Booking process and payments for services

1. You agree to a familiarisation session ("meet and greet") for all first-time bookings. This session (which takes approximately 30 minutes) must have a mutually satisfactory outcome before your dog(s) stay can be confirmed. The price for this is £10 payable in advance by direct bank transfer and is non-refundable.
2. You agree that your booking can only be secured upon receipt of a deposit fee to Inn the Doghouse via cash or bank transfer. Only once your deposit has been received can your dog(s) stay be confirmed / secured. The deposit is 50% of the cost of the overall booking and is non-refundable in the event of cancellation or a 'no show'. The reason for this is that we get very busy and when provisional bookings have cancelled at short notice in the past, we have not had enough time to fill the empty places and have therefore lost business. NEW customers agree to pay the 50% deposit within 7 working days after the "meet and greet" session. EXISTING customers agree to pay the 50% deposit within 7 working days of requesting their repeat booking.
3. You agree that in the unlikely event of your boarder being no longer available to provide services due to exceptional personal circumstances, you will be contacted by Inn the Doghouse and we will do the utmost to assist you in finding an alternative boarder and your booking fee will be refunded in full by direct bank transfer.
4. Fees are subject to change (see website or social media for up-to-date fees / prices).
5. You agree to provide full care details for your dog(s) stay in the Booking Form including veterinary, vaccination and emergency contact details.
6. You agree that should you return from holiday / absence and decide to collect your dog(s) before the end of your booking you will not be entitled to any refund.
7. Payment of the remaining balance due for the boarding period can either be paid by bank transfer before the home boarding booking commences; OR in cash when you drop-off your dog(S); OR in cash on the day you collect your dog(s).
8. Home boarding is charged per 24 hours. If you collect your dog after 24 hours has elapsed, then Late Collection Fees will be applicable (see website or social media for up-to-date fees / prices).

Your dog(s)

1. We are unable to accept bookings for a dog subject to the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or any other dogs with aggression problems towards other dogs and/or people.
2. You undertake to make full disclosure of any quality or characteristic which might make your dog(s) not suitable for home boarding, including, but not limited to behavioural or health problems, anti-social behaviour including aggression, incontinence/lack of house training or excessive loud barking/whining.
3. Failure on your part to disclose any matter which might render the dog unsuitable for home boarding will be deemed a material omission amounting to a fundamental breach of your agreement with Inn the Doghouse. If Inn the Doghouse experiences difficulties due to failure to disclose in the Booking Form any matter that would be accepted as reasonably unsuitable for home boarding, you will be liable for additional costs incurred (such as placing your dog in a suitable kennel facility until your return). You will also be charged a £20 Transfer Fee.
4. Where consent has been given to walk your dog/s off lead, you accept full responsibility if your dog(s) run(s) away or get(s) lost.
5. Your dog must not be suffering from any illness which may be transmitted to or cause ill health to humans or other animals.
6. You accept that home dog boarding is not appropriate for all dogs e.g. those that are aggressive, boisterous or poorly socialised.
7. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility as the dog(s) owner to determine if home boarding is best for your dog.
8. Your dog must be Microchipped by Law to use our services.
9. Inn the Doghouse reserves the right not to accept bitches on heat.
10. Inn the Doghouse reserves the right to refuse your dog at the visit if they consider it to be with good reason unsuitable for their care.

Veterinary care and associated fees

1. If your dog becomes unwell, has an accident or injures himself/herself or seems to be in any type of pain, we might need to take him/her to a Veterinary Surgeon. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact you (or your named emergency contact) in such circumstances. Your boarder reserves the right to make decisions regarding your dog(s) health provided they are acting in the best interests of the dog and on the advice of a Veterinary Surgeon. You agree to your boarder acting on your behalf to authorise any required treatment (other than euthanasia). You will assume full responsibility for payment and/or reimbursement for all veterinary services rendered.
2. You agree that if your dog attacks or is involved in a fight with another dog (and/or person) causing injury to that dog (and /or person), you will be responsible for any losses incurred as a result including, but not limited to, payment of veterinary fees in respect of injuries to another animal caused by your dog. We recommend but do not insist that your dog be insured against sickness, accident, or injury and for third party liability prior to boarding. Attention is drawn to section 7. Limitation of Liability and Release.

Damage to boarder's property or possessions

1. Your dog(s) must not be known to chew, scratch or destroy furniture or house fittings under normal circumstances. Should your dog(s) behaviour become uncontrollable, destructive or unreasonable, you accept that he/she could be placed in a dog boarding kennel at your own expense until your return and will be subject to a £20.00 transfer charge.

2. You are liable for any damages caused by your dog(s) to your boarder's home or possessions other than reasonable wear and tear.

Home boarding stays

1. Your dog(s) will be presented for boarding in a clean and groomed condition and with up to date vaccinations, de-flea and anti-worming treatments. You are required to provide Inn the Doghouse with sight of the relevant Vaccination Card.
2. You will supply the necessary dog food for the duration of the stay. If additional food is required, you agree, upon presentation of a receipt, to refund your boarder for any costs incurred.
3. You will supply any necessary equipment your dog(s) require e.g. muzzle, harness, crate, bed.
4. You will supply any necessary medication your dog(s) require to be administered during their stay.

Insurance

1. Your boarder is covered by Public Liability insurance, care custody and control (our legal liability to animals in our care) and non-negligent cover (accidental injury to animals in our care). Please note that our personal insurance does not cover any vet fees for illness of dogs in our care.
2. It is recommended but not essential that owners take out their own veterinary insurance and provide policy details at the time of booking.

Limitation of liability and release

1. By using Inn the Doghouse to board your dog(s), you expressly assume the risk of any damages, including property damages or personal injury, which your boarder or anyone else present in their homes may suffer. It is the sole responsibility of you as the owner to make the decision to board your dog in the best interests of your dog, all those resident pets present, your boarder and their families and all third parties who may come into contact with your dog. It is therefore insisted that all owners schedule a "meet and greet" familiarisation visit with their dog(s) to meet the your boarder in their home before providing dog boarding to mitigate as many risks as possible.
2. Should you agree to use the services of Inn the Doghouse you agree with and acknowledge the following statement:

"I agree that I am responsible when boarding my dog in another person's home for all risk of personal injury, death or disability to the boarder, the boarder's family or any third parties that might result or arise from the boarding of my dog in the boarder's home. i am also responsible for any damage, loss or harm to the boarder or any third party's personal property which my dog may incur. I understand that the risks that come with owning a dog and to leaving my dog in the care of any person, whether accustomed to or not, has inherent risks. by proceeding with this transaction. I the owner understand that I voluntarily give up any right to sue the above mentioned parties and release the boarder and Inn the Doghouse of all liability including without limitation, any injuries, illness, or accidents, which may occur as a result of my dog using your services."

GDPR privacy policy

1. To comply with DEFRA's The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, we are required to keep customer records for a period of 3 years in relation to all dogs that we have provided services for or may provide services for at a future date. These records must always be available for inspection by an Inspector from the Local Authority (Bolton Council).
2. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Inn the Doghouse will store all owner / customer information in electronic format with password protection. All electronic data will be backed up.
3. Your personal details and emergency contact details will only be used in the event of an emergency.
4. No information will be passed on to any third party for advertising or marketing purposes. Data will never be sold or distributed.
5. You have the right to request that any data that is no longer relevant and is stored by Inn the Doghouse to be deleted if any agreement / contract between us is terminated.