Terms & Conditions

All reservations, either confirmed or pending are subject to Lemmika’s Terms and Conditions. Submission of a Reservation Form constitutes acceptance of these terms and your continued use of our services confirms your acceptance of the terms in force each time you use our service.

The Terms and Conditions set out an agreement between ‘you’ the owner and Lemmika ‘the sitter’, and is last updated at January 1st, 2025.

---

---

Operational

Opening Hours, Pick Up and Drop Off for Boarding

1. We only accept boarding by appointment.
2. Pick-up and drop-off are also by appointment only.
3. If you need us to pick up and drop off your pets, please fill it in when you make a reservation.
4. Late returns will be subject to an additional charge.

Visiting Hours for Home Visit

1. Each visit will consist of 50-60 minutes.
2. Daily visits will be done between 11.00 to 18.00.
3. We carefully schedule times to serve you and other clients. Therefore, our visiting hours can vary daily depending on your location.
4. We reserve the right to decline a specific visit time that might disrupt our visiting schedule.
5. We do not accept any kind of calls 24/7 unless there is a signed agreement, except for a health emergency that needs veterinarian help.

---

General Info for Boarding and Home Visit

Pet’s Health

1. Pets must be clean and free of ticks, fleas, worms or any form of active contagious illness.
2. Valid vaccination dates should be provided at the time of making your reservation.
3. We will follow instructions to administer medications as directed, but we cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result.
4. In the event of a pet requiring veterinary treatment while under the care of Lemmika, the owner will undertake to pay all resulting fees, including expenses incurred for each veterinary visit.

Food, Supplies & Other Expenses

1. You agree to provide your pet with enough food and supplies for the entire stay and visit period, any treats allowed, bedding, any medication required, toys, lead and any other things your pet requires or items which will help your pet to settle in our care. 
2. If insufficient foods are supplied during the service period, you agree to refund the costs incurred in purchasing more food.
3. Any other expenses such as food, grooming, litter fillers for cats, luxury extras, etc, will be charged to you when you collect your pet unless reserved in advance.
4. We will let you know the exact amount before you arrive, and you can pay by bank transfer or cash.

Unforeseen Purchases

If additional items need to be purchased in the absence of the client – i.e. pet food, litter, cleaning supplies or other necessary items that contribute to the health and well-being of your pet – we will purchase these, retain a receipt, and you are responsible for reimbursement of these items on your return.

Belongings and Bedding

1. Everything your pet requires for their stay can be provided. However, we understand that pets may enjoy the comfort of familiar items during their time away from home, so we encourage you to bring your pet’s bed or a blanket for their stay. 
2. All belongings left with the pet are left at the owner’s risk.
3. We cannot be held responsible for damage or loss of these items, and reserve the right to discard any item due to safety and hygiene reasons.

Insurance and Security

1. Proper care, as listed in the contract, is taken to ensure the hygiene of our facility, your home and the health and safety of your pets.
2. It is your responsibility to ensure that the property, its contents and pets are adequately insured throughout the duration of the care.
3. Lemmika cannot be held responsible for any damages that may occur to your belongings.
4. Lemmika does not accept liability for other persons who will be in your home before, during or immediately after our services have been rendered.
5. Please inform us before making a reservation of anyone who may have access to your home while you are away. This includes cleaning services, maintenance personnel, friends, family and neighbours.
6. It is understood that you will notify anyone with access to the home that the services of Lemmika have been engaged.
7. Lemmika does not accept any responsibility or liability for animals that escape, become lost, or are injured, fatally or otherwise, when instructed to leave them in a fenced and properly locked area. This includes electronic, wood, metal, or any other type of fence or premises that contain an unlocked pet flap.
8. In the event of a health emergency occurring during our visit, we will take whatever action is necessary to help your pets, especially if you cannot be reached.
9. In the event of a household emergency, your emergency contact will be contacted to arrange any remedial work. This includes a pet running away from home or on premises that contain an unlocked cage.
10. All pets will be checked before leaving your place on the last visit. It is the last opportunity for you to discuss any concerns regarding your pet’s health or body condition.
11. Lemmika does not accept any complaints or concerns given more than 3 days after the end of the contract.

Thermostats and Pet Wastes

1. Please leave your thermostat settings within a normal, comfortable range for animals.
2. If the house temperature is outside of this range, we will adjust the thermostat to ensure the health and comfort of your pet.
3. We will properly dispose of your pet waste. We do request, however, that you provide enough plastic bags for this purpose and indicate where you would like these waste bags disposed of.
4. We will clean up after your pets to the best of our ability. Please inform us of the designated area for the appropriate cleaning supplies.
5. We request that you provide plastic bags, towels, cleaning products, paper towels and bin bags.
6. If there are accidents above and beyond the normal amount anticipated, we will charge a reasonable fee for clean-up time.

Inclement Weather

You will entrust Lemmika to use best judgment in caring for your pet(s) and home at the time of inclement weather. We will try to carry out your instructions to the best of our ability. However, in cases of extreme weather, we will contact you with alternative arrangements.

Accompanying Visitor and Helper

1. Lemmika may wish to have a companion to accompany on an assignment at no additional cost to the client.
2. In the event of any extra help needed and related to your pet’s safety, we will assign a companion to help.

Request for Favours

1. We can help you to do small favours during our pet care service, that is limited to:
   • Bringing in posts and parcels from nearby automatic post boxes.
   • Putting out bins for rubbish and recycling;
   • Switching lights on and closing curtains at night; and
   • Watering plants.
2. We reserve the right to decline any favour that does not relate to the pet care service.

---

Pet Boarding Specific

1. You agree that your pet will socialise with other pets and you accept the risks involved and agree that Lemmika is not liable for any illnesses or injuries resulting from your pet’s attendance.
2. We are only accepting a maximum of 5 cats and/or 2 dogs at one time. We will carefully monitor them and prepare separate areas for pets with special needs.
3. You recognise the risks associated with Lemmika transporting your pet to and from the property, to a vet or on any other walks or days out, and you expressly relinquish any claims against Lemmika, its sitters and representatives.

For Dog Owners

1. You agree that if, in extreme cases, a dog is found to be destructive, aggressive, agitated, stressed, completely unmanageable in the home or highly antisocial, we may refuse to board your dog for the remainder of the stay. 
2. Lemmika will have no option but to contact you or your emergency contact, where you or your emergency contact will be expected to provide alternative care, or arrangements will be made to kennel your dog at your cost. 
3. Every effort will be made to avoid such an event by you, by providing an honest account of your dogs and having an open and honest discussion at the visit. Transferring the dog concerned to a shelter, depending on the problem, may be a possibility. However, this is not guaranteed. 
4. Remember, we at Lemmika do not believe in kennelling, but not all dogs are suitable for home boarding.
5. You agree that if your dog attacks, or is involved in a fight with another pet (and/or person) causing injury to that pet (and/or person), you will be responsible for any losses incurred as a result, including, but not limited to, payment of doctor and/or veterinary fees in respect of injuries to another animal (and/or person) caused by your dog. 
6. We recommend that your dog be insured against sickness, accident, or injury and for third-party liability prior to boarding.

Health & Hygiene, Maximum and Minimum Age, Females and Males

1. All our guests have their diet monitored and their ears, eyes, teeth, coat and faeces checked regularly for any irregularities or foreign bodies.
2. If the pet gets wet or muddy after walking, they will be warm showered, shampooed and dried.
3. It is the owners’ responsibility to declare any history of veterinary or behaviour problems that could recur while staying with us and to draw attention to any potential problems, phobias (or vices!) their pets may have. The more we know about your pet, the more settled we can make them.
4. If your pet has a medical condition of any sort, we must be notified at the time of booking. If we have not been notified of such a condition or course of medication, we reserve the right to refuse future admission.
5. We also reserve the right to refuse admission to any pet which, in our opinion, is showing signs of illness OR aggression.
6. All pets must be covered by a known flea treatment, such as ‘Frontline’, ‘Stronghold’ or ‘Advantage’ before they are boarded. These products have varying lengths of effectiveness. Animals that arrive with fleas will be administered such a product and charged accordingly. We do not accept any responsibility for pets that catch fleas whilst staying at Lemmika.
7. We are happy to accept bookings for non-spayed female cats/dogs. However, we DO NOT ACCEPT females in due or in season. We DO NOT ACCEPT pregnant pets.
8. We are happy to accept non-neutered males up to 10 months old, but unfortunately, we do not accept entire males who are sexually mature if there are female dogs in our care at the same time. They often upset the balance of the group and can be a nuisance to the other dog. They also tend to mark their scent everywhere, including inside our facilities.
9. In normal circumstances, we would accept a minimum age policy of 6 months old. We do not apply a maximum age policy (we love senior pets!).
10. All pets must be checked upon leaving our place when you come to collect them. It is the last opportunity for you to discuss any concerns regarding your pet’s health or body condition.

Vaccinations, Worming, Tick and Flea Treatments

1. To keep all the guest and resident pets safe and healthy, all pets must be up to date with their vaccinations, deworming, and tick and flea treatments no more than two weeks before arrival at our place.
2. You must provide us with the vaccination book at the start of each boarding period.
3. You further agree to deliver your pet in a healthy and clean condition.

Medications & Veterinary Details

1. Lemmika can administer medication if required, and there is NO CHARGE for administering any kind of medication for your pet. Any medication required for the pet will be discussed and (if agreed) added to the Reservation Form. Please ensure you have provided us with enough medication for the duration of your pet’s stay.
2. Lemmika will use all care to ensure the happiness, safety and welfare of your pets. If, however, your pet becomes unwell or has an accident during their stay, we will take them to a selected veterinarian. You agree to Lemmika and advice from a qualified veterinary surgeon to make any decisions regarding your pet’s health/welfare, providing we are acting in the best interest of your pet. An emergency contact number for you or someone to make these decisions on your behalf will be required.
3. You agree to be responsible for payment of veterinary fees incurred upon your return. We do recommend that your pet is insured against sickness, accident, injury and third-party liability before the start of the board. The booking form gives the sitter authorisation to take your pets to the veterinarian if necessary, whilst also confirming you will either reimburse Lemmika any fees or pay the veterinarian directly, whichever applies.
4. You agree to be responsible for any veterinary bills, no matter how they are incurred, whilst the pets are in the care of Lemmika.

Pet Interaction and Socialisation Risks

1. You acknowledge that boarding services involve supervised interaction between pets, which carries inherent risks of minor injuries, stress, or behavioural changes. 
2. Lemmika is liable only for injuries resulting from failure to properly supervise pet interactions or allowing known aggressive pets to interact with others. Normal minor scratches, stress-related behaviours, or temporary changes in eating habits are not grounds for liability unless resulting from Lemmika’s gross negligence.

Damage to Our Property

1. Your pet must be known not to chew, scratch or destroy furniture or house fittings under normal circumstances. Should your pet’s behaviour become uncontrollable, destructive or unreasonable, you accept that they could be placed in a kennel until your return.
2. Any damages caused by your pet to our property or possessions other than reasonable wear and tear will be paid for by you on your return.

---

Home Visit Specific

Home Visit Liability Limitations

1. During home visits, Lemmika’s liability for property damage is limited to direct damage caused by Lemmika personnel and does not include damage caused by pets during normal care activities. 
2. Lemmika is not responsible for property damage occurring between visits, damage caused by pets left unattended, or damage resulting from weather conditions, break-ins, or other external factors beyond Lemmika’s control.

---

Emergency Situation

Emergency Response Liability

In emergencies involving pet health or safety, Lemmika is authorised to take immediate action in the best interest of the pet, including seeking veterinary care, moving pets to safety, or contacting emergency services. Lemmika’s liability for emergency decisions is limited to situations involving gross negligence or unreasonable delay in responding to obvious emergencies.

---

Communications & Consents

Communication Channels, Images and Videos Update

1. We will only reply within reasonable working hours, between 10.00 to 20.00 on Monday to Saturday.
2. We reserve the right to not accept any communication effort, whether text or phone calls, during non-reasonable working hours, for any reason.
3. You can choose any communication channel when making a reservation. Please remember to add us to the channel you’ve selected. We will provide you with the link or phone number needed.
4. We CANNOT always update you on an everyday basis, but be sure we will update you when it is needed.

Photography and Social Media

1. During the contract, we will take pictures of your pets, some of which may appear on our website, Facebook, Instagram or other social media.
2. We assume consent is provided for such usage, unless specified by you either before, or at the latest, upon commencement of the service period.
3. If you wish your pet NOT to be photographed, please let us know before accepting your reservation.
4. After posting, pictures and videos will not be deleted.
5. Lemmika will not use photos and videos of your animals for illegal, dangerous and malicious campaigns, because it is contrary to the principles and values ​​that we uphold as animal lovers and caretakers.

---

Abandonment at Our Boarding

1. Any pet that is not collected, or the owner or emergency contact CANNOT BE FOUND, OR HAS NOT CONTACT Lemmika within 7 days after the due collection date stated on the booking form, it will be considered that the pet has been abandoned.
2. Lemmika reserves the right to re-home, sell or any other action regarding the animal at their discretion.
3. Any costs incurred will be the responsibility of the owner. The fee for abandonment of an animal in our boarding is 500€ (five hundred euro), and it will be charged to you when you collect them.
4. We strongly state that we are EXTREMELY AGAINST the abandonment of a pet. It is the cruellest thing a pet owner can do!
5. We will also communicate to the authorities and shelters about the abandonment of the animal that stays with us.

---

Liabilities and Indemnifications

General Standard of Care

Lemmika agrees to provide all pet care services with professional skill and care consistent with industry standards and will exercise reasonable diligence in the performance of its duties under this agreement.

Liability Limitations for Consumers

For individual pet owners acting as consumers, Lemmika’s liability for damages shall be limited to cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct on the part of Lemmika or its employees. In no event shall Lemmika’s total liability to a consumer exceed the greater of €2,000 or three times the total contract value for the specific service period. These limitations do not apply to personal injury, death, or damages caused by Lemmika’s intentional acts or gross negligence.

Excluded and Limited Liability Categories

Lemmika shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of business opportunities, or emotional distress, regardless of whether Lemmika has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Lemmika’s liability for property damage is limited to direct physical damage caused by Lemmika’s gross negligence, with a maximum liability of €300 for personal belongings and €300 for property damage during home visits.

Pet Health and Injury Limitations

Lemmika accepts liability for pet injury or illness only when such injury or illness is directly caused by Lemmika’s failure to follow written care instructions or gross negligence in providing care. Pre-existing health conditions, age-related complications, or injuries resulting from normal pet interaction and play are excluded from Lemmika’s liability. Pet owners acknowledge that pets may sustain minor injuries during normal activities and socialisation, and Lemmika is not liable for such minor incidents unless caused by negligent supervision.

Veterinary Care Authorisation and Costs

Pet owners authorise Lemmika to seek emergency veterinary care up to €1,000 without prior consultation when immediate treatment is necessary to preserve the pet’s health or life. Pet owners remain solely responsible for all veterinary costs exceeding this emergency authorisation amount and for all non-emergency veterinary expenses. Lemmika’s liability for veterinary decisions is limited to situations where Lemmika fails to act reasonably in seeking appropriate care or delays necessary treatment without justification.

Transportation Liability

When providing pet transportation services, Lemmika’s liability is limited to damages directly resulting from traffic accidents where Lemmika is determined to be at fault by relevant authorities, subject to the general liability limits stated above. Pet owners acknowledge the inherent risks of pet transportation and agree that Lemmika is not liable for pet anxiety, motion sickness, or minor injuries occurring during routine transport unless caused by Lemmika’s negligent driving or failure to properly secure the pet.

Property Damage and Third-Party Access

Lemmika accepts liability only for property damage directly caused by Lemmika’s employees during the provision of services and only to the extent such damage results from gross negligence or failure to follow reasonable care standards. Lemmika is not liable for damage caused by third parties who have access to the property, including family members, neighbours, maintenance workers, or delivery personnel, even if such access occurs during the service period.

Force Majeure and External Factors

Lemmika shall not be liable for any delay, failure to perform, or damages resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government restrictions, public health emergencies, utility failures, or transportation disruptions. In such cases, Lemmika will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements or partial refunds as appropriate.

Pet Behaviour and Owner Disclosure Responsibilities

Pet owners warrant that they have fully disclosed all known behavioural issues, medical conditions, allergies, and special requirements of their pets. Lemmika’s liability is excluded for incidents resulting from undisclosed aggressive behaviour, medical conditions, or special needs that were not communicated at the time of booking. Pet owners remain liable for injuries or damage caused by their pets to Lemmika staff, other pets, or third parties when such incidents result from undisclosed behavioural issues.

Insurance Requirements and Recommendations

Pet owners are strongly advised to maintain appropriate pet insurance covering illness, injury, and third-party liability. Lemmika maintains professional liability insurance, but this does not extend the liability limitations outlined in this agreement. Pet owners acknowledge that Lemmika’s insurance is intended to protect Lemmika’s business operations and does not provide direct coverage to pet owners.

---

Dispute Resolution

• Any dispute arising from service agreement shall be resolved by the Consumer Disputes Committee (Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet).
• Before initiating formal proceedings, both parties agree to attempt resolution through good-faith negotiations for 30 days.

---