LODGE BOARDING KENNELS AND CATTERY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Business address: The Lodge, Dooley Lane, Marple, Stockport SK6 7EJ
Contact details: 0161 427 7858 | lodgekc@hotmail.com
Licence Holder: Yvonne Watson
Licence Number: 18/03587
Please read these terms before booking. They form part of the boarding agreement between Lodge Boarding Kennels and Cattery (“we”, “us” or “the business”) and the person making the booking (“you” or “the owner”). By making a booking, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and have authority to make decisions concerning every pet included in the booking.
1. Opening times, viewing and arrival
1.1. We are licensed and inspected by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Our 5 star licence is displayed at the premises and our licence details are available on request.
1.2. Viewing is welcomed before booking. Standard viewing times are Monday to Saturday, 11:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00. Visits must take place within these times unless agreed in advance, to reduce disturbance to animals already boarding. We also advise a trial day stay to ensure your pet will be settled with us.
1.3. The premises are staffed for animal care 365 days a year. The customer office is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Bank Holidays, and pets cannot normally be checked in or collected on those dates.
1.4. Standard check-in and collection times are Monday to Saturday, 09:00–15:45, and Sunday, 09:00–11:45. We may refuse or rearrange an arrival or collection outside these hours unless it has been agreed in advance.
1.5. Please allow at least 15 minutes for check-in and collection. Dogs must arrive on a short, secure lead and cats must arrive in a secure carrier. We encourage cat arrivals and collections after 10:00 to avoid the dogs’ morning walk period.
2. Bookings and accommodation
2.1. A booking is not confirmed until we have accepted it and received the required deposit. Dates may be released to another customer until the deposit has been received.
2.2. You must tell us before arrival about any change to your contact details, emergency contact, veterinary practice, pet insurance, diet, medication, health or behaviour. Vaccination evidence and relevant booking information will be checked at or before arrival.
2.3. Pets from the same household will share accommodation only where you give written consent. By consenting, you also authorise us to separate them if we reasonably consider this necessary for their safety or welfare. If additional accommodation is required, the applicable extra boarding charge will be payable by you.
2.4. We may refuse admission, postpone a booking or terminate a stay if, in our reasonable judgement, a pet cannot be safely or appropriately accommodated, required information has not been provided, or the pet presents a material risk to itself, staff, other animals or the operation of the premises.
2.5. If admission is refused or a stay is terminated because of the pet’s health, behaviour, vaccination status, undisclosed information or another matter for which you are responsible, this will be treated as a cancellation by you and the cancellation terms will apply. If we cancel for a reason within our control and not caused by you or your pet, we will refund amounts paid for services not provided.
3. Charges, payment and changes
3.1. Current boarding charges are shown on our price list. Fees are charged by the calendar day and include both the arrival day and departure day. The full booked amount remains payable if a pet is collected early.
3.2. Bank Holidays are charged at twice the standard daily rate. Any medication (e.g flea treatment, wormers), special care, transport, additional accommodation, veterinary, food-purchase or late-collection charges described in these terms are additional unless expressly included in the agreed price.
3.3. A deposit equal to 50% of the total booking price is required. The deposit secures capacity reserved specifically for your pet and will be handled in accordance with clause 4 and applicable consumer law.
3.4. Payment may be made by cash, cheque or bank transfer. We do not accept card payments. Cleared payment of the outstanding balance must be received by the date of collection, if payment is made by bank transfer; this must be done at least 48 hours before collection. A pet will not be released until all sums then due have been paid, except where withholding the pet would be unlawful or compromise its welfare.
3.5. Requests to change dates, shorten a stay, remove a pet or otherwise reduce a booking are subject to availability and our agreement. A reduction is treated as cancellation of the removed dates or services and clause 4 applies. A transferred deposit cannot be transferred a second time.
3.6. Extensions are subject to availability and must be agreed in writing. Extra days are charged at the current daily rate, together with any applicable Bank Holiday or special-care charges.
4. Cancellations and events outside our control
4.1. If you cancel 14 or more days before the scheduled arrival date, the deposit may be transferred once to a future booking, subject to availability. If the replacement booking costs more than the original booking, the additional deposit is payable when it is made. If it costs less than the original booking, the excess will be handled in accordance with our reasonable losses and applicable consumer law.
4.2. If you cancel fewer than 14 days before arrival, the deposit will normally be retained. If a transferred or rescheduled booking is later cancelled, the original deposit will normally be retained and cannot be transferred again.
4.3. We will not retain more than our reasonable losses resulting from a cancellation. Where required by law, we will take reasonable steps to reduce those losses, including by attempting to resell the accommodation, and will account fairly for any amount recovered.
4.4. If performance is prevented by an event outside either party’s reasonable control, including an official disease-control measure, utilities failure, severe weather, fire or emergency closure, we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible. Any refund, credit, postponement or unavoidable cost will be considered according to the circumstances and applicable law. This does not affect your statutory rights.
5. Health, infectious disease and admission
5.1. Every pet must be in a suitable state of health to board on arrival. A pet must not attend if showing signs of a potentially infectious illness, including coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained discharge, fever or unusual lethargy, unless we have agreed admission after appropriate veterinary advice.
5.2. You must tell us before arrival if the pet has recently shown relevant symptoms, received veterinary treatment within the last 12 months, been diagnosed with an infectious condition or been in known contact with an animal suffering from a contagious or infectious disease.
5.3. We may refuse or postpone admission where we reasonably believe a pet may present an infection risk, even if a booking was previously confirmed. Where symptoms develop during a stay, we may isolate the pet, obtain veterinary advice and require the owner or emergency contact to collect it.
5.4. We take reasonable hygiene, isolation, monitoring and disease-control precautions. However, vaccination cannot guarantee complete protection and we cannot guarantee that a pet will not be exposed to an infectious organism in a boarding environment. Nothing in these terms excludes liability arising from our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
6. Vaccinations and parasites
6.1. All pets must have completed the vaccinations required by our boarding policy and must remain protected throughout the stay. A valid veterinary vaccination record or other evidence acceptable to us must be provided before or at check-in. Homeopathic vaccination is not accepted. Blood titres will be accepted, but leptospirosis protection will still be required.
6.2. Dogs must have current protection against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus) and leptospirosis (ideally L4). Kennel cough vaccination is also required under our policy. Primary vaccination courses must be completed at least 14 days before boarding.
6.3. Kennel cough vaccination must be administered within the timeframe stated by the veterinary surgeon and product manufacturer and no fewer than 3 days before arrival. A dog vaccinated too close to arrival may be refused, or required to be put in isolation.
6.4. Cats must have current protection against feline panleukopenia/feline infectious enteritis, feline leukaemia and feline respiratory viruses, including feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus.
6.5. You must disclose any known or suspected fleas, ticks, lice, worms or other parasites. If parasites are found, you authorise us to seek veterinary advice, isolate the pet where appropriate and administer an authorised treatment with veterinary direction where required. You are responsible for reasonable treatment, veterinary and associated care costs unless covered by our insurance or caused by our breach of duty.
7. Veterinary care, medication and emergencies
7.1. You must fully disclose all known medical conditions, illnesses, injuries, disabilities, allergies and ongoing health concerns when booking and notify us of any change before arrival. If a pet has received veterinary treatment for illness or injury during the preceding 12 months, we may require relevant veterinary history before accepting the booking.
7.2. Medication must be supplied in its original packaging and clearly labelled with the pet’s name, dosage, administration route, timing and veterinary instructions. All medication must be in date – any out of date medication will not be given. You must supply enough for the whole stay, plus a reasonable contingency where practicable. Unused medication will be returned to you, your emergency contact or the prescribing veterinary practice as appropriate.
7.3. We can administer most routine medication by prior agreement. Treatments or schedules outside our normal medication hours may incur a charge stated before the stay. We may decline a booking if we cannot safely meet the pet’s needs.
7.4. If a pet becomes ill or injured, we will make reasonable attempts to contact you or the nominated emergency contact. You authorise us to obtain veterinary advice, transport the pet and arrange examinations, diagnostic tests and treatment that a veterinary surgeon considers reasonably necessary to protect the pet’s welfare where contact cannot be made or delay would risk suffering or deterioration.
7.5. Where practicable we will use the pet’s usual veterinary practice; otherwise we may use our registered veterinary practice or an appropriate emergency provider. You authorise relevant veterinary information to be shared between those practices and us for the purposes of the pet’s care.
7.6. Euthanasia will not be authorised without the consent of you or your nominated contact unless, in the veterinary surgeon’s professional opinion, it is immediately necessary to prevent unacceptable suffering and delay is not in the pet’s welfare. Only a veterinary surgeon, or a person lawfully authorised by one, may carry it out.
7.7. You are responsible for veterinary, transport (charged at the standard rate per mile), medication and other associated costs (i.e staff time) relating to a pre-existing condition, undisclosed information or a matter not covered by our insurance, except to the extent that the cost arose from our breach of contract, negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
7.8. Any treatment spending limit stated on the booking form is a guide to assist decision-making and will not prevent urgently necessary treatment required to protect the pet from pain, suffering or serious deterioration.
8. Food and feeding
8.1. A selection of standard dog and cat foods is included in the boarding fee. You may provide the pet’s usual food, particularly where maintaining its normal diet is important. No discount is given for owner-supplied food.
8.2. You must disclose dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances and feeding restrictions. Owner-supplied food must be sufficient for the stay, securely packaged, clearly labelled and accompanied by unambiguous feeding instructions. Prescription and veterinary diets must be supplied by you.
8.3. We will make reasonable efforts to follow the agreed feeding routine, but may adjust it for the pet’s welfare, practical care or veterinary advice. Appetite and water intake will be monitored and concerns acted upon appropriately.
8.4. If owner-supplied food runs out, becomes unusable, out of date or cannot be safely identified, you authorise us to purchase a suitable replacement at your expense or, where necessary, provide an appropriate available alternative and seek veterinary advice.
8.5. We accept commercially prepared raw pet food that is sold and labelled for animal consumption. It must be supplied in sealed, leak-proof packaging, clearly labelled with the pet’s name and feeding instructions, and divided into individual meal portions wherever reasonably practicable. We do not accept raw meat, bones or other uncooked animal products sold or supplied as human food. We may refuse any food that is unlabelled, inadequately packaged, unsafe to store or handle, or otherwise presents an unacceptable hygiene or cross-contamination risk.
9. Exercise
9.1. Dogs ordinarily receive two exercise sessions each day at no additional charge, subject to age, health, mobility, behaviour, veterinary restrictions, weather and individual welfare needs.
9.2. Standard outdoor exercise consists of lead walks using our slip leads. Outside the premises, identification showing the licence holder’s contact details will be used as required. We may use additional appropriate safety equipment where reasonably necessary.
9.3. At your request, we may agree to use owner-supplied leads, harnesses or other equipment. We will take reasonable care of it, but cannot accept responsibility for ordinary wear, inherent defects or failure unrelated to our negligence. You must tell us about any known defect or special fitting requirement.
9.4. We may change the method, location, timing or duration of exercise where reasonably necessary for safety or welfare. Dogs that cannot be safely managed on a lead, including particularly strong or difficult dogs, may be exercised in the secure play area instead.
9.5. Dogs will not be exercised with dogs from another household without the written consent required by our procedures. Exercise may be replaced with appropriate enrichment where veterinary advice or welfare considerations make normal exercise unsuitable.
9.6. Walking and exercising animals involves inherent risks even when reasonable care is taken. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability arising from our negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
10. Behaviour and handling
10.1. You must give full and accurate information about the pet’s behaviour when booking and notify us of changes. This includes aggression, biting, reactivity, resource guarding, escape attempts, destructive behaviour, fear-related behaviour, handling difficulties and behaviour around animals or unfamiliar people.
10.2. Disclosure does not automatically prevent boarding, but we may assess whether the pet can be accommodated safely and appropriately. If behaviour during the stay creates a significant risk, we may modify handling, exercise, enrichment or accommodation and may require collection by you or the emergency contact.
10.3. Humane, welfare-appropriate handling and reward-based methods will be used. You authorise proportionate safety measures, including suitable muzzling or other appropriate handling equipment, where reasonably necessary to prevent injury or facilitate essential care.
10.4. Failure to disclose a known behavioural concern may lead to refused admission or termination of the stay. You will be responsible for reasonable additional costs caused by materially inaccurate or withheld information, except where the loss was caused by our breach of duty.
11. Bitches in season
11.1. You must tell us if a bitch is in season, may be coming into season or has recently been mated. Acceptance is subject to our ability to provide safe accommodation and care.
11.2. We may adjust accommodation, handling and exercise to reduce risk. We will take reasonable precautions to prevent access by male dogs, but no boarding environment can remove every inherent risk. Nothing in this clause excludes liability arising from our negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
12. Belongings and grooming
12.1. We can provide Vetbed bedding, blankets, bowls and care items. Personal bedding, blankets, toys and comfort items are welcome if clearly labelled. Do not bring valuable, sentimental or irreplaceable items.
12.2. We will take reasonable care of owner-supplied property but are not responsible for loss or damage caused by ordinary soiling, chewing, scratching, normal wear or the pet’s behaviour, unless the loss or damage resulted from our failure to exercise reasonable care.
12.3. We may remove an item that creates a safety or hygiene concern. Unclaimed belongings may be disposed of after we have made reasonable efforts to notify you and allowed a reasonable collection period of 6 months.
12.4. You authorise us to carry out reasonable coat, eye, ear and hygiene care and, where necessary, to bathe a dog that is dirty or soiled using an appropriate pet grooming product. You must disclose all known sensitivities or allergies. You may withhold non-essential bathing consent on the booking form; this does not prevent cleaning that is reasonably necessary for immediate welfare or veterinary treatment.
13. Insurance and responsibility
13.1. Boarding insurance is included in the daily charge, subject to the insurer’s current terms, limits and exclusions. Insurance is not a guarantee that every veterinary cost or loss will be covered.
13.2. Insurance does not ordinarily cover pre-existing illness, injury or medical conditions, including recurrence or deterioration of a condition that existed before the stay. Any claim will be assessed by the insurer under the applicable policy.
13.3. If a pet becomes unwell or shows signs of injury after departure and you believe it may relate to the stay, you must notify us as soon as reasonably possible and seek veterinary treatment within three days. Prompt notice allows relevant records and evidence to be preserved. Failure to notify within three days does not remove any statutory right that cannot lawfully be excluded, but will affect an insurance claim where delay causes prejudice.
13.4. We are not responsible for a condition or loss that is unrelated to the stay or could not reasonably have been prevented through the exercise of reasonable care and skill. Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of statutory rights, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
14. Late or failed collection
14.1. If a pet is not collected at the agreed time, you must contact us immediately. Continued accommodation is subject to availability and is charged at the current daily rate, together with reasonable additional care, food, veterinary, and transport and administration costs.
14.2. If we cannot continue to accommodate the pet safely, you authorise us to require the nominated emergency contact to collect it or to arrange suitable temporary care at your reasonable cost.
14.3. If the pet remains uncollected, we will make reasonable efforts to contact you and the emergency contact using the details supplied. We may also contact the police, local authority, dog warden, veterinary practice or an appropriate animal welfare organisation where necessary.
14.4. We will not treat a pet as abandoned or arrange rehoming solely because 14 days have passed. Any proposed transfer, sale, rehoming or other disposal will only take place after appropriate written notice, reasonable enquiries and compliance with applicable law. You remain responsible for reasonable care and enforcement costs until ownership or responsibility lawfully changes.
15. Communications, privacy and photographs
15.1. Routine updates are provided only during our published business hours and are not guaranteed at a particular time. Emails, social-media messages and similar channels are not continuously monitored and must not be used for emergencies.
15.2. A booking, cancellation, extension or change is not agreed through an informal message unless we expressly confirm it. You are responsible for maintaining working contact details and monitoring communications during the stay.
15.3. We use personal information, veterinary records and emergency-contact details to administer bookings, meet legal and licensing obligations and protect animal welfare. Further information is provided in our privacy notice. You confirm that you have permission to provide the emergency contact’s details.
15.4. Consent to use identifiable photographs or videos for advertising or social media is optional and must be given separately. Refusing photography consent will not affect the pet’s care or eligibility to board.
16. General terms
16.1. We will provide boarding services with reasonable care and skill. Your statutory rights are not affected by these terms.
16.2. If a court or competent authority finds part of these terms unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
16.3. A delay in enforcing a right does not waive that right. No person other than you and us has a right to enforce this agreement, except where the law provides otherwise.
16.4. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. Courts with jurisdiction under applicable consumer law may determine disputes.
16.5. If these written terms conflict with informal discussions or messages, these terms and any specific written booking confirmation will apply, subject always to applicable law.