PET SERVICES AGREEMENT


This Agreement is a legally binding contract between Kennels von Lotta LLC (doing business as Gardens von Lotta, and including its owners, employees, and facilities) and the Owner signing below. This contract applies to all current and future stays for any pet owned by the Owner.

1. Right to Refuse Service

Gardens von Lotta reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services for any pet, at any time, for any reason.

2. Payments, Deposits, and Cancellations

  • Booking Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to secure any reservation.
  • Balance Due: The remaining 50% balance must be paid in full at the time of dog drop-off.
  • Payment Methods: Payments are accepted via Venmo or Zelle.
  • Cancellation Rules:
    • 7+ Days Notice: Cancellations made 7 calendar days or more before the scheduled start date will receive a deposit refund, minus a $100 administrative fee.
    • Less than 7 Days Notice: Cancellations made less than 7 calendar days before the scheduled start date result in a completely non-refundable deposit.
  • Rescheduling: If the Owner must reschedule Boarding or Board & Train dates they should do so no less than 7 days prior to the drop-off date.
  • Late Pickups: If a pet is not picked up on the scheduled checkout date, the Owner will be billed at current daily rates for the extended stay. All outstanding balances must be cleared before the pet is released.

3. Owner’s Warranties and Health Requirements

The Owner guarantees that all information provided is accurate and agrees to the following health terms:

  • Ownership: The Owner is the sole legal owner of the pet and has full authority to enter into this agreement.
  • Vaccinations: The pet is current on their Rabies vaccination, and proof must be provided before or at drop-off.
  • Health Status: To the best of the Owner’s knowledge, the pet has had no known exposure to any contagious diseases (such as parvovirus, distemper, or upper respiratory infections) and has shown no symptoms of illness (coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual lethargy) within the last 30 days.
  • Full Disclosure: The Owner has fully disclosed all pre-existing medical conditions, health issues, allergies, and behavioral traits (including aggression, escape tendencies, or severe separation anxiety).

4. Individual Care, Safety, and Medical Emergencies

  • Individual Exercise & Accidental Contact: Gardens von Lotta does not offer structured group play or intentional dog-to-dog socialization. Pets are housed, exercised, trained, and handled individually. While Gardens von Lotta uses strict safety protocols to keep animals separated, the Owner acknowledges that accidental, unintentional dog-to-dog contact can occur (such as a dog escaping an enclosure or slipping a lead). The Owner agrees that Kennels von Lotta LLC is not liable for any injuries, veterinary expenses, or damages resulting from such accidental or unintentional animal interactions.
  • Parasites: If a pet arrives with fleas, ticks, or external parasites, Gardens von Lotta will treat the pet at the Owner’s expense.
  • Emergency Veterinary Authorization: In the event of a medical emergency, Gardens von Lotta will make every reasonable effort to contact the Owner first, and if unreachable, the designated Emergency Contact. If neither can be reached in a timeframe that would risk the pet’s health, Gardens von Lotta is authorized to obtain whatever veterinary treatment the attending veterinarian deems necessary. The Owner agrees to be fully and immediately responsible for all resulting costs, payable directly to the veterinary provider or reimbursed to Gardens von Lotta upon invoicing.
  • Isolation / Quarantine: If a pet develops symptoms of a contagious illness during their stay, they will be immediately moved to a designated isolation area on Gardens von Lotta’s property to protect other animals. The Owner agrees to a $75 per night quarantine fee to cover the extra sanitization, specialized handling, and dedicated care required. If the condition worsens or requires professional supportive medical care, Gardens von Lotta is authorized to transfer the dog to a veterinary clinic, and a $50 fee will apply for one-way medical transportation.

5. Natural Disasters and Emergencies

In the event of a storm, flood, natural disaster, or emergency that compromises the safety of the facility, Gardens von Lotta will contact the Owner for immediate pickup. If the Owner cannot be reached or cannot pick up the pet, Gardens von Lotta is authorized to relocate the pet to a safe alternative location at the Owner’s expense.

6. Public Environment and 1-on-1 Training Rules

For clients participating in 1-on-1 private training or park lessons:

  • Assumption of Risk: The Owner understands that training in public parks, fields, or open public spaces carries inherent, unpredictable risks (off-leash dogs, wildlife, traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists). The Owner knowingly assumes all risks associated with training in a public setting.
  • Handler Responsibility: During 1-on-1 coaching sessions, the Owner remains the primary handler of the dog unless the trainer explicitly takes the leash for a demonstration. The Owner is strictly, legally, and financially responsible for maintaining physical control of the dog at all times.
  • Third-Party Damage: The Owner assumes full liability for any property damage, human injuries, or dog-to-dog injuries caused by their dog during, before, or immediately after a public training session.
  • Bite History & Muzzles: If a dog has a history of aggression, lunging, snapping, or biting, the Owner must disclose it prior to the first lesson. Gardens von Lotta reserves the right to mandate the use of a secure basket muzzle during public lessons for safety.

7. Board & Train and 1-on-1 Training Program Rules

  • No Guarantees of Performance: The Owner acknowledges that animal training is a collaborative process dependent on animal behavior, temperament, and consistency. Gardens von Lotta establishes behavioral foundations but does not offer absolute guarantees regarding a dog’s permanent behavior or perfect performance.
  • Training Equipment Authorization: The Owner explicitly grants Gardens von Lotta permission to utilize professional training equipment deemed safe and necessary for the Pet’s development. This may include standard training collars, long lines, crates, and slip leads.
  • Owner Responsibility and Follow-Up: A significant portion of training success relies on the Owner’s behavioral management at home. The Owner agrees to participate in any scheduled go-home handoff lessons and to follow the specific care and homework guidelines provided by Gardens von Lotta to prevent behavioral regression.
  • 1-on-1 Training Program Timeline: 1-on-1 Training packages are designed around a preferred pace of one session per week (approximately 5 weeks for a 5-session package). The Owner may reschedule sessions as needed, provided all 5 sessions in the package are completed within 10 weeks of the enrollment date. If 10 weeks pass and not all sessions have been completed, regardless of the reason for rescheduling or delay, the program is considered concluded, and no refund will be issued for unused sessions.
  • Refund Policy: Training packages are designed as a complete, sequential programs and are not eligible for partial refunds under any circumstances, including early discontinuation, missed sessions, or expiration of the 10-week window. Training fees pay for the trainer’s professional time, labor, and handling expertise.
  • Evaluation Fee: The evaluation fee is non-refundable. If the Owner enrolls in a training program following the evaluation, the evaluation fee will be credited toward the cost of the training package.

8. Abandoned Pets

  1. If a pet is not picked up within 5 days of their scheduled checkout date, Gardens von Lotta will issue a written warning via text, email, or mail. The Owner then has 10 days from the notice date to retrieve the pet and pay all balances.
  2. Failure to pick up the pet and clear the balance within those 10 days constitutes legal abandonment. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Owner completely relinquishes all ownership rights to the pet.
  3. Gardens von Lotta may place an Abandoned Pet with a rescue group, shelter, or private adopter at its sole discretion. Legal abandonment does not relieve the Owner of their outstanding financial debt to Kennels von Lotta LLC.

9. Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk

The Owner understands that boarding and training environments carry inherent risks. The Owner knowingly assumes all risks, including:

  • Stress-related illnesses or the worsening of underlying health conditions due to an unfamiliar environment.
  • Exposure to airborne viruses or pathogens.
  • Sudden medical emergencies unique to dogs, such as Bloat / Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).
  • Environmental or heat-related illness.
  • Minor self-inflicted abrasions or sprains resulting from crate confinement.

10. Liability Waiver and Release

  • Waiver: The Owner waives, releases, and promises not to sue Kennels von Lotta LLC, its owners, or employees for any claims, injuries, illnesses, property loss, or death arising from the services, unless caused by gross negligence.
  • Subrogation: The Owner waives their insurance provider’s right to bring claims against Kennels von Lotta LLC for payments made on the Owner’s behalf.
  • Maximum Liability: In no event shall Kennels von Lotta LLC’s financial liability exceed the current market value of a pet of the same breed and age.

11. Behavior and Indemnification

  • The Owner remains legally and financially responsible for all actions and behavior of their pet.
  • The Owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Kennels von Lotta LLC against any damages, legal fees, or third-party injury claims caused directly or indirectly by their pet.
  • If the pet bites or injures a human, Gardens von Lotta is authorized to report the incident and share the Owner’s contact details with local public health and animal control authorities.

12. Photographic and Video Release

The Owner grants Gardens von Lotta the irrevocable right to take photos and videos of the pet during their stay. Gardens von Lotta may use these media assets without financial compensation or royalties for commercial and promotional purposes on social media, marketing materials, and gardensvonlotta.com.

13. Communication Consent

By signing below, the Owner explicitly consents to receive text messages and emails from Gardens von Lotta.

  • This includes service communications (scheduling, booking confirmations, invoices, and emergency updates).
  • This includes occasional marketing updates or promotions.
  • Note: Standard message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying “STOP” to texts or clicking “unsubscribe” on emails. Your data will never be shared or sold.

    14. Legal Jurisdiction and Interpretation

    • Governing Law: This agreement is governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Georgia.
    • Dispute Resolution: Any unresolved dispute arising from this contract will be settled through final, binding arbitration in Georgia under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees.
    • Jury Trial Waiver: If the arbitration clause is deemed unenforceable, the Owner waives all rights to a jury trial and consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts sitting in Georgia.
    • Severability: If any piece of this agreement is found invalid by a court, the remaining parts of the contract remain fully enforceable. Digital, scanned, or photocopied signatures carry the same legal weight as an original ink signature.