the small print

Event Terms & Conditions

Last updated: August 2026

We've tried to keep this as clear and human as possible. It exists to protect you, your dog, other guests, and Kind Paws, so that everyone can enjoy our events knowing where they stand. If anything here is unclear, just get in touch, we're always happy to talk it through before you book.

1. Who we are

Kind Paws is the trading name of Samantha Hart, a sole trader based in Dorset. We organise dog-friendly events, socials, workshops and classes across Dorset. These terms apply whenever you book onto or attend a Kind Paws event, whether that booking is made online, by message, or in person.

Business correspondence address:
Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA
Email: hello@kindpaws.uk

2. Bookings & payment

Places at Kind Paws events are confirmed once payment (where applicable) has been received in full, unless we've agreed otherwise with you directly. Your confirmation or ticket will show your event, date, and session time.

Please double-check your booking details when you receive them, including the number of people and dogs attending, and let us know straight away if anything looks wrong.

Some events are free or donation-based; where that's the case, this will be made clear at the time of booking.

Where you book or reserve a place through the Kind Paws website, you will be asked to actively confirm: “I have read and agree to the Kind Paws Event Terms & Conditions and understand that I remain responsible for any dog I bring to the event. I confirm that the information I have provided is accurate and that any dog I bring meets the participation requirements for this event.” This confirmation is not pre-ticked, and a booking cannot be completed until it has been actively given.

3. Cancellations, refunds & event changes

If you need to cancel: Please let us know as soon as possible. Where an event is ticketed:

• Cancellations are not normally refundable, whenever they're made. Where you need to cancel due to illness or a genuine emergency, please contact us as soon as possible, we'll always try to help, for example with a transfer to a future date, and may offer a refund at our discretion.
• If you don't attend without letting us know in advance, your booking is treated as forfeited.

If we need to make changes: Occasionally we may need to make reasonable changes to an event, such as its venue, session time, timetable, facilitator or specific activities, for example due to low numbers, venue issues, illness, or circumstances beyond our control.

Where a change is minor, we'll let you know but your booking will simply carry forward. Where a change is material, meaning it significantly alters what you booked (for example a different type of event, a significant venue relocation, or full cancellation), we'll let you know as soon as possible and offer a transfer to another date or a full refund.

4. Dog suitability & eligibility

You know your dog best, and it's your responsibility to decide whether your dog is suitable for the particular event described, based on the information we provide about it.

Dogs with a known history of aggression, repeated biting, or serious reactivity to dogs or people must not attend general Kind Paws group events unless Kind Paws has expressly confirmed that the particular event is suitable for them. Dogs in season must not attend Kind Paws group events. If you're ever unsure whether an event is right for your dog, please contact us before booking, we're happy to talk it through.

You are responsible for providing accurate booking information and for letting us know before the event if anything changes that could affect your dog's health, suitability or safe participation.

Some events may have specific requirements around age, vaccination status, or health. Where clearly communicated before booking, these requirements form part of the conditions of attending that event.

5. Supervision & control

Your dog remains your responsibility at all times during a Kind Paws event. In particular:

• Dogs must remain on lead unless Kind Paws specifically announces a designated off-lead period.
• Off-lead participation is always optional.
• During any off-lead period, you remain responsible for supervising and remaining in control of your dog.
• Dogs must be put back on lead immediately if asked by the Kind Paws team.
• Dogs must never be left unattended at any point during an event.
• Supervision of your dog cannot be delegated to Kind Paws, the venue, or another attendee, unless specifically agreed with us in advance.

You remain responsible for any damage, injury or mess your dog causes during an event.

6. Dog waste & accidents

Attendees are responsible for cleaning up after their own dogs promptly. Kind Paws may provide poo bags, puppy pads and cleaning supplies for convenience, but this does not transfer responsibility for cleaning up from the dog's owner or handler.

7. Treats, food & allergies

Dog treats, samples, goodies, food, chews or similar products may sometimes be available at Kind Paws events. Where relevant:

• Please tell us about any known allergies or dietary restrictions your dog has, where we ask for this information.
• You remain responsible for monitoring what your dog eats and preventing them from eating anything unsuitable.
• Please never feed another person's dog without their permission.
• Event staff may ask for food, treats or toys to be put away if they appear to be creating a safety or resource-guarding concern.

8. Health & safety

Please don't bring your dog if they're unwell or showing signs of a contagious illness. Please don't attend yourself if you're feeling unwell, for everyone's comfort and safety.

Some events may carry additional age, health or vaccination requirements; where clearly communicated before booking, these form part of the conditions of attending that event.

Kind Paws reserves the right to refuse admission, or to ask any attendee or dog to leave an event, where we reasonably believe this is necessary for the safety or wellbeing of dogs, guests, staff, or the venue. Where possible we'll always try to resolve concerns calmly and directly with you first.

9. Children

Children attending Kind Paws events remain the responsibility of their accompanying adult at all times. Adults must supervise interactions between children and dogs and ensure children do not approach, touch, feed or handle another attendee's dog without permission. Individual events may set their own minimum-age requirements, which will be stated before booking.

10. Event-specific & venue rules

Some events or venues may have additional reasonable participation, safety or venue requirements. Where these are communicated before the event, or reasonably communicated by staff on the day for safety reasons, attendees agree to follow them.

11. Independent facilitators

Some Kind Paws workshops or activities, such as dog first aid training, grooming, or fitness sessions, may be delivered by suitably selected independent third-party professionals. In these cases, Kind Paws typically organises the event, ticketing and venue, while the specialist delivers the professional content.

We check relevant professional qualifications or requirements as appropriate to the activity. Attendees are asked to follow the facilitator's reasonable safety instructions during the session, in the same way as instructions from the Kind Paws team.

12. Emergency veterinary situations

If a dog appears to require urgent veterinary attention during an event, we will make reasonable efforts to contact and assist their owner or responsible handler immediately. In a genuine emergency, where the owner or handler is unable to act and delay could reasonably put the dog's welfare at risk, Kind Paws may take reasonable steps to help obtain emergency veterinary assistance. Veterinary treatment and any associated costs remain the responsibility of the dog's owner, unless otherwise required by law.

13. Liability

We take reasonable care to choose safe, suitable venues and to run our events thoughtfully, but group dog events naturally involve some inherent risk, dogs meeting other dogs and people in a shared space.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Kind Paws is not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from your dog's behaviour, another attendee's dog's behaviour, or your own participation in an event, except where that loss or injury is caused by our negligence.

You agree to be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that your dog causes to another person, dog, or property during a Kind Paws event.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for anything else that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

14. Photography & privacy

Photography and video may take place at Kind Paws events for legitimate event, website and social-media purposes. Where photography is planned, we will make this clear to attendees and provide a reasonable way to tell us if you do not wish to be photographed.

Further information about how we handle personal information and images can be found in our Privacy Policy.

15. Personal belongings

Please keep personal items with you during events. Kind Paws cannot accept responsibility for lost, damaged, or unattended belongings.

16. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time, for example as we introduce new types of events. The version shown here is the one that applies at the time of your booking. We'd encourage you to check back before each event if you'd like to stay up to date.

17. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

18. Contact us

If you have any questions about these terms, or about a specific booking, please get in touch at hello@kindpaws.uk.