Legal Info | Smiling Whiskers

Smiling Whiskers LLC – Terms and Conditions of Service
Effective Date: February 1, 2025

Smiling Whiskers LLC provides pet sitting and related services every day of the year. However, our administrative office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For assistance outside of office hours, you may call or text 432-254-3111 or email smilingwhiskers@yahoo.com. Response times may vary, but we’ll do our best to assist you promptly.

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the services provided by Smiling Whiskers LLC (“Smiling Whiskers”, “Company”, “we”, or “us”). “You” refers to you as a client or user of the services. By engaging with our services—including our website, any mobile platform, scheduling software, and all in-person or remote pet/home care—you expressly acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the following terms.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms, the services rendered, or the relationship between the parties, such dispute shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The arbitration shall be conducted in Howard County, Texas, before a single arbitrator. Judgment upon the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own legal fees and costs, except as otherwise provided by applicable law or the AAA rules. The parties waive any right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action or representative proceeding.
Acceptance of These Terms and Conditions
By entering into these Terms and Conditions, and/or by using or accessing the services, you expressly acknowledge that you understand and accept all of its terms. By using the services, you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, you may not use or access the services.
Changes to These Terms and Conditions
Smiling Whiskers LLC may, in its sole discretion, amend the Terms and Conditions and modify or update the services from time to time. If we change these Terms and Conditions, we will give you notice by posting the revised Terms and Conditions on our website and/or through our scheduling software. Please review the website periodically to ensure you are up to date with any changes. Changes will go into effect on the revision date shown in the revised Terms and Conditions. Your continued use of the services will constitute your acceptance of the amended Terms and Conditions.
Liability: Pet and Home Care
Smiling Whiskers LLC carries general liability insurance and bonding. It is understood that Smiling Whiskers and its employees and independent contractors will not be liable for injury, disappearance, or death of any pet(s) unless due to gross negligence. It is further understood and agreed that none of Smiling Whiskers or its employees or independent contractors shall be held responsible for any damage to client’s property, or that of others, caused by client’s pet(s) during the period in which they are in our care unless due to gross negligence. Smiling Whiskers will not be responsible for any damage to house or pets if the client chooses to share pet sitting and home care duties with a third party (friend, relative, neighbor, etc.). Client expressly warrants that their pet(s) have no bite or vicious history. Further, client agrees to pay for any medical care expenses or damages to persons or property caused by their pet(s), and agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Smiling Whiskers and its employees and independent contractors from any claims seeking to impose liability on Smiling Whiskers, its employees and independent contractors arising from the actions of the owner or the owner’s pet(s), whether bite or vicious history exists or not.
Reservations: Scheduling Service
All requests for future service must be made via one of the following methods. Smiling Whiskers will not accept service requests that are not submitted via one of these methods: Via our online scheduling software (note: must be made more than 48 hours in advance); Via email; Via telephone during office hours. The sitter assigned to your service does not control their schedule and cannot accept any reservations, changes, or cancellations. Please do not contact them for anything scheduling-related. If you have a time-sensitive, urgent, or emergency situation with less than 24-hour notice, please follow the instructions found on our website. Only individuals designated by the client on record may make or change reservations. Due to liability, we will not be able to provide service if anyone under the age of 18 is present on the property without adult supervision. If a sitter arrives and finds an unsupervised minor on site, the sitter will leave, and no credit will be given for the attempted visit. While we try to be as accommodating as possible, we cannot guarantee service without adequate notice at any time of year. Services booked with less than 24-hour notice will be subject to last-minute fees. During national holidays, we recommend reservations be made as early as possible to ensure availability. Generally, confirmations for reservations will be made within 24–72 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation within that time, please call or email us. Overnights and Extended Tuck-In services should be booked one to two months in advance. These services are subject to a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. Cancellations for these services during holiday periods must be made two weeks in advance to avoid a full charge. No refunds are provided once the job has begun during a holiday period.
Last-Minute Fees
Less than 24-hour notice – $15; Same-day service – $20. Additional fees may apply for: Out-of-route service areas; Administering certain medications; Watering large numbers of plants; Emergency clean-up or extended service; Visits before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM; Concierge or parking-related delays.
Holiday and Peak Time Surcharges
A 25% surcharge will be applied on holidays and selected surrounding days, including but not limited to: New Year’s Week and Weekend; Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend; President’s Day Weekend; Spring Break; Easter Weekend; Memorial Day Weekend; Juneteenth Weekend; Independence Day Weekend; Labor Day Weekend; Indigenous People’s Day Weekend; Thanksgiving Week and Weekend; Christmas Week and Weekend.
Cancellations
Non-Holiday/Non-Peak: 24-hour notice is required. Same-day cancellations are non-refundable, but future visits will be credited. Holiday/Peak Periods: Cancellations must be made at least one week in advance to avoid fees. Last-minute cancellations are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds are given once the job has begun.
Payment
Payment is due at the time of service. We accept major credit cards. Late payments incur a 1.5% monthly interest charge. You agree to reimburse Smiling Whiskers for any collection or legal costs related to overdue balances. Note: Sending payment constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. A formal service agreement may also be signed at your first in-person visit.
Client, Pet, Home, and Emergency Contact Info
Clients are responsible for keeping all contact, pet, home, payment, and emergency information with Smiling Whiskers LLC.
Sitters
You may discuss pet/home care directly with your sitter but may not contact them for scheduling. Do not solicit sitters for outside work. Doing so will void all service guarantees and insurance coverage. Sitters are under a non-compete clause for one year after leaving Smiling Whiskers LLC.
House Keys, Fobs, and Entry Devices
You authorize us to enter your home to provide services. Two copies of your key are requested—one for the sitter, one for the office. If only one is provided, we may duplicate it and charge a $20 fee. If not keeping a key on file, we can pick up, mail, or deliver your key back for an additional fee ($15 for mail, $25 for delivery). If we must retrieve access devices from a concierge/office, that time is deducted from your pet care time. Clients are responsible for malfunctioning access devices and locksmith fees.
Visit Timing, Parking, and Supplies
Visits are scheduled in a two-hour window. Parking must be available or reimbursed if paid. You must provide sufficient supplies for the full duration of the visit. If we must shop for replacements, a shopping fee plus cost of goods applies.
Pet Care Policy
Dogs must remain leashed unless in a secure area. No retractable leashes. We do not visit dog parks. Provide pet waste bags and indicate disposal location.
Sick Pets and Emergency Vet Care
We reserve the right to take your pet to their vet or nearest clinic if illness or injury occurs. We will contact you if possible. You agree to reimburse all veterinary and transport costs and release us from liability for emergency care actions made in good faith.
Emergencies and Weather
During extreme weather or emergencies, we may limit or cancel service. Conditions include: Temps over 98°F; Freezing or below; Heavy rain or ice; Disasters or declared emergencies. Same-day postponements requested by clients are still charged.
Shared Responsibility
If others are sharing care duties, their contact info and a written log are required. We are not responsible for missed care by third parties. We may increase visits at your cost if shared care is insufficient.
Plants
Outdoor plants are watered before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM from May–September. We are not responsible for plant health.
Substitute Sitters
If your preferred sitter is unavailable, we will assign another trained sitter. We cannot guarantee advance notice or meet-and-greet in every situation.
Bathroom Use
Sitters may use your bathroom during scheduled visits if needed.
Inactivity
Accounts unused for one year will be closed, and access devices destroyed. Unused credits expire after one year.
Photos
We may photograph your pet for use in marketing but will not include identifying home details. Contact us to opt out.
Refund Policy

Effective Date: February 1, 2025
Refunds for services rendered by Smiling Whiskers LLC are governed by the following policy. By scheduling services and submitting payment, you acknowledge and agree to the terms stated herein. This policy exists to ensure fairness to both our clients and our staff while maintaining availability and reliability of service.
Non-Holiday/Non-Peak Periods:
For standard visits scheduled outside of designated peak times or holidays, cancellations made with at least 24 hours’ notice before the start of the scheduled visit will receive full credit to be used toward future services. Same-day cancellations are non-refundable. However, if you cancel the remaining days of a multi-day booking in advance, those unused visits will be credited to your account for future use.
Holiday and Peak Time Periods:
During holiday weeks and designated peak seasons, cancellations must be made at least one (1) week prior to the scheduled start date to avoid penalty. Cancellations made less than one week prior are subject to a 50% cancellation fee of the full scheduled service amount. No refunds or credits will be given for services canceled after the job has started, regardless of reason.
Overnight and Extended Tuck-In Services:
All Overnight and Tuck-In bookings require a 50% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. This deposit is not transferable and will be forfeited if the service is canceled. During holidays or peak periods, cancellations after the start of service will result in the full amount being due and no refunds will be issued.
Refunds Due to Client's Failure to Prepare:
If Smiling Whiskers LLC is unable to perform a scheduled visit due to the client’s failure to provide timely access, accurate information, working keys or codes, or adequate pet supplies, the visit will be charged in full and no refund will be given.
Refunds Due to Weather or Emergency:
If service must be canceled by Smiling Whiskers LLC due to dangerous or unserviceable weather conditions, state emergencies, or natural disasters, the client will be offered a credit or refund for the missed visit(s), at the company’s discretion. If the client cancels on the same day due to weather, no credit or refund will be issued unless there is a bona fide safety concern that prevents our staff from safely accessing the property.
Refunds for Unused Credits:
All service credits must be used within one (1) year of issuance. Unused credits expire after one year and are non-refundable.
No Cash Refunds:
Smiling Whiskers LLC does not provide cash refunds under any circumstances. All approved refunds will be issued as a credit toward future service unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Disputes and Exceptions:
Any disputes regarding charges or refund requests must be submitted in writing within 15 days of the billing date. Smiling Whiskers LLC reserves the right to review each situation individually and make a final determination based on the facts presented and applicable policy.
Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 1, 2025
Smiling Whiskers LLC is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of all personal, home, and pet-related information you provide. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information in connection with our services, website, scheduling platform, and communication with you. By using our services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We collect personal and household information that you voluntarily provide through your account, including but not limited to: your name, address, phone number, email address, emergency contacts, pet details, veterinary information, alarm codes, gate codes, garage codes, house keys, and payment details. We may also collect usage data through our website and scheduling software for internal business purposes.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information solely for the purpose of delivering reliable, personalized pet and home care services. This includes: scheduling and managing appointments, assigning sitters, accessing your home, administering pet medications, contacting you in emergencies, and processing payments. Your data may also be used internally to improve our service quality and operational efficiency. We do not sell, rent, or trade your information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Sharing Information
We limit access to your information to only those employees or independent contractors who need it to perform services on your behalf. All sitters and contractors are contractually bound by confidentiality and privacy obligations. We may also disclose your information if required by law, legal process, court order, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of Smiling Whiskers LLC, its clients, or the public.
Payment Processing
All payment transactions are processed through secure, third-party payment gateways. Smiling Whiskers LLC does not store your full payment credentials on its servers.
Account Security and Accuracy
You are responsible for keeping your account information current and accurate, including your contact details, pet health updates, home access instructions, and emergency contacts. We rely on the accuracy of your data to safely and effectively deliver our services.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide services. If you do not use our services for one year, your account will be closed and all access devices securely destroyed. Any service credits on file will expire afterpne year and are not refundable. We may retain limited information as required by law or for record-keeping purposes.
Photos and Media
We may take photos of your pet for use in our website, social media, or promotional materials. These photos will never contain identifying details of your home or personal identity. If you prefer your pet not be photographed or featured, please notify us in writing.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. Services will not be provided in homes where minors are unsupervised during scheduled visits. If it is discovered that such information has been collected unintentionally, it will be deleted promptly.
Your Consent
By using our services and submitting personal information, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy and to the collection and use of your data as described herein.
Policy Changes
Smiling Whiskers LLC may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted to our website, and continued use of services after updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy or this policy, please contact us:
Smiling Whiskers LLC
Phone: 432-254-3111
Email: smilingwhiskers@yahoo.com

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Legal Info (Privacy • Terms • Refund)