Policies

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This policy is updated and in effect as of 9th April, 2023.

A compulsory requirement of participating in all our services is that your dog hold a current vaccination for DHP-Pi-KC (C5 vaccination) with the exception of our Home Stay Visit service where your dog remains in their own home. 

Completion of this form will require attachment of a copy of your dog's current annual vaccination certificate from your veterinarian, showing the date of vaccine, your dog's DOB and their weight.

If your dog shows any signs or symptoms of being unwell, please do not send them to daycare. 

Any dog who presents with symptoms of an illness will not be permitted to attend daycare. Embark Dog Co. reserves the right to assess this and refuse attendance if symptoms are discussed and/or observed prior to pick up. 

Any dog who displays any signs/symptoms of an illness during the day at daycare will be isolated in a crate for the duration of the day. The owner will be contacted and be responsible for the collection of their dog from The Paddocks premises no later than 2pm to avoid potential infection transmission to other daycare attendees during travel. If dog's displaying signs/symptoms of illness are not collected by their owner, a $150.00 fee will be charged for the private transportation of your dog home. 

Any dog who exhibits signs and/or symptoms of being unwell will be required to isolate and not be permitted to attend daycare for a 2-week period. If signs and symptoms persist into the second week of isolation, an additional week absence from daycare will be required. 

We require all males participating in Daycare at The Paddocks, Dog Minding and/or Boutique Dog Retreat to be desexed. 

Completion of this form will require attachment of a copy of your dog's desexing certification from your veterinarian. 

The Paddocks offers a large expanse of open area where dogs will be free to run, chase balls and sticks and other dogs. To ensure we can care for their paws, we request that you please provide accurate details on their current physical activity and how you think they will react/play in  wide open field with other dogs, balls and sticks. We will develop a management procedure suited to your dog based on this information provided during enrolment. 

Daycare payments are due on the day of attendance, unless other terms are agreed with Embark Dog Co. 

Payment can be made via cash or bank transfer. Details for bank transfer will be provided by emailed invoice prior to daycare attendance if this is your preferred payment method. 

Daycare rates are charged based on the pickup location. 
If the pickup location changes, your rate will adjust and you will be charged for the zone in which your new pickup suburb falls.

A 20% deposit is required to secure dates for Dog Minding and Boutique Dog Retreat places.

Full payment is required 7-days prior to stay dates.

Cancellations within 30-days of your requested stay commencement date will result in the forfeit of your deposit. 

Cancellations within 7-days of your requested stay commencement date will result in the forfeit of 50% of the total service charge. A 50% credit can be applied to your account for future services or a refund can be requested, payable within 2-4 business days.

Cancellations within 48-hours of your requested stay commencement date will result in the forfeit of 100% of the total service charge. 

A minimum of 5-days notification is required for any changes to regular daycare 

Your dog's daycare days will be confirmed with you via SMS the week prior to your dog's attendance. 

If you require any changes to these days, a response is required within 24-hours of receipt of this SMS. 

If we arrive to collect your dog for daycare on their confirmed day and are unable to access your premises via a safe and regular manner, the full charge for your dog's place at daycare for the day will still be payable.

Due to the nature of our daily pick up schedule, we are unable to offer extended wait times and you will receive an SMS notification advising that we have been unable to collect your dog.

Please note: Not all dogs are suitable for Daycare, this will be assessed in three stages

1) All owners will be required to undertake a self-assessment of their dog’s behaviour

2) If there are behavioural concerns flagged in the self-assessment, an interview may be arranged with you and your dog to assess the suitability of your dog for day care. If your dog is not suited to daycare, we may recommend a dog trainer to help address the behavioural issues, which once rectified, will allow re-enrolment in daycare

3) All dogs will attend their first day-care attendance on a probationary basis where they will be shadowed for their final assessment. If any of the following behaviours are displayed: rough play, including nipping, snarling, snapping, mounting, pinning, biting, mouthing while applying pressure, nose-punching, hunting, mounting or excessive barking, your dog will fail their assessment and may be isolated for the remainder of the day.

We kindly request that, you consider how your dog interacts with other dogs in a group setting before enrolling in Daycare at The Paddocks as no refund will be given for failed assessment days.

• If your dog has not experienced prior contact with other dogs and needs socialisation, we may refer you to a dog trainer prior to attending daycare. Our daycare environment will not be suited to older dogs who have not been socialised.
• Embark Dog Co. have a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive, anti-social or nuisance behaviours during Daycare. Dogs that display any of the abovementioned behaviours during their care with Embark Dog Co. will be isolated from others and suspended from attending.

Whilst every effort is made to care for and protect your dog whilst being serviced by Embark Dog Co., we will not accept responsibility for the death, injury, or illness of your dog.

Express assumption of risk: I, the undersigned, am aware that there are risks involved in dogs being in a natural environment with other dogs and undertaking physical activities of varying intensities. These risks include, but are not limited to: falls which can result in serious injury or death; injury or death due to behavioural displays of aggression and fighting between my dog or other dogs around my dog, injury or death due to accidents while undertaking activities on hay bales, logs, agility courses, dams and the like; strains and sprains. Due to the day-care facility being in an outdoor natural setting, exposure to wildlife including, but not limited to, snakes, spiders, ticks and other insects, as well as cows and kangaroos is possible and such exposure could result in serious illness, injury or death. Due to the nature of daycare having a high-volume of dogs in attendance, I understand that my dog is at risk of contracting an animal-transmitted illness or disease due to their exposure to other dogs and that this may result in serious illness or death. I understand that my dog will be transported from home to daycare and daycare to home in a motor vehicle and be properly restrained in accordance with NSW legislation. I acknowledge that there is a risk of accident associated with motor vehicle travel. I am aware that any of these above-mentioned risks may result in serious injury or death to my dog. I willingly assume full responsibility for the risks that I am exposing my dog to and accept full responsibility for any injury, illness or death that may result from my dog’s participation in any activity in transit to and from daycare, while at day-care or under direction and supervision of Embark Dog Co. staff. I acknowledge that my dog has no physical impairments, injuries or illnesses that will endanger them or others.

Release: In consideration of the above-mentioned risks and hazards and in consideration of the fact that I am willingly and voluntarily allowing my dog to participate in the activities offered by Embark Dog Co. at The Paddocks, I, the undersigned hereby release Embark Dog Co., their principals, agents, employees, and volunteers from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions or rights of action, which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with my dog’s participation in this activity, including those allegedly attributed to the negligent acts or omissions of the above-mentioned parties. This agreement shall be binding upon me, my successors, representatives, heirs, executors, assigns, or transferees. If any portion of this agreement is held invalid, I agree that the remainder of the agreement shall remain in full legal force and effect.

In signing on behalf of my dog, I also give full permission for any person connected with Embark Dog Co. to administer first aid deemed necessary and in the case of serious illness or injury, I give permission to call for medical and or surgical care for the dog and to transport the dog to a veterinary facility deemed necessary for the wellbeing of the dog.                                                                                                            

Indemnification:

The owner recognises that there is risk involved in the types of activities offered by Embark Dog Co. and within the environment that they are offered at The Paddocks Dog Daycare. Therefore, the owner accepts financial responsibility for any injury that their dog may cause either to him/herself or to any other participant due to his/her behaviour. Should the above-mentioned parties, or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to reimburse them for such fees and costs. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Embark Dog Co., their principals, agents, employees, and volunteers from liability for the injury or death of any person(s) or dog, and damage to property that my result from my dog’s behaviour, intention act or omission while participating in activities offered by Embark Dog Co at the main premises or abroad. This includes but is not limited to parks, recreational areas, beaches, areas adjacent to the main premises and/or any area selected for use by Embark Dog Co.

False or misleading information: I, the undersign, have provided all information correct and true and have disclosed honestly about my dog's behaviours, socialisation, health and vaccination status. I understand that if found to have provided false or misleading information, Embark Dog Co. reserves the right to terminate any agreement for provision of services. In the circumstance that an event occurs where false of misleading information has been provided, Embark Dog Co. reserves the right to report details of the event to the appropriate authorities and any costs associated with the outcome of the event will be the responsibility of the undersigned. 

I have read and understood the foregoing assumption of risk, and release of liability and I understand that by signing it obligates me to indemnify the parties named for any liability for injury or death of any person or animal, or damage to property caused by my dog’s behavioural or intentional act or omission. I understand that by signing this form I am waiving valuable legal rights.