Welcome to The Countryside Canine Co. These Terms & Conditions explain how our services operate, what you can expect from us and what we require from you as a client.

By enquiring about, booking or using our services, you agree to the applicable terms below. Service-specific arrangements will also be confirmed before your booking.

1. About The Countryside Canine Co.

The Countryside Canine Co. provides professional pet-care services in Didcot, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.

Our services include:

Dog walking.
Dog transportation.
Pet home visits.
Overnight stays.

Contact details:

Website: www.thecountrysidecanine.co.uk
Email: hello@thecountrysidecanine.co.uk
Telephone: 07964 965157

2. Enquiries & Bookings

Enquiries can be made through our website, email, telephone or social media.
Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee availability or confirm a booking.
A meet-and-greet will usually be arranged for new clients to discuss their pet's needs, routines and specific requirements.
Bookings are only confirmed once the service, dates, times and fees have been agreed.
Clients must complete and sign the relevant service agreement before care begins.
Changes to agreed arrangements must be discussed and confirmed in advance.
The Countryside Canine Co. reserves the right to decline a booking where the requested care cannot reasonably or safely be provided.

3. Owner Responsibilities

Owners are responsible for ensuring all information provided about their pets is accurate and complete.

This includes:

Medical conditions, allergies, injuries and medication.
Temperament, behaviour, training and any history of aggression or reactivity.
Feeding routines, exercise requirements and general care instructions.
Emergency contact details and veterinary practice information.
Any changes to their pet's health, behaviour or care requirements.

Owners must provide all necessary food, medication, equipment and supplies required for the agreed service.

Dogs must have suitable identification and be microchipped in accordance with legal requirements.

Pets must be fit and well enough to receive the agreed care. Any illness or suspected contagious condition must be disclosed before the service takes place.

4. Dog Walking

Walks will take place in local areas, with routes varied where appropriate.
Dogs will not be transported to alternative walking locations unless separately agreed.
Dogs will remain on a lead unless the owner has provided explicit off-lead permission.
Off-lead walking will only take place where considered safe and appropriate, taking into account the dog's recall, behaviour and surroundings.
Permission for interaction with other dogs must be agreed in advance. Interactions will only take place where considered suitable and safe.
The Countryside Canine Co. reserves the right to keep dogs on leads or separate from other animals where necessary.
Walks may be adapted, shortened or cancelled where weather conditions, the dog's health or safety concerns make them unsuitable.

5. Dog Transportation

Dog transportation is offered as a separate service and may include collection and drop-off for appointments, outings or other agreed destinations.

All transportation must be arranged and agreed in advance, including collection and drop-off locations, journey details and applicable fees.
Owners must provide accurate information about their dog's size, temperament, health, travel experience and any specific requirements.
Any travel sickness, anxiety, medical conditions or behavioural concerns must be disclosed before the journey.
Dogs must be fit and well enough to travel.
Dogs will be transported using suitable restraints or travel equipment appropriate to their size and needs.
Journeys will be planned with the dog's safety and welfare in mind and may be postponed or refused if conditions make travel unsuitable.
Dogs will not be left unattended in a vehicle where their health or welfare could be put at risk.
Owners must ensure their dog is ready for collection at the agreed time.
Additional waiting time, extended journeys or changes to the agreed destination may incur extra charges, which will be discussed beforehand.
By booking this service, owners authorise The Countryside Canine Co. to transport their dog in accordance with the agreed arrangements.

6. Home Visits

Home visits may include feeding, providing fresh water, cleaning litter trays or enclosures, garden access, companionship and other tasks agreed in advance.
Owners must provide clear instructions for feeding, medication and specific care requirements.
Sufficient food, litter, medication and other necessary supplies must be available for the duration of the booking.
Additional tasks, visits or time must be agreed in advance and may incur additional charges.
Owners must inform us of any other people or service providers who may be accessing the property during the booking.

7. Overnight Stays

Overnight stays take place at the owner's property.
Dates, arrival and departure times, routines and the agreed fee must be confirmed before the booking.
Owners must provide sufficient food, medication, bedding and other necessary supplies.
The level of daytime care, additional visits and responsibilities outside the agreed overnight arrangements must be discussed beforehand.
Owners must provide clear instructions for household appliances, heating, alarms, locks and other relevant property arrangements.
Additional services or extended care may incur extra charges, which will be agreed in advance.

8. Payments & Invoicing

Service prices will be confirmed with the owner before the booking is accepted.
Invoices are payable within 7 days of being issued, unless otherwise agreed.
Payment is accepted by bank transfer. Cash may also be accepted.
For overnight stays, a 25% deposit of the total booking fee is required to secure the dates.
The remaining overnight balance must be paid before the start of the stay, unless otherwise agreed.
Bank holidays are charged at 1.5 times the standard service rate.
Additional charges will be communicated and agreed with the owner before being incurred.

9. Late Payments

Payment is expected by the due date stated on the invoice.

If an invoice remains unpaid after 7 days, a late-payment charge will be added.
Overdue balances must be settled as soon as possible.
Repeated late or missed payments may result in future bookings being suspended or declined until outstanding balances have been settled.

10. Cancellations & Changes

Dog Walking, Dog Transportation & Home Visits

At least 24 hours' notice is required for cancellations or changes to a scheduled service.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will incur a charge of 50% of the agreed service fee.
Where access cannot be provided at the agreed time, the appointment may be treated as a late cancellation.

Overnight Stays

Due to the nature of longer bookings, the following cancellation charges apply:

5 or more days' notice: No cancellation charge.
Between 2 and less than 5 days' notice: 50% of the total booking fee is payable.
Less than 2 days' notice: 100% of the total booking fee is payable.

11. Health, Veterinary Care & Emergencies

Reasonable care will be taken to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of pets while they are in our care.
If a pet becomes unwell or injured, reasonable efforts will be made to contact the owner or nominated emergency contact.
Where necessary, veterinary attention will be sought without unreasonable delay.
Owners authorise The Countryside Canine Co. to seek veterinary attention in an emergency, as confirmed in their signed service agreement.
Veterinary fees and associated expenses are the owner's responsibility, except where arising from negligence or another legal responsibility of The Countryside Canine Co.
Owners must ensure emergency contact and veterinary details remain up to date.

12. Property Access, Keys & Security

Where a service requires access to the owner's property:

Owners must provide accurate access instructions, keys, access codes and relevant security information.
Keys and access details will be handled responsibly and used only for the agreed service.
The Countryside Canine Co. will take reasonable care when entering, using and securing the property.
Owners must notify us of any changes to locks, alarms, access codes or household arrangements.
The property must be safe and suitable for the agreed service.

13. Photography & Social Media

Photographs and videos of pets may occasionally be taken during visits or walks to provide owners with updates.

Images will only be used on The Countryside Canine Co.'s website, social media or promotional material where the owner has given permission.

Photography and promotional consent are optional and can be withdrawn at any time by contacting us.

14. Insurance & Responsibility

The Countryside Canine Co. takes reasonable steps to provide safe, reliable and responsible pet care.

We hold appropriate business insurance for our services.

Owners remain responsible for providing accurate information and following the agreed care arrangements.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

15. Service Changes & Unforeseen Circumstances

There may occasionally be circumstances beyond our reasonable control that affect a scheduled service, including illness, severe weather, emergencies or unexpected events.

Where this happens:

The owner will be informed as soon as reasonably possible.
Alternative arrangements may be discussed where practical.
Where a paid service cannot be provided, an appropriate refund or alternative arrangement will be agreed.

The Countryside Canine Co. may refuse or discontinue a service where there is a reasonable concern for the safety or welfare of a pet, a person or property.

16. Privacy & Personal Information

As a small business, The Countryside Canine Co. takes the privacy and security of all clients and their personal information seriously.

Any information provided, including contact details, addresses, pet information, access arrangements and emergency contact details, is kept secure and treated confidentially. This information is only used where necessary to manage bookings, provide services and communicate with clients.

All personal information is handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Client information will not be shared with third parties unless necessary to provide the agreed service, required by law or with the client's permission.

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for business, legal and record-keeping purposes.

For further information about how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.