Pet Pals General Terms of Agreement
This signed document is an agreement with Pet Pals LLC for pet care services provided by Pet Pals LLC until revoked in writing. Pet Pals agrees to provide pet care services to Client in a reliable, trustworthy, and caring manner.

As Pet Pals' Client I understand, accept, and agree to the following.

1. I authorize Pet Pals to perform pet care services as outlined in Client Profile, Pet Profiles, and Policies and Procedures which shall become part of this contract.

2. I authorize Pet Pals to obtain any emergency veterinary care that may be necessary during the time spent with my pet. I accept responsibility for any charges related to this emergency care. I also authorize Pet Pals to utilize an alternative veterinarian in the event my primary veterinarian is unavailable. I understand reasonable effort will be made by Pet Pals to contact the owner prior to obtaining emergency care.

3. Pet Pals accepts no responsibility for security of the premises or loss if other individuals have access to the home during the term of this agreement. Pet care will be performed only by Pet Pals during all assignments unless prearranged with client (i.e., in the event of Pet Pals owner or employee being on vacation, etc.)

4. I agree to reimburse Pet Pals for any additional fees for providing emergency care, as well as any expenses incurred for unexpected visits, transportation, housing, food, or supplies.

5. Pet Pals agrees to provide the services you book and Pet Pals approves to complete in a reliable, caring, and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, the client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Pet Pals, its employees or assignees, except those arising from proven negligence of the pet sitter.

6. Pet Pals will not be liable for the injury, disappearance, death, or fines of any pet with unsupervised access to the outdoors.

7. Client will be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to the pet sitter or other persons by the pet. Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Pet Pals in the event of a claim by any person injured by the pet.

8. Pet Pals reserves the right to terminate this contract at any time, at its sole discretion; client may terminate this contract any time.

9. It is expressly understood that Pet Pals shall not be held responsible for any damage to client's property, or that of others, caused by client's pets during the period in which they are in its care. Client has advised Pet Pals of all situations, which will relieve it of liability for damage.

10. Fees are earned upon acceptance of pet sitting reservations and are due weekly. No refunds will be given for cancelled visits once time has been reserved. Clients must give a minimum of 24 hours notice to receive credit against future visits, which is given at the discretion of Pet Pals. A fee of $35 will apply to all returned checks. Client is responsible for all costs of collection.

11. I attest to the fact that all licenses and vaccinations required by the State South Dakota, the City in which I reside, and/or the County in which I reside are current according to the law.

12. I authorize this contract to be valid approval for future services so as to permit Pet Pals to accept my telephone reservations and enter my premises without additional signed contracts or written authorization.

I have completed and signed required veterinary release forms and my primary veterinarian will be notified with the accompanying letter and envelope provided.

I have read and agree to the aforementioned Policies and Procedures which are a part of this agreement.

I have been provided with a copy of Pet Pals General Terms of Agreement for my records.

Things to consider…
Pet Pals will use their best judgment in caring for your pets(s) and home. If we are servicing you at the time of inclement weather, Pet Pals will try to carry out your instructions to the best of our ability. The care we provide to our customer's pets and their safety is our first concern. The inclement weather plan will be as follows: Our walks are brief during extreme temperatures or weather. If road and walking conditions become dangerous we will do all we can to ensure your pet(s) get out for a potty break and then resume regular walking schedules once the severe weather has passed.

If your pet sitter encounters a pet or home emergency, then the following actions will be taken.

1. We will try to reach you at the contact number(s) you provide.

2. Then we will try to reach your emergency contact person on file.

3. Next we will decide on the appropriate action to be taken to protect and care for your pet and home.

4. Finally, if it is deemed a health emergency for the pet, we will contact your vet or an emergency clinic and transport your pet if needed.

Even Pet Pals and Pet Parents have emergencies. We guarantee that if we have vehicle problems while your service is in progress, then another professional Pet Pal will complete the service. We will also continue to take care of your pet kid(s) and home if you are delayed or unsure of your return date. A brief phone call is all it takes if an emergency happens requiring you to need pet care immediately and we have your key on file

If you would like us to gain access to your home using a key, we require two copies of the key that you provide. If we are to gain access to your home through a garage door code pad or other electronic system, we also require a copy of a house key. This is to ensure that we are able to access your home in the event of an emergency (lost key, broken key, non-functioning key, power failure). This will guarantee that we are able to provide safe and secure services to you.

If stray dogs that are off leash approach, we will do our best to keep interaction at a minimum and move away from them. We are responsible to your dog(s) and your dog(s) only, and will take every measure to protect them; including but not limited to force against other aggressive dog(s).

Please provide us with any changes regarding your pets' care and other pertinent information.

For both of our benefits, please notify your security company that a representative of Pet Pals will be on your premises during your scheduled absence.

Pet Pal Keli is the primary caretaker of your animals. Please have a backup pet sitter available should one be needed.

You have hired Pet Pals to be responsible for your pet(s). I will make basic decisions regarding your pet(s). However, I will contact you if something arises which I feel needs your attention.

Please inform me of any behavioral issues or personality traits of your pets. This might include but is not limited to: escape artists, diggers, chewers, wanderers, coprophagia (eating of feces), cats with hairball problems, horses that are forward.

It is important to let me know if you have an ill animal, or one that is susceptible to becoming ill. Remember, I see many animals in a day. I take measures to reduce the chances of carrying illnesses from one home to another, but you can see where it would be helpful to have that information.

If you have any concerned or caring (nosey) neighbors, please let them know I will be at your house during your absence. Meeting the sheriff's deputies first thing in the morning or after dark isn't fun for anyone.


Privacy and Asset Protection Policy
At Pet Pals your privacy and assets are a principal concern to us. In order to provide you with the best service possible, and protect you and your assets, we have certain requirements and policies that we have put into practice.

We do not divulge the identity of our clients to anyone outside of our business. In a further measure, if through outside means, people know you are a client of ours, they would never know the exact dates of services that we provide to you. Furthermore, if for some reason someone arrives at your house while we are contracted with you, we will inform them that we are performing services per your request, and that you are currently unavailable. Beyond that, we will answer no further questions, and will not be able to take any messages in this instance.

If anyone contacts us with an urgent need to contact you, regardless of relation to you, we will contact you on their behalf. We will not under ANY circumstances release information to them.

If we place advertising signs on the doors of our cars. While we are providing services to you, the signs are removed, prior to arriving at your residence, to prevent someone from deducing that you are not at home.

If we secure a key to gain access to your home, it is coded so that no one can match your key with your information. If you provide us with any codes (garage door, security system), the code is encrypted when it is printed on any of your information.

If at anytime we feel your privacy, or security of your assets is in jeopardy, we will take whatever measures necessary to protect you. If this is an issue that needs your input, we will immediately contact you at home, or your away destination.

This policy may be modified or changed in the future to adapt to changing business conditions. This is all done to ensure we provide you with exceptional service.


Key Retention
One of our goals at Pet Pals is to make your trips as convenient and seamless as possible. At the end of your first sit, if you are completely satisfied with the service we provide, then we can make your future trips easier and more expedient.

When Pet Pals takes possession of your keys, they are coded so that the keys cannot be matched to your personal information. During your sit, one key is in possession of the sitter Pet Pals and the other key is secured in a lockbox at our office. If we enter your house using an entry code, then the back-up key is maintained at our office.

With us implementing these precautions we are able to continually retain your keys for future sits. This will eliminate the need for us to pick up and drop off your keys after every visit. This will not only help you, but it will enable us to provide you with exceptional care. At any time, if you wish to start this service, or discontinue this service we will promptly follow your desires.

Please note, that our contract states: “We will not be responsible for any keys the client has asked us to be mailed.” This will also eliminate any need to mail your keys.

We hope this service will provide you with a benefit that will make taking trips that much easier.

If you want to take advantage of this service, please sign this document and return it with your payment and invoice.


Call Home Policy
The safety of your pets is our primary concern. We do everything in our abilities to ensure their safety. We believe that your pets need to be visited the number of times agreed upon during a day.

While we certainly anticipate that you will be arriving home on the date you provide to us, we understand that there will occasionally be circumstances beyond your control that will prevent you from returning on the indicated date. If this happens, please call us and we will absolutely extend past the predetermined visits to care for your pets.

We ask that you call us when you arrive home. We will also leave a small note card reminding you to call. This covers an unforeseen event in which you do not arrive home and cannot notify us of this situation.

IF PET PALS DOES NOT HEAR FROM YOU PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL DATE, WE WILL AUTOMATICALLY EXTEND YOUR VISITS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF YOUR PETS. IF WE ARRIVE AT YOUR HOME, AND YOU ARE EITHER AT HOME OR HAVE ARRANGED FOR OTHER CARE FOR YOUR PETS; WE WILL CHARGE YOU FOR AN EXTRA VISIT, AND ANY OTHER CHARGES THAT MIGHT APPLY.

I understand and fully agree with this policy, and will assume all liability from charges arising from this policy.


PET PALS 25 POINT CHECKLIST FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
You have probably never given much thought to just how much time and effort
you put into your pet's good health and happiness. We have!

When you are gone, many things have to be done on a daily basis
to make certain your pets are safe, secure, comfortable and happy.
We go through a 25 point checklist every time we visit with your pets.

- Sanitizing to reduce illness & disease
- Releasing your security system
- Bringing in the newspaper
- Bringing in the mail
- Giving each pet clean, fresh, water
- Giving each pet the proper amount of food
- Making sure each pet eats their food
- Checking on the welfare of shy or reclusive pets
- One-on-One attention
- Giving treats (if they are allowed)
- Cleaning up any “accidents” or messes that may occur
- Watering plants
- Having play time with each pet
- Cleaning the litter box
- Maintaining a comfort level in the home you set
- Checking all internal and external doors and windows
- Monitoring the condition of the home
- Ensuring the house fence perimeter is secure
- Changing the lighting arrangement
- Making sure pets are in their proper place
- Making notes for the owners
- Administering medication if needed
- Checking each pets condition
- Re-locking the house
- Restoring the security system

You do most of these things automatically when you are home.
Isn't it comforting to know that someone is going to go through a
Checklist each day and do them for you while you're away?


COVID-19
Pet Pals takes your health, your pet's health, and our health very seriously. As such, Pet Pals takes every reasonable precaution to ensure we are using the latest mitigation and prevention techniques in completing services. In addition, Pet Pals has successfully completed Pet Sitter International's COVID-19 Certification For Professional Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers.

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, all Clients must have a back-up care plan ready in case Pet Pals is unable to complete service on any particular day or for a period of time due to exposure, confirmed, or suspected COVID-19 illness.