Missing Pet Contract

The Search Protocols, Processes & Requirements

Although we endeavor to help and assist in the return of missing pets, we do not guarantee that by using our services your pet will be found. Our clients pay for services based on the hourly use of our time, expenses and efforts. For this reason, we do not refund fees for services rendered. All deposits are non- refundable once search has been scheduled regardless of reason including the recovery or demise of the pet.

Disclaimer

I agree to hold Karin TarQwyn, TarQwyn K9, its owners, employees, contractors and heirs harmless for their attempts in locating my missing pet.

Furthermore, I understand all the following:

I understand that participating and observing investigative and search work for missing pets involves certain risks, including but not limited to, physical contact with animals, extreme weather, dangerous terrain and other conditions. These risks include but are not limited to injury, death, animal bites and scratches.

I agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Karin TarQwyn and TarQwyn K9 and its owners, sub-contractors and heirs harmless from any claim by myself or third parties that may arise out of the Search and/or Investigation for my pet except for claims based on intentional or reckless conduct by its principal. I hereby release, Karin TarQwyn and TarQwyn K9 Investigations, Lost Pet Professionals, its agents, sub-contractors, volunteers, employees and heirs from any liability whatsoever, whether my pet is or is not located. I waive the rights and benefits and protections afforded by any provision of my states statute or other that exempts me from general release execution regardless of time of execution or statement otherwise.

If I accompany the K9 Handler on the Search, I assume all risks involved whether they have been explained to me. I agree to comply with all local ordinances including those laws regarding trespass during the investigative operation and take full responsibility for myself, my family or individuals I may ask to voluntarily assist in the search for my pet. Tracking dogs will not be allowed to trespass onto private property without the property owner’s permission which is the responsibility of the pet owner to attain. Karin TarQwyn will not be responsible for the actions or person of anyone involved in a search outside their own staff.

What you can expect or may experience:

A search may take many forms based on the leads and information presented or discovered during the search process. We will pursue our search based on the highest Search probability theory. The tasks and summaries pursued will be decided upon based on a combination of your pet’s normal behavior patterns, his/her personality profile, the environment in which he was last seen as well as the point of escape scenario. The combination of these characteristics when compared with other searches similar in content, makeup the decision process resulting in the proposed highest search probability tasks and search areas. We may utilize many tools during the search to include K9 tracking teams.

The tracking dogs are members of our family, as well as valuable members of our team but there may be instances when it is decided not to use them based on the situation or the environment. The health and safety of our dogs will be held first and foremost in every case.

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 canine and handlers. Participants understand that they may be asked to leave the area at any time upon the request of the K9 Handler. Tracking and magnet dogs are not to be approached or pet without the permission of the handler.
Our team may work with other professionals involved in the search, location and capture of missing pets. We may take the information and incorporate it into our Search or we may not and we reserve the right to decide upon which actions and information we will use. We will always oversee the Search and decision-making process. Pet owners or their supporters who may feel that it is necessary for them to lead or guide the Search should consider the above statement. It is irrevocable and should we experience excessive interference and find it necessary to discontinue our services, we will be entitled to our full fees as per the contract.
This can be a very emotional process for some people. We are very understanding and are well versed in assisting pet owners with their grief during a Search. We may suggest many useful behavior modifications that individuals may incorporate into their grief process while we are all diligently working on the case. Time is of the essence, and we are always very conscious of this fact. We will endeavor to get the most done in the least amount of time always taking into consideration the needs of the tracking dogs first.
All reports, photos, aerials, diagrams, documentation and video generated by Karin TarQwyn, TarQwyn K9 Investigations, and Lost Pet Professionals are the sole property of Karin TarQwyn. At times, photos and stories are used in marketing and documentary features. The undersigned releases all interest in photos and otherwise and realize the possible uses for thereof.

The K9s... The Tracking Dogs

If a tracking dog, magnet or target animal becomes injured during the Search for my pet, I agree to pay all veterinary bills applicable related to the injury sustained.

At no time will smoking be permitted around the K9 team. Please advise everyone of this non-negotiable requirement.

Experience has proven that the dog team can begin to get tired and lose motivation if they are kept on the road for more than seven days. It is understood that the dog team will not be kept on the road away from home for more than seven days at a time including travel days.

During the search, we request that two responsible adults be present during the search to assist. One of these individuals will go with the K9 Handler as she conducts the search and investigation. Clothing and attire that is appropriate for brisk walking and running should be worn. The second individual will stay at the climate-controlled vehicle where the remaining members of the K9 team are waiting to work. While the K9 Handler is pursuing the search, there is peace of mind in knowing that her much loved tracking dogs are being watched over by a responsible adult who will call should anything require her attention.

The following are possible outcomes of a Search:

Our Search may result in the finding and recovery of your pet.

Realistically, if a pet has been missing more than five days and/or is roaming this is a lower probability. The second outcome below is the most likely.

Our Investigation and Search may result in a direction of travel, the most likely escape scenario and/or the pet’s most likely experience and recent location as in the roaming cat.

As our time with you might be limited, we may leave you with the best suggestions, tasks and actions necessary for the continued Search and return of your pet. In the case of pet’s missing more than five days or those that are roaming, this is a strong possibility when we are hired for a limited time. In many scenarios the K9 Handler may propose a theory as to what has happened to the animal which the pet owner may accept or reject. The K9 Handler will not be held responsible or liable for any theory whether correct or incorrect. An educated theory based on experience and comparable cases may be necessary in several scenarios including but not limited to citizen recovery, pets that meet with an accident or predator as well as the roaming dog or cat at large.

Our Search and Investigation may find that your pet has most likely met with an accident or some other tragedy that most likely caused his or her death.

In the absence of evidentiary remains that are 100% verifiable as your pet, the K9 Handler may propose a theory as to what has happened to the animal which the pet owner may accept or reject. The K9 Handler will not be held responsible or liable for any theory whether correct or incorrect. An educated theory based on experience and comparable cases may be necessary in certain accident situations; the most common of these is a predator situation.

We may be unable to detect what has happened to your pet due to a variety of reasons, but which include but are not limited to:

lack of a verifiable scent for your pet in the area, poor or contaminated scent article, possible sightings that are unverifiable based on the time allowed, or myriad other situations that are outside our control.

The information gathered in the time allotted does not provide a clear set of leads and evidence when compared to our experiences.

The results maybe inconclusive and more than one probability is possible.

Working in Hot and Cold Temperatures

Requests for assistance with missing pets occur year-round. Some regions encounter significant temperature fluctuations. For safety reasons, specific weather and temperature guidelines are observed.

Cold weather

32–40°F: K9 Handlers self-monitor and take breaks as needed; this temperature usually causes no problems but requires caution.

20–31°F: Dogs work in staggered sessions, with each dog spending no more than 15 minutes outside before being warmed and checked for comfort.

Below 20°F: K9 Handlers and K9s do not work below 20 degrees.

Snow, ice storms, or sleet: All operations are suspended until the weather improves.

Hot weather

80-84°F: We monitor our bodies to know when to rest or cool down; these conditions are usually safe but warrant caution.

85-89°F: Dogs work in short, staggered sessions (max 10 minutes). After each session, K9s are cooled off until they return to normal temperature.

90° or over—K9s do not work

The humidity factor: If the combined value of the temperature and the humidity is over 145, the K9s will not work regardless of the temperature.

Example: Temperature 88 degrees + Humidity 60% = 148 = K9s do not work until factor drops below 145

As the client, you will confirm your awareness of our modified work plan for weather safety. If a handler or K9 cannot acclimate, we may halt work.

All fees remain as stated in the contract; staggered sessions will not affect charges, as these precautions address known temperature risks. If any tracking dog shows distress, we will stop immediately and seek medical care.

Location Fees, Pricing and Payment

The contract covers roundtrip location fee with mileage, lodging, gas and expenses as well as one day working onsite with K9s plus additional techniques and methods deemed necessary. You will be emailed your individual quote for services and location fee which you will also need to approve by email.

Investigative, Search, Travel & Location fees: Time involved in a search operation includes but is not limited to: logistics, planning, report writing, debriefing, phone consultations and meetings. Actual hours spent on site searching, do not reflect the total of hours worked. Additional expenses may be incurred if additional materials or resources are purchased and deemed necessary to the process and are agreed upon by the client.

Cancellation: Fees are nonrefundable once the work has been scheduled. Once a Search is scheduled, that slot of time is reserved, and a location fee is paid for that time. Cancellation for any reason including the recovery or demise of the pet will result in the forfeiture of the fees.

Payment of scheduling fee, deposit, and fees

A Scheduling and Advance Casework fee will be collected upon scheduling. There is a no refund policy of this fee once the search is scheduled. The remaining balance of the location fee will be charged prior to the handler/investigator leaving for the location. Once the K9 Handler has left for the location there is no refund of the location fees.

You will be emailed your individual quote for services and location fee which you will also need to approve by email.

Preparing for the Arrival of the K9 Team

What you should expect...

Although the goal is to find and recover your lost pet there are five different outcomes that can result when hiring a handler and tracking team. These outcomes are explained in the contract above . We are not wizards, and we don’t have magic wands. We perform an investigation and search like that performed by law enforcement in missing person cases. In any search there are circumstances that can happen and are out of our control.

About Scent and the scent article

You should know a little about Scent and your pet

There are many factors that affect scent and a tracking dog’s ability to easily find and follow your pet’s scent trail. Time, weather, heat, strong winds, heavy rains, ice, snow, nicotine from cigarette smoke, or heavy contamination by chemical, auto fumes, diesel or gasoline can all contribute to a poor or difficult scent trail. Personally, it is rare for the tracking dogs to have difficulty picking up any scent trail, but it is necessary to note the possibility.

Contrary to popular belief, rain does not wash scent away but in our experience actually refreshes it and makes it easier for most tracking dogs to detect and follow. NOTE: An area that has flooded after your pet went missing can make scent difficult to impossible for the dogs to follow.

It is also important to note that pets, especially dogs, can travel great distances depending on how long they have been missing. The best tracking dogs are trained to follow the most recent scent trail they can find but if your pet has been out in the escape area for a length of time and has crossed over his own tracks, this can make detecting the correct track difficult and time consuming for the K9 team. Also, be sure and alert the investigator, if prior to his disappearance, your pet spent time in the escape area besides inside his own home, car, yard, etc.

The Scent Article

It is a necessary requirement to have an article that your missing pet has touched, laid on, used, played with, or somehow has accumulated the pet’s scent on it. The article must be free of scent from other pets. This article is how tracking dogs will sort out from all the millions of scent particles in the atmosphere; those that belong to just your missing pet.

We do not use the actual article but instead have the pet owner prepare a group of scent pads that we present to the K9 TEAM. We use gauze for the scent pads as this is the easiest material for most pet owners to get. Rolls of gauze cut into 8” lengths or gauze 3X3s or 4X4s in the package are also fine. Just make sure nothing is scented with medicine, perfume or aroma.

Take at least three (3) gauze pieces, (if you are using packaged gauze 4X4 pieces take them out of the wrappers and unfold them), and roll them inside the selected scent article with your pet’s scent. Place the article and the gauze inside a Zip-lok bag and seal the bag. The scent from the article will permeate into the gauze and I will open the bag and place the now scented gauze in a plastic bag for presentation to the K9 team at the beginning of the search. I prefer that the gauze and articles are sealed together in the bag for at least 12 hours.

NOTE: The K9 Handler will help you with the selection of the three scent articles we will request by doing a Scent Article Selection Session. Most of our clients have multiple pet households. We are expert at identifying scent articles; just be open minded during the session.

Private Service Missing Pet Contract