Letter of Agreement
Date: ___________________ Pet Name_______________________________________
The person paying for the search and ALL persons that want to be involved in the search must sign this Letter of Agreement. NO EXCEPTIONS
THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED IN PARTICIPATING ON A SEARCH. I understand that in most situations I will NOT be coming with LPD on the search. The beginning of the trail is always the hardest, and the best chance for the Search Dogs to find my pet is with the least distractions possible. I, or a designee, will be standing by to perform tasks as needed. I understand that participating in and observing search and rescue work for lost pets involves certain risks, including, but not limited to: Physical contact with animals, extreme weather, dangerous terrain and other conditions. These risks also include but are not limited to: injury, death, animal bites and scratches, etc. If I accompany LPD or its owners, agents or volunteers on a search, I assume any and all risks involved, whether or not they have been explained to me. I agree to comply with all laws and local ordinances (including laws against trespassing) during the search and take dull responsibility for my failure to do so. In addition, I agree to take full responsibility for myself, my family or individuals I may ask to voluntarily assist in the search for my pet.
LOST PET DETECTION IS NOT LIABLE. I agree to indemnify, defend and hold Lost Pet Detection and its owners, agents, volunteers, employees and heirs harmless from any claims by myself or third parties arising out of, or related to, the search for my pet, except for claims based on the intentional or reckless conduct of LPD. I hereby release LPD, its owners, agents, volunteers, heirs and employees from any liability whatsoever, whether my pet is located or not. I waive the rights, benefits, and protection afforded by California Civil Code 1542 which provides: That a general release does not extend to claims which a person does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time or executing the release, which if known by him might have materially affected such release.
I AM LIABLE FOR VET BILLS WITHIN REASON. If the LPD Search Dogs should become injured during the search for my pet, I agree to help pay veterinary bills related to such injury (not to exceed $500.00).
The health and safety of the Search Dogs will be held first and foremost in every case. AT NO TIME WILL SMOKING BE PERMITTED AROUND THE K9 TEAM. Please advise everyone of this non-negotiable requirement.
LPD will not be searching in areas where rattlesnakes may be present and will not be blazing any new trails. I will not trail on highways or roads deemed unsafe. If any Search Dog trails to a point in the trail that is not accessible, LPD will make every effort to thoroughly search the area on foot without Search Dogs and will also notify Client of such area.as time and safety permit, and will also notify Client of such area.
I AM LIABLE IF I DAMAGE OR LOSE EQUIPMENT. I understand that if I damage or lose any equipment provided for use by LPD, I will be responsible for paying for replacement of said equipment. This includes, but is not limited to: traps, two-way radios, back packs, listening devices, etc.
I MAY RISK SAFE RETURN OF MY PET BECAUSE OF MY LACK OF ACTION. I understand that LPD provides services, advice and expertise. I am solely responsible for following the advice of LPD. If I decide to ignore or discount any advice, I acknowledge that I might be risking the safe return of my pet. LPD cannot accept responsibility for my lack of action. I understand that it requires commitment and work on my part to get my pet back safely. I may be required to be present for some of the search time. This may require that I change my schedule or take off from work.
I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. I understand that I will be responsible for making and paying for appropriate and reasonable hotel accommodations for LPD and Search Dogs. Hotel must be notified that LPD is arriving with Search & Rescue Dogs. I will communicate with LPD about travel details. Handlers and Search Dogs cannot stay at private residences, including Bed and Breakfasts, guest houses, second homes, etc. If there is not a nearby hotel, either LPD cannot search for your pet or you will be responsible for additional travel costs to and from the nearest hotel location.
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS, NAME, VOICE, VIDEO, E-MAIL, LIKENESS & STORY. I understand that if LPD assists in finding my missing pet, a photograph, likeness, voice, e-mail address and/or name of pet and myself along with my pet's story may be posted on-line, in news media or in other informational or marketing material. I understand that video may be used to document my case. E-mails may be re-worded at the discretion of LPD.
CONFIDENTIALITY SURCHARGE. Occasionally a client does not want use of photographs, name, voice, video, e-mail, likeness and story posted on the website or news media. If your case is highly sensitive and you want to hire us confidentially, there is a $1,000.00 Confidentiality Surcharge.
Please initial here to add this surcharge to your search cost. __________
SEARCH DOG HANDLER DETERMINES SEARCH PARAMETERS and clients will not interfere with the search. I understand that working a search area with a Scent Dog is not an exact science and the pattern, duration and sequence of the search will vary depending on each search situation. If I have any suggestions, questions or concerns, I will immediately discuss these with the K9 Handler. Final decisions about search pattern, duration an sequence are up to the sole discretion of the K9 Handler.
Initial here: (_______) I will not interfere with the direction the Search Dogs are taking at any time. LPD is in charge of the investigation and decision making process during the search time.
WITHHOLDING INFORMATION. To provide the best search possible, LPD requires full disclosure of any and all facts. If you withhold information: IT WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR SEARCH AND THE CASE. Past examples: Time-line issues such as exact time pet went missing and when searching began and ended; who was present on-scene, strange coincidences or occurrences, suspicions, persons of interest, fur or remains found, coyotes nearby, sightings or calls about injured animals, possible witnesses and so on.
Pet owners, their families and supporters are encouraged to participate in the search; however, they must not interfere with the process or any members of our team to include both K9's and Handlers. Participants understand that they may be asked to leave the area at any time upon the request of the Handlers.
LPD will work with other professionals involved in the search for the missing pet (such as pet psychics, other pet detectives, etc.) LPD may take the information and incorporate it into the investigation or may not, and reserves the right to decide upon which actions and information will be used. LPD will always be in charge of the investigation and decision making process. Pet owners or their supporters who may feel that it is necessary for them to lead or guide the investigation should consider the above statement. It is irrevocable and should LPD experience excessive interference and find it necessary to discontinue services, LPD will be entitled to full fees as per this Letter of Agreement.
I acknowledge that I have read this Letter of Agreement & Release of Liability, and I understand and agree to all of its terms. This Release supersedes any other agreements or promises made to me by anyone, whether oral or written, and can only be modified in writing by an authorized representative of LPD.
NO REFUNDS. I understand that although LPD endeavors to help and assist in the return of missing pets, they do not guarantee that by using their services my pet will be found. Clients pay for services based on the use of time, travel, expenses and efforts. For this reason, LPD does not refund fees for services rendered. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Initial here: (________) I understand that if my pet is found deceased or alive in my yard or my neighbor's yard, there is no refund. I was told by LPD to physically search my home and yard and neighbor's yards prior to their arrival. DO NOT ASK FOR A REFUND; IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN.
REFUND REQUESTS. LPD does not issue refunds for ANY reason, including Search Dog or Handler error. Any concerns or questions about the refund policy must be received within 30 days of completion of the search services. Please allow 30 days to process all requests in regards to this policy. Filing a chargeback with your credit card company, bank or paypal is not an acceptable method of obtaining a refund. If you file a chargeback you will be in violation of LPD terms and conditions, and as such will forfeit your right to a refund. In addition, you will be charged an additional $100 fee by LPD for processing the chargeback request, including copying contracts, emails, etc. and communicating with the chargeback company. In the event that LPD does not recoup the funds in this manner, the account will be turned over to a collection agency, and ultimately to small claims court if necessary.
SCENT. I have been advised of several things which may affect scent, including but not limited to: Heat, time, strong winds, pollutants, terrain, freshly mowed grass that has been recently fertilized, exhaust, cigarette smoke, strong chemicals, chlorine, ammonia, pool acid, some urine, gasoline and most aromatic petroleum distillates.
It has been explained that a Trailing Dog is utilized to determine a Direction of Travel. (DOT). A DOT can be crucial and can lead to evidence, eye witnesses and will target a search area in which to deploy resources, expanding out from there if necessary.. I understand pets are very random travelers and do not travel in straight lines. They may double back, circle around, dart back and forth across busy streets, run up or down freeway ramps, or can stay in one area for a long time creating a scent pool and then move off in many directions. I have been instructed how to deal with possible sightings and that the Trailing Dogs must have an exact address and/or landmark to perform scent scans to see if this was my pet. A street name or intersection will not be adequate. I understand that the Trailing Dogs cannot be started at random on possible sightings.
WALK UP FINDS. I understand that a “walk-up find” is when the Search Dogs walk up and find my pet. I understand that just like in regular Search and Rescue, police and FBI work, a live walk up find is rare. Most “walk up finds” are on pets that are deceased where fur and/or blood evidence is left to find
I have agreed to pay the amount of $_________________for conducting this search. The search time with the K9 Search Dogs is for a maximum of ____________hours plus a one hour debrief. I understand that the Search Dogs cannot work in heat above 80 degrees, and therefore will be resting during the hottest part of the day (usually between 10:30 am and 6:00 p.m. in the summer on full day searches).
I agree to notify LPD if the following are present near the search area (if known): loose dogs, poison ivy, oak or sumac, rattlesnakes, hornet nests, heavy bee population, sticker plants, cliff edges, scorpions, heavy brush areas, and no paths and no sidewalks near where my pet went missing.
By signing below, I am stating that I have read and understand this Letter of Agreement.
Client Name/Date
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
NON-REFUNDABLE SEARCH FEE. I understand I am paying a non refundable search fee in the amount of $________________. . This is to hold the search time and date, for consultation and preparation time, a personal strategy that will be discussed to help locate my pet and for research time. If I find my pet after employing Lost Pet Detection (hereinafter LPD), I will contact LPD immediately. When a pet is located prior to using the Search Dogs, fifty percent (50%) of the total search fee is non refundable. If LPD is en-route to my search and my pet is found, the full amount of the search fee is due - NO EXCEPTIONS. I understand that although LPD endeavors to help and assist in the return of missing pets, they do not guarantee that by using their services my pet will be found. Clients pay for services based on the use of time, expense and efforts. For this reason, LPD does not refund fees for services rendered.
