Terms + Conditions

Before booking a stay with Wagging Tails Pet Care, please take a moment to read through the following Terms and Conditions. By confirming a booking, you’re agreeing to these guidelines, which are in place to ensure every little guest enjoys a safe, calm, and comfortable experience.

At Wagging Tails Pet Care, we care for each pet with genuine kindness, patience, and respect. Your little one’s wellbeing is always at the heart of what we do, and we’re committed to providing a nurturing, home‑style environment where small dogs can relax and feel completely safe during their stay, and our home visit clients thrive and continue to feel loved and supported.

Pet Minding Terms & Conditions

Minimum Sleepover Guidelines

We happily offer single night sleepovers, but during our busy periods we do have minimum stay requirements to help manage bookings fairly and keep our small group calm and consistent.

  • During School Holidays, a 5‑day minimum stay applies.
  • During the Christmas & New Year School Holiday period, a 7‑day minimum stay applies.

Because we only welcome 2–3 small dogs at a time, these minimums help us manage demand and ensure every little guest has a peaceful stay. In some cases, we may be able to offer flexibility depending on availability, so you’re always welcome to check in with us if your plans are a little different.

Size, Temperament & Group Harmony

Our sleepovers and daycare are designed especially for small dogs, with calm routines, gentle company, and a cosy home environment where little pups can relax and feel secure. For this reason, we generally welcome dogs up to 10 kilos.

However, size is only one part of the picture. Some slightly heavier dogs have a soft, easy‑going nature and may settle beautifully into our boutique small dog environment. Others, even within the weight range, may have a play style or energy level that feels a little too big for our tiny guests.

If your dog is just over our guideline, you’re welcome to reach out. We’re always happy to chat about your dog’s personality, energy, and social style to see whether they would feel comfortable here and be a good match for the dogs already in our care.

Our priority is maintaining a peaceful, happy, and safe experience for every pup, and we will always guide you honestly based on what’s best for your dog and the group.

Compatibility Evaluation

To ensure a calm, safe, and happy environment for every little guest, all dogs must complete a compatibility evaluation before being accepted for doggy daycare or a sleepover. This gentle meet and greet allows us to understand your dog’s personality, social style, and comfort level, to make sure they are a good fit for the other pups in our care.

Because we care for only a small number of dogs at a time, we reserve the right to decline a stay if a dog’s behaviour poses a risk to themselves, to other dogs in our care, or impacts the safety and wellbeing of the group. These decisions are always made with the wellbeing of every dog in our care in mind, including your own little one.

Deposits

A 50% booking deposit (based on the total cost of your dog’s stay or home visit package) is required at the time of making a booking. This helps us set aside the time and space especially for your little one. We ask that the deposit is paid within 24 hours so we can hold your pet’s spot with confidence. If payment isn’t received within that timeframe, the booking will be cancelled, and the space offered to another family who may be waiting.

Final Payments

Full payment is required 72 hours before your dog’s drop off or first scheduled home visit. This allows us to finalise your booking and plan our schedule so each little guest receives the time, attention, and care they need. If payment hasn’t been received by this time, the booking may be released to another family.

Cancellation Policies

We understand that plans can change, and we do our best to be fair while also protecting the limited spaces we offer for the pets in our care. To make sure every pet receives the attention they deserve, we plan our schedule carefully. These guidelines help us manage our bookings, allocate our time responsibly and continue offering the personalised care we’re known for.

Cancellations with at least 14 days notice

If you need to cancel 14 days or more before your dog’s stay, or first scheduled home visit, your booking deposit can be held as a credit on your account. This credit can be used toward a future booking within the valid period, giving you flexibility if your plans change.

Cancellations within 14 days

If you need to cancel within 14 days of your dog’s scheduled arrival or first scheduled home visit, 50% of the deposit is forfeited, and the remaining 50% can be held as a credit on your account. During this time, we’ve already set aside space in our home for your little one and allocated time in our schedule for any home visits. Because we keep our numbers small and may have turned away other families to honour your booking, this helps us cover the time and care we’ve reserved especially for your pet.

Cancellations within 72 hours

If a cancellation occurs within 72 hours of your dog’s drop off or the first scheduled home visit, the full cost of the booking is forfeited. By this stage, significant time has already been allocated to your booking. This includes reserving accommodation in our home exclusively for your pup, blocking out time in our schedule for home visits, and adjusting our daily routines — these preparations and time commitments cannot be reassigned at short notice, which is why the full booking fee applies.

Changes to Bookings

We understand that plans can shift, and we’ll always do our best to help where we can. Because we care for only a small number of little guests at a time, we plan our schedule carefully to make sure every dog receives the time, space, and gentle attention they need.

Changes with at least 14 days notice

Changes made with at least 14 days notice given, we’re happy to adjust your booking where possible, depending on availability.

Changes within 14 days

If changes are made with less than 14 days notice, 50% of the deposit is forfeited, and the remaining 50% can be held as a credit on your account, as we’ve already set aside accommodation and time in our schedule specifically for your pet and may have turned away other families.

Shorter stays & adjusted home visit durations

If a booking is shortened within 72 hours of your dog’s drop off, or first scheduled home visit (including early pick up or a reduced stay), no refunds or credits can be offered for the unused days. By this stage, accommodation, time, and care have already been arranged for the full duration of your pet’s care.

Refunds

We’re committed to giving every pet in our care a safe, happy and personalised experience. When you book a service, we reserve that time just for your pet and often turn away other clients to keep our schedule balanced and stress‑free for both owners and their pets.

Because of this, all bookings are non‑refundable. This helps us ensure consistent, reliable care, and the high standard of service your pets deserve.

All credits issued are non‑refundable and must be used within 12 months from the date of issue. Credits can be applied to any future booking within that period, and once the 12‑month timeframe has passed, they will automatically expire.

We truly appreciate your understanding and your trust in us to look after your furry family members.

Health & Vaccinations

To keep our tiny group of little guests safe and healthy, all dogs staying with us must be up to date with their C5 vaccination or have a current titre test. This helps protect every pup while they share close, cosy spaces in our home.

All sleepover guests are kindly asked to arrive freshly bathed, clean, and feeling comfortable. A recent bath helps your little one settle in happily and keeps our cosy space fresh for every small dog who visits.

We also ask that your dog is recently wormed and treated for fleas before their stay. Arriving clean and free from fleas ensures a comfortable, hygienic environment for all of our small overnight guests.

Because we welcome only 2–3 small dogs at a time, everyone shares the same home environment. Up‑to‑date health protection is essential to maintaining the calm, safe, and nurturing space we’re known for.

All animals in our care must be in good general health. We understand that some pets have ongoing health conditions or require regular medication — this is absolutely fine, we just need to know about it before confirming a booking so we can make sure we’re the right fit for their needs.

If your pet becomes unwell during their stay, we may need to seek veterinary attention to ensure their comfort and safety. Any veterinary costs will be the responsibility of the owner.

Grooming Terms & Conditions

Securing Your Grooming Appointment

Appointments for your dog’s next groom can be arranged at the end of their visit, or you’re welcome to contact me by phone anytime if you don’t already have a future booking organised. Keeping a regular schedule helps maintain a healthy, comfortable coat and ensures there’s always a time set aside that suits you both.

Once your booking is made, your appointment time is set aside just for your dog. You’ll receive a reminder 48 hours beforehand — if something changes and you’re unable to keep your appointment, please let me know as soon as possible, so it can be offered to another family who may be waiting.

Please arrive on time so your little one’s grooming session can unfold calmly and without rush. We offer a 15‑minute courtesy window, but if arrival is later than this, the appointment may need to be rescheduled and the full grooming fee will still apply, as the time has been set aside just for them.

Cancellations, Late Arrivals & Rescheduling

Because I work one‑on‑one, each appointment is dedicated time set aside just for your dog. If a booking is missed without notice, or if arrival is more than 15 minutes late and the groom can’t safely go ahead, the full grooming fee will apply.

If you need to reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment, a $50 rebooking fee applies and must be paid before a new time is confirmed.

After two appointments are missed or changed at short notice, the full grooming fee will be required to secure any future bookings. This helps ensure that dedicated time is always available for your little one and that the schedule remains fair for all families.

Safety, Comfort & Calm Behaviour

For the safety and wellbeing of every little one in my care, I’m not able to groom dogs who become overly stressed or display aggressive behaviour. As I work one‑on‑one without additional staff, creating a calm, safe environment is essential for both your dog and for me. Grooming involves close handling and sharp tools, so if a dog becomes reactive, overly defensive, or unable to be guided gently through the process, the session may need to be paused or brought to an early finish to keep everyone safe.

If a groom needs to be stopped for safety reasons, the full appointment fee still applies. This time has been set aside for your dog, and gentle, hands‑on care has already been provided with their comfort and wellbeing at the centre of every moment, even if the full groom cannot be completed.

Flea & Parasite Care

All dogs are required to arrive free from fleas or other pests to ensure a clean, comfortable environment for every little one. If fleas are discovered during the appointment, a $50 flea treatment & salon‑cleaning fee will be added to cover the additional care and sanitation needed.

Pick Up Guidelines & Late Collection Fees

To help maintain a calm, comfortable space for every little one, dogs need to be collected within an hour of their groom being finished, unless different arrangements have been discussed with me at drop‑off.

If your dog remains in the salon longer than the hour, late‑collection fees may apply to support the extra time and care provided:

  • $25 for each half hour after the first hour
  • $20 for every 15 minutes after closing time

If your dog becomes unsettled, anxious, or has already been in the salon for an extended period, you may be asked to collect them earlier to ensure their wellbeing and maintain a peaceful environment.

General Terms & Conditions

Veterinary Care & Emergencies

At Wagging Tails Pet Care, your pet’s wellbeing is always our highest priority. By placing your little one in our care, you authorise us to take any steps we believe are necessary to protect their health, safety, and comfort. This may include seeking veterinary advice or treatment if your pet becomes unwell or requires urgent attention.

You give full permission for Wagging Tails Pet Care to consult with a veterinarian and approve any recommended treatment on your behalf if your pet becomes unwell or requires urgent care. All veterinary fees and associated costs remain the responsibility of the owner. We strongly recommend speaking with your veterinarian before you travel, to confirm how and when payment will be required should your pet need treatment while you are away, as each clinic has its own policies.

We will make every reasonable effort to contact you should a health concern arise. If we are unable to reach you, we will act in your pet’s best interests, following the veterinarian’s professional guidance. In serious situations, the veterinarian’s recommendation will be final.

Owner Responsibilities

To help us provide a safe, calm, and comfortable experience for every pet in our care, owners are responsible for ensuring that all information shared about their pet is accurate, honest, and up to date. This includes details about health, behaviour, routines, temperament, and any changes that may affect how we care for them.

Owners agree to remain contactable throughout their pet’s booking, or to provide a reliable emergency contact who can make decisions on their behalf if needed. This ensures we can reach someone promptly if any questions or concerns arise during your pet’s care.

These responsibilities help us maintain the gentle, nurturing environment that keeps all our small pets happy, safe, and well supported.

Kindness & Respect Policy

Wagging Tails Pet Care is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for both our little guests and the people who care for them.

We have a zero‑tolerance policy for any behaviour that is aggressive, abusive, inappropriate, unkind or disrespectful, whether directed at staff, other clients, or our business. Where such behaviour occurs, Wagging Tails Pet Care reserves the right to refuse, cancel, or terminate services immediately and indefinitely.

These decisions are made to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved and to maintain the safe, nurturing environment our service is built upon.