Client Services Agreement & Waiver
One agreement covers every service and up to three dogs. Please read and sign before your first session or visit — about five minutes online, or print it and bring it with you.
- You sign once. It covers training, walks and drop-in visits, for all the dogs you name, and all future bookings until either of us ends it in writing.
- The serious part: dogs are unpredictable, even good ones. By signing you accept the risks and agree not to sue, even for an accident caused by negligence. Sections 3 to 5 are worth a careful read.
- The everyday part: exact prices come with your written quote, invoices are payable within 7 days, and cancellations need 24 hours' notice. Unsafe weather? We reschedule at no charge.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING. By signing this agreement you give up certain legal rights, including the right to sue, even for an accident caused by negligence.
This Client Services Agreement and Waiver is between Margaret Saint-Laurent Kemp, sole proprietor operating as Parliament Paws, 1338 Wellington Street West, Unit 10, Ottawa, Ontario ("Parliament Paws"), and the undersigned pet owner ("you"). "Your dog" means every dog named in this agreement.
1. What you're signing up for
Parliament Paws provides the service(s) you select: group or private training, dog walking, or drop-in visits. Prices, dates and cancellation terms for each booking are as set out in your written quote or invoice, which forms part of this agreement. This agreement covers every dog named on it. Training is owner-led coaching: you remain responsible for handling and controlling your dog at all times. Pet training and pet care are not regulated industries in Ontario; Parliament Paws is a small, owner-operated business.
The everyday rules
Ten short commitments about day-to-day care. When signing online, you tick each one; on paper, initial each line.
- ☐ Care standard. Parliament Paws will care for my pet with reasonable skill and diligence, following the routines and instructions I provide.
- ☐ Health & vet care. In an emergency, Parliament Paws will attempt to reach me, then my emergency contact, then my vet. I authorize reasonable veterinary care if I cannot be reached, and I am responsible for veterinary costs for my own pet.
- ☐ Accurate disclosure. I have disclosed my pet's health and behaviour history truthfully. I remain responsible for damage or injury caused by my pet, including undisclosed behaviours.
- ☐ Shared spaces. Walks may include supervised time near other dogs. I accept the ordinary risks of dog-to-dog contact; incompatible dogs are separated.
- ☐ Weather & safety. Services may be shortened or rescheduled in unsafe weather; I'll be told promptly.
- ☐ Cancellation. Less than 24 hours' notice: $25 fee. Less than 4 hours' notice, no-show or no access to my pet: the full fee for the booked service.
- ☐ Late pick-up. After a 10-minute grace, $15 per started half-hour applies.
- ☐ Payment. Invoices are payable within 7 days by e-transfer or cash. Prices are quoted before booking; no sales tax. Overdue accounts accrue interest at 2% per month (26.82% per annum) until paid.
- ☐ Privacy. My information is used only to provide services, stored in Parliament Paws' Google Workspace, and deleted 2 years after my last service (invoices kept 6 years as required by CRA). See the Privacy Policy.
- ☐ Term. This agreement covers all future bookings until either of us ends it in writing.
2. Your promises
You confirm that: you own or are authorized to care for each dog named on this agreement and are 18 or older; the information you give is true and complete and you'll update it if it changes; your dog has no history of aggression, has not bitten or attacked without provocation, and is not subject to any order under the Dog Owners' Liability Act (Ontario); your dog is up to date on core vaccines (rabies and DHPP; Bordetella recommended for group settings), on parasite prevention, and free of contagious illness; your dog stays leashed at training sessions and host venues; and, for services at your home, the home is safe and hazards are disclosed.
3. Accepting the risk
Dogs are unpredictable, even well-trained ones. Risks include bites, scratches, jumping, knock-downs, slips and falls, illness, escape, injury to or death of a dog, harm caused by other animals or people, and property damage. These risks exist wherever services happen and cannot be eliminated. You voluntarily accept all of them, known or unknown, for yourself, your dog, and anyone who accompanies you, including children.
4. Release and waiver of liability
In exchange for receiving services, you (for yourself and your heirs, representatives and assigns) release, waive, and agree not to sue Parliament Paws, Margaret Saint-Laurent Kemp, their family members, helpers and agents, and any host venue where services are provided (including PetValu, 200 Rideau Street, Ottawa) and its owner, operator, franchisor, landlord and staff (together the "Released Parties") for any claim, loss, injury (including death), or damage of any kind connected with the services or your or your dog's presence where they are provided, HOWEVER CAUSED, INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING FROM A RELEASED PARTY'S NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY DUTY OWED UNDER THE OCCUPIERS' LIABILITY ACT (ONTARIO). This release does not apply to gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Host venues are intended third-party beneficiaries of this section.
5. You remain responsible for your dog
You acknowledge that under the Dog Owners' Liability Act (Ontario), a dog's owner is liable for damage from a bite or attack. Nothing here transfers ownership of your dog. You agree to indemnify (cover) the Released Parties for claims, costs and legal fees arising from your or your dog's actions, your breach of this agreement, or any claim that a Released Party is liable as your dog's owner, keeper or custodian. Any surviving liability of the Released Parties is capped at the fees you actually paid for the service involved.
6. Vet emergencies
If your dog is hurt or ill, Parliament Paws contacts you and your emergency contact first. If you can't be reached and it's urgent, you authorize emergency vet care up to $__________ (if blank, $500), and you are responsible for all vet costs.
7. The legal wrap-up
This agreement plus your quote or invoice is the entire agreement for the services and stays in effect until either of us ends it in writing. Sections 3, 4 and 5 and the Privacy rule survive after services end. It is governed by Ontario law; disputes go to the courts of Ontario sitting in Ottawa. These waiver terms are intended to be as broad as Ontario law allows; if part is unenforceable the rest still applies. It may be signed electronically.
Your choices
Photos and messages are entirely up to you. Neither choice affects your service.
- Photos and videos of your dog (choose one): ☐ Public use OK · ☐ Private updates only · ☐ No photos
- Marketing messages (optional): ☐ Yes, keep me posted about classes, tips and offers. Withdraw anytime via info@parliamentpaws.ca.
Contact
Questions about this agreement: info@parliamentpaws.ca · (438) 700-8371
About you and your dogs
8. Signing
You confirm you are at least 18, legally able to sign, have read and understood this agreement — especially Sections 3, 4 and 5 — and sign freely, intending to be legally bound.