By booking an appointment with Precious Paws, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted the following Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions are in place to protect the welfare of your dog, the safety of the groomer, and the smooth running of the service.
1. General
Precious Paws provides professional mobile dog grooming services on a one-to-one basis.
By making a booking, you agree to provide accurate and up-to-date information about your dog, including any relevant health, behaviour or handling concerns.
Precious Paws reserves the right to refuse, stop, or modify a groom at any stage if this is considered necessary for the safety, welfare or wellbeing of the dog, the groomer, equipment, or others nearby.
In the event of an emergency, you authorise Precious Paws to seek veterinary attention for your dog if you cannot be reached immediately. Any veterinary costs remain your responsibility.
Where a coat is severely neglected and removal is necessary for welfare reasons, Precious Paws will not carry out prolonged de-matting that is considered unkind, unsafe or inappropriate.
Breed-standard or specific styling requests can only be accommodated where coat condition, behaviour, time and welfare reasonably allow.
2. Coat Condition and Presentation of the Dog
Dogs should be presented in a reasonable condition for grooming.
Dogs presented with excessive mud, debris, burrs, grass seeds, heavily impacted coat, significant knotting or matting, or coats requiring substantially more time than expected may incur additional charges.
Dogs not maintained on a suitable grooming schedule may require extra preparation time, additional work, or a shorter practical style, depending on coat condition and welfare considerations. This will result in extra fees in-line with extra time taken for the appointment.
3. Matting
Matting can cause significant discomfort and may make de-matting inappropriate, unsafe or inhumane.
Where matting is present, Precious Paws will always prioritise the dog’s welfare and may determine that clipping the coat short is the safest and kindest option.
You understand that clipping a matted coat may reveal or contribute to redness, itchiness, skin irritation, abrasions, sores, cuts, bruising, or other underlying skin conditions that were hidden beneath the coat.
Precious Paws cannot be held responsible for after-effects resulting from the clipping of a matted or neglected coat where removal was necessary in the dog’s best interests.
Matted dogs will incur additional charges due to the extra time, care, handling and equipment wear involved.
4. Health and Medical Disclosure
You must inform Precious Paws before every appointment of any injury, illness, skin complaint, infection, lameness, sensitivity, recent surgery, medication, behavioural change, or other health concern, however minor it may seem.
Grooming may reveal underlying skin or health issues not visible before the appointment. If lumps, bumps, skin irritation, parasites, injuries, or other concerns are noticed, you will be informed as soon as reasonably possible.
Precious Paws does not provide veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Where appropriate, you may be advised to seek veterinary attention.
Precious Paws cannot be held liable for complications arising from pre-existing or undisclosed conditions.
5. Behaviour, Handling and Safety
You must disclose any history of aggression, biting, severe anxiety, handling sensitivity, escape behaviour, or any other behavioural concern before the appointment.
Precious Paws reserves the right to use appropriate safety equipment, including restraints and a muzzle where necessary and appropriate, in the interests of safety. If the groom must be modified and different handling and specialist techniques utilised due to behaviour, you may incur extra charges due to extra time taken.
If a dog presents a risk to the groomer, itself, or others, Precious Paws reserves the right to refuse or stop the groom.
If an appointment cannot proceed, or must be stopped, because of undisclosed behaviour or handling issues, you may still be charged in full or in part depending on the time lost and work attempted.
6. Welfare First
The welfare of the dog is the priority at all times.
If, in the groomer’s professional judgement, continuing or completing the groom would cause unreasonable stress, fear, discomfort or risk, the appointment may be shortened, altered or stopped.
A completed groom cannot be guaranteed where a dog is distressed, medically compromised, severely matted, or unsafe to handle.
7. Fleas, Ticks and Parasites
If fleas, ticks, or other parasites are found during the appointment, Precious Paws reserves the right to stop the groom or take appropriate action depending on the circumstances. If the groom cannot be completed due to bio-safety to protect all clients, you will still be charged the full price for the groom.
Additional charges may apply where extra time, cleaning, disinfecting, or treatment of equipment is required.
You may be advised to seek veterinary advice or suitable treatment before a future appointment can be booked.
8. Appointments, Access and Mobile Service Requirements
As a mobile service, Precious Paws requires suitable and legal parking for a long-wheelbase van. This cannot be across roads. The space must be accessible for a large van to park and for safe entry and exit of staff and animals.
A mains electricity supply must be available within safe reach of the van (around 20 metres).
If adequate parking or electricity access is not available on arrival and the appointment cannot proceed, the full appointment fee will still be charged.
You, or a responsible adult, must be available at the agreed appointment time to hand over and collect the dog unless otherwise agreed in advance.
If no one is available and the appointment cannot go ahead, the full appointment fee may be charged. We will endeavour to contact you in all ways that are available to us, however we cannot wait for longer than 15 minutes.
9. Cancellations and Missed Appointments
At least 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged at 50% of the booked appointment fee.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, may be charged at 100% of the booked appointment fee.
Further appointments may be declined until any outstanding cancellation or missed appointment fee has been paid.
Precious Paws reserves the right to request a deposit or full payment in advance for future bookings.
10. Payment
Payment may be made by bank transfer, card, or cash unless otherwise agreed in advance.
Payment is due on the day of the appointment unless another arrangement has been agreed beforehand.
Late payment may result in future bookings being withheld until the balance is cleared.
Precious Paws reserves the right to take reasonable steps to recover unpaid sums.
11. Pricing
Prices are based on factors including breed, size, coat type, coat condition, behaviour, grooming frequency, and the time required.
Any quote given before seeing the dog is an estimate only and may be adjusted if the dog’s condition, coat, behaviour, or grooming requirements differ from what was originally described.
Additional charges may apply for matting, heavily impacted coats, excessive undercoat, difficult handling, flea treatment cleaning, or significantly extended appointment times.
12. Grooming Outcomes and Client Satisfaction
Precious Paws always aims to meet agreed expectations wherever this is safe, realistic, and in the dog’s best interests.
You are responsible for making styling preferences clear before the groom begins. Reference photographs are welcome where helpful.
If you have any concerns about the groom, these should be raised while the groomer is still on site where possible, so that reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Any return visit requested after the appointment has ended may be chargeable.
13. Late Arrival or Delay
If Precious Paws is delayed due to traffic, weather, vehicle issues, emergencies, or circumstances outside reasonable control, you will be informed as soon as possible and the appointment will be rearranged or adjusted where necessary.
Precious Paws will not be liable for delays caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control.
If you are late to hand over your dog, this may shorten the available grooming time, affect the finished result, or require the appointment to be rearranged and the full amount may be charged.
14. Collection and Contact During the Appointment
For safety reasons, clients must not knock on the van door or windows, crowd the grooming area, or interrupt the groom unless necessary.
Interruptions can cause dogs to become excited, unsettled, or unsafe to handle.
If the groomer needs to contact you during the appointment, you should remain reasonably available by phone.
15. Photography and Media
Precious Paws may take photographs or videos of dogs for client records, welfare monitoring, training, business records, website use, or social media.
If you do not wish your dog’s image to be used for marketing purposes, you must state this clearly in writing.
All media created by Precious Paws remains the property of Precious Paws.
16. Teeth Cleaning and Other Non-Veterinary Hygiene Services
Any non-veterinary oral hygiene service offered by Precious Paws is intended as a cosmetic and hygiene support service only.
Precious Paws does not diagnose dental disease and does not replace veterinary assessment or treatment.
This service may be declined where a dog appears unsuitable, where there are concerns about the condition of the mouth, or where veterinary advice is considered more appropriate.
Results will vary depending on the dog, the level of build-up, tolerance for handling, and consistency of home care afterwards.
17. Puppies, Elderly Dogs and Dogs with Additional Needs
Puppies, elderly dogs, rescue dogs, and dogs with medical, behavioural or mobility-related needs may require a slower, adapted or reduced appointment.
Precious Paws will always work in the dog’s best interests, but a full groom or specific finish cannot be guaranteed where tolerance, welfare or safety limits what can reasonably be achieved.
18. Right to Refuse Future Bookings
Precious Paws reserves the right to refuse future bookings where there has been repeated late cancellation, non-payment, undisclosed aggression, abusive or inappropriate behaviour, unsafe access arrangements, or any other serious breakdown in the working relationship.
19. Changes to Terms and Conditions
Precious Paws reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time.
The most recent version published on the website will apply to future bookings.
20. Acceptance
By booking and using the services of Precious Paws, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions.