Terms and Conditions of bbcat Inc. Cat Boarding Services

bbcat Inc.

Home-based, cage-free cats-only boarding

Effective Date: August 1, 2025

Please read carefully. By checking the relevant field at checkout, filling out the intake form and completing your booking request, you agree to these Terms for each booking you make on or after the Effective Date. For existing bookings, the version accepted at the time of booking applies unless we both agree otherwise.

1. Parties and Scope

  • Provider: bbcat Inc. (bbcat, we, us).
  • Client: The undersigned cat owner (Owner, you).
  • Services: Home-based, cage-free cat boarding and related care; optional transport/chauffeur.

2. Compliance and Capacity

  • We operate with the intent to comply with Ontario’s PAWS Act standards of care, the Animal Health Act, relevant Criminal Code provisions, and applicable public-health directives.
  • We may limit capacity and decline or terminate any booking to comply with the law, capacity, or safety standards.

Eligibility, Owner Representations, and Disclosures

3. You represent and warrant that:

  • Health/Vaccines: Your cat(s) is/are in good health and up to date on rabies and FVRCP. Proof of vaccination is provided before admission. Cat(s) is/are free of contagious disease and parasites at drop-off and free of fleas/ticks.
  • Indoor and Altered: Cat(s) is/are indoor (kept in HVAC-maintained premises; outside only when contained in a carrier). Cats 7+ months are spayed/neutered unless medically exempt with a vet note. We do not accept declawed cats; if discovered, we may terminate the stay and require immediate pickup.
  • Behaviour/Medical/Diet: You have fully and truthfully disclosed behaviour (e.g., aggression, anxiety, biting/scratching, spraying), medical conditions, allergies, medications, your primary vet, and at least one emergency contact.
  • Identification: Each cat is identifiable by (a) a microchip registered with current contact info, or (b) a breakaway collar with at least the owner’s name and phone number. You will provide a recent photo and microchip number (if applicable).
  • Accuracy/Updates: All information is complete and accurate; you will promptly update us of changes.

4. Care Standards; Communal, Cage-free Model

  • We provide shelter, temperature control, enrichment, litter, fresh water, and supervision consistent with PAWS standards in a home environment.
  • Communal model: Cats may share spaces. We may separate, isolate, or end a stay early for compatibility, illness, stress, spraying, or safety.
  • Food/Supplies: You supply sufficient food, food bowls and instructions. If we must supply food or items, charges apply at posted rates.

5. No-Visitor Policy; Property Access

  • For safety, privacy, and insurance reasons, no visitors are permitted inside our home at any time. Drop-off/pick-up is outside at our doorstep/driveway by appointment only. Please do not enter interior or non-public areas. We may refuse service or terminate a booking for violations.

6. Booking, Fees, Deposits, Payment, and Refunds

  • Fees: You agree to pay the quoted fees, applicable taxes, and authorized additional charges (e.g., veterinary costs, admin/transport fees, supplied items).
  • Payment Timing: Payment will become due upon Our review of the Intake Form and the Cat’s vaccination certificate.
  • Standard hours: Drop-off 5:00 – 8:00 p.m; pick-up 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. Late pick-up fee of CAD 2 per hour may apply.
  • Refund Policy (controls over any contrary policy):
    • Advance Cancellations: 100% refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled check-in date.
    • Within 24 hours of check-in Date, and After check-in Starts: 50% refund for the first 5 days of the booking; 100% refund for any days beyond the initial 5, calculated from the date/time of confirmed cancellation and/or pick-up.
    • Incompatibility or Safety Concerns (bbcat decision): If our home is not suitable or safety/well-being is at risk, we may cancel; a full refund will be issued from the date of pick-up.
    • Emergency Cancellations by bbcat: We will offer a full refund or rescheduling options.
    • Health/Safety Cancellation: If your cat shows signs of illness or behaviour compromising safety/comfort, we may cancel; a full refund will be issued from the date of pick-up.
    • Refund Processing: Refunds are processed within 6 business days after cancellation is confirmed, and the cat is picked up.
    • Non-Refundable Add-ons: Spa Experience, Cat Chauffeur Service, and Premium Meal Package are non-refundable.

7. Drop-off and Pick-up; Transport

  • Pet Carriers: All cats must arrive and depart in secure, clean, appropriately sized carriers with ventilation.
  • Chauffeur/Transport (if selected): Cats travel in secure carriers in an insured, roadworthy vehicle. We will exercise reasonable care. Our liability for transport is limited per Section 11. Additional transport charges apply per posted rates.

8. Health, Parasites, Illness, and Infection Control

  • We may refuse intake, isolate, require treatment, or require immediate pick-up if a cat shows signs of illness, parasites, or severe stress. You authorize immediate parasite treatment if evidence is found; costs billed to you plus a reasonable admin fee.
  • Communicable diseases (e.g., upper respiratory infections, GI upset) can occur in communal settings despite reasonable hygiene. We maintain home-appropriate cleaning/disinfection and incident logs.
  • Medication: We can administer oral medication per your written instructions. Specialized administration may incur additional fees or be declined.

9. Emergency Veterinary Care Authorization

  • Efforts to Contact: If veterinary care is needed, we will promptly attempt to contact you and your emergency contact.
  • Authorization: You authorize us to transport the cat and obtain veterinary care reasonably necessary to stabilize or relieve its suffering, including diagnostics, pain control, fluids, and treatment as advised by a licensed veterinarian.
  • Spending Cap (select one; required): [] CAD 250 [] CAD 500 [] CAD 1,000 [] Other: CAD __________
    We may exceed the selected cap if, in a veterinarian’s judgment, immediate care is necessary to prevent severe suffering or death, and you/emergency contact remains unreachable despite reasonable efforts.
  • Euthanasia: We will not authorize euthanasia without your consent unless a licensed veterinarian advises that immediate euthanasia is the only humane option, and you or your emergency contact cannot be reached despite diligent efforts.
  • Provider Choice: We may use your listed veterinarian if feasible during business hours; otherwise, a nearby clinic or a 24/7 emergency hospital will be used.
  • Costs: You are responsible for all veterinary costs and a bbcat admin/transport fee of CAD 50 per visit.

10. Lost Pet and Escape Protocol

  • Despite reasonable precautions, escape/loss can occur. If a cat is missing, we will: (a) immediately search the premises and surroundings; (b) notify you, Oakville and Milton Humane Society, and the microchip registry (if applicable); (c) post local alerts; and (d) continue reasonable search efforts for up to 48 hours.
  • You confirm the microchip registration details (if any) are current. Liability is governed by Section 11.

Assumption of Risk and Limitation of Liability

11. Assumption of Risk (Home-Based, Cage-Free, Communal Setting)

  • You understand and accept inherent risks, including inter-cat play/conflict causing scratches/bites; stress-related illness; GI upset from diet change or ingestion of other food; communicable diseases (e.g., URI); parasite exposure; and escape despite reasonable precautions. You accept these risks where we have exercised reasonable care.

Limitation of Liability

  • To the maximum extent permitted by law: (a) we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages (including emotional distress or other non-direct losses); and (b) our total aggregate liability for any claim arising from a booking is limited to the lesser of (i) the fees you paid for that booking or (ii) CAD 1,000.

12. Indemnity

  • You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless bbcat Inc., its officers, employees, and agents from third-party claims, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) your breach of these Terms or misrepresentation; or (b) injury or damage caused by your cat to persons, animals, or property, except to the extent caused by bbcat’s negligence.

13. Privacy; Optional Marketing Consent

  • We collect and use personal and veterinary information to deliver services, ensure safety, comply with law, and manage accounts. We safeguard information and retain it only as long as necessary. Our Privacy Policy explains purposes, safeguards, retention, access/correction rights, and contact information.
  • Media: We may take photos/videos of cats for safety records. Marketing use is optional:
    [] I consent to bbcat using my cat’s images/videos for marketing (no owner personal info or precise location disclosed).
    [] I do not consent.

14. Abandonment and Animal Lien

  • If you fail to pick up your cat on the scheduled date and fail to pay amounts due, and we cannot reach you or your emergency contact after at least three documented attempts over five days, you will be in default, and the cat may be deemed abandoned.
  • After a final written notice (email/text) giving at least 48 hours to cure, we may transfer the cat to the Oakville & Milton Humane Society or a recognized rescue, in accordance with law. You remain responsible for all accrued fees and costs (including rehoming-related costs). We reserve any lien rights available at law for unpaid boarding fees.

15. Amendments; Notices; Force Majeure

  • Amendments: We may update these Terms for future bookings. We will give notice by email and/or posting on our website with an effective date. Updated Terms apply only to bookings made after the effective date unless you agree otherwise.
  • Notices: We may send notices to the contact details you provide and request you to please keep the contact information current.
  • Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays/failures due to events beyond our reasonable control (e.g., public-health orders, severe weather, utility failures). We will offer rescheduling or refunds consistent with Section 6 where applicable.

16. Governing Law; Miscellaneous

  • Governing law and venue: Ontario.
  • Severability: If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains effective.
  • No waiver: A failure to enforce is not a waiver.
  • Entire agreement: These Terms and your booking confirmation constitute the entire agreement for that booking. We are not an insurer of animals; we encourage you to maintain pet insurance.