Paws of Dorset T&C

PAWS OF DORSET

Terms & Conditions of Entry and Use

Last updated: 13 October 2026

Welcome to Paws of Dorset. Our aim is to provide a safe, enjoyable and secure environment where dogs can play, explore, socialise and enjoy being dogs.

By booking or using our facilities, you agree to follow these Terms & Conditions and any reasonable safety instructions given by our staff.

1. Our facilities

Paws of Dorset provides indoor and outdoor dog play facilities, public sessions, organised play sessions and private venue hire.

Our facilities may include areas for running, jumping, digging, paddling, climbing and sensory play.

Use of individual facilities is at the visitor's own discretion, subject to these terms and any instructions displayed on site.

2. Responsible dog ownership

All dogs must remain under the control and supervision of their responsible owner or handler.

You are responsible for your dog's behaviour, welfare and actions throughout your visit.

Please ensure that:

- Your dog is suitable for the session or booking you attend.
- Your dog is not encouraged to interact with another dog or person against their wishes.
- You supervise your dog and intervene promptly if play becomes unsafe or inappropriate.
- You clean up after your dog and dispose of waste responsibly.
- You bring any necessary water, leads or other items required for your dog's welfare.
- You follow all instructions given by staff.

Dogs must not be left unattended.

3. Health and welfare requirements

For the safety and welfare of all dogs:

- Dogs showing signs of an infectious illness must not attend.
- Dogs that are in season must not attend the play facilities.
- Please wait 24–48 hours after routine worming treatment before visiting, in accordance with the treatment advice and any relevant veterinary guidance.
- Owners must tell us about any relevant health, behavioural or handling concerns that may affect the safety of their dog or others.
- Dogs must have access to appropriate water, rest and supervision.

We reserve the right to refuse entry or ask a dog to leave if its attendance presents a reasonable concern for health, welfare or safety.

4. Public sessions and play sessions

Public sessions may be shared with other dogs and their owners.

Organised play sessions may be arranged for particular sizes, ages, temperaments or play styles. These groupings are intended to encourage suitable interactions but cannot guarantee that every dog will be compatible.

Owners must assess whether a session is suitable for their dog and remain responsible for supervising it.

Please follow any session-specific instructions provided by Paws of Dorset.

5. Private hire

Private hire provides the agreed facilities for the booked period, subject to the booking confirmation.

The person making the booking is responsible for:

- Ensuring that all attendees are aware of and follow these Terms & Conditions.
- Supervising their own dog or dogs and ensuring that appropriate supervision is in place for any children attending.
- Keeping dogs within the permitted booked area.
- Respecting any barriers, restricted areas and staff instructions.
- Leaving the facilities in a reasonable condition and reporting any damage or incidents.

Private hire does not automatically include areas outside the agreed booking.

6. Children and visitors

Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Visitors must behave respectfully towards dogs, other customers, staff and the facilities.

Please do not approach, touch or feed another person's dog without the owner's permission.

Visitors without dogs are welcome to enjoy our venue and refreshments, subject to the applicable access arrangements and safety instructions.

7. Play equipment and facilities

Our facilities are designed for dogs.

Humans must not climb on, enter or use dog play equipment or activities.

This rule is in place to protect visitors, dogs and equipment from injury or damage.

Please do not misuse, move or deliberately damage equipment. Report any damaged or unsafe equipment to a member of staff.

8. Bookings, prices and payment

Our current prices, opening hours and session arrangements will be displayed on our website, booking information or at the centre.

Payment must be made in accordance with the arrangements confirmed for your session or private booking.

Where a session is advertised as pay on the day, payment must be made as instructed on arrival.

Private hire bookings must be agreed with Paws of Dorset in advance.

Any deposit, advance payment or additional charge will be explained when the booking is made. Charges for damage or cancellations will be handled fairly and in accordance with applicable law.

9. Cancellations and refunds

If you need to cancel or change a booking, please contact us as soon as possible.

Any cancellation charges will depend on the booking terms provided at the time of reservation and must be fair and proportionate to the circumstances and any loss incurred.

If Paws of Dorset needs to cancel or significantly change a booking, we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible and explain the available options.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions removes any refund or cancellation rights you have under applicable consumer law.

10. Safety, damage and incidents

Owners and handlers must take reasonable care of their dogs and the people around them.

Please report any injury, dog altercation, accident, damage or other safety concern to a member of staff as soon as possible.

Where necessary to protect people, dogs or property, we may stop an activity, restrict access to an area or ask a visitor or dog to leave.

Where damage is caused, responsibility and any reasonable claim for costs will be assessed according to the circumstances and applicable law.

11. Risks of dog play

Dog play involves inherent risks. Dogs may behave unpredictably, and interactions can sometimes result in injury despite reasonable precautions.

By visiting, owners acknowledge these risks and agree to supervise and manage their dogs responsibly.

Paws of Dorset will take reasonable steps to maintain a safe environment. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where the law does not permit it, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.

12. Food and refreshments

Refreshments may be available at the venue, subject to availability.

Visitors must supervise their dogs around food and drink and must not feed dogs products that may be unsuitable for them.

Please inform staff of any relevant food allergy or dietary requirement when ordering. We cannot guarantee the absence of all allergens or cross-contamination unless expressly confirmed.

13. Photography and filming

Visitors must respect the privacy of other customers.

Please obtain permission before photographing or filming identifiable visitors, particularly children, for personal or public use.

Any photography or filming by Paws of Dorset for promotional purposes will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection requirements.

14. Access, weather and operational changes

We may temporarily close an area or alter an activity if weather, maintenance, equipment condition or another circumstance makes its use unsafe.

Where possible, we will provide information about significant changes affecting a booking.

Visitors must follow any signs, barriers and instructions relating to restricted areas.

15. Refusal of entry or removal

We may refuse entry or ask a visitor to leave where there is a reasonable concern about safety, animal welfare, abusive behaviour, serious or repeated rule breaches, or damage to the facilities.

We will act reasonably and in accordance with applicable law. Any refund entitlement will be assessed in line with the circumstances and the customer's legal rights.

16. Liability

Visitors remain responsible for their dogs and for ensuring that they are appropriately supervised and controlled.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions removes a visitor's statutory rights or excludes or restricts any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Any liability will be determined in accordance with the applicable law and the circumstances of the incident.

17. Complaints and contact

We want everyone to enjoy their visit. If you have a concern or complaint, please speak to a member of staff or contact Justine.

Paws of Dorset
Tin Pot Lane, Blandford Forum, DT11 7TD
Telephone: 07494 141752
Website: www.pawsofdorset.co.uk

18. Updates to these Terms & Conditions

We may update these terms when our facilities, services or legal requirements change.

The current version will be made available on our website or at the centre. Any changes to an existing booking will be handled in accordance with the agreed booking terms and applicable law.

Thank you for helping us keep Paws of Dorset a happy, welcoming and safe place for dogs and their humans.

Experienced professionals dedicated to your success.

Proven results that speak for themselves.