Taking The L.ead taking photos of my pets, whilst in their care, to be used for promotional purposes on social media.

I understand that the photos taken will only be used to promote Taking The Lead and to keep me informed of my pet's session.

Nail Trimming Waiver

I hereby give Taking The Lead permission to trim my dog’s nails. 

I will not hold Taking The Lead responsible in any way should my pet receive an injury.I further accept that I am liable for any injuries caused to persons, animals or property by my dog.