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Terms & Conditions

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Updated January 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 2–3 boarding dogs (though licensed for up to 5)

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

  • Kennel Cough (Bordetella)

Kennel Cough waiting periods:

  • Nasal: 2 weeks

  • Oral: 10 weeks

  • Injection: no waiting period

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)

  • Optional crate use (open‑door or closed overnight only if used at home)

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. 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.

22. Arrivals, Visits & Collections

We operate strictly by appointment.
Please arrive on time and avoid unplanned visits.

23. Holiday Closures

We provide at least 4 weeks’ notice of planned closure periods.
Alternative recommendations offered where possible.

24. Licensing, Insurance & Compliance

Licensed by Cheshire West and Chester Council
Licence No: 25/AAL/HB/579903

We meet all:

  • Required higher standards

  • At least 50% of optional higher standards

Fully insured with Pet Plan Sanctuary.

25. Privacy & Data Handling (GDPR)

We securely store your information only for dog‑care purposes.
Data may be shared with vets/local authorities when necessary for welfare or legal compliance.
Records are retained per legal requirements.

26. Liability

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.

27. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

28. Updates to These Terms

We review these Terms regularly.
The version active at the time of booking applies.

29. Policies

We maintain a full suite of operational policies covering:

  • Noise

  • Health & welfare

  • Behaviour management

  • Medication

  • Exercise plans

  • Emergencies

  • Transport

  • Cleaning

  • Complaints

  • Fire safety
    …and more.
    Available on request.

30. Agreement

By completing the Dog Registration Form and making payment, you confirm that:

  • You have read and accept these Terms & Conditions

  • Information provided is truthful and accurate

  • You will inform us of any changes

We thank you sincerely for trusting us with your beloved dog.

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