Bearfie & Me — Terms of Service (NSW) 

Business name: Bearfie and Me

ABN: 71271610159

Location: Sydney, New South Wales

Email: bearfieandme@gmail.com

Website: bearfieandme.com.au

Important Summary

Bearfie and Me provides in home pet care, routine hygiene, owner education, home care, pet sitting, basic health observations, vital sign recording, weight checks and veterinarian directed support. Bearfie and Me is operated by qualified veterinary nurses. Bearfie and Me is not a veterinary practice and does not diagnose illness, prescribe medication, perform surgery or replace veterinary care. Educational content including website guides, social media posts, downloadable resources and Ask a Vet Nurse responses is general information only and not individual veterinary advice. Veterinarian directed services require current written instructions from your pets treating veterinarian. You must disclose relevant medical, behavioural and safety information before your appointment. A booking is confirmed only once accepted in writing. Cancellations within twenty four hours may incur fifty percent of the service fee. A no show may incur the full fee. A mobile call out or travel fee may apply. Bearfie and Me may pause, decline or stop a service if it is unsafe, distressing, unsuitable or outside legal scope. Products sold by Bearfie and Me are subject to a refund, returns and wholesale policy.

1. About These Terms

These Terms apply when you use the Bearfie and Me website, request a booking, purchase a product or receive a service. By confirming a booking or purchasing a product, you agree to these Terms.

2. Scope of Services

Bearfie and Me may provide routine hygiene services, general pet care and owner education, puppy and kitten care education, home care and pet sitting, assistance following a written veterinary care plan, administration of eligible prescribed medication, wound care and bandage replacement under written veterinary instructions, post operative home support and assistance with exercises included in an existing veterinary or rehabilitation plan.

Bearfie and Me is operated by qualified veterinary nurses. Bearfie and Me is not a veterinary practice and does not represent itself as a veterinary practice.

Services not included

Bearfie and Me does not provide veterinary examination for diagnosis, diagnosis of illness or injury, prescribing or changing prescription medication, independently selecting or altering treatment, pain assessment, prognosis or quality of life assessment, surgery, anaesthesia, restricted acts of veterinary science or emergency veterinary treatment.

If your pet is unwell, painful or showing new concerns, veterinary assessment may be recommended and the service may be declined or stopped.

2A. Service Disclaimer

Bearfie and Me provides non diagnostic pet care assistance and accepted veterinarian directed support. A booking does not create a veterinarian client patient relationship. Bearfie and Me may communicate observations, but this is not diagnosis or clinical assessment.

2B. Educational Information Disclaimer

Educational content is general only and not individual veterinary advice. You should consult a registered veterinarian for symptoms, illness, injury, pain, medication, nutrition for medical conditions or urgent concerns. Educational information may not be suitable for every animal or circumstance.

2C. Ask a Vet Nurse Disclaimer

Ask a Vet Nurse is an educational and service enquiry feature only. Bearfie and Me cannot diagnose, assess urgency, prescribe treatment or confirm suitability of home care through online questions, photos, videos or messages. Ask a Vet Nurse must not be used for emergencies.

2D. NSW Legal Boundaries

Bearfie and Me operates in accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 NSW, Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013 NSW, Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022 NSW and the Australian Consumer Law. Bearfie and Me will not perform restricted acts of veterinary science unless a lawful exception applies.

2E. Basic Health Observations, Vital Signs and Weight Checks

Bearfie and Me may provide basic health observations, vital sign recording and weight checks as part of routine pet care or veterinarian directed support. These activities include observing general demeanour, coat condition, hydration indicators, mobility, appetite changes and other visible or reported concerns, as well as recording temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time and body weight.

These observations are ordinary nursing tasks and do not constitute a veterinary examination, diagnosis, assessment of severity, confirmation of illness or interpretation of clinical significance. Any concerning findings may be communicated to you and, where appropriate, referred to your pets treating veterinarian. Recording observations does not replace veterinary assessment.

3. Veterinarian Directed Services

Veterinarian directed services require your pet to be under the care of a registered veterinarian, a current veterinary plan, written instructions provided before the service and confirmation that the service is within legal scope. Bearfie and Me follows instructions exactly and does not interpret unclear directions or alter treatment. Bearfie and Me may decline medication or tasks based on schedule, route, storage requirements, risks or legal limitations.

4. Booking Requests and Acceptance

A booking is confirmed only when Bearfie and Me accepts it in writing, required forms or instructions are received and any required payment or deposit is processed. Bearfie and Me may decline a booking based on safety, suitability, legal scope, location or availability.

5. Information You Must Provide

You must disclose relevant medical, behavioural and safety information including medical conditions, allergies, medication, pain or mobility issues, anxiety or aggression, infectious illness, dietary restrictions, other animals present and hazards at the property. You are responsible for consequences of failing to disclose material information.

6. Responsibilities at the Appointment

You must provide safe access to the property, a clean and well lit working area, water and required facilities and any medication or equipment agreed in advance. You must follow reasonable safety instructions and secure other animals when requested.

7. Animal Welfare and Stopping a Service

Bearfie and Me may pause, modify or stop a service if your pet is distressed, painful or unsafe to handle, if the service is unsuitable, if veterinary assessment is required, if required information or equipment is missing or if continuing would be unsafe or unlawful.

8. Home Care and Pet Sitting

Home care includes only the visits and tasks listed in the confirmed booking. Unless agreed otherwise, home care does not include overnight care. You must provide accurate written instructions, sufficient supplies and reliable access.

9. Emergencies and Veterinary Referrals

Bearfie and Me does not provide emergency veterinary services. If urgent veterinary care is needed, Bearfie and Me will attempt to contact you and may transport your pet to a veterinarian if safe and necessary. You remain responsible for veterinary costs.

10. Products and Equipment

Bearfie and Me may use suitable third party products. You must disclose allergies or sensitivities. Bearfie and Me will not substitute veterinarian prescribed products without authorisation.

11. Fees, Deposits and Payments

Fees are listed in Australian dollars and include GST where applicable. A call out or travel fee may apply. Cancellations within twenty four hours may incur fifty percent of the service fee. A no show may incur the full fee.

12. Cancellations and Rescheduling

If you provide at least twenty four hours notice, no cancellation fee applies. If you provide less than twenty four hours notice, a fifty percent fee may apply. If you do not attend or do not provide access, the full fee may apply. Bearfie and Me may waive fees in exceptional circumstances.

13. Packages

Package inclusions and expiry dates will be disclosed before purchase. Packages are not transferable unless agreed in writing. Refunds are calculated fairly based on services already supplied and non recoverable costs.

14. Photographs and Recordings

Clinical records may be taken where necessary. Promotional photos require separate consent. Withdrawing consent does not require deletion of clinical records.

15. Privacy

Bearfie and Me collects personal information to manage bookings, services, payments, safety and communication. Information may be shared with team members, veterinarians, emergency providers, insurers or regulators where permitted by law.

16. Contractors

Services may be provided by qualified team members or contractors. Bearfie and Me remains responsible for service quality.

17. Results and Limitations

Bearfie and Me does not guarantee specific outcomes. Routine hygiene and home care services do not prevent or detect illness. Referring a concern to a veterinarian is not diagnosis.

18. Australian Consumer Law

Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply and cannot be excluded. Where lawful, liability may be limited to supplying the service again or paying the cost of having the service supplied again.

19. Website Use

You must use the website lawfully. Bearfie and Me does not guarantee uninterrupted website availability. Third party links are not the responsibility of Bearfie and Me.

20. Intellectual Property

Website content and materials are owned or licensed by Bearfie and Me. You may make personal copies but not reproduce or commercially use content without permission.

21. Complaints and Disputes

Concerns can be emailed to bearfieandme@gmail.com. Bearfie and Me will make a genuine effort to resolve issues. External dispute resolution may be used if needed.

22. Changes to These Terms

Terms may be updated on the website. The version accepted at booking applies unless a change benefits you or is required by law.

23. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

24. Contact

Bearfie and Me Email: bearfieandme@gmail.com Website: bearfieandme.com.au

25. Product Sales, Refunds, Returns and Wholesale Policy

This section applies to all products sold by Bearfie and Me including retail items, educational materials, hygiene products, enrichment items and wholesale stock.

Product suitability

Products are provided for general use and may not be suitable for every pet. You must consider your pets medical conditions, allergies, behavioural needs and safety before use.

Refunds and returns

Bearfie and Me offers refunds and returns in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law. Refunds are available for faulty products, incorrect items or products that do not match their description. Change of mind returns may be accepted at the discretion of Bearfie and Me if the product is unused, unopened and in original condition. Products that have been opened, used, damaged or contaminated cannot be returned unless required by law.

Return process

You must contact Bearfie and Me in writing to request a return. Proof of purchase is required. Return instructions will be provided and must be followed.

Wholesale orders

Wholesale orders are available to approved stockists only. Wholesale pricing, minimum order quantities, shipping costs and delivery timeframes will be provided in writing. Wholesale orders are final once confirmed and cannot be cancelled after dispatch. Faulty or damaged wholesale items may be replaced or refunded in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law. Wholesale customers are responsible for safe storage, correct use and accurate representation of Bearfie and Me products.

Product disclaimer

Products are not a substitute for veterinary care. Bearfie and Me does not guarantee outcomes from product use. Bearfie and Me is not responsible for misuse, incorrect application or failure to follow instructions.