Terms and Conditions
Owned and operated by Derek Chambers (trading as Finchley Dog Walker, also known as Del)
Table of contents
1. General Terms
1.1 These Terms and Conditions form the agreement between Finchley Dog Walker (“we”, “us”, “our”) and the client (“you”, “your”). By booking any of our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
1.2 All bookings must be confirmed in writing (email, WhatsApp, or text).
1.3 You are responsible for providing all necessary equipment, food, medication, and any other essentials required for your pet’s care.
1.4 We reserve the right to update or amend these Terms at any time. The most recent version will always be available on our website.
1.5 Payment terms will be agreed at the time of booking. Services must be paid for in advance or as otherwise agreed in writing. Deposits for house sitting are non-refundable.
1.6 Cancellations:
- Dog walks and single visits: at least 48 hours’ notice, otherwise the full fee may be charged.
- Pet sitting/house sitting: cancellation less than 7 days before start may result in 50% of the booking fee being charged.
- No refunds are issued for early returns.
1.7 Bank Holidays and certain peak periods may incur an additional charge.
1.8 We will always act with care and professionalism, but we cannot be held liable for damage or loss that is beyond our reasonable control, including accidents, force majeure events, or third-party actions.
1.9 In the event of an emergency, we will contact you (or your nominated emergency contact) immediately. If veterinary treatment is required, we will take your pet to your registered vet wherever possible. If unavailable, we may use another local veterinary practice. You agree to cover all veterinary costs incurred.
1.10 For the welfare of your pet, we do not use or allow the use of aversive equipment such as choke chains, prong collars, or electronic/shock collars. Only soft flat collars or, preferably, harnesses are acceptable for walks and handling.
1.11 Illness and Contagious Diseases: If your pet shows signs of illness or has a contagious condition (such as kennel cough, parvovirus, or similar), you must inform us immediately. We reserve the right to refuse or suspend services if we believe there is a risk to your pet, other pets, or ourselves.
1.12 Enrichment: Where a walk, visit, or sit is shortened due to illness, extreme weather, or other welfare concerns, we will provide suitable alternatives such as toilet breaks, sniffy walks, snuffle mats, treat puzzles, or other enrichment games to ensure your pet is still mentally stimulated and cared for.
1.13 We may take photos of your pets during services for updates and promotional use (such as social media). If you do not wish your pet to be photographed, please inform us in writing. See our photo policy
2. Solo Dog Walking
2.1 All walks are provided on a one-to-one basis unless otherwise agreed in writing.
2.2 Dogs must be microchipped, wear a collar with ID tag, and have up-to-date vaccinations, flea, and worming treatments. Proof may be requested.
2.3 We will walk your dog on a lead unless otherwise agreed and authorised in writing. Off-lead walking requires a signed consent form and only takes place in safe, designated areas.
2.4 Walks are subject to our Extreme Weather Policy. If conditions are unsafe (e.g. extreme heat, icy pavements, thunderstorms, heavy snow), we may shorten, rearrange, or adapt the walk for the welfare of your dog. Comfort breaks and enrichment activities will always be offered in place of a full walk. See our full policy: Extreme Weather Policy.
2.5 Equipment: For the safety and well-being of your dog, only flat collars and harnesses will be used. We do not walk dogs on choke chains, prong collars, slip leads used as aversive tools, or any type of shock/electronic collar. Clients must provide appropriate, well-fitting equipment. We are not liable if equipment supplied by the client is faulty.
2.6 Dogs must be fit and healthy enough for walks. We will not walk unwell dogs, recovering from surgery, or showing signs of a contagious disease. Bitches in season may not be walked unless specifically agreed.
2.7 Aggressive or dangerously out-of-control dogs will not be walked. We reserve the right to terminate services if a dog’s behaviour poses a risk.
2.8 If a walk is shortened or adapted for welfare reasons, enrichment games and comfort breaks will be provided to ensure your dog still receives meaningful care.
2.9 Whilst every effort is made to maintain agreed schedules, timings may vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and other factors.
3. Pet Sitting (Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Small Animals)
3.1 Pet sitting visits are carried out at your home at agreed times. We will feed, water, clean, and provide enrichment as discussed at booking.
3.1a All cats and dogs in our care must be microchipped as required by UK law. Dogs must also wear a collar with a visible ID tag showing the owner’s name, house number, postcode, and contact telephone number.
3.2 We cannot be held liable for damage caused by your pets while in your home.
3.3 Medication will be administered only as instructed and recorded in writing by you. We cannot accept responsibility for adverse reactions.
3.4 All visits include basic household security checks (lights, post collection, bins), unless you request otherwise.
3.5 Plant Care: We are happy to water household plants as a courtesy during visits. Please note that we are pet care professionals, not horticultural experts, and this service is secondary to the care of your animals.
Clients should notify us in advance of any valuable, rare, or delicate plants. We reserve the right to decline watering plants considered high-risk or requiring specialist knowledge.
This service extends only to simple watering of houseplants. We do not undertake gardening, plant maintenance, or the care of rare or specialist plants.
Plants must be placed in suitable containers with saucers to prevent water damage.
We will exercise reasonable care when watering, but cannot guarantee plant survival and accept no responsibility for plant death, over- or under-watering, or any other outcome beyond our reasonable control.
We cannot accept liability for water damage caused by spills, leaks, or unsuitable placement of containers, even where reasonable precautions are taken.
3.6 Pets must be in good health at the time of care. If your pet shows signs of illness or is diagnosed with a contagious condition, we may suspend services until it is safe to continue.
3.7 Enrichment will be included during visits where appropriate. This may include play, training games, snuffle mats, or puzzle feeders to ensure your pet receives both mental and physical stimulation.
3.8 We are not liable for third-party access to your property (such as cleaners, relatives, or tradespeople) while services are being provided.
See our plant care disclaimer
4. House Sitting
4.1 House sitting means that we stay in your home to care for your pets and provide basic security for your property.
4.2 We will respect your home and treat it with care. However, we cannot be held responsible for wear and tear, faults, or breakdowns of household equipment or utilities.
4.3 Reasonable use of heating, lighting, and household amenities will be required during the stay.
4.4 Plant Care: As above, plants are watered at your own risk. They must be in suitable pots with saucers. We cannot accept responsibility for any water damage.
4.5 We do not accept liability for any burglary, theft, or damage unless it is proven to be the direct result of negligence on our part.
4.6 House sitting does not include professional cleaning. Homes are left in a tidy condition, but deep cleaning is the client’s responsibility.
4.7 Unless otherwise agreed, we may leave the house for up to 4 hours per day to attend to other work or personal commitments.
4.8 We are not liable for third-party access to your property (such as relatives, tradespeople, or cleaners) during the sit unless agreed in advance.
5. Keys and Home Security
5.1 Keys will be kept securely, without identifying information attached.
5.2 Keys will be returned promptly at the end of the booking. If a key is lost, liability is limited to the cost of replacing the key itself, not for locksmith services or changing locks.
5.3 Alarm codes and security instructions must be clearly provided. We are not responsible for fines or call-out charges caused by incorrect alarm details.
6. Insurance and Liability
6.1 Finchley Dog Walker holds public liability, key loss, and pet care insurance through Protectivity.
6.2 You are responsible for ensuring that your own home and pet insurance policies cover pet sitting, dog walking, or house sitting services.
6.3 We do not accept liability for costs arising from damage or injury caused by your pet to third parties, property, or animals. This remains your responsibility as the pet owner.
6.4 You agree to indemnify Finchley Dog Walker against claims, damages, or costs arising from your pet’s behaviour.
7. Confidentiality
7.1 All personal information provided to us will be kept strictly confidential and stored securely.
7.2 Keys will be held securely and never tagged with your address.
7.3 We will not share your personal details with third parties without your consent, unless required by law.
8. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.