Effective Date: 17/12/25
At Strawberry Paws, we maintain a strict hygiene and wellness standard to protect all the animals in our care. This policy outlines the requirements for pet health and the protocol for contagious illnesses.
1. General Health and Vaccinations
- Vaccination Status: We strongly recommend that all dogs are up to date with their core vaccinations. While we do not always require proof, the Client acknowledges the risk of walking in public spaces if their dog is unvaccinated.
- Kennel Cough: We highly recommend the Kennel Cough (Bordetella) vaccine. Please note that the vaccine does not cover every strain, and Strawberry Paws is not liable if a dog contracts the virus.
2. Contagious Illness Protocol
If a pet shows signs of a contagious illness, the Client must inform Strawberry Paws immediately. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent coughing or “honking” (potential Kennel Cough).
- Diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Discharge from the eyes or nose.
- Lethargy or loss of appetite.
- Unexplained skin rashes or hair loss.
Action: Services will be suspended until the pet has been cleared by a vet or has been symptom-free for a minimum of 48 hours (or 7 days in the case of Kennel Cough).
3. Parasites (Fleas, Ticks, and Worms)
- Prevention: All pets must be on a regular, vet-approved flea, tick, and worming programme.
- Flea Discovery: If fleas are discovered on a pet during a walk or home visit, we will notify the Client immediately.
- Sanitisation Fee: If a pet introduces fleas into the Strawberry Paws vehicle or kit, we reserve the right to charge the Client a sanitisation fee to cover the cost of professional-grade deep cleaning and treatment of the equipment.
4. Bitches in Season
- Notification: Clients must notify us as soon as they suspect their dog is coming into season.
- Service Change: To prevent unwanted attention from other dogs or unplanned pregnancies, bitches in season will not be walked in group sessions. We will offer a Solo Walk or a Home Visit instead, subject to availability.
5. Hygiene and Cleaning
- Cross-Contamination: We use pet-safe sanitiser on our equipment and hands between visits to minimise the risk of spreading germs.
- Towel-Drying: On wet days, we will towel-dry your pet. We ask that you leave a clean towel near the entrance to assist with this.
6. Service Refusal & Refunds
- Right to Refuse: Strawberry Paws reserves the right to refuse service to any pet that appears visibly unwell upon arrival.
- Refunds: If we arrive and have to cancel the session because the pet is clearly too ill to be walked or is contagious, the session will be charged in full as the time slot was reserved and travel was undertaken.