Terms

TODO: draft for review. Have these checked before launch. Lines starting "TODO:" are decisions still to make.

These are the plain-English terms for Dad & Lad Cat Care. By confirming a booking you agree to them. If anything is unclear, ask us before you book.

Who we are

Dad & Lad Cat Care is run by one local dad, who does every visit and is responsible for every booking, key and cat. The business is his, not a company's.

What a visit is

A visit is about 30 minutes in your home while you are away. It covers food, fresh water, litter, play, simple medication you've agreed with us, a quick look round to check all is well, and a photo and short note afterwards. Your cat stays in their own home.

Bookings

1. You send an enquiry through the website form or WhatsApp. An enquiry is not a booking.
2. We arrange a free meet-and-greet of about 20 minutes with you and your cat. You fill in a care form: your vet, an emergency contact, feeding and medication notes, and consent for vet treatment.
3. A booking is confirmed once the dates are agreed, the care form is complete and the deposit is paid. Confirmed bookings go in our calendar, and we won't confirm a slot we can't cover.
4. We can decline a booking, for example if it is outside our area, we're already full, or the meet-and-greet shows we can't care for your cat safely.

Where we visit

We visit within a mile of home at our standard prices. A little further, up to a mile and a half, we'll quote you a price. Distance never stops you sending an enquiry.

Prices and payment

• Our prices are on the prices page. The price calculator gives an estimate only. We confirm the final price in writing before you pay.
• You pay by bank transfer: a deposit of 30% of the total to confirm your booking, and the balance before we return your key.
• bank details are sent privately after you confirm.

Changes and cancellations

• More than 7 days before the first visit: full refund of the deposit.
• Within 7 days: 50% of the booking is payable.
• Within 48 hours: 100% of the booking is payable.

If we have to cancel, for example through illness, we'll tell you as early as we can, try to arrange a vetted backup sitter you've agreed to, and refund anything you've paid for visits we haven't made.

Keys and your home

• We keep your key on a coded tag. Your address is never written on the key or the tag.
• Keys are stored in a locked key box and logged in and out. We return your key to you in person.
• We never publish customer names, addresses or the dates you are away, and we only post a photo of your cat on social media after you're home and with your permission.
• We only enter your home to care for your cat and to check that it's secure and safe. Please tell us about alarms, cameras, and anything you don't want us to touch.
• If a key is lost, tell us straight away. TODO: set out what we pay for (for example changing locks) and what cover applies.

Emergencies and your cat's health

• On the care form you give us your vet's details, an emergency contact and a vet-treatment consent.
• If your cat seems unwell or is missing, we'll call you straight away, and we'll try to reach your emergency contact if we can't.
• If we can't reach anyone and your cat needs urgent treatment, you authorise us to take your cat to your vet or the nearest emergency vet. You agree to pay the vet's costs, up to the limit you set on the care form. TODO: decide the default limit.
• We aren't vets and we don't give veterinary advice or diagnose illness.
• Please make sure your cat is up to date with vaccinations and any flea and worm treatment, and tell us about any health, behaviour or bite or scratch history we should know.

What we need from you

• Accurate and complete information on the care form, including any change while you're away.
• Enough food, litter and any medication for the whole booking.
• Safe access to your home and your cat at the agreed times.

Insurance and liability

We are obtaining professional insurance including public liability, care and custody and control, and key cover before our first booking. Once in place, we will provide proof to our customers.

We'll take reasonable care of your cat and your home. We aren't liable for loss or harm we couldn't reasonably have prevented, including illness that was already there, or anything caused by incorrect information. Nothing in these terms limits your legal rights or our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or anything the law doesn't allow us to limit.

Your details

We keep care forms in a private folder and delete them 12 months after your last booking. See our privacy policy.

Complaints

If something isn't right, tell us as soon as you can on 07793 037 788 or WhatsApp and we'll try to put it right quickly. TODO: add a response time you can keep.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms. The terms in force when you confirm your booking apply to that booking. TODO: add governing law (England and Wales) once reviewed.