The following terms and conditions apply to clients of Love Bugs effective July 2012. By using Love Bugs services client agrees to all such terms and conditions. Love Bugs reserves the right to change its terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. Client is responsible for regularly reviewing these terms and conditions.

Payment Updated Oct 2015
Payment for service is to be made prior to or on the first day of service. Payment can be made by debit card or credit card through our secure online payment system. Tips can be added during online payment or at anytime using our online payment system. Love Bugs pet sitters and staff cannot accept cash or checks during service. If you are having problems and would like to request making a payment by cash or check please contact Love Bugs directly. Love Bugs provides service to clients 365 days a year. Our office is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Love Bugs may not be available on holidays for new calls or new client consults as our focus will be on catering to our clients’ pets.

Surcharges
A late fee of $10.00 will be applied daily to all payments not received within 5 days of the completion of service. Finance charges are 1% monthly on the overdue balance. There will be a $30.00 charge for each returned check in addition to bank fees. A last-minute surcharge of $25.00 will apply for service requests of less than 3 days prior to the beginning of service. In the event the account is turned over to collections Client is responsible for all collection fees and attorney´s fees. Love Bugs reserves the right to invoice and bill, at $15.00 per half hour or any portion thereof, for additional time spent over a 30-minute visit that is necessary for the care of the client’s pets and home. This includes, but is not limited to, service and time for the following: all veterinary trips; pet illness; excessive clean-up resulting from pet incontinence, accidents or frequent vomiting; complications administering medications; obtaining pet food, medication or supplies; wait time for emergency home repair or locksmith services; search for pet that has escaped confinement or leash. Client will be responsible for all expenses incurred and reimburse Love Bugs upon return.

Cancellation
A cancellation fee in the amount equal to one (1) visit but no more than $35.00 will be charged for last-minute service order cancellations with less than 24 hours notice. After cancellation fees have been applied, any remaining balance will be applied towards future pet sitting services within 90 days. No refunds will be given.

Emergency Vet Care
In the event that a pet becomes ill or has other medical emergency and the specified vet is unavailable, pet will be taken to the nearest emergency clinic which may include Cobb and Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinics or other clinic specified by the client. All reasonable attempts will be made to contact client in case of emergency and if client is unreachable, Love Bugs and its representatives have permission to authorize any care that the vet deems necessary for the pet’s health, safety, and survival. Client will reimburse Love Bugs immediately upon return for all fees and costs relating to veterinarian care during their absence, which may include x-rays, blood work, surgery and/or other expensive procedures as well as an Emergency Medical Transport fee of $50.00 per hour. For the safety of the pet and others, it is recommended that pets be up to date on vaccinations. Should anyone be bitten or otherwise exposed to any disease or ailment received from client’s pet, it will be the client’s responsibility to pay all costs and damages incurred by the victim.

Keys
Keys are required at the time of the initial consultation. For gated communities, a gate card or code access is also required. Some clients also provide a garage opener or code. One set of keys will be used by the primary pet sitter. Backup keys will be kept in case a backup sitter is needed. For security purposes, keys are securely stored and locked when not in use for services. Key labels will NOT contain any last name or address.

Most Love Bugs clients are repeat customers and typically leave keys on file with Love Bugs for future services. If keys are returned to the client, there will be a charge of $10.00 on future services. If client requests a key be left outside house or apartment, client is responsible for any incident that may occur if key is found and home is entered by someone unauthorized. Once keys are on file, clients can request Love Bugs to make a copy at client’s expense.

If keys become unusable, lock malfunctions, client fails to leave a key or for any other reason beyond the control of Love Bugs, then Love Bugs and its representatives have authorization to employ the services of a locksmith to gain entry into a client’s home on client’s behalf to provide pet and home care. Client is responsible for all expenses incurred including surcharges for wait time spent by Love Bugs and its representatives. Client will reimburse Love Bugs immediately upon return for all surcharges and expenses associated with locksmith services during their absence.

If client moves or for any reason requests to terminate future services with Love Bugs, client may request return of all keys, cards, and openers at no charge. Once client has closed their account all labels are removed from keys and are typically mailed to the client. If client does not close their account or provides no address for mailing or prefers keys not be mailed or is unreachable for a reasonable period of time, Love Bugs will securely recycle or dispose of all keys, cards, and openers at no cost.

Quality Standard of Care
Love Bugs provides quality care for pets and homes at very affordable rates. True standards of care and peace of mind are an integral part of Love Bugs services. To ensure pet’s health and safety and to keep watch on the home, a minimum of one visit per day for homes with a pet is required. Time is essential in providing first aid and obtaining veterinary care if an emergency were to arise. Response time is also critical during home emergencies such as floods, power failure, fire, severe weather, or break-in.

Liability
Due to the extreme unpredictability of animals, Love Bugs and its representatives cannot be held responsible for any unusual mishaps (i.e. pets refusal to take medication, escaping yard, biting, eating or destroying household items, damage to inside/outside of home, personal injury/accidental death). If client requests pet to have outside access, client releases Love Bugs and its representatives from all liability for loss, injury or death to pet. Client is liable for injury or damage to Third Parties. Client authorizes Love Bugs and its representatives to take photos of clients pet for their file and for Love Bugs website. All photos taken are the property of Love Bugs. Visit times are approximate and subject to change based on the needs of all pets under Love Bugs and its representatives care. Love Bugs and its representatives are entrusted to use their best judgment in caring for pets and homes, in the event of an emergency situation, inclement weather or natural disaster. Love Bugs and its representatives will be held harmless for consequences related to such decisions. Love Bugs and its representatives will provide services in a reliable, caring and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services, the client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Love Bugs and its representatives except those arising from negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Love Bugs or its representatives. For proof of liability, Love Bugs does not share its services with pet sitters outside our pet sitting team, any nonresident of the home, or any non-family member.

Backup Sitter
In the event of pet sitter injury or illness or inclement weather or other emergency circumstances where duties are unable to be performed by the primary pet sitter, a Love Bugs backup pet sitter will take over duties as outlined in the client’s service order.

Termination
Love Bugs reserves the right to terminate service if Love Bugs or its representatives determine that client’s pet poses a danger to the health or safety of Love Bugs, its representatives, or others or that the pet’s health or safety is at risk. If concerns prohibit Love Bugs and its representatives from caring for the pet, client authorizes for pet to be cared for by another service with all charges to be charged to the client.

Hard copies of this document are for informational purposes only. The most current edition is always the electronic version which is made available regularly via this web page.