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Terms & Conditions

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Updated July 2026

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Welcome to Happy Tails at Jasmine Cottage.

 

These Terms & Conditions exist to ensure the wellbeing, safety, and comfort of all dogs in our care, and to provide clear expectations for owners. By making a booking with us, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

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1. About Us

Happy Tails at Jasmine Cottage is a licensed 4‑star home‑boarding provider offering personalised, compassionate dog care. We are:

  • Fully insured

  • DBS checked

  • Advanced canine first‑aid trained

  • Registered with a veterinary practice

  • Operating in line with:

    • Animal Welfare Act (2006)

    • Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations (2018)

2. Our Care Commitment

We provide a calm, home‑from‑home environment with:

  • A peaceful enclosed garden

  • Gentle routines and enrichment

  • Walks in quiet Cheshire countryside

  • Positive reinforcement

  • Maximum of 5 compatible boarding dogs

We tailor care to each dog’s needs, with safety and welfare at the heart of everything we do.

3. Onboarding Process (Mandatory for Boarding)

All new dogs must complete the three‑step process:

Step 1 - Introductory Meeting (Free of Charge)

A relaxed visit to meet you and your dog, discuss needs, and issue the Dog Registration Form.

Step 2 - Walk & Observe (Free of Charge)

You return the completed form, and we review vaccinations and insurance while observing your dog on a walk.

Step 3 - Trial night stay(£75)

Required for:

  • All first‑time boarding

This ensures your dog is settled and suitable for a home‑boarding environment, in line with our  licence requirements.

4. Dog Registration Form

Owners must complete the form accurately and keep details updated.
The form confirms that you:

  • Have read and agree to these Terms

  • Have provided truthful information

  • Will notify us of any changes

Missing or inaccurate information may affect a booking.

5. Admissions, Suitability & Breed Considerations

We welcome most dogs up to approx. 30kg. 

Dogs must be:

  • Healthy

  • Free from contagious illness

  • Well‑socialised

  • Comfortable in a home environment

We may decline a booking if a dog is unwell, unsuitable, or poses a safety risk.

6. Vaccinations & Parasite Control

Required:

  • DHP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus)

  • Leptospirosis

Dogs must be on vet‑grade flea & worm prevention.

We cannot accept:

  • Dogs unwell within last 72 hours

  • Dogs showing symptoms on arrival

  • Titre‑tested dogs (licensing restriction)

7. Daily Health Checks & Light Grooming

We perform gentle daily nose‑to‑tail checks, including:

  • Skin & coat

  • Eyes & ears

  • Teeth & mouth

  • Paws & nails

  • Mobility & behaviour

  • Parasite check

Light grooming (brushing, wiping, cleaning) is provided as needed.

8. Medication & Special Requirements

We administer:

  • Oral medication

  • Eye/ear drops

We cannot administer injections.

Owners must supply:

  • Medication in original packaging

  • Clear written instructions

  • Any necessary accessories (e.g., buster collar)

We follow your feeding and routine preferences wherever possible.

9. Behaviour & Early Collection Policy

We prioritise calm and safety. We may pause or end a stay if a dog shows:

  • Aggression

  • Severe separation distress

  • Excessive barking/howling

  • Resource guarding

  • Escape behaviour

  • Inability to settle

  • Contagious illness

  • Behaviour that compromises welfare

If required, owners/emergency contacts must collect the dog promptly.
Refunds are not available for shortened stays (see Section 21).

10. Puppies

We accept puppies from 13 weeks, fully vaccinated for at least 3 weeks. Additional settling may be required for dogs under 12 months.

11. Neutering & Seasons

  • Males: Intact males are generally not accepted except in rare agreed cases.

  • Females: Accepted, but if a female comes into season, the booking may be cancelled or ended early.

Standard cancellation terms apply.

12. Feeding

We follow your dog's usual routine.
Owners must supply:

  • All food for the stay

  • Clear feeding instructions

  • Raw/home‑cooked diets in frozen portions

Dogs are fed separately unless from the same household.

13. Exercise & Enrichment

We provide:

  • Enriching daily walks (on‑lead unless otherwise agreed)

  • Tailored sensory and puzzle‑based enrichment

  • Safe social time for compatible dogs

  • Individual sleeping spaces for dogs from different households

14. What We Provide

  • Beds, blankets, bowls, toys

  • A secure garden

  • A calm, enriching home environment

  • Supervision, with dogs left alone for no more than 3 hours (separated unless same household)

15. What Owners Provide

  • Vet details

  • Vaccination proof

  • Food, medication, harness/lead, collar & ID tag

  • Emergency contacts (see below)

  • Any comfort items (not covered for damage)

UK law requires dogs to wear an ID tag with owner’s name and address.

16. Photos, Updates & Social Media

We send regular updates during your dog’s stay.
With your consent, photos may be shared on social media.

17. Safety & ID Tags

Dogs must arrive wearing:

  • A secure collar

  • An ID tag

A temporary Happy Tails tag is added for walks.

18. Veterinary Care

If your dog becomes unwell:

  • We will contact you or your emergency contact

  • Veterinary treatment may be sought at:

    • Hollybank Veterinary Centre, Sandiway

    • MiNightVet Chester (out‑of‑hours)

All veterinary costs are the owner’s responsibility.

19. Emergency Contacts (Two Required – Non‑Negotiable)

You must provide two emergency contacts, both:

  • Over 18

  • Familiar with your dog

  • Reachable while you’re away

  • Within approx. 1 hour of Jasmine Cottage

At least one must be able to provide emergency accommodation.

If no contact can collect your dog, we may:

  • Arrange alternative licensed care

  • Involve local authorities

Costs are the owner's responsibility.

20. Prices (2026)

Our website always lists the most current prices.

21. Dog Boarding Bookings, Payments & Cancellations

  • 50% booking fee (non‑refundable) secures dates.

  • Balance due 28 days before arrival.

  • Bookings within 28 days: full payment upfront (non‑refundable).

  • Holiday periods: all payments non‑refundable & non‑transferable.

  • If we can refill cancelled dates, we will refund those days.

  • Refunds not given if:

    • Dog becomes unwell

    • Dog comes into season

    • Behaviour issues require early collection

Please ensure your insurance covers cancelled boarding fees.

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We aim to be fair and understanding while protecting our business and time. By booking with us, you agree to these terms.

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We manage all dogs with care, but natural risks exist.
Except where negligence is proven, we are not liable for:

  • Illness

  • Injury

  • Escape

Owners are responsible for damage caused by their dog.

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22. Dog Walking Bookings, Payments & Cancellations

We aim to provide a reliable and professional service while being fair and understanding to our customers. The following terms help us manage bookings effectively and protect the time reserved exclusively for your dog.

22.1 Bookings

All bookings are subject to availability and are only confirmed once agreed between the customer and the walker.

For customers with recurring walks, a regular time slot will be reserved specifically for your dog. Requests to change booked walk times should be made as far in advance as possible.

We reserve the right to refuse, cancel, or discontinue services where it is deemed necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the dog, the walker, or others.

22.2 Payments

All dog walking services must be paid for in advance of any walks taking place.

Payment must be received by the due date stated on the invoice issued. Failure to make payment by the invoice deadline may result in the booking being cancelled or suspended until full payment has been received.

Any additional services requested outside of the original booking may incur additional charges, which will be communicated where possible before the service is provided.

22.3 Cancellations

We understand that plans can change; however, booked walk slots are reserved exclusively for your dog and short-notice cancellations can impact our ability to offer services to other customers.

Notice Periods & Charges

  • 48 hours or more notice:
    No charge will apply.

  • Less than 48 hours notice:
    The full cost of the booked walk will be charged.

  • No-shows or inability to access the dog or property:
    The full fee will be charged, as the time has been reserved and travel undertaken.

Last-minute cancellations often cannot be rebooked, resulting in lost income for the walker.

22.4 Exceptional Circumstances

We appreciate that emergencies can arise. In genuine cases, such as illness or unforeseen circumstances, cancellation fees may be reviewed at our discretion. Any waiver or reduction of fees is not guaranteed and remains entirely at our discretion.

22.5 Regular Bookings

For clients with recurring walks, frequent short-notice cancellations or repeated requests to change walk times may result in the loss of the reserved time slot, allowing it to be offered to other customers.

22.6 Agreement

By booking our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Dog Walking Bookings, Payments & Cancellations Terms.

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