Ruff Trails – ABN 67 429 934 923
Services can not commence until this is provided back to the office, even if a deposit is paid.
Table of Contents
Ruff Trails Terms & Conditions + Privacy Policy: Live in Pet Sitting Services 1
1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
2. REGISTRATION 3
3. SERVICE PREREQUISITES 3
3a - Essential Preparations 3
3b - Documentation & Access 4
3c - Health & Safety 4
4. SERVICE POLICY 4
4a - Service Inclusions 4
4b - Liabilities 5
4c - Special Care Requirements 6
4d - Meet & Greet Session 6
5. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES 7
5a - NSW Regulations 7
5b - Home & Property 7
5c - Staff facilities 7
5d - Staff Privacy 8
5e - Pet Equipment 8
5f - Disclosure 8
5g - Administration 8
6. Client Warranties & Insurance 9
6a - Insurance Coverage 9
6b - Primary Risk Categories 9
7. Staff Requirements 10
7a - Minimum Experience 10
7b - Staff Standards 10
8. STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES & Accountability 11
8a - Regulations 11
8b - Duty of Care 11
8c - Vehicle + Pet Taxi Travel 11
8d – Staff Pet Minding Responsibilities 12
Emergency Response Protocols 12
Liability Framework 12
9. PET SITTING POLICY 13
9a - Information Accuracy 13
9b - Payments, Fees & Chargers 13
9c - Visitor Notification (Clients Behalf) 15
9d - Staff Health and Wellness 15
9e - Smoking 15
9f - Guest 15
9g - Privacy and Surveillance 16
9h - Home Care Standards 16
9i – Social media 16
10. BOOKING ALTERATION POLICY 17
11. CANCELLATION POLICY 17
10a - Cancellation Policy 17
10b - Events Beyond Our Reasonable Control 17
12. COMPLAINTS POLICY 19
13. RISK AND MITIGATION POLICY 19
13a. Executive Summary 19
13b - Scope and Application 20
14. PERSONAL INFORMATION 21
15. EXCLUSIONS & LIABILITIES 21
16. CHANGES TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS 22
17. SCHEDULE 22
Part 1 – Pricing 22
Part 2 - Agreement and Acknowledgement 23
1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
The following terminology applies to the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Statement and Disclaimer Notice and any or all Agreements.
"Client", “You” and “Your” refers to you, the person accessing Ruff Trails business services / website and accepting the Company’s terms and conditions for pet sitting.
"Ruff Trails", “Ourselves,” “We” and "Us", refers to our Company.
“Guardian,” “Staff,” “They,” refer to casual and fulltime staff.
“Party,” “Parties,” or “Us,” refers to both the Client and us, or either the Client or ourselves.
“Visitor” refers to individuals known to the client visiting their home throughout the booking period.
“Guests” refer to the family and friends of the staff member caring for your pets.
All terms refer to the offer, acceptance and consideration of payment necessary to undertake the process of our assistance to the Client in the most appropriate manner, whether by formal meetings of a fixed duration, or any other means, for the express purpose of meeting the Client’s needs in respect of:
provision of the Company’s stated services/products, in accordance with and subject to, prevailing Australian Law.
Any use of the above terminology or other words in the singular, plural, capitalisation and/or he/she or they, is taken as interchangeable and therefore as referring to the same.
2. REGISTRATION
Prior to any services commencing all clients are to complete the Registration forms for Ruff Trails. These forms contain the members & emergency contact details, vet release and a pet profile for each of your pets. The pet profiles outline all your pets personal, medical and behavioural information.
Registration forms can be downloaded from the Ruff Trails website or requested via email at ayla@rufftrails.com.au
All documentation is to be completed and signed, with the service deposit paid before pet sitting can be finalised and scheduled.
Clients must notify Ruff Trails staff of any changes or adjustments to the information provided relating to their pets in the registration forms and pet sitting documentation.
3. SERVICE PREREQUISITES
Along with the registration form, the following requirements must be completed before pet sitting services commence:
3a - Essential Preparations
Pre-service consultation - Meet and greet session between staff and pets
Safety assessment - Evaluation of staff safety and property suitability
Security briefing - All security systems and cameras disclosed to Ruff Trails
Pet history disclosure - Complete medical and behavioural information provided
3b - Documentation & Access
Documentation completion - All registration forms and booking files finalised
Access arrangements - Working key or agreed access plan provided
Backup entry plan confirmed
Weather contingency plans established
3c - Health & Safety
Veterinary notification - Your regular vet informed of upcoming services
Health maintenance - Tick, worming, and flea treatments current
Emergency contacts - Relevant contact details supplied
Service timing - Agreed arrival and departure times established
4. SERVICE POLICY
Ruff Trails facilitates temporary pet care services for a range of staff guardians. Our guardians are carefully selected individuals who are committed to delivering exceptional care and services for your beloved companions.The below service inclusions are tailored directly with each client and pet.
4a - Service Inclusions
Our comprehensive pre service meet and greet will cover discussions and instructions surrounding the below service inclusions tailored to you:
Daily Pet Care
Health & Wellbeing
Age-appropriate exercise for canines
Medication administration following your instructions
Health monitoring and status updates as per agreements
All bookings with casual staff have Ayla as the additional care supervisor, who stays in touch with the staff members, acting as a support person for them. Ensuring standards are maintained along with the wellbeing of both them and the pets in their care.
Emergency response protocols activated when needed
Reinforcement of your existing routines
Maximum alone time never exceeds agreed limits.
Arrival and departure notifications
Home Management
Basic household tasks (bin collection, mail retrieval)
Security maintenance throughout service period
Property condition left at handover standard
4b - Liabilities
Shared Responsibility Areas
Certain circumstances require mutual understanding:
Unpredictable animal behaviour beyond reasonable control
Unsecured property environments with multiple access points
Pre-existing pet health conditions
4c - Special Care Requirements
Special considerations include any behavioural, medical, or routine requirements specific to your pet, including:
Reactivity or separation anxiety
Medication administration
Dietary restrictions or allergies
Limited alone-time tolerance
We carefully match our staff's availability with your pet's routine requirements, as some team members maintain other employment or study commitments. Dogs requiring supervision every four hours or less are classified as high-level special considerations, like puppies.
Your pet and assigned Guardian may need several introductory visits before service begins to ensure proper familiarity. While highly adaptable pets may not require this introduction period, we strongly encourage it for most bookings.
4d - Meet & Greet Session
For new clients or those who have not used our live-in services recently, Ruff Trails will arrange a comprehensive briefing session before your start date. During this meeting, we will discuss:
Home care standards
Pet care requirements and daily routines
Staff responsibilities and emergency procedures
Guest Policy
Visitor Policy
Privacy & Surveillance policy
Smoking Policy
If you are a frequent client, then you may not need a meet and greet for every booking unless there are new Guardian carers.
5. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
5a - NSW Regulations
Ensure you follow any pet rules and regulations of the state.
Strictly adhere to the duty of care, pursuant to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
A commitment to the upkeep of vaccinations, flea, tick and worm treatments as per registration forms. If administration is required during a pet sit booking, this will be discussed at the meet and greet.
Pets’ have been registered with their local government area (LGA) and have a working and updated microchip.
5b - Home & Property
Ensure Home and Property environment meets your pet's welfare requirements
Sufficient sleeping space
Animals are adequately protected within the home, as well as within the vicinity of the home through safe pet proofing and property security.
A secure area available when your pet is left alone where they can access proper toilet locations, food and water.
5c - Staff facilities
Provide adequate staff facilities, including:
Bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Laundry facilities
Towels
Bed Coverings
Rag towels
5d - Staff Privacy
Ensure complete Staff Privacy, including:
5e - Pet Equipment
Provide working equipment such as:
5f - Disclosure
Provide Accurate Information, including but not limited to:
Property Information
Pet Information
Emergency contacts and Visitors
Pet alone time restrictions
Communication/ wellbeing update expectations
Behavioural considerations
5g - Administration
6. Client Warranties & Insurance
6a - Insurance Coverage
Your peace of mind is our priority. Ruff Trails insurance covers all Pet Care Guardians during active bookings, providing comprehensive protection for:
As established by the Australian Government, Ruff Trails has public liability insurance through Pet Business International - Authorised Representative No: 001278789 of PSC Connect Pty Ltd ABN 23 141 574 914 AFS License No 344648 - c/o Penguin Risk Solutions Authorised Representative of PSC Connect Pty- 2/885 Wellington Street West Perth WA 6005.
6b - Primary Risk Categories
6b.i - Animal Behaviour Risks
Unpredictable pet behaviour remains an inherent aspect of animal care. Our approach acknowledges that even the most well-behaved pets can exhibit unexpected reactions due to stress, illness, or environmental changes.
6b.ii - Property and Environmental Hazards
Client homes present unique challenges, from unsecured premises to multiple access points. Environmental factors including weather conditions, traffic, and unfamiliar territories during walks create additional considerations.
Safe service delivery requires:
Secure property access with controlled entry points
Hazard-free environments suitable for pet care
Clear emergency contact information readily available
7. Staff Requirements
7a - Minimum Experience
Canine + Pet Care Training through Ruff Trails
Pet First Aid certificates + kits
Ruff Trails Procedure Training
Previous Pet Industry or pet care experience
7b - Staff Standards
Complete comprehensive meet-and-greet sessions establish trust between pets and caregivers
Show ability to create strong bonds with various pets
Demonstrate commitment to our high standards of animal care
Demonstrate professional and consistent service delivery
Demonstrate understanding and commitment to all Risk mitigation strategies
Provide regular communication with the Ruff Trails pet care Supervisor, and engage them when urgent and non urgent scenarios arise.
Be available for Care Supervisor inspections.
8. STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES & Accountability
8a - Regulations
8b - Duty of Care
Ruff Trails upholds the international standard for Animal Welfare, being the ‘5 Freedoms’. These include:
Freedom from Hunger and Thirst:
Ensures animals have ready access to fresh water and a diet that maintains their full health and vigor.
Freedom from Discomfort:
Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease:
Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour:
Freedom from Fear and Distress:
Please refer to the ‘Risk and Mitigation Policy’ regarding all emergency protocols.
8c - Vehicle + Pet Taxi Travel
All Pets travelling in Guardian or Ruff Trails vehicles will be secured in the vehicles with a harness and seatbelt buckle clip or dual clips.
All Staff will follow road rules and speed limits while pets travel in these vehicles.
Transportation Safety
8d – Staff Pet Minding Responsibilities
Prioritise pet care
Always secure your home and pets safely
Follow client guidelines
Follow Ruff Trails Procedures
Respond to emergencies using established protocols
Collect mail and maintain property security
Provide communication throughout service as required
Structure daily schedules around the pet's established needs
Never leave young puppies/kittens unattended longer than 4 hours
Adhere to agreed time periods for pet supervision
Vacate the home at the agreed time and date, ensuring the home is left in the same condition it was handed over.
Emergency Response Protocols
When emergencies arise, our Guardian Training procedures activate immediately:
Staff Response Sequence:
Get pet/s and themselves to safety
Administer emergency first aid if required
Get pet to vet if required
Notify Pet Care Supervisor
Care supervisor deployment for on-site support
Client notification with real-time update