1. Authority to Enter Agreement and Scope
I represent that I am the dog’s legal owner or an authorized guardian with full authority to enter this Agreement and authorize services and care. This Agreement applies to the dog identified above and to all daycamp, boarding, and related services provided by The Academy.
Reservation confirmations, current price lists, written care instructions, and policies delivered through Paw Partner or another Academy-approved system are incorporated into this Agreement. If information I provide changes, I will promptly update The Academy.
2. Evaluation, Enrollment and Continued Eligibility
Admission is not guaranteed. The Academy requires an evaluation day, veterinary documentation, additional visits, or reevaluation before accepting or continuing a dog. The Academy may limit, suspend, or end services when it reasonably determines that a dog’s health, behavior, attendance, care needs, or compatibility makes participation unsafe, excessively stressful, or unsuitable for the program.
Daycamp and boarding involve active group care rather than individualized or constant one-to-one supervision. The Academy does not guarantee that any dog will remain eligible for group play or boarding.
3. Owner’s Continuing Duty to Disclose
I have truthfully disclosed all known medical conditions, allergies, medications, dietary restrictions, injuries, bite history, aggression, reactivity, guarding, escape behavior, anxiety, destructive behavior, and other facts that could affect care or safety. I will disclose new or changed conditions before the dog’s next visit. The Academy is entitled to rely on the information and instructions I provide.
4. Vaccinations, Licensing and Parasite Prevention
I will provide documentation showing that my dog is current on all age-appropriate vaccinations required by The Academy, including Rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella, an annual negative fecal test, flea and tick prevention, and a current town license. I will keep all records current while using Academy services.
Meeting these requirements reduces risk but cannot prevent every illness, parasite, or infection.
5. Illness, Exposure and Communicable Conditions
I will not bring my dog to The Academy if, during the preceding 72 hours, the dog has experienced vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, unusual nasal discharge, fever, lethargy associated with illness, or another potentially contagious symptom, or has knowingly been exposed to a communicable illness. I will promptly report any communicable diagnosis received during or shortly after attendance.
If my dog attends daycamp, boards, or participates in group care at another pet-care facility, I will keep the dog out of The Academy for at least 72 hours after leaving that facility. The Academy may require veterinary clearance, testing, treatment, or a longer exclusion period when reasonably necessary for health and safety.
If my dog appears ill or has parasites, The Academy may isolate the dog, contact me, require prompt pickup, seek veterinary care under this Agreement, or refuse attendance. I am responsible for related veterinary, medication, and care expenses.
6. Daycamp Reservations, Attendance and Arrival
Daycamp reservations are required; walk-ins are not accepted. Dogs must be booked and dropped off by 9:30 a.m. unless The Academy approves another arrangement.
Dogs should attend at least once every three weeks. A dog that has not attended for three weeks or longer without advance notice may be treated as a new camper and may be required to complete a reevaluation. The current reevaluation fee is $20 and may change upon notice.
If my dog will miss a regularly scheduled day, I must cancel the reservation or notify The Academy by 9:30 a.m. that day. If I do not provide timely notice, I may be charged the full scheduled daycamp price.
7. Daycamp Payments and Packages
Discounted daycamp packages must be paid in advance. Payments may be made through the methods currently accepted by The Academy, including Paw Partner, cash, card, or check. Unused package days will expire within 90 days of purchase.
The Academy may suspend reservations or enrollment for unpaid balances, repeated scheduling conflicts, failed payments, or violations of this Agreement.
8. Boarding Eligibility
Boarding is offered only to dogs enrolled in The Academy’s daycamp program or dogs that have completed at least three daycamp visits after their evaluation day. The Academy may require additional visits or a new assessment when attendance has lapsed or the dog’s health or behavior has changed.
Certain medical conditions, behavioral concerns, or care needs cannot be safely accommodated. Final boarding approval remains within The Academy’s reasonable discretion.
9. Boarding Reservations, Deposits and Cancellations
A deposit equal to 25% of the estimated boarding charges is required when a boarding reservation is made. A cancellation must be received at least 48 hours before the scheduled check-in time for the deposit to be refundable. The deposit is nonrefundable for cancellations received less than 48 hours before check-in and for no-shows.
The deposit will be applied to the final boarding balance unless it is forfeited under this section. A reservation is not confirmed until The Academy receives the required deposit and any required records.
10. Boarding Checkout, Late Pickup and Early Departure
A checkout after 12:00 p.m. is subject to the current $25 daycamp charge. If my dog is not retrieved before the end of posted lobby hours, The Academy may board the dog for another night and charge the applicable additional-night and care fees.
Boarding charges are based on the dates reserved. Once a stay begins, I remain responsible for the full reserved stay even if the dog is picked up early. The Academy may, but is not required to, issue a partial refund or account credit in its discretion when an early departure results from an emergency or exceptional circumstance.
11. Food and Feeding
I may provide meals packaged in the manner I prefer, but all food and feeding instructions must be clearly identified. I will provide enough food for the stay and accurate written instructions, including allergies and restrictions.
If adequate owner-provided food is unavailable, The Academy may provide house food at the current charge of $5 per meal. I understand that dietary changes can cause gastrointestinal upset and accept that risk unless the upset results from The Academy’s failure to follow clearly provided instructions.
12. Medication and Care Instructions
The Academy may administer oral, topical, injectable, controlled, refrigerated, or other medications that it has agreed to accept. Original packaging is not required, but each medication must be safely packaged and accompanied by clear written instructions stating the dog’s name, medication name, dose, frequency, administration method, timing, storage needs, and other material directions.
I am responsible for supplying the correct medication, quantity, equipment, and instructions. The Academy may refuse a medication or care task it cannot safely perform. The Academy is not responsible for consequences caused by inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or illegible owner instructions, an undisclosed reaction, or defective owner-supplied medication or equipment.
13. Dogs From the Same Household
At my request and with The Academy’s approval, dogs from the same household may share a private suite. I accept the risks of conflict, guarding, fighting, or injury between them. The Academy may separate the dogs whenever it considers separation appropriate for safety or care. If separate suites are required, I am responsible for the additional applicable charges.
14. Collars, Harnesses and Personal Property
Dogs must arrive wearing a secure collar unless The Academy approves otherwise. For safety, The Academy may remove collars, harnesses, tags, or other equipment in suites or play areas.
The Academy is not responsible for ordinary loss, damage, soiling, or destruction of bedding, bowls, toys, leashes, collars, clothing, containers, or other personal property brought to the facility.
15. Inherent Risks of Daycamp, Boarding and Group Play
I understand that dogs are animals whose behavior can be unpredictable, even when they are familiar, evaluated, trained, supervised, vaccinated, or have no known history of aggression. Daycamp and boarding includes off-leash social play, indoor and outdoor activity, group handling, gates, suites, feeding, rest periods, toys, treats, water play, and interaction with dogs and people.
Inherent and ordinary risks include running, jumping, slipping, falling, collisions, rough play, mounting, corrections between dogs, scratches, punctures, bites, sprains, strains, broken nails or teeth, paw-pad injuries, escape attempts, ingestion of foreign material, allergic reactions, stress, behavioral changes, communicable disease, parasites, serious injury, and death. Some injuries or illnesses may occur without warning and may not be discovered until during or after attendance.
The Academy will use reasonable care and supervision but cannot guarantee prevention of every injury, illness, escape, conflict, property loss, or other adverse event. I knowingly accept these inherent and ordinary risks.
16. Management of Behavior, Play and Safety
I authorize The Academy to manage play groups, use gates and rotations, provide rest periods, remove items, separate dogs, interrupt unsafe behavior, and use reasonable handling and behavior-management methods consistent with facility practices. The Academy may remove my dog from group play or services at any time when it reasonably believes the dog presents a risk, is excessively stressed, or cannot be safely managed.
No specific play group, companion, staff member, schedule, suite, amount of play, or behavioral outcome is promised.
17. Required Pickup and Alternate Care
I will remain reachable or provide an Emergency Contact who is authorized, reasonably available, and able to retrieve my dog. If The Academy determines that my dog is ill, injured, severely distressed, destructive, unsafe, or cannot remain at the facility, I or my Emergency Contact will arrange prompt pickup when requested.
If timely pickup cannot be arranged, The Academy may obtain veterinary care, transportation, isolation, or reasonable alternate care at my expense. The Academy does not guarantee that alternate placement will be available.
18. Photographs, Video and Communications
If I selected “Yes” in the photo/video permission above, I authorize The Academy to photograph or record my dog and to use the dog’s name, image, and likeness without compensation in social media, websites, advertising, educational materials, and other business communications. I may revoke future permission in writing, but revocation will not require removal of material already published.
I consent to operational communications by phone, voicemail, email, text message, and Paw Partner using the contact information I provide.
19. Emergency Veterinary Care and Transportation
If my dog becomes ill or injured, experiences an aggravated pre-existing condition, or otherwise appears to need professional care, The Academy will make reasonable efforts to contact me and my Emergency Contact. When The Academy reasonably believes time is critical, it may transport the dog and obtain care before attempting or completing contact.
If I and my Emergency Contact cannot be reached, I authorize The Academy to select a licensed veterinarian or emergency hospital and obtain examination, diagnostic testing, stabilization, medication, hospitalization, and treatment that the attending veterinarian reasonably considers medically necessary to protect the dog’s health or prevent suffering. I authorize The Academy to share this Agreement and relevant records with the treating veterinary provider.
I accept full financial responsibility for veterinary, emergency, medication, hospitalization, transportation, staffing, and related expenses. I understand that veterinary decisions are made by the treating veterinary professional, not The Academy, and that no outcome is guaranteed.
20. Emergency, Evacuation and Natural Disaster
During a fire, severe weather event, utility failure, evacuation, natural disaster, or other emergency, The Academy may transport dogs, shelter in place, or arrange temporary alternative housing and care. I understand that conditions may limit communications, transportation, staffing, or safe evacuation. I am responsible for reasonable additional expenses associated with my dog’s emergency care or relocation.
21. Fees, Payment Authorization and Collection
I am responsible for all service charges, taxes, veterinary costs, transportation costs, damage caused by my dog, house-food charges, extended-stay charges, and other amounts authorized by this Agreement or a reservation. Prices and operating policies may change upon reasonable notice.
To the extent permitted by law, I am responsible for reasonable collection costs resulting from my unpaid balance. Nothing in this Agreement authorizes a charge that is prohibited by applicable law.
22. Unclaimed or Abandoned Dogs
If my dog is not retrieved as scheduled and neither I nor my Emergency Contact makes acceptable arrangements, daily boarding and care charges will continue. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 49-70, a dog in the custody of a commercial kennel may be considered abandoned when the owner or keeper fails to retrieve the dog within five days after the scheduled retrieval date.
After that period, The Academy may exercise the rights and follow the notice procedure permitted by applicable Connecticut law, including notice to the last-known address by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and any required waiting period before transfer to a qualifying nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization. I remain responsible for lawful boarding, care, veterinary, mailing, transportation, and related charges. The Academy will not transfer or dispose of a dog except as permitted by law.
23. Responsibility for the Dog’s Actions and Indemnification
I am responsible for injury, damage, loss, or expense caused by my dog or arising from materially inaccurate, incomplete, or withheld information or from my breach of this Agreement.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Academy and its owners, members, officers, employees, and agents from third-party claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees arising from my dog’s actions, my breach of this Agreement, or inaccurate or omitted information I supplied, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the person seeking protection.
24. Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability
I voluntarily assume the inherent and ordinary risks described in this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by Connecticut law, I release and waive claims against The Academy and its owners, members, officers, employees, and agents for injury, illness, death, escape, property damage, loss, cost, or expense arising from those inherent or ordinary risks or from ordinary negligence connected with the services.
This release does not apply to gross negligence, reckless conduct, willful misconduct, or any liability that cannot legally be waived. I understand that this section affects legal rights and that I may consult an attorney before signing.
25. Term, Reaffirmation and Policy Updates
This Agreement remains effective until replaced or terminated in writing. Each time I reserve, drop off, or permit my dog to attend, I reaffirm that the information I supplied remains accurate and that I continue to accept this Agreement.
The Academy may make reasonable changes to operational policies and prices upon notice through email, Paw Partner, posted notice, or another reasonable method. A material change to the release of liability or veterinary authorization will require renewed acceptance when required by law or requested by The Academy.
26. Electronic Signatures, Entire Agreement and Severability
Electronic signatures, initials, and acceptances have the same effect as handwritten signatures to the extent permitted by law. This Agreement, together with incorporated reservation details and current written policies, is the complete agreement concerning these services and replaces prior oral statements on the same subject. Any amendment must be in writing.
Connecticut law governs this Agreement. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum lawful extent and the remaining provisions will remain effective. A waiver on one occasion is not a continuing waiver.