Walkies - The Legal Stuff

These Terms and Conditions apply to dog walking services provided under the Walkies by The Woofdrobe brand, operated as a sole trader in Ireland. These Terms are intended to set out clearly how the service works, what clients can expect, and what is required from clients before and during the provision of services.

1. About the Service

Walkies by The Woofdrobe provides dog walking services in the general Limerick City area only. Services are not offered outside this area. Services are available Monday to Friday only and are not available on Saturdays, Sundays, or Irish Public Holidays.

The available services are:

• The Pit Stop: a 15-minute daytime check-in including a toilet break, fresh water top-up, and company.
• The Daily Stroll: a 30-minute walk for exercise and fresh air.
• The Sniffari: a 1-hour enrichment walk led at the dog’s pace, with sniffing, exploration, treat scatters, and similar activities.

A free consultation will take place before the first walk. This consultation is used to assess the dog’s needs, discuss the preferred route, review suitability for the service, and confirm any relevant care, behavioural, household, and access information.

2. Bookings

Bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance. Last-minute bookings are not accepted. All bookings are subject to availability.

Walks are offered on a solo basis or for dogs from the same household only. A maximum of two small or medium dogs, or one large dog, may be walked at any one time.

All walks begin from the dog’s home or local area. Transport by car is not included as part of the service.

3. Payment

Payment is taken upfront before the booked service is provided. 

A booking is not confirmed until payment has been received and any required consultation or onboarding information has been completed.

4. Client Cancellations

Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the scheduled walk will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled walk may be non-refundable, except where applicable consumer law requires otherwise.

Where a client has statutory rights to a remedy because a service was not provided as agreed, nothing in these Terms is intended to remove or restrict those rights.

5. Cancellations by Walkies by The Woofdrobe

If a walk is cancelled by Walkies by The Woofdrobe, a rescheduled time will be offered where reasonably possible. If no suitable alternative is available, the booking will be refunded, subject to any mandatory consumer rights.

Walkies by The Woofdrobe may shorten, postpone, stop, or cancel a walk where reasonably necessary for safety, animal welfare, weather conditions, access problems, or other operational reasons. This includes situations involving unsafe temperatures, storms, ice, heavy rain, or other conditions considered unsuitable for the dog or walker. Where a cancellation is made by Walkies by The Woofdrobe and no suitable rescheduled time is available, a refund will be issued.

6. Dog Suitability and Owner Disclosures

All dogs must remain on-lead at all times while in the care of Walkies by The Woofdrobe. Dogs that cannot safely walk on a lead, or cannot wear an appropriate collar or harness suitable for lead attachment, are not eligible for the service. Dogs must also wear a nametag with up-to-date owner contact details at all times while using the service.

Clients must disclose before services begin any behavioural issues, medical conditions, bite history, triggers, or other matters that may affect the safe handling of the dog or the safety of the dog walker, the public, or other animals. Clients must also disclose anything that may put the dog itself at risk during a walk.

Walkies by The Woofdrobe reserves the right to refuse, stop, or cancel a walk where a dog is unwell, injured, in season, aggressive, unsafe to handle, or otherwise unsuitable to walk on the day. In such cases, the booking may be cancelled and refunded.

7. Health & Identification Requirements

Dogs using the service must be vaccinated, microchipped, licensed as required, and up to date with flea and worm treatment. Clients must provide current veterinary contact details and the address of their veterinary practice before services begin.

Walkies by The Woofdrobe does not administer medication.

8. Veterinary Emergencies

If a dog becomes ill, injured, or requires urgent veterinary attention while in the care of Walkies by The Woofdrobe, reasonable efforts will be made to contact the owner first. If the owner cannot be reached, Walkies by The Woofdrobe is authorised to contact the dog’s vet or, where necessary, arrange emergency veterinary treatment in the dog’s best interests.

The owner remains responsible for all veterinary fees and related costs arising from emergency treatment, transport, or associated care.

9. Access to Property

Clients may choose whether to provide keys, access codes, alarm details, or another agreed access arrangement. Walkies by The Woofdrobe will follow the client’s agreed access instructions when providing the service.

Clients are responsible for ensuring that access information is accurate, up to date, and workable at the agreed time. Walkies by The Woofdrobe is not responsible for missed or delayed walks where access is unavailable, incorrect instructions have been given, or entry cannot be gained safely or lawfully.

Keys, alarm codes, access details, and personal information provided for the service will be kept confidential and used only for purposes connected with providing the agreed services, subject to any legal obligations that may apply.

10. Collection, Return, and Handover

Collection and return times are approximate rather than guaranteed. Reasonable delays may occur because of traffic, weather, animal welfare needs, route conditions, or other operational factors.

Clients should be ready for prompt collection and return at the agreed time. Handovers should be kept brief so that the schedule can run on time and the focus can remain on safe and efficient service delivery.

If the agreed handover cannot take place because the client is unavailable or access is not possible, Walkies by The Woofdrobe will act reasonably in the circumstances but does not guarantee extended waiting time.

11. Cleaning After Walks

Walkies by The Woofdrobe does not provide bathing, grooming, or washing facilities. Reasonable efforts will be made to wipe or towel down a dog that is wet or muddy after a walk, but it is not guaranteed that the dog will be returned fully clean.

12. Photos, Videos, and Updates

Walkies by The Woofdrobe may provide owners with private updates, photographs, or videos relating to their dog where the owner has consented to receive them.

Any use of photographs or videos for marketing, website, or social media purposes will require separate client consent. Consent for private updates and consent for promotional use will be treated as separate choices.

13. Liability and Consumer Rights

Walkies by The Woofdrobe will use reasonable care and skill in providing the service.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded under Irish law.

Subject to those statutory rights, Walkies by The Woofdrobe is not responsible for illness, injury, loss, escape, or death except to the extent caused by a failure to exercise reasonable care and skill or another legal responsibility that cannot be excluded.

The client is responsible for losses, damage, injury, or third-party claims caused by the dog where these arise from the dog’s behaviour, the client’s failure to disclose relevant information, or the client’s breach of these Terms, except to the extent caused by the negligence or other legal fault of Walkies by The Woofdrobe.

14. Authority to Contract

The person making the booking confirms that they are authorised to arrange services for the dog and to accept these Terms on behalf of all owners, keepers, or other responsible persons connected with the dog.

15. Changes to Terms

Walkies by The Woofdrobe may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The latest version will apply to future bookings once it has been made available to clients. Continued use of the service after updated Terms have been provided will indicate acceptance of those updated Terms, subject to any rights the client may have under applicable law.

16. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Ireland. Any dispute arising in connection with these Terms or the services provided under them will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Irish courts.