Terms & Conditions

Thank you for choosing Active Paws for your daycare and home boarding needs. We are rated Five Star, Higher Standard and are fully licensed by Buckinghamshire Council under licence number LC202201-73512. Active Paws is the trading name of Active Paws Ltd (company registration no.09913864). We are also a fully insured facility and pride ourselves on providing a truly home from home experience in beautiful surroundings with plenty of space, fun and freedom for your dog to enjoy. Animals are our life and so is the outdoors and we love all the characters who visit through our doors. We offer a unique set up in that not only are we open 365 days of the year but we are able to offer drop offs between the hours of 07:00 and 18:30 on weekdays (18:00 on Mondays&Fridays). We keep your dog as we keep our own and are sensitive to their individual characters and needs. Your dog will soon be dragging you through our gates to join in the fun.

Our Onboarding Process

Before booking daycare or home boarding with us we ask you to come for a visit with your dog. If we think there is a good match we will invite you to book a trial day, which is a normal chargeable daycare day that enables us to assess your dog. We will provide written feedback to you after the trial day and if your dog is suitable to come to Active Paws we will share a copy of our enrichment plan with you which can be tailored if required. You agree that should, for any reason, your dog prove unsuitable and you have to collect him/her early, that the fees for the trial day are payable in full.

Vaccinations

For daycare or holiday boarding you will need to provide proof of your dog’s vaccination record. Dogs MUST be inoculated within the last twelve months against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus prior to being boarded. Dogs must have received a recent worm and flea treatment and a kennel cough vaccination. It is your responsibility to ensure vaccinations and worm and flea treatments are up to date and you must enter them on your pet’s profile on our online booking system. If we are unable to accept your dog due to your failure to maintain these items, then no refund will be due.

Any dog who is suspected of having kennel cough will not be accepted or will be isolated until other arrangements can be made. This may include being housed at our vet or another Council approved facility if we do not have sufficient space. You agree to be responsible for the costs of this service.

Any dog suspected of having fleas will be given a flea treatment which will be charged for. You will be contacted in advance of any medication being given. See the section below entitled DEFRA CONSENTS for further detail.

Please under no circumstances bring your dog to us if he/she is at all unwell or is suffering from conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, kennel cough or any other infectious disease. Dogs with food intolerance affecting their bowel movements will be accepted. Any dog that develops symptoms during his/her stay that could possibly be contagious to other dogs will be isolated in an indoor, heated area. All your dog’s needs will be met as per normal and you will be informed immediately that he/she has been relocated to the isolation area.

Dogs are accepted at the sole risk of the owner. Whilst every care and attention is given to every dog boarded we cannot accept responsibility for illness, injury or loss of life whatever the cause. We strongly suggest you have pet insurance in place and by accepting these terms you agree to have adequate public liability insurance in place. Please ensure you have updated your pet profile with your insurance details. Click “Animal Welfare Regulation Details” at the bottom of the pet profile and enter the relevant information.

We do not accept un-neutered dogs over 12months old, bitches in season or puppies under 14 weeks. Any young male dog that is not yet neutered and that shows any tendencies that may cause problems for the group as a whole may be declined daycare or boarding. We ask owners to understand that the behaviour they experience at home may not be the same as what develops when living in a group situation and that it is always what is best for all parties that is important.

Dogs must be toilet trained before boarding starts. As we keep dogs within our home, any dog showing destructive behaviour or having excessively high energy inside the house may be refused future boarding.

You agree that in your dog’s best interest, if it is deemed necessary to seek vet advice or treatment in your absence, or you are uncontactable or time and urgency don’t allow it, you give permission for us to take your dog to the vet and that you will be responsible for all charges incurred. See the section on DEFRA CONSENTS below for our policy on which vet will be used.

If it is necessary to take your dog to the vet between 9 am and 5 pm there will be a petrol charge of 45p per mile. If it is necessary between 5 pm and 9am there will be a charge of £25 per hour plus a petrol charge of 45p per mile.

If your dog requires medical treatment for a minor injury there may be a charge for any dressings, bandages etc.

Making A Booking And Payments

CHARGES INC VAT are displayed on our website. Go to www.dogsloveactivepaws.com/tariffs. These may change from time to time.

All bookings must be made using our online system. Go to www.dogsloveactivepaws.com and click on BOOK NOW. You will need to create an account. If you experience difficulties, please contact us

All holiday bookings must be paid for in full at the time of bookings. Should you need to cancel, or change your dates your payment is refundable if we are able to fill your place with a replacement booking. You may therefore receive a full, or a partial refund, or possibly no refund at all. Cancellations resulting from changing government travel restrictions due to Covid-19 or due to you or other family members testing Covid positive before travel do not exempt you from our standard cancellation policy. Similarly, if you deliver your dog later than your specified dates or pick up earlier than stated in your booking there is no refund for unused days. This is because we limit the number of dogs staying and often turn people away or have a waiting list and will have turned away other bookings to hold your place for you.

Daycare Bookings

Similarly, we limit daycare numbers. Should you need to cancel, we require a full 24 hours notice. You acknowledge that you are responsible for the payment of the fee if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice.

Bank Holidays And Weekends

All drop offs/pick ups on Saturdays must be made between 8.30 and 9.30 am or between 4.30pm and 6:00PM This enables us to have some family time together whilst still ensuring your dog’s needs are met. If you need to drop your dog before 8.30am you will need to arrive the night before. Payments for daycare are payable as usual on the day by bank transfer only. We require a minimum of 24 hours notice for cancellation or payment will be charged in full.

On Sundays we are only open for drop off/pickup between 4:30PM and 6:00PM. We are closed for drop offs and pickups on Bank Holidays.

In the unlikely event that we need to cancel your booking we will give you as much notice as possible. Our liability to you is limited to the refund of any monies you have paid us. We are not responsible for any consequential losses you may incur.

Personal Effects

Apart from some exceptions, wherever possible we recommend that you arrive with as little as possible for your dog’s stay with us. We have a strict cleaning and disinfecting programme and beds need to be easily laundered and often.
We provide comfortable beds and regularly update our toys. Dogs will swap beds and chew on occasion and we cannot take responsibility for any damage or loss to your property. Only come with food/medication and your drop off form.

Dogs MUST come with a properly fitted collar or harness that your dog cannot slip or wriggle out of. This is very important and you should test that the fit is suitable and that you have an ID tag. We will add our own tag as well for the duration of the stay.

Defra Consents

We are Five Star rated by Buckinghamshire Council and we comply with the DEFRA legislation introduced on 1/10/2018. By accepting these terms and conditions you are agreeing to the following:

I HEREBY CONSENT TO MY DOG BEING KEPT WITH OTHER DOGS FROM DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS. I ALSO CONSENT TO MY OWN DOGS BEING KEPT TOGETHER IN A DESIGNATED ROOM, OR BEING SEPARATED IF CIRCUMSTANCES SO REQUIRE.
I CONFIRM MY DOG HAS UNDERGONE / WILL UNDERGO A TRIAL FAMILIARISATION SESSION
I CONSENT TO MY DOG BEING CRATED FOR UP TO 3 HOURS IF NECESSARY, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR IF THE DOG HAS TO BE ISOLATED DUE TO INJURY OR INFECTION.
I CONSENT TO MY DOG BEING WALKED ON OR OFF SITE ON A LEAD
I CONSENT TO MY DOGS BEING WALKED WITH OTHER DOGS
I CONSENT TO MY DOGS MIXING WITH DOGS FROM OTHER HOUSEHOLDS OUTDOORS. I CONSENT TO MY DOG MIXING WITH OTHER DAYCARE AS WELL AS HOME BOARDING DOGS THAT MAY BE ON THE PREMISES
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY I CONSENT TO MY DOG(S) BEING HOUSED IN AN ALTERNATIVE FACILITY FROM THE LIST OF APPROVED ESTABLISHMENTS LICENCED BY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL
IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF EXTERNAL PARASITES SUCH AS FLEAS, TICKS OR LICE, I CONSENT TO MY DOG BEING TREATED WITH AN APPROPRIATE PRODUCT AUTHORISED BY THE VETERINARY MEDICINES DIRECTORATE (VMD) AND LICENSED FOR USE IN THE UK. TREATMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH A VET BEFORE GIVING IT TO THE DOG.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE EVENT MY DOG REQUIRES TREATMENT THAT ACTIVE PAWS WILL CONTACT THE VET THAT I HAVE INDICATED IS MY NORMAL VET. I ACCEPT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THIS INFORMATION UP TO DATE ON ACTIVE PAWS’ ELECTRONIC BOOKING SYSTEM. IN THE EVENT THAT IT IS NOT PRACTICAL OR POSSIBLE TO USE MY VET, I CONSENT TO ACTIVE PAWS USING THEIR VET WHICH IS EITHER WHEELHOUSE VET (CHALFONT, AMERSHAM, CHESHAM OR BEACONSFIELD) OR STRAID VET (BEACONSFIELD), I UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES THAT ARE INCURRED. ACTIVE PAWS WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT THE OWNER BEFORE INSTRUCTING THE VET, BUT WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FEES INCURRED THAT ARE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DOG

Liability

By accepting these terms and conditions either electronically or by signing them, you the undersigned, agree that Louise and David Spate and/or Active Paws Ltd accept no liability for injury or death to your dog whilst in our care howsoever caused. you agree to have your own liability insurance and will be responsible for the actions of your own animal at all times. you agree to inoculate your dog against kennel cough as well as the required primary vaccinations. you acknowledge receipt of and acceptance of these terms and conditions by signing electronically and that each booking constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions including any changes that may be incorporated from time to time.

Mucky Pups

We ask that you deliver your dog to us for holiday periods with their coats in good order so they don’t become mud magnets and transfer it all into the house. Bathing and grooming is not part of our service. Should it be necessary to bath or groom your dog other than cursory care there will be a charge as this can be a very lengthy procedure.

Tips For A Top Stay At Active Paws

Please ensure that you check the arrival and pick up time that you have booked by looking at your online account – we email you a reminder as well for boarding stays only. Please keep us informed of any changes, we realise you can get held up on the way to us but it really helps us if you let us know by sending a text as we are normally waiting in for you based on your arrival time. If you are early, don’t panic we will be with you as quickly as possible. Call 07810-791775 or 07990-754824

If somebody else is picking up your dog for you please make sure they are aware of this procedure and don’t show up unannounced. If you don’t make an appointment time for your dog we may be out walking.

Remember to check beforehand that all your vaccinations are up to date. Give a worm and flea treatment before boarding starts and record this on your pet’s online profile by clicking the Animal Welfare Regulations button at the bottom of the pet profile.

Bring your drop off form with you, or preferably, ensure your dog’s dietary info and medical info sections are updated on his/her online pet profile.

Avoid bringing any personal items with you, beds, toys, bowls. We provide good quality and safe items for your dog including suitable ones for young pups.

Calculate enough food and ideally a little extra for your dog’s stay. If feeding dry food, please provide a measured scoop so we can feed accurately. You may want to provide a few tempters if your dog is a fussy feeder. All food to be given must be put in writing on the drop off form or recorded in the Dietary Info box of your online pet profile

If your dog is prone to a sensitive gut, it may be a good idea to ask your vet for a syringe of prokolin which is very effective at calming the gut.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT that dogs arrive with a correctly fitted collar that cannot slip over the head. Harnesses are removed after walking to avoid rubbing. Your dog must have a collar on at all times with our tag and for safety in handling.

PLEASE DO NOT bring rawhide chews. We consider these to be potentially dangerous.

YOUNG PUPS or sensitive dogs may like a blanket with homely smells on it.

KEEP DROP OFFS AND PICK UPs a calm experience. Avoid calling your dog when they are being led to the gate as this gets them very excited and they can pull very strongly. If your dog barks or is pulling at the lead, stay quiet, turn your back or go behind your car or the wall.

IF YOUR DOG is a barker on arriving or departing we may arrange for pickups to be done at the back of our property.

IF YOU arrive and somebody is already in our drive and there is traffic in the road, drive a little way down the road, wait a while, turn and return to avoid blocking the road if at all possible.

GDPR Notice

Our legal basis for collecting and processing your personal data is that it is necessary in order for us to comply with our obligation to conform with the Government’s licencing conditions for Animal Boarding Establishments. In addition, we need to collect and process your personal data in order to properly care for your pet in an emergency situation.

In connection with these obligations we may, from time to time, need to share your personal data with Government agencies, veterinary practices, insurance companies or other third parties in the interests of caring for your pet on your behalf.

By booking with us and accepting our T&Cs you consent to us sharing your personal data with these third parties. From time to time we may send you emails with pertinent information about our services, changes to our terms and conditions or other matters that we believe may be of relevance. If you wish to opt out of receiving these emails please tell us by emailing gdpr@dogsloveactivepaws.com

If you have any further questions about the way in which your data is managed, please write to us. Our privacy policy can be found on our website.

Our Enrichment Policy

We take enrichment very seriously at Active Paws. Dogs are social, intelligent and active animals and we aim to provide them with safe and suitable opportunities to exercise their bodies as well as their minds.

We tailor social enrichment to each dog’s needs, preferences and abilities, whether they are puppies, adolescents or adults. High levels of physical energy can sometimes affect behaviour negatively and giving mental stimulation can help to balance this.

When your dog comes for his/her trial day we will email you with a summary of the enrichment plan that we plan to follow. This document outlines our approach to enrichment and what to expect for your dog when booking with us and by signing our terms and conditions and booking your dog into Active Paws, you are deemed to have consented to these policies. If you have any questions at any time, please ask us.

Our facilities include:

One extremely large dog proof playpen with dog agility equipment, small jumps, a tunnel, a trampoline, a paddling pool and a regularly updated selection of toys including kong toys, balls and tug of war toys.
A large field which is dog proofed which contains toys, balls, a paddling pool, logs, tyres and a field shelter.
A 5 acre wood and a further ~10 acres of fields in which we have walking trails. Your dog will only be walked on lead in these areas. We use long flexileads so that they have freedom. There is the opportunity to explore undergrowth, fallen tree trunks, hedges and other wildlife smells which provide endless sniff opportunities for the enquiring dog.
Indoors we provide a daycare centre with a variety of interesting opportunities for stimulation. These include raised beds, comfy beds, a chaise lounge plus open door playpens and a large crate which are draped with blankets to provide cosy areas for more timid dogs to hide or be away from others if they wish.
For home boarders we provide thick, soft and comfortable dog beds. Dogs that do not wish to be with others, or who show signs of distress are offered their own designated room in the house in order to be away from other dogs.
It is our policy to always feed dogs separately in their own individual area

Playtime

At Active Paws we provide social play in small, well chosen groups recognising the different types of play, age, size, breed and ability of each dog. Our visitors learn to enjoy a good play ethic and social skills with their chosen friends. They also engage in play with their human friends using a large assortment of toys and when appropriate ball games.

Each dog can experience “sniffari’s” where they can lead the way and go exploring through our woodland trails, using their noses to seek out those tantalising sniffs and smells. This stimulates their sense of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

In the agility field they can learn, (again according to ability) about tunnels, jumps, climbing, weaving and sit/stay commands giving them a physical as well as a mental workout.

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs will be offered a varied program of exercise whilst at Active Paws. This will consist of walks through the 5 acre onsite mature woodland and the 10 acres of fields allowing the dog to follow scents and use their senses.

Social play is organised in carefully chosen groups. Toys are available as well as dog agility equipment, climbing apparatus, a trampoline, jumps, paddling pool (summer), tunnel, toys (including Kong) and where appropriate also ball games

We focus on human interaction at the centre of everything we do in order to create a positive experience for each visitor

Adolescent Dogs

Adolescent dogs are placed into smaller groups if appropriate for them and especially if not yet neutered. The focus is on ball games, fetch, sniffing and developing sensory skills as well as searching for hidden treats.

We focus on developing obedience and response to commands using treats as positive rewards with an emphasis on social play.

Puppies and young dogs

We begin by offering short, sensory lead walks around our woodland with another similar dog for company. This builds into short sessions of social play with a carefully selected partner(s) and also some lead practice and voice commands.

We use scatter feeding, licky mats and treat dispensers and working to find treats as methods to enhance interest and fun while at Active Paws

Indoors we keep puppies engaged with a variety of toys, tug games, interesting places to rest or play hide and seek with a friend!

Arthritic or older dogs that cannot be exercised

Dogs suffering from arthritis, or who have hearing or sight issues, or who are just in the latter stages of life will be treated with dignity and respect and have a special program tailored around their needs which we will agree with you in advance of their arrival.

We focus on light exercise without forcing them to do anything they may not wish to do, however we remain mindful of the need to keep moving and to have regular toilet opportunities. We therefore provide enrichment in a smaller area if mobility is limited and away from younger or more energetic dogs. We give appropriate puzzle toys, kongs, snuffle mats etc in order to stimulate their senses. We use scatter feeding and treat dispensers to occupy their minds and prevent boredom.

For dogs that cannot be exercised at all we will put a program in place that includes grooming, massage and 1:1 human time and contact. We are also mindful that such dogs are more likely to feel the cold and will ensure that they are kept warm. A cuddle by the television can be the order of the day, while gentle lead walking around the garden searching for hidden treats will ensure adequate mental stimulation

Grooming

We do not provide a full scale grooming service. However if your dog is here for daycare we will sponge or brush off any mud or other dirt. If your dog has rolled in something nasty, we will hose him/her off with warm water and towel dry, but you may still need to undertake a full bath when you get home.

Boarding dogs will be treated in the same way, other than if they become excessively dirty we will bath them. There may be a charge for this if it frequently becomes necessary and we will discuss this with you first.

Older dogs that are not mobile and require help to remain in good condition will receive light grooming

Tailored requirements

If your dog has specific requirements not mentioned in this document, please contact us well in advance of your dog’s stay in order to make special arrangements.