Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

Your use of our services is entirely voluntary. These Terms constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Meow Homez.

2. Business Overview & Service Description

Meow Homez is a privately operated cat-sitting and boarding service located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We provide:

• Drop-off boarding only: Your cat stays at our location for the duration of the booking
• Basic care services: Feeding, fresh water, litter maintenance, play sessions, and comfort monitoring

What We Do NOT Provide:

• ❌ Home visits or in-home pet sitting
• ❌ Veterinary services or medical treatment
• ❌ Grooming services (unless specifically arranged and paid for separately)
• ❌ Training or behavioral modification services
• ❌ Pet transportation or pickup/delivery services

If you need services we don't provide, we're happy to recommend alternatives — but those are outside our scope and responsibility.

3. Eligibility & Client Responsibilities

By booking with us, you represent and warrant that:

• Age: You are 18 years of age or older
• Authority: You are the legal owner of the cat(s) or have explicit authority from the owner to make decisions on their behalf
• Accurate Information: All information provided (pet details, medical history, dietary needs, behavioral issues, emergency contacts) is complete, accurate, and current
• Updates: You will immediately notify us of any changes to your cat's health, behavior, or contact information

4. Pet Health & Safety Requirements

4.1 Health Requirements

All cats must be:

• Healthy: Free from contagious diseases, parasites, and active infections at the time of drop-off
• Vaccinated: Current on core vaccinations (FVRCP and Rabies strongly recommended). Proof may be requested.
• Flea & Parasite Free: Treated for fleas, ticks, and worms. Cats with visible parasites will be refused or treated at your expense.
• Spayed/Neutered (Recommended): While not mandatory, unaltered cats may be refused if behavioral concerns arise

4.2 Behavioral Requirements

• Cats must be non-aggressive toward humans and other animals
• Cats with a history of biting, scratching, or violent behavior may be refused
• We reserve the right to refuse service to any cat that poses a safety risk

4.3 Drop-Off Requirements

• Cats must arrive in a secure, well-ventilated carrier
• Carriers must be labeled with your name and contact information
• If you bring your cat's own supplies (food, litter box, toys, bedding), please label them clearly

4.4 Right to Refuse Service

We reserve the absolute right to refuse service, terminate service early, or refuse future bookings based on:

• Safety concerns for staff, other pets, or the cat itself
• Aggressive or dangerous behavior
• Undisclosed medical or behavioral issues
• Non-compliance with these Terms
• Previous incidents or problematic behavior from you or your pet

No refunds will be issued if service is terminated due to safety concerns or your breach of these Terms.

5. Medical Care, Emergencies & Veterinary Authorization

5.1 Emergency Protocol

In the event your cat becomes ill, injured, or exhibits concerning symptoms during their stay, we will:

1. Contact you immediately using the contact information provided
2. Contact your emergency contact(s) if you are unreachable
3. If neither you nor your emergency contacts can be reached, we are authorized to seek veterinary care at our discretion

5.2 Veterinary Authorization & Financial Responsibility

5.3 Limitation of Liability for Medical Issues

We are NOT veterinarians and do not provide medical diagnoses or treatments. We are NOT LIABLE for:

• Pre-existing medical conditions that worsen or manifest during the stay
• Illness, injury, or death caused by natural causes, age-related decline, or unforeseeable medical events
• Stress-related conditions (e.g., stress-induced cystitis, appetite loss, hiding behavior) — cats can be anxious in new environments
• Delayed diagnosis or treatment due to your unavailability or failure to provide accurate medical history
• Outcomes of veterinary treatment (we select care in good faith but cannot guarantee results)

Cats, like humans, can become ill or injured without warning. By using our services, you acknowledge this inherent risk.

6. Comprehensive Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk

6.1 Acknowledgment of Risk

You acknowledge and accept that:

• No environment is 100% risk-free for pets, no matter how careful we are
• Cats can injure themselves in unexpected ways (jumping, playing, climbing, grooming, etc.)
• Cats can become ill from stress, environmental changes, or exposure to common viruses despite vaccination
• Multi-cat environments carry inherent risks (even friendly cats can have conflicts)
• Your cat's behavior may change in a new environment (hiding, reduced appetite, stress behaviors)

By using our services, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with boarding your cat at our facility.

6.2 What We Are NOT Liable For

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Meow Homez, its owners, employees, contractors, and agents are NOT LIABLE for:

6.3 Maximum Liability Cap

In no event shall Meow Homez's total liability to you exceed the amount you paid for the specific booking in question. We are not liable for consequential, incidental, special, or punitive damages including but not limited to emotional distress, loss of companionship, or veterinary expenses beyond emergency stabilization.

6.4 Indemnification (You Agree to Protect Us)

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Meow Homez from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your cat's behavior, including injuries to staff, other animals, or damage to property
• Your failure to disclose accurate information about your cat's health or behavior
• Your breach of these Terms & Conditions
• Any violation of laws or regulations related to pet ownership

Translation: If your cat causes damage or injury due to something you didn't tell us, you're responsible for the costs — not us.

7. Booking, Pricing, Payment & Cancellations

7.1 Booking Process

• Bookings must be made through our website (meowhomez.ca) or by direct arrangement
• A booking is confirmed only when payment is received
• We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any booking at our discretion
• Bookings are subject to availability — first come, first served

7.2 Pricing

• Current pricing is displayed on our website and booking form
• Prices are subject to change without notice (confirmed bookings honor the price at the time of booking)
• Additional fees may apply for:
  • Late pick-up (see Section 7.5)
  • Medication administration
  • Special dietary needs or preparation
  • Emergency veterinary care (you are responsible for all vet expenses)
  • Property damage caused by your cat

7.3 Payment Terms

• Payment is due at the time of booking unless otherwise arranged
• We accept: cash, and credit cards (online via invoice)
• Payment confirms your acceptance of these Terms
• Payments are non-refundable except as specified in Section 7.4

7.4 Cancellation Policy

7.5 Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Drop-Off:

• You must drop off your cat at the scheduled date and time
• Late drop-offs may result in reduced care time without price adjustment

Pick-Up:

• You must pick up your cat at the agreed date and time
• Late pick-ups will incur additional fees
• If you need to extend your booking, contact us ASAP — extensions subject to availability

8. Membership Pass Terms

8.1 Membership Pass Overview

Meow Homez offers prepaid Membership Passes that provide discounted boarding rates and priority booking privileges. By purchasing a Membership Pass, you agree to these specific terms in addition to our general Terms & Conditions.

8.2 Validity Period & Expiration

• Validity: Membership Passes are valid for exactly 3/6/12 months from the date of activation.
• Activation: Your pass activates immediately upon payment confirmation/requested start date, NOT on the first use.
• Hard Expiration: Unused days expire at the end of the period. No extensions, rollovers, or refunds for unused days.
• Expiration Notice: We may send one courtesy reminder 30 days before your pass expires, but it is your responsibility to track your expiration date.

8.3 Booking & Cancellation

Cancellation Policy for Members:

• 24+ hours notice: Full credit retained, no days deducted from pass
• Less than 24 hours or no-show: Full amount deducted from pass

8.4 Payment & Pricing

• Full Payment Required: Membership Passes must be paid in full at time of purchase by Cash/e-Transfer. No payment plans available.
• No Additional Charges: Your pass covers boarding only.
• Price Lock: Your discounted rate is locked for the 12-month membership period, even if our standard rates increase.

8.5 Refund & Transfer Policy

No Refunds:

• Membership Passes are non-refundable once purchased.

Transfers & Sharing:

• Same Cat Only: Membership Passes are tied to a specific customer-pet and cannot be transferred to other/new pets.
• No Resale: You may not resell, auction, or commercially transfer your Membership Pass. Violators will forfeit all remaining days with no refund.

8.6 Suspension & Termination

Meow Homez reserves the right to suspend or terminate your Membership Pass immediately, without refund, if:

• Your cat poses a safety risk to us, property, or other cats in our care
• You fail to disclose critical health or behavioral information
• You repeatedly cancel bookings with less than 24 hours notice (3+ violations)
• You engage in abusive, threatening, or harassing behavior toward us
• You violate any terms in our general Terms & Conditions
• Payment disputes, chargebacks, or fraudulent activity

8.7 Special Conditions & Limitations

• Maximum Capacity: Priority is given to members, but availability is never 100% guaranteed.
• Holiday & Peak Periods: While there are no blackout dates, advance booking is strongly recommended during holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, Canada Day weekend, etc.). Last-minute availability is not guaranteed.
• Health Requirements: All cats must be up-to-date on vaccinations (rabies, FVRCP) and flea-free. If your cat develops a health issue during your Member Pass period, we may require veterinary clearance before resuming boarding.
• Age Restrictions: We accept cats 6 months and older. Kittens under 6 months are not eligible for boarding, regardless of pass type.

8.8 Liability & Insurance

• All liability terms in our general Terms & Conditions apply to Membership Pass holders.
• Membership Passes do NOT include pet insurance. We strongly recommend maintaining your own pet insurance policy.
• In case of medical emergencies, we will transport your cat to the nearest veterinary clinic at your expense. Member Pass benefits do NOT cover veterinary costs.

8.9 Communication & Account Management

• Account Dashboard: Members receive access to an online dashboard to track expiration date, and booking history.
• Email Notifications: We may send booking confirmations, reminder emails (30 days before expiration), and updates about your membership.
• Contact Updates: You MUST notify us immediately of any changes to your phone number, email, or emergency contact. We are not responsible for missed communications due to outdated information.

8.10 Force Majeure & Service Interruptions

If we are unable to provide boarding services due to circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, public health emergencies, government orders, facility damage, personal emergencies), we will:

• Provide as much advance notice as possible (minimum 24 hours when feasible)
• Extend your Membership Pass expiration date by the number of days we were closed
• No refunds will be issued for force majeure events, but your pass validity will be extended

8.11 Changes to Membership Terms

• Meow Homez reserves the right to modify Membership Pass terms, pricing, or benefits at any time.
• Grandfathered Benefits: Changes will NOT affect active memberships. Your pass terms are locked in for the full pass validity.

9. Website Use & Acceptable Behavior

When using our website, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information in all forms and communications
• Not attempt unauthorized access to our systems, servers, or data
• Not use our website for illegal purposes or to transmit harmful content
• Not scrape, copy, or misuse our website content without permission
• Not impersonate others or provide false information

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to our website at any time for violations of these Terms.

10. Privacy & Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Key points:

• We collect information necessary to provide services and communicate with you
• We do not sell or share your data except as required by law or in emergencies
• We use third-party services (forms, payment processors, email) that have their own privacy policies
• You are responsible for keeping your contact information current

For full details, please review our Privacy Policy.

11. Intellectual Property & Content Ownership

All content on meowhomez.ca — including text, images, photos, videos, logos, graphics, and design elements — is the property of Meow Homez and protected by copyright and trademark laws.

You may NOT:

• Copy, reproduce, distribute, or republish our content without written permission
• Use our logo, branding, or images for commercial purposes
• Modify or create derivative works from our content

You MAY:

• Share links to our website on social media
• Reference our business in reviews or recommendations (we appreciate it!)

Photos & Videos of Your Cat

We may take photos or videos of your cat during their stay for:

• Updates sent to you
• Social media, marketing, or promotional use

By booking our services, you grant us permission to photograph your cat. If you do NOT want your cat's photos used publicly, please notify us in writing at booking.

12. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update, modify, or replace these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website with a new "Last Updated" date.

Your continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. We recommend reviewing these Terms periodically (or whenever you book) to stay informed.

If you do not agree with any changes, you must discontinue use of our services.

13. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

13.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a concern or dispute, please contact us first at [email protected]. We're reasonable people who love cats — let's try to work it out like adults before involving lawyers.

13.2 Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

13.3 Jurisdiction

Any legal disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts.

13.4 No Class Actions

You agree that any dispute will be resolved on an individual basis. You waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

14. Severability & Entire Agreement

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement: These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Meow Homez regarding your use of our services. They supersede any prior agreements, understandings, or communications.

15. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact us: