Policies / Terms & Conditions

For the purposes of this document, the terms Client, Owner, Pet Owner, and Customer are synonymous with the person contracting services for one or more domestic animals.

1. Deposit in full is due at time of reservation. Reservations are not held until payment in full is received by Chicago PetPal or special arrangements are agreed upon by both parties in writing. Reservations for not yet cleared PayPal payments will be honored.
2. There will be a $20 service charge for each returned check.
3. Unpaid service may be cancelled without notice, including prior to with the exception of during the service period.
4. Chicago PetPal reserves the right to charge any credit card that is stored on file for the entire overdue balance on the Owner's account if the payment is overdue for a period of more than 7 days.
5. Chicago PetPal reserves the right to charge a late fee if an invoice is overdue for a period of more than 7 days.
6. Chicago PetPal reserves the right to retain any and all keys, garage door openers, codes, etc that are in our possession until all outstanding balances are paid in full.
7. Any visits and/or walks may be shortened due to weather conditions or any other circumstances as deemed appropriate at the discretion of the Pet Sitter.
8. Chicago PetPal is not responsible for wilted, dead, or otherwise unhealthy plants. Chicago PetPal will work hard to follow your written directions as precisely as possible, but cannot be responsible if the results are not favorable. Please place all indoor plants together on a waterproof surface in plain sight, as your pet sitter is not responsible for water damaged areas or missed plants.
9. Chicago PetPal is not responsible for damage to the home beyond the control of the Pet Sitter. This includes, but is not limited to leaks, electrical problems, and acts of nature. In these situations, the company will attempt to contact the customer and then the emergency contact before making a subjective decision on dealing with the problem. All repairs and related fees (including Special Service emergency service time and coordination fees) will be paid by the client, or fully reimbursed to Chicago PetPal within 14 days.
10. Chicago PetPal is not responsible for any damage to property of the client or others unless such damage is caused by the negligent act of the Pet Sitter. Chicago PetPal agrees to remain insured through a pet sitting liability insurance entity during each service period. Chicago PetPal accepts no responsibility for loss to the premises if other individuals have access to a client’s home, or if the home is not properly secured.
11. At the time that service is booked, Owner will notify pet sitter of everyone who has been granted access to the home during the service period.
12. Chicago PetPal is not liable for any loss or damage in the event a burglary or other crime that should occur while under this contract. Pet Owner agrees to secure home prior to leaving the premises. Chicago PetPal will attempt to re-secure the home to client instructions at the end of each visit. While keys are in the possession of a Pet Sitter, they will be either on the Sitter’s physical person, or be properly secured.
13. Pet Owner must have legal rights to place the animals in the care of Pet Sitters, Kennels, and Veterinary Clinics. The Pet Sitter cannot service a home with “Visiting” pets or animals that do not belong to the resident of the service site without separate sets of agreement forms, including a Legal Considerations Agreement, accepted and signed by each rightful owner(s).
14. The terms of this document apply to all the pets owned by the client, including any and all new pets that the customer obtains on or after the date this document was signed, at any and all locations the owner designates for service.
15. Pet Owner is responsible for pet-proofing house and yard as well as any security fences/gates/latches. Chicago PetPal will not be responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of any pets and will also not be liable for the death, injury, disappearance, or legal consequences of any pet that escapes the home or the care of the Pet Sitter as well as any pet with unsupervised access to the outdoors. Chicago PetPal will not be responsible for anything that any pet may get ahold of and/or ingest that may cause them injury, illness, death, or may elicit an allergic reaction either while within the home or while outside of the home. Chicago PetPal will not responsible for any injury, illness, death, or the medical expenses of a pet which is the result of any domesticated or wild animal attack or the result of any ticks, fleas, parasites, insects, etc either while within the home or while outside of the home.
16. Chicago PetPal is authorized to seek any emergency veterinarian assistance needed during visits, at the cost of the client, from any veterinarian as chosen by the sitter. However, the company is not responsible for the health/well-being of the animal.
17. Pet Owner is responsible for supplying the necessary, safe equipment/supplies needed for care of their pet(s), including but not limited to a sturdy, well-fit harness (halter, collar, etc…) for walks or in case of emergencies, firmly affixed vaccination tags, a lead rope or leash, pooper-scoopers, litter boxes, food, cleaning supplies, medicines, pet food, and cat litter. Pet Owner authorizes any purchases necessary for the satisfactory performance of duties. Pet Owner agrees to be responsible for the payment of such items, as well as service fees for obtaining items, and will reimburse Chicago PetPal within 14 days for all purchases made.
18. Pet Owner will be responsible for all medical expenses and damages resulting from an injury to a Pet Sitter, or other persons, by the Pet. Customer agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Chicago PetPal, in the event of a claim by any person injured by the Pet.
19. It is suggested that arrangements be made with someone to evacuate your pets in case of a disaster or weather related event/crisis/“Code Red”. Chicago PetPal will definitely try to see to your pets’ safety/care should such events occur, but cannot guarantee it.
20. This contract permits Chicago PetPal to accept all future telephone, sms/text message, online, mail, or email reservations and provide service without additional signed legal considerations agreements.
21. Chicago PetPal may use their discretion to stop and end service at any time that a pet poses a danger to the safety or health of itself, other pets, other people, or the Pet Sitter. If concerns prevent the Pet Sitter from continuing service for a pet, the Owner authorizes the pet to be placed in a kennel, or previously arranged locale if possible. All subsequent charges, including but not limited to transportation, kenneling, tranquilizing, treating, accessing, and liability, are to be the responsibility of the Owner.
22. Chicago PetPal agrees to provide agreed upon services in a manner that is trustworthy, caring, and dependable. In consideration of the services as an express condition thereof, the client expressly relinquishes any and all claims against the company and its employees, except those arising from negligence. Claims of negligence that involve a hired Independent Contractor, hired by Chicago PetPal, will be the responsibility of the Independent Contractor and the company they represent. All hired Independent Contractors are required to carry liability insurance with optional coverage or bonding through a reputable company.
23. Client agrees to discuss any concerns with Chicago PetPal within 24 hours of return after service.
24. This agreement is valid from the date signed, and replaces any prior Legal Considerations agreements. Client agrees to any future Chicago PetPal terms and policy changes relayed verbally to the client, text messaged, mailed, or emailed in writing to the client, or posted on our website under the heading “Policies” as well as in the Client Portal.
25. This contract may be terminated by either party at any time as long as all scheduled services have been either completed or cancelled.

By scheduling any service with us, the Owner states that he/she has read this agreement in its entirety and fully understands and accepts its terms and conditions.