1. Definitions
In this agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
‘We’, ‘Us’, ‘Our’ - Dashing Dogs Ltd and services provided by such.
‘You’, ‘Client’ - the individual responsible for the dog. This may be the owner of the dog or the owner’s authorised representative.
Health and medical conditions
The safety of every client’s dog, our staff and other animals or visitors to the grooming service is of paramount importance.
The grooming process can be stressful for dogs. A full groom can take in excess of 3 hours and can be physically and mentally demanding for dogs. The demands on a dog may be exacerbated if the dog is elderly, infirm, overweight, young or have behavioural and other physical health issues.
The grooming process may aggravate existing health conditions or behavioural issues. We reserve the right to seek emergency veterinary treatment if we deem it necessary to do so for the best interests and welfare of your dog. This may be for any reason. We will always endeavour to contact you before doing so. You understand that this might not always be possible or feasible.
Grooming may expose underlying health or skin conditions for which we cannot be held liable. Unless we are deemed to be negligent, all medical expenses will be the responsibility of the client. Grooming of poorly or elderly dogs and those with a persistent health condition is entirely at the client’s risk.
We are unable to provide a grooming service for pregnant or in-season bitches.
We will not provide services to any dog classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and subsequent revisions.
By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you the client expressly agree to the following clauses.
Disclosure of information and groomer’s assessment
I the client confirm that the dog is fit and healthy prior to the grooming process.
I have informed the groomer of any health conditions and behavioural issues and I confirm that all details provided are correct and up to date.
I understand that the groomer will undertake their own assessment prior to the grooming service based on all of the information made available to them prior to commencement.
This may include a health and safety risk assessment that will include a consideration of the dog’s known behaviours and health conditions and those that may come to light during the grooming process itself. We may decline to conduct any grooming or other treatment as a result.
If a member of our staff notes anything that may be of concern or that they think you should be aware of during the assessment or grooming process, we will inform you when you collect your dog.
Additional risks during the grooming process
The grooming process can mean that a dog is subject to increased risks. This will include additional risks of injury. This includes, but is not limited to, the risk of cuts, grazes and abrasions.
Payment in full
We cannot guarantee that your dog will be able to support themselves for the full duration of the grooming process.
We will always endeavour to provide additional support to all dogs including those who are elderly, infirm, overweight and young plus those who may exhibit behaviours that require additional support.
We reserve the right to stop the grooming process at any time.
You agree that payment will be made for the full grooming process, whether this was fully performed as agreed, or was limited for reasons we will identify, upon collection of your dog.
Vaccinations
By using our services, clients agree that the dog is up to date with all vaccinations. This includes annual vaccinations for:
- Canine Distemper
- Infectious Canine Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Canine Parvovirus
You acknowledge that an unvaccinated dog is at greater risk of contracting an infectious disease and of transmitting an infectious disease to other dogs and/or humans and other species of animal where this is possible.
We reserve the right to ask for proof of vaccination and other veterinary information at any time that the dog is on our premises.
We cannot take any responsibility for any dog, human or other animal that contracts any of the above-mentioned diseases.
Fleas and ticks
Dashing Dogs maintains an environment free from fleas and ticks. All dogs that attend our premises must be up to date with flea treatments and should have all ticks removed.
If your dog has, or is suspected, of having fleas and ticks please do not bring them to Dashing Dogs and reschedule your appointment. Please give us 48 hours notice of this to avoid a cancellation charge.
We would strongly recommend your dog is treated for fleas or ticks by a veterinary surgeon before any subsequent attendance. This will ensure your dog receives the best treatment with recommended timescales for when they can attend the grooming service safely free from infestation.
If your dog is found to have fleas or ticks during their appointment, then we will always treat the infestation. We cannot accept the risk of not treating them immediately at our premises. We will also treat all other animals in attendance and at our discretion those that subsequently attend.
If fleas are found on your dog during an appointment, an additional charge of £15 will be made. This charge includes treatment of your dog and an additional deep clean of our premises and equipment. This ensures all fleas and eggs are eliminated.
If ticks are found on your dog, then an additional charge of £5 will be made for removal.
We will not be responsible for any infection, skin complaint or other condition that results from a flea or tick infestation.
Coat condition
We firmly believe that regular grooming is a basic requirement of owning a dog and promotes good health, well-being and condition and comfort for your dog.
Matted or neglected coats can present a range of skin and health complaints for a dog. This includes, but is not limited to, bacterial and fungal infections, irritated hot spots, inflamed skin and can cause pain and discomfort as well as harbouring parasites.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. We consider excessive matting is painful and detrimental to the welfare of a dog.
If your dog arrives with a neglected or matted coat then we may need to remove the coat by shaving close to the skin. In these circumstances, it may be kinder to do so.
We will always try to identify the need to do so before we commence the full groom. However, it might not always be possible to do this in the pre-groom assessment and we will make every endeavour to contact you to inform you of this. We will seek permission or refer you to your vet to deal with an excessively matted coat.
If it is not possible to contact you then we will carry out actions we believe are in the best interests of the dog. If your dog requires de-matting of more than 15 minutes, we will clip the coat short in a humane manner. A further fee may be charged in these circumstances.
You should be aware that clipping a dog’s coat very short increase the risk of injury and skin irritation. You may notice some behavioural changes after this process such as head shaking, excessive scratching, licking and the dog scraping its back end on the floor. You are advised to seek veterinary advice if this causes you concern.
Behavioural issues
Clients are obliged to inform Dashing Dogs of any known behavioural traits, including aggression and nervous/anxious traits, that their dog may display to humans or other animals. Specifically, clients should inform Dashing Dogs if they have previously been advised by a dog groomer that they have noted behaviours, including aggression and nervous/anxious traits, in the past.
We will consider information relating to behaviour in our assessments prior to the grooming service. Additional charges may apply depending on the severity of the behaviour and the additional time, skill and equipment required to perform the grooming service.
If your dog should bite a member of staff and cause injury, or cause damage to equipment as a result of their behaviour, you agree to be responsible for any medical bills, loss of earnings and damage to equipment.
We reserve the right to refuse a grooming service if we believe that your dog may pose a danger to itself, members of staff and visitors, and other animals on our premises as well as damage to equipment, fixtures and fittings. Should we have commenced a grooming service and consider the risk of same is apparent, then the session may be stopped at any time and the full fee charged.
Please toilet your dog prior to attending an appointment. Fouling on our premises may result in additional charges.
Appointments and timekeeping
Dashing Dogs implement a carefully planned daily schedule to ensure each and every dog that attends our grooming service receives ample time to carry this out in a comprehensive and professional manner and that they receive all one-to-one care required while on our premises.
You agree to attend at your given appointment time. If you arrive early, we might not be able to permit you access to the premises and may ask you to wait until your allocated time slot.
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may refuse a grooming service on welfare grounds as we will not rush any service because it heightens the risk of stress for the dog and injury. We will make a judgement on this based on the number of clients already on our premises and the number of subsequent appointments following your time slot. You agree that this will be our decision and if we decide we cannot safely and effectively carry out a grooming service for your dog due to late arrival, you agree to pay the applicable full fee.
If you are more than 15 minutes late in collecting your dog, we reserve the right to apply late collection charges.
Cancellations
We require 48 hours notice for a cancelled appointment for any reason. If we do not receive 48 hours notice, you agree to pay the full fee for the grooming service that was agreed upon.
We will require payment in full for any cancelled appointment in such circumstances before any re-booking.
Pricing and charges
All prices provided are an estimate only. Additional charges that may apply are outlined in these terms and conditions and specifically may include, but are not limited to:
- Overweight dogs.
- Dogs that are considered oversized for their breed as determined by our professional judgement.
- Unkempt, neglected and overly matted coats.
- Dogs whose behaviour and characteristics require additional handling for any reason, but to include nervous/anxious, timid, excitable, elderly and young dogs.
- The presence of fleas or ticks
Provision of service and indemnity
By using our services, you agree to indemnify Dashing Dogs against any future damages, losses or claims that may arise from any condition of the dog, either known or unknown to us.
It is understood and agreed that the terms of this agreement can change at any time without notice. Any changes will immediately supersede any and all prior signed contracts and additional releases, disclaimers and agreements. This applies to all dogs who receive a grooming service from us.
Data Protection and GDPR
Dashing Dogs is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. In order for us to provide the requested services, we are required to obtain and store a limited amount of your personal information. Such information will be stored in accordance with all relevant legislation, will never be shared with any third parties or organisations and will only be used for the purposes of providing the requested or related services.
You have the right to request and review any of your personal information. Please make any requests to hello@dashingdogs.uk or in writing to:
Dashing Dogs Ltd
23 Parker Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM2 0ES