Legal

Terms of Service

Effective date: January 1, 2025

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the in-home dog boarding, dog sitting, dog training, and related pet-care services ("Services") offered by Personal Pet Care, a family-run pet care provider based in Aurora, Colorado. By requesting a consultation, booking a stay, signing our service agreement, or otherwise using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.

1. Services overview

Personal Pet Care provides cage-free, in-home dog boarding, overnight sitting, vacation pet sitting, extended-stay boarding, dog training, behavior-modification consultations, puppy training, and senior-dog care in the Metro Denver area, including Aurora, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Denver, Parker, Lone Tree, Englewood, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Foxfield. We operate out of a private home environment; we are not a veterinary clinic, commercial kennel, or animal hospital.

All services are provided by appointment only. We do not accept walk-ins or unscheduled drop-offs. We reserve the right to modify the scope of any service based on the individual needs, health, and behavior of your dog.

2. Eligibility & acceptance

You must be at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to make decisions for the dog(s) in your care. By booking with us, you represent and warrant that you are the owner of the dog or have written permission from the owner to arrange care, and that all information you provide about your dog's health, behavior, and vaccination history is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

3. Consultation & onboarding

Before any boarding stay or training engagement, we require a free in-person consultation (meet-and-greet). The consultation helps us assess your dog's temperament, confirm compatibility with our home environment, answer your questions, and review our policies. We reserve the right to decline service if we believe the fit is not safe or appropriate for your dog, our resident dogs, or our family.

During the consultation, you must provide proof of current vaccinations, emergency contact information, your preferred veterinarian, and any relevant medical or behavioral history.

4. Reservations, deposits & payment

Reservations are confirmed only after we receive a signed service agreement and, for qualifying stays, the required deposit. Stays that include a major holiday, a stay of 7 nights or longer, or any booking during peak periods (e.g., Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, New Year's week) require a non-refundable deposit to secure the dates.

Payment is due at drop-off unless otherwise agreed in writing. We accept cash, check, and electronic payment methods as communicated at booking. Late payments may incur a service fee of $25 per week past due. Returned checks will incur a $35 processing fee.

Rates are subject to change. Confirmed bookings are locked at the rate quoted at the time of confirmation. Extended stays, additional training sessions, or last-minute add-ons may incur additional charges, which will be disclosed and approved before service is rendered.

5. Cancellations, changes & refunds

We understand plans change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:

  • Standard stays (under 7 nights, non-holiday): Cancellations made more than 7 days before the scheduled drop-off receive a full refund of any deposit. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the deposit.
  • Holiday stays & 7+ night stays: Non-refundable deposit required at booking. The deposit may be applied to a future stay if rebooked within 90 days, subject to availability.
  • Early pickup: No refund or credit for days not used once a stay has begun, unless we have an active waitlist and can fill the remaining nights. In that case, a prorated credit may be issued at our discretion.
  • Training packages: Unused sessions expire 12 months from purchase. Refunds for unused sessions are available within 30 days of purchase, minus any sessions already completed.

Date changes are treated as cancellations if the originally reserved dates are released and cannot be backfilled. We recommend communicating changes as early as possible.

6. Vaccination, health & parasite requirements

For the safety of every dog in our care, all dogs must be current on the following vaccinations and provide written records from a licensed veterinarian or approved veterinary clinic:

  • Rabies
  • DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
  • Bordetella (kennel cough)
  • Negative fecal test or documented parasite-free status within 12 months (strongly recommended)

Dogs must be free of fleas, ticks, mites, and contagious illnesses at drop-off. If we observe signs of parasites or illness during a stay, we will isolate the dog, notify you immediately, and may require a veterinarian visit at your expense before the dog rejoins group activities.

Spaying and neutering are not required, but we reserve the right to decline intact dogs in heat or dogs exhibiting behavioral issues related to intact status, especially in group settings.

7. Behavior, temperament & safety

We maintain a calm, cage-free home environment. We accept well-socialized dogs that are comfortable in a home setting with other dogs and people. We reserve the right to decline or terminate service for any dog that displays unsafe behavior, including but not limited to unprovoked aggression toward people or other dogs, severe resource guarding, repeated escape attempts, or extreme anxiety that cannot be safely managed.

If a behavioral issue arises during a stay, we will contact you immediately. In cases where the dog poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, we may remove the dog from the group, place them in a secure area, or arrange for emergency pickup or transfer. Owners are responsible for any costs associated with behavioral incidents, including veterinary care or property damage.

We do not use punitive training tools or methods (no prong collars, choke chains, shock collars, or physical correction). We expect owners to disclose any known behavioral concerns during the consultation.

8. Medical care & emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency or any condition we believe requires veterinary attention, we will first attempt to contact you and your designated emergency contact. If we cannot reach you promptly, or if the situation is urgent, you authorize Personal Pet Care to transport your dog to the nearest appropriate veterinary facility or your preferred veterinarian, at your sole expense.

We will administer oral medications, topical treatments, or supplements you provide in their original containers with clear written instructions. We do not administer injections unless pre-arranged with a licensed veterinary professional. We are not responsible for adverse reactions to medications, supplements, or treatments you have authorized.

9. Food, treats, supplies & belongings

We strongly recommend bringing your dog's regular food in a sealed, labeled container with enough supply for the stay plus one extra day. Sudden changes in diet can cause digestive upset. We provide treats, chews, and bedding, but you may bring your own if you prefer. All personal items should be clearly labeled with your dog's name.

Personal Pet Care is not liable for loss, damage, or destruction of personal items such as toys, leashes, collars, beds, bowls, or clothing. We recommend leaving only items you are comfortable replacing. We will make reasonable efforts to return any items you bring.

10. Drop-off, pickup & late fees

Drop-off and pickup are by scheduled appointment. Please arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled time. Late arrivals may require rescheduling, particularly if they conflict with another appointment or our family's schedule. If you are running late, call or text us as soon as possible.

Dogs not picked up by the agreed pickup date and time may incur an additional day charge. If we are unable to reach you within 24 hours of the scheduled pickup time, we will consider the dog abandoned and will contact local animal control or authorities in accordance with Colorado law. Abandonment fees, including extended care costs, will remain your responsibility.

11. Liability & insurance limitations

Personal Pet Care agrees to provide care with reasonable diligence, professionalism, and compassion. However, by using our Services, you acknowledge that dogs are living animals with individual behaviors and health risks, and no environment can be completely risk-free. We are not liable for:

  • Illness, injury, or death arising from pre-existing conditions, age-related decline, or conditions unknown to us at the time of booking.
  • Loss or damage caused by your dog's behavior, including damage to property, injury to other dogs, or injury to people.
  • Incidents caused by inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the owner.
  • Loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings left with your dog.
  • Natural disasters, acts of God, government orders, or other events outside our reasonable control.

Our total liability to you for any claim related to our Services, regardless of legal theory, will not exceed the total amount you paid for the specific booking giving rise to the claim. This limitation does not apply to claims for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or injury caused by our fraud.

12. Owner responsibilities

You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information about your dog's health, behavior, diet, medications, and emergency contacts.
  • Ensure all vaccinations are current and provide documentation before or at the consultation.
  • Disclose any history of aggression, biting, resource guarding, separation anxiety, destructive behavior, or escape attempts.
  • Provide adequate food, medications, and any special supplies needed for the stay.
  • Pick up your dog at the scheduled time and promptly respond to communications during the stay.
  • Inform us of any changes to your contact information or emergency contacts.

Failure to disclose material information may result in termination of service and forfeiture of fees.

13. Training disclaimer

Dog training results vary based on the individual dog, the consistency of follow-through at home, and the nature of the behavior being addressed. We provide guidance, coaching, and structured sessions, but we cannot guarantee specific behavioral outcomes. Your active participation and consistency between sessions are essential for success. We may recommend a referral to a veterinary behaviorist for severe fear, aggression, or compulsive behaviors.

14. Photo, video & communication updates

We send regular photo and text updates during your dog's stay unless you request otherwise. By using our Services, you grant Personal Pet Care a limited, non-exclusive license to photograph or video your dog for update purposes and, with your separate consent, for marketing, website, or social-media use. You may opt out of marketing use at any time by emailing us.

15. Termination & refusal of service

We reserve the right to refuse service, terminate an ongoing stay, or cancel a future booking at any time if we believe the dog's health, behavior, or needs are not compatible with our environment, or if these Terms are violated. In such cases, fees may be prorated or forfeited based on the circumstances, and any remaining balance will be due immediately.

16. Privacy

Your privacy matters to us. We collect only the information necessary to care for your dog and communicate with you. We do not sell your personal information. For more details, please review our Privacy Policy.

17. Governing law & dispute resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or our Services will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, it will be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

18. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The most current version will be posted on our website with the effective date noted at the top. Continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

19. Contact us

If you have questions about these Terms or any of our policies, please contact us:

Thank you for trusting Personal Pet Care with your family member. We look forward to caring for your dog.