Client Policies and Agreement

🐾 Tide Pool Pet Services Client Agreement

By completing registration, you acknowledge and agree to the policies and terms below. Tide Pool Pet Services, Inc. is a Massachusetts S Corporation (“Tide Pool”). This agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

1. General Policies & Liability Release

Thank you for choosing Tide Pool. We take extraordinary care to ensure every pet is safe, healthy, and happy. While every precaution is taken, pet care involves inherent risks. By engaging our services, you understand and accept that injuries, illness, or property damage may occur despite reasonable precautions. You release Tide Pool Pet Services, Inc., its employees, agents, and contractors from any and all liability arising from unforeseeable events, illness, injury, or property damage, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

2. Veterinary Care & Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, Tide Pool will seek prompt veterinary care. Clients are responsible for all veterinary costs incurred. A $35/hour fee applies for sitter time and travel to and from a veterinary clinic. A veterinary professional (including Delaney Barlow, CVT) will communicate with you about treatment and follow-up. By signing, you authorize Tide Pool to obtain medical treatment for your pet in your absence.

3. Service Hours

24-Hour Pet Care (in-home): Begins at the sitter’s first check-in and ends 24 hours later. Time beyond that window will incur an extension fee for in-home pet care.

Boarding: Billed on a 24-hour cycle. If a pet stays beyond the scheduled pickup time, the additional time will be billed as a Day Camp session for that day.

4. Adding Non-Household Pets

Adding pets that do not reside in the household introduces new dynamics.

• $50 per night fee for each additional non-household pet.
• Additions made within 14 days of a booking may incur a $100 late-addition fee.

Tide Pool may cancel or adjust bookings if new pets are added without prior notice.

5. Cancellation Policy

Boarding & In-Home Pet Sitting: A 14-day cancellation policy applies. Cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice are charged in full for the sitter’s/facility’s reserved time.

All other services (including Day Camp, Training, and Private Walks): Cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full and are not eligible for rescheduling.

6. Payment Terms

Boarding & In-Home Pet Sitting: Payment is due two weeks prior to the start of the stay.

All other services: Payment is due before the service is performed.

Payments after the above deadlines are non-refundable and non-transferable; non-payment may result in cancellation. Unpaid balances are subject to recovery costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, under Massachusetts law (e.g., M.G.L. c. 93).

7. Property Access & Emergencies

You authorize Tide Pool to access your property for scheduled care. If urgent hazards arise (e.g., flooding, fire, break-in) and you cannot be reached, Tide Pool may act to protect the pets and property. You agree to reimburse related costs and hold Tide Pool harmless for reasonable emergency actions.

8. Boarding / Sleep-Away Camp

Boarded pets may interact with other animals. Required vaccinations: Rabies, DHPP (or DA2PPC), and Bordetella. Lyme and Leptospirosis are strongly recommended. While precautions are taken, exposure to communicable disease is possible; no refunds are issued if a pet contracts an illness despite standard precautions.

9. Day Camp & Outdoor Activities

Dogs may encounter natural elements (uneven terrain, ticks, insects, sticks). All dogs must remain on current flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and owners should check for ticks after each camp session.

10. Training Programs

Training outcomes depend on owner engagement and consistency; no guarantees are made regarding behavioral outcomes. Owners must disclose relevant medical/behavioral history. By enrolling, you agree to release and hold harmless Tide Pool and its trainers from liability arising out of training participation, transportation, or social exposure, as permitted under Massachusetts law (see, e.g., M.G.L. c. 231, § 85).

11. Camera & Privacy Policy

No recording devices may capture video or audio in bathrooms, shower areas, or designated sitter sleeping areas. Indoor audio recording while sitters are present is prohibited.

12. Client Responsibility & Pet Behavior

You are responsible for damage or injury caused by your pet(s). If a pet injures a Tide Pool employee/contractor, you agree to pay related medical costs and lost wages not covered by workers’ compensation. Tide Pool maintains liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

13. Governing Law; Venue

This agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Any dispute shall be brought in the courts of Essex County, Massachusetts.

14. Agreement Termination

Tide Pool may terminate service at any time if a pet poses a safety risk to itself, staff, or others. You agree to indemnify and hold Tide Pool harmless for costs, claims, or damages arising from breach of this agreement or the actions of your pet(s).

By submitting your registration, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to these terms. Your digital submission serves as your signature of consent.