LW’S Equine and Pet Care – Equine, Pet & House Sitting Services 1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of equine care, pet sitting, house sitting and related services provided by LW’S Equine and Pet Care (“I”, “me”, “my” or “the Service Provider”).
The person making the booking is referred to as “the Client”, and any animal receiving care is referred to as “the Animal”.
By making a booking, paying a deposit, or allowing services to commence, the Client confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
Any specific arrangements agreed in writing between the Client and the Service Provider will form part of the booking and should be read together with these Terms. 2. Services Provided
Services may include:
• Equine care, including feeding, turnout, bringing in, mucking out, poo picking and basic visual health checks.
• Pet sitting, including feeding, exercise, companionship and general in-home care.
• House sitting, including reasonable supervision of the property and agreed care of animals.
• Other services specifically agreed in writing before the booking.
The exact services, frequency of visits, duration of care and price will be agreed with the Client before the booking commences. Poo Picking
Where daily poo picking is included within the agreed service, the price includes removal of one standard wheelbarrow of fresh manure per visit/day, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Any additional wheelbarrows, excessive quantities, accumulated/old manure, or manure requiring significantly more time or labour than reasonably expected will be charged at £5 per additional wheelbarrow.
The Service Provider may determine what reasonably constitutes an additional wheelbarrow based on the amount and condition of manure present.
Additional work requested by the Client, or work reasonably required because the premises or animals have not been maintained as agreed, may incur additional charges. Where reasonably practicable, the Client will be informed before significant additional charges are incurred. 3. Booking Confirmation
A booking is not considered fully secured until any required deposit has been received.
The Client is responsible for providing accurate information regarding:
• The number and type of animals requiring care.
• Feeding and exercise requirements.
• Medical conditions and medication.
• Behavioural issues or known risks.
• Veterinary details.
• Emergency contact details.
• Access arrangements.
• Any special instructions or restrictions.
Instructions provided verbally should, where possible, be confirmed in writing.
The Service Provider may rely on the information and instructions supplied by the Client. The Service Provider cannot be responsible for consequences arising from inaccurate, incomplete or withheld information. 4. Client Responsibilities
The Client must:
• Provide accurate and complete information about all Animals.
• Disclose any history of aggression, biting, kicking, bolting, escaping, nervous behaviour or other behaviour that could present a risk.
• Disclose any medical conditions, injuries, allergies, medication or special requirements.
• Provide sufficient food, bedding, medication, equipment and other supplies for the entire booking.
• Ensure all equipment supplied is safe, suitable and in reasonable working condition.
• Ensure Animals are appropriately secured and contained.
• Provide safe and reasonable access to the property and Animals.
• Provide working keys, access codes, gates, locks, alarms and other access arrangements.
• Provide current emergency contact and veterinary details.
• Inform the Service Provider promptly of any changes affecting the booking.
Failure to disclose relevant information may result in the Service Provider refusing or terminating the booking where necessary for safety. 5. Animal Health, Welfare & Veterinary Care
Animals should be in good health at the commencement of the booking unless a condition has been fully disclosed and specifically agreed with the Service Provider beforehand.
Vaccinations should be up to date where applicable and appropriate to the Animal and service being provided.
The Service Provider will take reasonable care of Animals in accordance with the Client's written instructions and the agreed service.
However, animals are living creatures and the Service Provider cannot guarantee that an Animal will not become ill, injured, escape, deteriorate or die during a booking.
If an Animal becomes unwell or injured, the Service Provider will make reasonable efforts to contact the Client or emergency contact.
If veterinary attention is considered reasonably necessary, the Service Provider is authorised to contact and, where practicable, transport or arrange transport of the Animal to a veterinary practice.
Where immediate action is required and the Client or emergency contact cannot be reached, the Service Provider may make reasonable decisions in the Animal's welfare interests. All veterinary treatment, medication, transportation and associated costs remain the Client's responsibility.
The Service Provider will not be responsible for veterinary costs arising from a pre-existing, undisclosed or unforeseen condition, except where such costs are directly caused by the Service Provider's negligence or other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. 6. Medication
Medication will only be administered where the Client has provided clear instructions and the medication has been supplied in its original packaging with appropriate directions.
The Service Provider is not a veterinary professional and will not diagnose illnesses, alter prescribed medication or provide veterinary treatment unless specifically qualified and legally permitted to do so.
The Client remains responsible for ensuring sufficient medication is available for the entire booking. 7. Keys, Access & Security
The Service Provider may retain keys, access cards, alarm codes or other access information solely for the purpose of providing the agreed services.
The Client must provide accurate instructions for accessing the property and must notify the Service Provider of any changes.
The Service Provider will take reasonable care of keys and access information.
The Client should not provide access details that are unnecessary for the services.
The Client must disclose any alarm systems, security systems, access restrictions or surveillance/recording devices before the booking begins. Indoor CCTV, cameras, audio recording devices or other recording equipment must not be used while the Service Provider is inside the property unless their presence has been specifically disclosed and the Service Provider has given prior consent.
If undisclosed recording equipment is discovered, the Service Provider may suspend or terminate the house-sitting service immediately.
The Service Provider will not be responsible for security breaches, theft or loss caused by pre-existing security weaknesses, defective locks, faulty alarm systems, undisclosed access arrangements or circumstances outside the Service Provider's reasonable control, except where caused by the Service Provider's negligence or other liability that cannot legally be excluded. 8. Property & House Sitting
The Service Provider will take reasonable care of the Client's property while carrying out agreed services.
House sitting does not constitute professional security, property management, maintenance, cleaning or security-guard services unless expressly agreed in writing.
The Client must disclose known problems with the property, including leaks, faulty appliances, heating systems, plumbing, electrical systems, gates, fences, alarms or other matters that could affect the Service Provider or Animals.
The Service Provider is not responsible for ordinary wear and tear, pre-existing defects, mechanical/electrical failures, or damage caused by circumstances outside their reasonable control.
The Service Provider may take reasonable steps to protect the property and Animals in an emergency and will notify the Client as soon as reasonably practicable. 9. Animal Behaviour, Safety & Dangerous Animals
The Client must disclose any known behaviour that may create a risk to the Service Provider, other people, Animals or property.
This includes, but is not limited to:
• Biting or attempting to bite.
• Kicking or striking.
• Aggressive behaviour.
• Bolting or escaping.
• Attacking other animals.
• Severe anxiety or unpredictable behaviour.
• Dangerous guarding behaviour.
• Any previous incident involving injury or aggression.
The Service Provider reserves the right to refuse, modify or terminate services if an Animal presents an unreasonable safety risk.
Where possible, the Client will be contacted before services are terminated. However, where there is an immediate risk to safety, the Service Provider may cease handling or caring for the Animal immediately.
Any additional costs resulting from undisclosed behavioural issues, including additional visits, emergency arrangements or professional assistance, may be charged to the Client. 10. Liability
The Service Provider will provide services with reasonable care and skill.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited, including liability arising from death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any rights the Client has under applicable consumer law.
Subject to the above, the Service Provider will not be liable for:
• Illness, injury or death arising from a pre-existing, undisclosed or unforeseeable condition.
• Natural deterioration in an Animal's health.
• Behaviour or actions of an Animal that could not reasonably have been prevented.
• Loss or damage resulting from inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by the Client.
• Loss or damage caused by defective equipment, fencing, gates, locks, property systems or other items supplied by the Client.
• Loss or damage caused by circumstances outside the Service Provider's reasonable control.
• Indirect or consequential losses, to the extent permitted by law.
The Client remains responsible for any damage, injury or loss caused by their Animal to the Service Provider, another person, another animal or property, except where the loss was caused by the Service Provider's negligence or other liability that cannot legally be excluded.
The Service Provider strongly recommends that Clients maintain appropriate pet, equine, household and/or third-party liability insurance. 11. Cancellations
Cancellations must be made in writing.
Where a booking is cancelled 7 days or more before the scheduled start date, the Client will normally not be charged a cancellation fee, subject to any non-refundable costs already incurred specifically for the booking.
Where a booking is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled start date, a cancellation charge of up to 75% of the total booking price may apply.
Where a Client cancels after the Service Provider has commenced travelling to or providing the service, the Client remains responsible for full payment of booked services and any reasonable non-refundable costs incurred.
Where the Client returns home earlier than planned, unused booked time will not normally be refunded or transferred to another booking. 12. Deposits & Payment
For holiday cover and house sitting bookings, a 25% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure the booking.
The remaining balance must be paid 7 days before the start of the booking.
If payment is not received by the due date, the Service Provider may contact the Client to request payment and may suspend or cancel the booking if payment remains outstanding.
Any reasonable additional costs or charges agreed under these Terms will be payable by the Client.
Where a payment is overdue, the Service Provider reserves the right to decline future bookings until the outstanding balance has been paid. Any outstanding balance’s not paid within 30 days may result in small claims court proceedings being issued. 13. Changes to Bookings
Any changes to dates, duration, number of Animals or services required must be agreed with the Service Provider.
Changes may result in an adjustment to the booking price.
The Service Provider cannot guarantee availability for additional days or altered dates.
If an extension is requested during a booking, payment for the additional period must be agreed before the extension is confirmed where reasonably practicable. 14. Emergencies, Illness & Force Majeure
The Service Provider will make reasonable efforts to provide the agreed services.
However, circumstances outside the Service Provider's reasonable control may prevent or affect the provision of services. These may include severe weather, flooding, fire, transport disruption, power failure, illness, injury, government restrictions, emergencies, unsafe travel conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.
Where reasonably practicable, the Service Provider will contact the Client and/or emergency contact and attempt to arrange suitable alternative care.
The Service Provider cannot guarantee that alternative care will be available.
Where emergency circumstances require additional reasonable expenditure to protect the Animals or property, the Client will remain responsible for those costs. 15. Termination of Services
The Service Provider may terminate or suspend services immediately where:
• There is an immediate or unreasonable risk to safety.
• An Animal has undisclosed dangerous or aggressive behaviour.
• The Client has materially breached these Terms.
• Required payment has not been received.
• The premises are unsafe or unsuitable.
• The Client has provided materially inaccurate or misleading information.
• The Service Provider is subjected to threatening, abusive or inappropriate behaviour.
Where services are terminated, the Client remains responsible for payment for services already provided and any reasonable costs incurred.
Where reasonably possible, the Service Provider will contact the Client or emergency contact to arrange alternative care for the Animals. 16. Client Property & Personal Belongings
The Client should not leave valuable, irreplaceable or unnecessary personal belongings in areas accessed by the Service Provider.
The Service Provider is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings unless caused by the Service Provider's negligence or other liability that cannot legally be excluded. 17. Insurance
The Service Provider holds appropriate public liability insurance for the services provided.
Evidence of insurance can be provided upon reasonable request.
The Client remains responsible for maintaining any insurance appropriate to their Animals, property and circumstances. 18. Privacy & Data Protection
The Service Provider will collect and process personal information only as reasonably necessary to provide the agreed services, communicate with the Client, manage bookings and meet legal obligations.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
Keys, access codes, veterinary information and emergency contact details will be treated as confidential and used only for legitimate purposes connected with the services, except where disclosure is necessary to protect a person, Animal or property, or where legally required. 19. Complaints
Any concerns or complaints should be raised with the Service Provider as soon as reasonably possible so that an opportunity can be given to investigate and resolve the matter.
The Client should provide sufficient information about the issue, including relevant dates and details, to allow the Service Provider to investigate. 20. General
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as modified or removed only to the extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
A failure by the Service Provider to enforce a provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce that provision later.
These Terms, together with any specific written booking arrangements, constitute the agreement between the Client and the Service Provider regarding the services. 21. Governing Law
These Terms and any dispute arising from the provision of services are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory rights the Client may have under applicable consumer law.
By booking services with LW’S Equine and Pet Care, the Client confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
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