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The Hounds Club Policies
The Hounds Club provides a healthy, fun, and stimulating cage-free environment for dogs of all sizes and breeds. In order to help us keep the experience safe and exciting for all our guests, we ask that you please observe the following policies both before you come to visit us and when you are here at the Club.
• Evaluation: All dogs must be evaluated by our staff before their first stay at the Club. Dogs seeking to board at the Hounds Club will also need to spend one complimentary day of daycare with us so that we can assess their fit and readiness for an overnight stay.
• Behavior: While we can make a reasonable initial assessment of your dog during the evaluation and daycare, we will not be able to discover all aspects of their personality, nor can we replicate every scenario that could theoretically lead to unexpected or unacceptable behavior from your dog. Even after the evaluation, all dogs must remain good citizens and exhibit good behavior during their stays at the Hounds Club. If at any time a dog bites another dog or staff member, or in any way shows aggression in the opinion of staff, that dog will no longer be able to attend the Club. Additional unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to, repeated mounting of other dogs, excessive or aggressive barking, fence jumping, excessive herding, overly rough play, eating or intentionally rolling in poop, and pestering or antagonizing resting dogs.
• Re-Evaluation: Dogs that have been away from the club for more than 6 months will need to be reevaluated to be sure the Club is still a good fit. Dogs’ temperaments and enjoyment of cage-free play environments can change greatly over time, as can the energy level and personality of the environment itself. While inconvenient, this policy is entirely for the safety and comfort of your dog.
• Health: All dogs must be in good health and free from any condition that could potentially jeopardize the health of other dogs. If your dog shows any signs of illness, please keep them home. Dogs that have been ill with a communicable ailment in the last 30 days will require veterinarian certification of health prior to being re-admitted to the Club.
• Vaccinations and Parasite Prevention: All dogs must remain up to date on all major vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper Combo, and Bordetella aka Kennel Cough) and provide updated documentation in a timely manner. Additionally, all dogs must be on a year-round heartworm and flea prevention medication.
• Ages of Note: We have no strict age minimum, but all dogs must have received all inoculations, including Rabies. All dogs over 6 months old must be spayed or neutered. Owners of dogs over 10 years old will be asked to sign a senior dog waiver.
• Dress Code: For the safety of all guests and staff, dogs must arrive on a leash wearing a flat snap-on collar. We cannot accept dogs with collars featuring prongs, spikes, jewels, or anything that might be damaged or cause harm to other dogs. Additionally, we cannot accept collars that are closed using a buckle or anything that cannot be quickly removed in the case of an entanglement. If you do not have an appropriate collar, we carry a selection of collars in our retail section. Dogs will not be allowed in the play yard wearing a harness unless medically necessary.
General Release
• I understand and agree that in admitting my dog to The Hounds Club that The Hounds Club has relied on my representation that my dog is in good health, has no contagious diseases, and has not harmed or shown aggressive or threatening behavior towards any person or dog. I have fully disclosed to The Hounds Club, in writing, all issues, past incidents, or characteristics of my dog that might affect his behavior and demeanor, and/or might affect the handling and care of my dog while at The Hounds Club.
• I understand that the Hounds Club is a cage-free group play environment, and that group environments greatly increase the chance of dogs contracting a communicable illness, regardless of vaccination, particularly among very young, very old, or immuno-compromised dogs. Specifically, but not exclusively, I understand that even though The Hounds Club requires that every dog be vaccinated for Kennel Cough, the Bordetella vaccine is not 100% effective, and does not protect my dog from every new strain of the virus. I understand this risk and know that The Hounds Club assumes no responsibility if my dog becomes ill, nor responsibility for associated vet expenses.
• I further understand that, in group play environments, accidents can happen and understand that my dog may be injured. I agree that any injury, or illness, that my dog develops while visiting The Hounds Club will be treated as deemed best by staff and volunteers of The Hounds Club and in their sole discretion, including choosing a suitable licensed veterinarian, and I assume full liability financial responsibility for any expenses involved. I give my consent and full authorization to The Hounds Club (including its agents and employees) to act on my behalf and in my dog’s best interest, by choosing a veterinarian and obtaining emergency vet care at my expense if deemed necessary. I agree to indemnify and hold The Hounds Club (and its agents and employees) harmless for all expense relating to emergency care.
• I understand that Cage-Free Daycare and Boarding can be an exuberant, high-energy environment, blending a wide range of temperaments and play styles. I acknowledge that, due to this and despite thorough evaluation and ongoing vigilance on behalf of the Hounds Club, disagreements may occur between dogs that might lead to injury to my dog. I also acknowledge that my dog might cause injury to another dog. In the case of such an incident I explicitly agree and aver that the Hounds Club and its staff shall not be liable for any injury to my dog, nor associated vet bills and expenses, and I hereby agree to release them and hold them harmless from any liability of any kind whatsoever arising from my dog’s visitation and participation. I further understand that I am solely responsible for and agree to indemnify The Hounds Club from all liability incurred as a result of any injury and/or harm to a person or another dog caused by my dog while visiting the Hounds Club. Under no circumstance shall the Hounds Club be responsible for any costs arising from an illness or injury incurred while on premises.
• I agree that in the case of an incident between my dog and another, the Hounds Club shall not act as an intermediary between parties. I accept that my telephone number and/or email address will be shared with the parent(s) of the other dog, and that I will, in good faith, endeavor to resolve the issue with the other party without the involvement of the Hounds Club.
• The Hounds Club reserves the right to change, refuse, or discontinue service to any dog at any time, for any reason, including involvement in above stated incidents. If my dog’s stay is terminated, I agree to promptly pick up my dog. I further understand and agree that if my dog is/are not picked up by the end of the regular business day, I hereby expressly authorize The Hounds Club to take whatever action is deemed necessary for the continuing care of my dog and agree to pay all costs upon demand.
• I understand my dog may become dirty or matted during play, and it is not the responsibility of The Hounds Club to prevent this. I do not expect the Hounds Club to clean my dog upon departure, nor will I expect that they will pay for any baths or grooming I might wish to pursue. Specifically, but not exclusively, I acknowledge that my dog might intentionally roll in feces, and I will not hold the Hounds Club responsible for this.
• I agree my dog may be photographed & recorded for unrestricted use in all media & promotions for The Hounds Club.
• I agree that evaluations are a crucial component of maintaining a safe, stable environment at the Hounds Club, and agree that my dog may be chosen, at the discretion of staff, to participate in such evaluations.
• I agree that all disputes that arise out of or relate to the subject matter of this agreement and/or in any way relate to my dog and The Hounds Club shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted by and pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Los Angeles, CA. In this regard, I knowingly forego and waive any and all rights to trial, including small claims court, to appeal or otherwise contest such resolution and further waive any right to seek emotional distress, loss of companionship and/or punitive damages. I further agree that the maximum amount of any claim against The Hounds Club and/or its employees and principals which in any way relates to my dog(s) and The Hounds Club shall be the lesser of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or the cost to purchase a puppy of the same breed, comparable pedigree and sex of the dog which is the subject of such claim.
I certify that the information provided herein is true and correct and that I have read and understand all the above information. I agree to abide by and accept all the above terms, conditions and agreements.