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Policies, Fees, and Important Information

We value transparency, clear communication, and the safety of every pet in our care. These policies help us stay reliable, fair, and prepared for anything while providing the highest standard of care.

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If you have questions about anything on this page, we are always happy to help.

 Payment Policy

Your booking is not confirmed until payment is received. To ensure clarity and fairness, please review our payment rules below. Accepted Payment Methods: Cash – full payment due at drop-off Zelle – full payment due at booking, no fees Venmo Business – full payment due at booking; processing fee applies Credit or Debit (via Square) – full payment due at booking; processing fee applies Deposits: Stays of 7 nights or longer may require a deposit to hold your reservation. Deposits are applied toward your final payment. Booking Rules & Timing: Bookings are first-paid, first-served. For cash payments, full payment is collected at drop-off or the first day of service. For other payment methods, full payment is collected at booking to secure your spot. Late payments or failure to pay on time may result in cancellation of the booking. Cancellation & Refunds: Payment is subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy, which applies to deposits, full payments, and rescheduled services. Additional Notes: Payment timing ensures availability and fairness for all clients. If your booking includes extras like extended care, multiple pets, or holiday surcharges, these will be added to your base service and billed according to the payment schedule above. We recommend confirming your preferred payment method in advance to avoid any confusion.

 Extended Care

Flexible Options for Early Drop-Offs, Late Pick-Ups, and Longer Days We know schedules aren’t always perfect. Extended Care gives you a simple, predictable way to add extra time for early drop-offs, late pick-ups, or longer days while keeping your pets safe, comfortable, and supervised. Boarding & House Sitting – Extended Care: Standard Stay: Up to 24 hours from drop-off time. Example: Drop-off 10:00 AM → Pick-up by 10:00 AM next day Grace Period: Complimentary 1-hour buffer 2–4 extra hours: +$40 4–8 extra hours: +$50 Over 8 hours / after 9 PM: Charged as an additional night Important Notes: Extended Care should be arranged in advance when possible. Late pick-ups without notice may incur fees automatically. Extended Care is subject to availability. If Extended Care overlaps with another booking, a full additional night may be required Daycare – Extended Care: Standard Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (up to 9 hours) Before 7:00 AM: Special request, based on availability 7:00 – 8:00 AM: +$10 (early drop-off) 5:00 – 6:00 PM: +$10 (late pick-up) 6:00 – 9:00 PM: +$20 (late pick-up after standard hours) After 9:00 PM: Charged as Overnight Boarding Please arrange extended care in advance when possible

Multi-Pet Pricing

We’re happy to care for multiple pets in your household! To ensure every pet receives safe, individual attention and high-quality care, an additional pet fee applies for each extra pet. Additional Pet Fees – Dogs Walks (30 min): + $15 Walks (1 hr): + $20 Field Trips: + $20 Day Care: + $25 Drop-Ins (30 min): + $15 Drop-Ins (1 hr): + $20 Boarding / Overnight: + $40 House Sitting: + $30 Pet Taxi: + $5 Additional Pet Fees – Cats Drop-Ins (30 min): + $10 Drop-Ins (1 hr): + $10 House Sitting: + $15 (Cats are not typically added to walks, daycare, or boarding.) Why Additional Pet Fees Exist: Additional pets require extra time, supervision, preparation, and cleanup. These fees help ensure each pet receives individualized, attentive, and safe care, never rushed or overcrowded. We keep multi-pet fees lower than full service pricing to offer value while still reflecting the added work required. Custom Quotes: If you have three or more pets or a mixed-species household, we’re happy to create a custom quote based on your pets’ needs and the level of care required.

Health & Safety Policy

At Pine & Paws, the safety and well-being of all pets, clients, and staff is our top priority. To ensure a safe and healthy environment, the following policies apply to all services: Vaccinations Dogs: Rabies DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) Bordetella (required for boarding, daycare, group walks, or field trips; must be administered within the last 12 months) Cats: Rabies FVRCP Proof of current vaccinations must be provided before your pet’s first service. Puppies and kittens must be fully vaccinated for their age before attending certain services such as boarding or daycare. Parasite & Preventative Care: Pets should be on regular flea, tick, and heartworm prevention as appropriate for their age and species. Proof may be requested. Health Notices & Symptom Reporting: Clients are required to notify us before each service if their pet is showing any signs of illness, injury, or behavioral changes. Common examples include, but are not limited to: - Vomiting or diarrhea - Coughing or sneezing - Lethargy or appetite changes - Signs of pain, limping, or injury - Skin issues or infections - Parasites (fleas, ticks, worms) Pets displaying symptoms of illness may have their service rescheduled, adjusted, or refused for the safety of all pets and staff. Contagious Conditions: Pets with highly contagious illnesses (e.g., kennel cough, parvovirus, ringworm, giardia) cannot attend any service until cleared by a veterinarian. Medication & Special Health Needs: If a pet requires ongoing medication or special care, clients must provide clear instructions and all necessary supplies. Failure to provide necessary health information may result in service refusal. Emergency Care: In the event of illness or injury while your pet is in our care: We will follow the instructions provided on your intake form, including: 1. Contacting the primary client first 2. Contacting a secondary emergency contact 3. Seeking immediate veterinary care If we cannot reach you or your designated contact and your pet requires urgent attention, we reserve the right to seek veterinary care immediately at the owner’s expense. All veterinary decisions are made with your pet’s health and safety as the top priority. Liability: While we take every precaution to provide a safe environment, owners assume responsibility for their pet’s behavior and health. Pine & Paws is not liable for illness, injury, or property damage except where required by law. Right to Decline or Discontinue Service: We reserve the right to decline or discontinue service at any time for any reason, including but not limited to: - Unsafe or aggressive behavior - Illness or signs of contagion - Unsafe conditions in the home - Repeated policy violations - Situations that compromise staff safety or animal welfare

 Cancellation, Refund, and Rescheduling Policy

Full payment is required at the time of booking. Long-Term Bookings (Extended stays, recurring services) - More than 7 days before start: Full refund or credit for future services (minus processing fees) - 4–7 days before start: Credit for future services (minus processing fees) - Within 4 days of start: Non-refundable Short-Term Bookings (Daycare, single overnights, walks, drop-ins) - More than 48 hours before start: Full refund or credit for future services (minus processing fees) - 24–48 hours before start: Credit for future services (minus processing fees) - Within 24 hours: Non-refundable No-Shows & Late Arrivals No-shows are charged the full service amount, except in verified emergencies. Rescheduling Allowed before the non-refundable window Last-minute changes may incur a small rescheduling fee Emergencies & Exceptions We strive to accommodate illness, weather, or other emergencies whenever possible. Exceptions are at Pine & Paws’ discretion. How to Cancel or Reschedule Text: 360-592-5208 Email: pineandpawspetcare@gmail.com By booking with us, you agree to these terms.

 Puppy Care Fee

Puppies need extra attention, supervision, and care to stay safe, happy, and comfortable while they’re with us. Puppy Fee: +$10 per service for dogs under 12 months old The fee applies to services where your puppy receives extended care, such as boarding, daycare, or pet/house sitting. These visits involve extra supervision, frequent potty breaks, and playtime to keep your puppy safe and happy. Short visits, like walks or quick drop-ins, usually do not include this fee, unless additional care is needed. What the Fee Covers: Extra outdoor breaks for potty and exercise Supervised play and manners/socialization reinforcement Puppy-safe areas and ongoing monitoring Extra care to maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable environment Why We Charge a Puppy Fee: Puppies need more energy, attention, and supervision than adult dogs. This fee ensures your puppy gets the personalized care, guidance, and support they need while staying with us.

 Travel Fees

We’re happy to come to you! Travel fees ensure fair compensation for time, fuel, and resources when visiting homes outside our core service area. Free Service Radius Up to 7 miles from our home base (approximately 15 minutes drive) – no travel fee. Mileage-Based Fees: 7–10 miles: $1.50 per mile one way 10–15 miles: $1.75 per mile one way 15–20 miles: $2.00 per mile one way Long Drive Flat Fee Visits requiring more than 20 minutes driving one way may include a flat fee of $5–$10, depending on distance and traffic. Flat fee applies in addition to per-mile charges if applicable. Extra Notes: Mileage is calculated using the most direct route. Travel fees are always confirmed in advance before scheduling. If your location is outside 20 miles or requires an unusually long drive, we will discuss fees individually.

 Holiday Rates

Holidays and long weekends are high-demand times. A holiday rate applies to ensure availability and fair compensation for staff during these busy periods. Holiday Rate: +$15 per night Applies on: • Major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, 4th of July) • Holiday weekends (Friday through Monday) Why Holiday Rates Exist: • Fair compensation for staff working holidays • Increased demand and resource allocation • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees The holiday surcharge applies per reservation, not per dog. Families with multiple dogs from the same household are charged a single holiday surcharge. Early booking is strongly recommended.

Phone

Email

Office Hours

(360) 592-3208

Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm

​​Saturday: 9am - 4pm

Area of Service

Bellingham, WA and surrounding areas

Social

Curious black dog looking up playfully, featured on Pine and Paws pet care homepage.
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