Trail Paws DuPage:
General Policies and Procedures
SEVERE WEATHER POLICIES:
1. Extreme Cold: If, the evening before the hike, the predicted “feels like” temperature at pick up time is -20 degrees or colder, that hike will be canceled. Club members affected will be notified the evening before the hike. If you will not be home at the time of a canceled hike, and your dog will be alone all day, please let us know. Most times we can make arrangements to visit your dog for a shorter time during the hike window to allow him to stretch his legs outside and do his business.
2. Other Extreme Weather: With the goal being to hike whenever possible, Trail Paws will use its best judgment relative to extreme heat, excessive snow, ice, lightning, hail or other extreme weather. Hikes may be cancelled or shortened for human and canine safety.
FINANCIAL POLICIES:
1. Recurring Hikes: All Trail Paws Club members shall be scheduled for recurring, weekly hikes.
2. Payment Methods and Billing: Trail Paws accepts credit and debit cards. Club members shall provide a credit card to be used for payment prior to the first hike, and the card shall remain securely on file with Trail Paws and will be utilized for all future services.
3. Cancellation Policies
a. Trail Paws offers up cancelled spots to current club members. Safety and comfort of our other pack members is always our priority, and while we try to fill all cancelled spots, not all dogs may be a good fit with a particular pack for one reason or another. The definition of “compatible dog” is solely at our discretion.
b. Trail Paws allows for free cancellations of all group hikes with 48 hours notice (for 30 minute private walks, notice of cancellation must be provided by 9:00pm the evening before the walk to avoid being charged full price for the walk).
c. If a Club Member provides less than 48 hours notice for a group hike and we are able to fill the spot with a compatible dog, you will not be charged.
d. If a Club Member provides less notice and we are unable to fill the spot with a compatible dog, you will be charged full price for the hike.
4. Inaccessible Dogs/Off Leash Pass: If Trail Paws cannot access your dog for the hike (ex. Garage code does not work, dog is not in the home), or in the case of off leash hikes, if the off leash pass cannot be located when we pick up the dog, the full price of the hike will be charged.
MEDICAL POLICIES:
1. Required Vaccinations: All dogs must be current on rabies vaccinations. In addition, all dogs must be current on heartworm and flea and tick preventatives. Trail Paws encourages all Club members to discuss their dog’s hiking activity with their veterinarian and following his or her advice relative to other available vaccines including but not limited to leptospirosis.
2. Dogs in heat may not hike. Dogs in heat are exempt from any cancellation fees due to deficient notice.
OFF LEASH HIKE SPECIFIC POLICIES:
1. All dogs participating in Off Leash hikes must have a valid DuPage Forest Preserve Off Leash Area Dog Permit.
2. The permit must be kept in an agreed upon location in the house, readily accessible for Trail Paws to take with us on our hike. Trail Paws will return the pass to the agreed upon location when returning your dog. Unfortunately for everyone - no pass = no hike.
3. All dogs will wear identification on off leash hikes. If a dog doesn’t have a collar with an ID tag, the dog will wear Trail Paws identification for the hike.
TRAIL PAWS TEMPORARY CLOSURE POLICY:
1. From time to time, Trail Paws may schedule temporary closures (scheduled time off). Ample notice will be provided to all Club Members of any temporary closures.
CHANGES TO POLICIES:
1. Policies are subject to change. Notice of changes will be provided to all current Club Members.
Last Update: 8/28/2019