BY ACCEPTING SERVICES YOU ARE AGREEING TO THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN THIS DOCUMENT
What is this waiver for?
-This waiver is for clients who are not on a consistent grooming schedule (every 4 to 10 weeks), who only have grooming services completed for their pets quarterly or less, or whose pets have significant and/or chronic skin issues (such as open sores, hotspots, yeasty skin, flaky skin, skin prone to allergies, etc.). We understand that clients may not be capable at maintaining a regular grooming schedule due to various reasons (work, financial, health, etc.), or are doing the best they possibly can to treat skin/health issues that are apparent during appointments. An inconsistent grooming schedule can cause or aggravate skin/health issues and it is important that our clients be aware of this. This waiver simply acknowledges that an inconsistent grooming schedule or pets with skin/health issues take extra time to care for during their appointments and reminds our clients that we are NOT veterinarians or medically licensed to diagnose issues and we work with any skin/health issues to the best of our ability.
How much longer does the appointment take for pets who fall under this category?
-We do not promise any specific amount of extra time an appointment may take in order to care for pets on an inconsistent grooming schedule or who have skin/health issues. We may have to use a specially medicated shampoo which requires to sit on the pets skin for 10-15 minutes, we may have to do multiple baths in the same appointment, or other circumstances (such as dry seizures or clean up time related to removing yeasty/flaky dander from our environment or equipment) can add an unspecified amount of time during appointments. We will charge for the extra time based on our normal hourly rate.
What else should I know?
-Please be aware that we cannot predict, prevent, or promise against any sort of dermalogical reaction to our products use. While we utilize the highest standard of cleaning, even with our medicated shampoos it is possible for pets who already have sensitive skin or who are currently experiencing health/skin issues to have a negative reaction to the products we use. We will handle these issues on a case by case basis but do not guarantee covering for vet costs or refunding of services. Pets can have reactions to anything, even hypoallergenic, medicated, or sensitive products, and these reactions can develop or happen at any time (even if the pet has been exposed to the same product for years). Rest assured that our priority is the safety and comfort of the pets we are working on and you will be notified of any issues as they arise.
Rights to stop service at any time / Payment
-We reserve the right to stop services for any reason at any time, especially when undisclosed skin/health issues are uncovered during appointments. We are not liable for issues related to open sores or wounds, such as (but not limited to) reopening of wounds, active drainage, or infections that are present before OR after an appointment with us. Our products are not designed to cure pets of any issues. If we deem it the safest and most humane choice, we will stop all services, regardless of where we are in the process, and return the pet as is. This may mean we return a pet wet because we had to stop services in the middle of a bath, or we may return a pet that is partially shaved, or other circumstances that in which services were not completed. Clients are still responsible for paying for the amount of time worked on the pet based on our normal hourly rate as well as any fees, to include but not limited, travel fees. If the issue is treated within a reasonable time frame and we are able to return and complete services within a short period (7 days), a credit for the time charged for the previous appointment will be applied to the second appointment. Travel fees and other fees are excluded from being credited and will be required to be paid for at every appointment.
Cases of Neglect/Abuse
-We are legally required to report any instances of suspected animal abuse/neglect. This does NOT apply for those who are financially unable to have their pets treated or have extraordinary circumstances as to why a pet may appear neglected but the pet owners are actively working on making the pet comfortable and/or seeking treatment for health/skin issues. We will, however, document and report to Animal Care Services any instances in which a client is actively and/or purposely ignoring/neglecting treatment of wounds/health issues that put the pets life at risk of severe infection or death based on multiple visits and witnessed treatment of pets from owners. These are extreme cases and do not happen often, but if our employees notice and document a pattern of neglect/abuse, please be advised it will be reported as required by law.