Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions govern your use of the Pet Lodger website (“Pet Lodger”, “we”, “us” or “our”) operated by Pet Lodger UK. By registering an account, posting an ad, requesting a booking, or listing yourself as a sitter, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Pet Lodger is a platform that introduces pet owners (referred to here as “Clients”) to independent pet and house sitters (referred to here as “Sitters”). We act as an introducer and facilitator. We are not a party to the agreement that is ultimately formed between a Client and a Sitter.

2. Accounts & Registration

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
• You must provide accurate, current and complete information at registration.
• You are responsible for keeping your password secure and for all activity under your account.
• One account per person. Sharing accounts is not permitted.
• Accounts are non-transferable.

3. Fees

The following fees apply on Pet Lodger:

• Ad posting fee: Clients pay a one-off, non-refundable fee of £4.99 to post an ad on the Community Board.
• Booking deposit: When a booking is approved, the Client pays a non-refundable deposit of £70.00, equivalent to the first day's payment.
• Balance: The remaining balance is requested automatically on the first day of the sit, at the agreed arrival time.
• Day rate: All sits are charged at a fixed rate of £70.00 per day regardless of the Sitter assigned.
• Sitter membership: Sitters pay £4.99 for the first year, then £9.99 per year on renewal.
• Replying to ads: Sitters can reply to Client ads through Pet Lodger's secure messaging at no additional charge — contact details stay private until a booking is confirmed.

All fees are stated inclusive of applicable VAT where relevant. Fees may be changed by us with reasonable notice; any change applies to new transactions only.

4. Payments

Payments are processed securely through our payment provider, SumUp. Pet Lodger does not store your full card details. Card information is handled directly by SumUp in accordance with their security standards.

The £70 deposit is collected at the point of booking approval. The balance is collected on the first day of the sit. Please refer to our Refund Policy for details on which payments are refundable.

5. Client Responsibilities

• Provide truthful and complete information about your pet(s), home and the sit requirements.
• Ensure your pet's vaccinations, flea and worming treatments are up to date.
• Provide adequate food, supplies and any necessary access instructions.
• Disclose any behavioural or medical issues your pet may have.
• Ensure the property is safe and suitable for the Sitter to work in.
• Settle the balance payment promptly when requested on day one of the sit.

6. Sitter Responsibilities

• Maintain a valid DBS check and public liability insurance, and provide evidence on request.
• Care for pets to a professional, welfare-first standard and follow any Client instructions.
• Keep all Client contact and property details confidential — you may not use information obtained through Pet Lodger to contact Clients off-platform.
• Maintain your availability calendar accurately.
• Accept that the day rate is fixed at £70.00 per day, of which you receive £55.00 per day (rising to £60.00 where advertised), with 50% paid on day one and 50% at the end of the sit once the booking is complete.

7. Sitter Approval

New Sitters are not listed publicly until approved. Approval is subject to verification of DBS check and proof of insurance. Pet Lodger reserves the right to refuse or revoke approval at its discretion where a Sitter fails to meet these requirements or breaches these terms.

8. Disintermediation

To protect the integrity of the platform, Clients and Sitters must not attempt to bypass Pet Lodger's payment or booking systems, or arrange off-platform bookings that originated through Pet Lodger, for the duration of the sit and for 12 months afterwards. Surnames are deliberately masked on public profiles to support this. Breach of this clause may result in account suspension and forfeiture of platform access.

9. Reviews

Clients may leave reviews for Sitters after a completed sit. Reviews must be honest and based on genuine experience. We may remove reviews that are defamatory, abusive, fraudulent or otherwise in breach of these terms.

10. Sitter Availability & Substitution

We cannot guarantee that your preferred or previously-booked Sitter will always be available for every booking. Sitter availability is subject to change, and we do not warrant that a particular Sitter will be free on any given dates.

We reserve the right to substitute an alternative, equally-qualified Sitter in the event that your booked Sitter is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, including illness, emergency, or other genuine incapacity. Where a substitution is made, the same standards of DBS-checked, insured care will apply, and the fixed day rate remains unchanged.

11. Liability

Pet Lodger is an introducer only. We do not employ Sitters and are not responsible for their acts or omissions. Any dispute concerning the standard of care, property or pets is between the Client and the Sitter. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Pet Lodger accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from a sit, save where caused by our own negligence.

We do not guarantee that a Sitter will be available for any particular dates, nor that a Client will find a suitable Sitter through the platform.

12. Account Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate any account that breaches these terms, provides false information, acts fraudulently, or brings Pet Lodger into disrepute. You may close your account at any time by contacting us.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, please email us at info@petlodger.co.uk.