The Canine Compassion GP Client Agreement is applicable to all services that Canine Compassion GP offers. A copy of this Agreement will be sent to you as part of the onboarding process to be signed.
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It is the client's sole responsibility to take the initiative to familiarize themselves with the Agreement.
1. Introduction
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The Canine Compassion GP Client Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into by and between Canine Compassion GP, an Alberta, Canada sole proprietorship, hereinafter referred to as the "Handler," and an individual hiring the Handler for mutually agreed upon services, hereinafter referred to as the "Client," for the Client's pet(s), hereinafter referred to as the "Animal(s)".
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In the case that the Animal(s) are cared for by more than one individual or are under co-ownership, the Client’s signature on this Agreement extends to all other parties with legal responsibility or authorisation of the Animal(s).
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Species of animals that Canine Compassion GP’s insurance policy covers the care of in the Client's home include dogs, cats, rodents, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, fish, and birds.
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This Agreement refers to all Animal(s) of the Client’s that they currently own or are caring for for another person and future Animal(s) that the Client obtains and requires to be included in the services provided by the Handler. The Client Agreement will not need to be re-signed by the Client if new Animal(s) are being included in services.
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A new Client Agreement will be sent to the Client by Canine Compassion GP to be signed in the event that the details within the Agreement change drastically.
2. Services Provided
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The Handler will follow all safety, training, and handling procedures with the Client’s Animal(s) that they deem are necessary while providing services to the Client, which includes but is not limited to the use of muzzles, crates, leashes, prong collars, e-collars, harnesses, LED gear, paw wax, paw covers, avoiding specific public areas, or cutting walks short.
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The Client understands that the Handler will not walk any Animal that is reactive to dogs, people, animals, vehicles, etc with the Client’s other Animal(s), if applicable. If the Handler deems that one of the Client's Animals are reactive and not only would benefit from being walked individually, but are negatively affected when not being walked individually, then the Client must pay for the Animal(s) to be walked separately.
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In the event that the Client books Overnight Care, has more than one Animal needing to be walked during the dates requested, and at least one of the Animals is reactive, the Client must choose which Animal will receive the complimentary 30 minute Neighbourhood Walk. The Client may pay for additional walks for the other Animal(s) in the household.
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The Client authorises the Handler to allow their Animal(s) off-leash in fenced or designated off-leash areas if the Handler deems that the Animal(s) have suitable recall abilities. The Handler may use tools which include but are not limited to the use of e-collars, GPS collars, high visibility or reflective gear, or dragging long lines to mitigate the risk of the Animal(s) running away, getting stolen, getting lost, or being harmed by a third-party while off-leash or not tethered to the Handler.
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The Client authorises the Handler to transport the Animal(s) in a vehicle for any reason that the Handler deems necessary, which includes but is not limited to going for walks outside of the Client’s neighbourhood, providing services which include vehicular travel, or being picked up by a third-party during an ongoing outing because the Handler is unable to finish the outing as is.
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The Client understands that their Animal(s) will be crated during vehicular transportation and only in emergency situations where crating is not possible will the Animal(s) be transported loosely within a vehicle.
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A Meet & Greet service is mandatory to be booked and completed by the Client, the Handler, and the Animal(s) binded within this signed Agreement prior to the first scheduled service. A Meet & Greet service may be waived if the Handler authorises that services may commence without having one prior to the first scheduled service starting. In the case of a Meet & Greet happening or not, the Client understands that it is their responsibility to disclose their Animal(s) known behaviour(s) in situations where they meet new humans in their own household, with and without the Client or any other familiar human(s) being present. The Client accepts all responsibility for their Animal(s) behaviour(s) and action(s) towards the Handler during a Meet & Greet, or in the case that a Meet & Greet is waived, during the Handler’s first entry into the Client’s household where the Animal(s) reside.
3. Schedule and Access
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The Handler and the Client shall agree upon a schedule for requested services. The Client agrees to provide necessary access to the premises where the Animal(s) are located, which includes but is not limited to leaving a spare key accessible, leaving a door unlocked, or sharing the door code.
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Necessary tools or information for accessing the premises are to be given to the Handler prior to their scheduled arrival. If the Handler cannot access the premises within 10 minutes of arrival, they may leave and the Client will be responsible for paying the appropriate cancellation fees.
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Clients who live in apartment buildings cannot rely on buzzing the Handler in and must have a key for the Handler to access the building.
4. Compensation
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In consideration for the requested services provided, the Client agrees to pay the Handler the fees outlined under the appropriate service section Services tabs on Canine Compassion GP's website ("www.caninecompassiongp.com/services") or whatever is discussed and mutually agreed upon by both the Handler and Client. Prices that are not in accordance with what is listed on Canine Compassion GP’s website will be proved in a form of writing, such as a text message or QuickBooks invoice sent from the Handler to the Client.
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Payment in the form of bank transfer, e-transfer, credit card, or cash is due upon the specified due date outlined on the invoice sent to the Client, unless an alternate due date is discussed and mutually agreed upon by the Handler and Client. ​
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All prices are subject to GST at an amount of 5% ("five percent"). Credit card and bank transfer payments are subject to an additional 3% ("three percent") processing fee on top of the invoice’s total (after GST).
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If the Client fails to pay the total amount of their open balance by the outlined due date within the invoice, they are subject to pay a late payment fee of 1% ("one percent") interest per day that it is overdue, including the day that the final payment is received.
5. Term and Termination
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This Agreement shall commence on a mutually agreed upon date by the Handler and Client and shall continue until terminated by either party.
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The Handler can terminate the working relationship with the Client without notice and will not be subject to paying a penalty, which includes but is not limited to a refund of prepaid services by the Client or a credit for unfulfilled services.
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The Client can terminate the working relationship with the Handler without notice but may be subject to paying the appropriate cancellation fees. The Client will not receive a refund for prepaid services or a credit for unfulfilled services if they terminate the working relationship with the Handler for any reason.
6. Cancellation Policies
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Drop-ins and Neighbourhood Walks:
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For first-time offences:
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With less than 24 hours notice before the start of the requested service (Drop-in and/or Neighbourhood Walk), the Client will be billed 25% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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If Drop-in and/or Neighbourhood Walking services are to be cancelled upon/after the Handler's arrival at the service location, the Client will be billed 50% of the total cost of the service*.
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For repeat offences (twice or more):
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With less than 24 hours notice before the start of a requested service (Drop-in and/or Neighbourhood Walk), the Client will be billed 50% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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If Drop-in and/or Neighbourhood Walking services are to be cancelled upon/after the Handler's arrival at the service location, the Client will be billed 100% of the total cost of the service*.
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A deposit on Drop-ins and/or Neighbourhood Walking services requested in the future may be required from the Client should they cancel without sufficient notice more than twice.
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Cancellation of Adventure Walks:
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For first time offences:
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With less than 48 hours notice before the start of a requested Adventure Walk, the Client will be billed 40% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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With less than 24 hours notice before the start of a requested Adventure Walk, the Client will be billed 70% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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For repeat offences (twice or more):
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With less than 48 hours notice before the start of a requested Adventure Walk, the Client will be billed 70% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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If an Adventure Walk service is to be cancelled within 24 hours, including upon/after the Handler's arrival at the service location, the Client will be billed 100% of the total cost of the service*.
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A deposit on Adventure Walk services requested in the future may be required from the Client should they cancel without sufficient notice more than twice.
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Cancellation of Overnight In-Home Care:
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For first time offences:
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With less than 7 days notice before the start of requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 25% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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With less than 4 days notice before the start of requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 50% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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With less than 48 hours notice before the start of the requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 80% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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For repeat offences (twice or more):
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With less than 7 days notice before the start of requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 50% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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With less than 4 days notice before the start of requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 75% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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With less than 48 hours notice before the start of requested Overnight Care, the Client will be billed 100% of the total cost of the service*. This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled.
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Applicable cancellation fees must be paid before the next date of a requested service, along with any outstanding balances from completed services. If no payment has been arranged by the time of 24 hours before starting the next scheduled service, that service will be automatically cancelled and subject to another cancellation fee. All future services that have been scheduled from that point on will be cancelled until all outstanding fees have been paid.
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Services that have been cancelled due to weather conditions or a mutually understanding reason are not subject to cancellation fees. If the Client is unsure if their cancelled service will incur applicable fees, they may ask Canine Compassion GP before their upcoming invoice is sent to them.
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*The total cost of the service includes all applicable add-on fees, such as holiday/stat fees, travel add-on fees, and additional pet fees.
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6. Pet Health and Emergency
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The Client is responsible for ensuring that the Animal(s) are in good health internally and externally, have an appropriate amount of food, water, or necessary medications, and are up-to-date on vaccinations or titers for rabies and DHPP (a canine vaccine that prevents distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and two types of adenovirus) during the time that the Animal(s) are in the care of the Handler. The Client is encouraged to have the Animal(s) up-to-date on flea & tick medication, as well.
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The Client agrees to provide Canine Compassion GP formal proof of their Animal(s) vaccinations or titers for rabies and DHPP (a canine vaccine that prevents distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and two types of adenovirus) prior to the first scheduled service. Updated documents are required upon Animal(s) most recent administration of vaccinations or titer tests.
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The Client gives full authorization to the Handler to restock the Animal(s)' food, water, or medication supplies with brands that are the same as what the Client usually buys or a similar alternative in the event that the quantity of any of these items will run out while the Animal(s) are in the Handler's care, with any related expenses to be reimbursed by the Client.
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The Client gives full authorization to the Handler to groom the Animal(s) themselves or take the Animal(s) to a professional groomer in the event that the Handler deems it to be necessary, with any related expenses to be reimbursed by the Client. Grooming that is necessary can be but is not limited to when the Animal(s) have nails that are long enough to touch the floor when they are in a stationary, standing position, have a matted coat, have a noticeably pungent smell coming from their body, have a double-coat that is saturated with liquid that requires grooming to prevent matting, or are covered in debris or a substance that requires grooming to restore the Animal(s) natural coat. In the event that the Handler is not capable of or skilled enough to groom the Animal(s) themselves, they will take the Animal(s) to a professional groomer of the Handler's choice.
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The Client gives full authorization to the Handler to seek veterinary care for the Animal(s) in the event of what the Handler deems an emergency, with any related expenses to be reimbursed by the Client. The Handler will take the Animal(s) to the veterinary clinic that the Client specifies is their regular one, as long as that clinic is open and equipped to handle the Animal(s) in the context of the emergency. If the regular veterinary clinic of the Animal(s) is not open, the Handler will bring them to whichever clinic they deem to be appropriate.
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The Client fully understands that Canine Compassion GP values allowing “dogs to be dogs” in a safe and appropriate way, meaning the Handler will not strictly disallow the Animal(s) from doing things that include but are not limited to sniffing their surroundings, entering puddles, creeks, or low current water bodies, dirt piles or muddy areas, snow banks, tall grass, or heavily treed areas. The Handler will assess any given situation for immediate risk, using rain coats, boots, winter jackets, etc to mitigate certain risks when it is deemed necessary, but is not responsible for things out of their control that include but are not limited to the Animal(s) developing “swimmer’s tail”, frostbite, getting bit by ticks or other insects, or sustaining injuries from branches, sticks, poisonous plants, holes, or cliffs.
7. Liability and Insurance
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The Handler agrees to exercise reasonable care and skill in providing advertised services. However, the Client acknowledges that the Handler is not liable for any injury or damage caused by the Animal(s) to third parties or property. The Client also understands that the Handler will enforce all necessary safety procedures while caring for the Animal(s) but is not liable for any illnesses, injuries, losses, or deaths of the Animal(s), which may be caused by third parties or property. The Client is encouraged to maintain appropriate pet and home insurance.
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The Client understands that it is their responsibility to have their Animal(s) properly licensed as per the instructions of the municipality that they reside within. The Client is solely responsible for having the proper licence tags/identification on the Animal(s)’ collar(s) or harness(es) while they are scheduled to be in the care of the Handler. Any tickets or fines that are distributed to the Handler by an authority in response to the Animal(s) not having proper licence tags/identification presentable will be the Client’s responsibility to pay for.
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The Handler is not liable for any damages done to Client’s house, which includes but is not limited to the house’s structure, furniture, or objects by Animal(s) or any third-party who is not associated with Canine Compassion GP.
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If the Handler sustains injuries from Animal(s), which includes but is not limited to nips, bites, scratches, being jumped on, or being tripped, the Client agrees to pay all resulting losses and damages suffered or incurred, and to defend and indemnify the Handler and their agents from any resulting claims, demands, lawsuits, losses, costs or expenses, including attorney fees.
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The Client is obligated to disclose Animal(s)’ full history of behaviours, dire medical information, incidents, and altercations, which includes but is not limited to previous bites on humans, previous bites on animals, or health problems that could increase risks while in the Handler's care. If the Client withholds any information that puts the Handler, Animal(s), or community at risk, the working relationship between the Handler and Client will immediately be terminated without subjecting the Client to a refund or credit.
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Neither the Client nor Canine Compassion GP shall be responsible for failure or delay in performing its duties under this Agreement if such failure or delay is due to tornados, thunderstorms, fire, floods, drought, riot, war, or other acts of nature.
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The Client understands that the removal of snow and lawn care are not services that Canine Compassion GP’s policy with PROfur Insurance covers and therefore cannot be expected of the Handler to provide. The Handler is only permitted under their insurance policy to clear a path in the snow to safely access the Client’s home. The Client assumes all responsibility for any incidents that occur on their property or surrounding area that they are legally responsible to have snow removal or lawn care maintained on.
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The Client understands that Canine Compassion GP is not permitted under their PROfur Insurance policy to train dogs to be working dogs. Working dogs include but are not limited to: therapy/service/guide dogs, detection dogs (ie. medical conditions, contraband, munitions, cadavers, bedbugs), search and rescue dogs, guard/attack/protection dogs, police dogs. Bite work and bite sports (ie. IGP/Schutzhund, Mondioring, French Ring) are also not permitted.
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8. Photo Release
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The Client permits the Handler and any third-parties associated with Canine Compassion GP’s services to take pictures and videos of Animal(s) while in their care, which can be uploaded to Canine Compassion GP and/or the third-parties’ social media accounts and website for advertising and entertainment purposes. The Client releases Canine Compassion GP from any and all liability which may arise from posting media publicly.
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9. Governing Law
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This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Alberta, Canada.