Terms of Use
Terms and Conditions for Bestie Pet Sitting Services
These Terms and Conditions (“Agreement”) govern the use of pet sitting services provided by Bestie (“we,” “us,” or “our”) to individuals and entities (“Client,” “you,” or “your”) who engage with Bestie to care for their pets. By using our services, you agree to the following terms:
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1. Service Agreement
By engaging with Bestie’s pet sitting services, you consent to the terms outlined here. You acknowledge that this Agreement constitutes a binding agreement between you and Bestie.
Pet owners are required to disclose any known behavioral issues or health conditions their pets may have prior to booking services. This information is crucial for ensuring the safety of your pet, the pet sitter, and others. Failure to disclose such information may result in the termination of services or additional fees.
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Bestie and its pet sitters are not liable for any injury, illness, death, or other harm to your pet or any damage to your property that may occur during the course of our services, except in cases of willful misconduct by the pet sitter.
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2. Liability Release
You release Bestie and its pet sitters from any liability for injury, illness, death, loss, or damage sustained by your pet or your property during the provision of pet sitting services. You agree that Bestie shall not be liable for veterinary costs, medical treatments, or any expenses resulting from an incident involving your pet.
Bestie pet sitters will endeavor to care for your pet responsibly and attentively, but you acknowledge that unforeseen incidents, including but not limited to injuries, illnesses, or pet escape, may occur. By using Bestie services, you assume these risks.
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3. Insurance
You acknowledge and agree that Bestie and its sitters currently do not hold liability insurance, pet insurance, or other forms of insurance coverage related to pet sitting. You agree to assume full responsibility for any costs, damages, or liabilities that may arise during the provision of services.
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4. Veterinary Emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency involving your pet, we will attempt to contact you immediately. If we are unable to reach you, we may seek veterinary care for your pet at our discretion, but all associated costs will be your responsibility.
By agreeing to these terms, you authorize Bestie to make emergency decisions on behalf of your pet and agree to cover all costs related to such care.
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5. Payment and Cancellations
Payment for services must be made in full immediately upon the conclusion of the booking, unless otherwise specified. All payments should be sent to Bestie via Venmo at @lmichelson or through an alternative payment method agreed upon prior to the start of the booking.
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Cancellation Policy
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Walks, Drop-Ins, and Daycare Bookings: No cancellation fee will be applied for these services.
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Boarding and House Sitting Bookings: A cancellation fee of $75 will apply if the cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the scheduled start time.
The $75 cancellation fee is designed to compensate pet sitters directly for the loss of potential income and their time reserved for the booking.
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By confirming a booking, you agree to these payment and cancellation terms.
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6. Termination
Bestie reserves the right to terminate services at any time if we believe there is a risk to the safety or well-being of the pet sitter, your pet, or others. You will be responsible for any fees for services provided up to the time of termination.
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7. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold Bestie and its pet sitters harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses, expenses, liabilities, and costs (including attorney fees) arising out of or in connection with your use of our services or your breach of this Agreement.
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8. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which Bestie operates.
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9. Damages to Pet Sitters' Homes
You acknowledge and agree that Bestie is not responsible for any damage caused to the homes of pet sitters by your pet. The pet owner is solely responsible for any damage their pet causes to a pet sitter’s property, including but not limited to furniture, flooring, fixtures, or any other possessions.
Pet sitters should be aware that hosting pets in their homes carries the potential risk of damages. By agreeing to provide pet sitting services, pet sitters assume these risks and understand that Bestie will not be held liable for any damages caused by the pets they care for.
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10. Social Sharing and Media Consent
You acknowledge and agree that Bestie’s pet sitters may take photos or videos of your pet during bookings for documentation and communication purposes. By using our services, you grant Bestie permission to reuse these photos and videos on our social media accounts and promotional materials.
Bestie will ensure that no personal information, including but not limited to the owner’s name, address, or personal contact information, will be included or shared alongside these photos or videos.
If you have concerns or wish to opt out of having your pet’s photos or videos shared publicly, you must notify Bestie in writing before the start of the booking.
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11. Pet Abandonment and Re-homing
Pet owners who arrange for pet care services and fail to retrieve their pet after the service period identified in a booking agree that Bestie (or the pet sitter) may, in its sole discretion, place the pet in foster care, transfer care to animal control or other law enforcement authorities, or find alternative care for the pet. The pet owner agrees to reimburse Bestie and/or the pet sitter for all costs and expenses associated with such actions.
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Bestie expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove a pet from a pet sitter’s care if deemed necessary for the safety of the pet, the sitter, or any individuals in the sitter’s household. Prior to removing a pet, Bestie will make reasonable efforts during its normal business hours to contact the pet owner and/or the pet owner’s designated emergency contact to arrange alternative care.
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If Bestie cannot reach the pet owner or the emergency contact, Bestie will use its best judgment to secure alternative care for the pet until the owner retrieves their pet. By agreeing to these terms, pet owners authorize their pet’s veterinarian(s) to release the pet’s veterinary records to Bestie in connection with any relocation or re-homing of the pet.
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The pet owner is responsible for and agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by Bestie or the pet sitter in connection with such actions.
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By booking services with Bestie, you affirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.