Our terms, plain and fair

Last updated: 31 July 2026

1. About these Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern the services provided by Dogtopia Ballito ("we", "us", "our") and your use of our website, dogtopia.co.za. By booking or using our services, or by using our website, you ("you", "the owner") agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

These Terms do not limit any rights you have under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA") or other South African law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

2. Our services

Dogtopia Ballito provides doggie daycare and hotel services for small-breed dogs, including:

• A free 30-minute Meet & Greet trial;
• Drop-in doggie daycare, sold by the hour or as a pre-paid bundle;
• Overnight doggie hotel (boarding);
• After-grooming care, for pups being groomed next door at Collar & Comb.

Our website also refers you to independent specialist businesses — currently Collar & Comb (grooming), Sourced 4 Paws (training), and LittleAngels Pet Nutrition (canine nutrition). These are separate businesses, not operated by us; see Section 11.

Specific services, inclusions and prices are described on our website and may be updated from time to time.

3. Who may use our services

You must be 18 years or older to book our services or enter into these Terms. By booking, you confirm that you are the owner of the dog, or are authorised by the owner to arrange services and to make the decisions and give the consents described in these Terms. We currently care for small-breed dogs from 4 months old. Our services are offered in and around Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.

4. Bookings and appointments

• Bookings may be requested through our website form, by phone, or by WhatsApp. A booking is only confirmed once we have responded to confirm the date and time.
• We're open Tuesday to Thursday, 08:00–17:00, and Friday & Saturday, 08:00–15:00. We're closed Sundays and Mondays.
• Drop-ins are accepted on the hour and will fit into the daily schedule based on the time you join.
• New pups start with a free Meet & Greet so we can make sure Dogtopia is the right fit before a paid booking.

5. Cancellations, late collection and hotel deposits

• Hotel bookings require a 50% deposit to secure your booking; the balance is due on arrival.
• Cancelling a hotel booking within 48 hours of the stay: full payment is charged. Cancelling 48 hours or more ahead: a 25% cancellation fee applies.
• Early drop-off or late pickup for hotel stays: R30 per 30 minutes.
• Hotel check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 10:00.

6. Pricing and payment

Prices are as shown on our website or as quoted to you. Daycare, hotel and bundle prices may be updated from time to time — the current rates are always on our website. We do not process card or online payments through the website; payment is by cash, EFT, or as otherwise arranged with us.

7. Your dog's health, vaccinations and behaviour

By booking, you warrant that:

• Your dog is up to date with its vaccinations, including kennel cough, and is, to your knowledge, in good health and free of contagious illness or parasites. Dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. We may decline or stop a service if we reasonably suspect a health, safety, or welfare risk.
• You have disclosed to us, in advance and in writing where possible, any health condition, allergy, injury, age-related frailty, or history of aggression, biting or anxiety. This is essential for your dog's safety and the safety of our staff and other pups.
• A completed, signed enrolment form is required before your dog's first booked stay.

8. Meals and belongings

For stays longer than 4 hours, please pack your dog's own food for their scheduled meal. For hotel stays, bring pre-packed meals for each day plus any medication with simple instructions. Personal belongings left with your dog are brought at your own risk and cannot be guaranteed against loss or damage.

9. Daycare and hotel risks

Daycare and hotel stays involve supervised group interaction with other dogs. While we supervise carefully — keeping playgroups small and size-matched — socialising dogs carries some inherent risk, which you accept. Occasionally, and despite reasonable care, minor incidents can occur, and pre-existing conditions may be discovered or aggravated.

Emergency care: if your dog becomes ill or injured, or an emergency arises while in our care and we cannot reach you, you authorise us to obtain veterinary attention on your behalf, and you agree to be responsible for the reasonable cost of that care.

Uncollected dogs: if a dog is not collected within 7 days of the agreed collection date and we cannot reach you, we will act in the dog's best interests and in accordance with applicable animal-welfare law, at your cost.

10. Photography and marketing

We may photograph dogs (and occasionally owners) at our premises and use those images on our website and social media, as described in our Privacy Policy. You may opt out or request removal at any time by contacting us.

11. Referrals to independent specialists

Our website features and links to independent businesses we recommend — currently Collar & Comb, Sourced 4 Paws, and LittleAngels Pet Nutrition. These businesses are not owned or operated by Dogtopia Ballito, and any booking, service, or advice you receive from them is governed by their own terms, and is their responsibility, not ours. We recommend them in good faith based on our own experience, but you should satisfy yourself as to their suitability for your dog.

12. Our right to refuse, stop or change services

We may refuse, pause, or stop a service, without liability for doing so, where:

• A dog is aggressive, distressed, or poses a risk to itself, our team, or others;
• We reasonably suspect illness, injury, or a welfare concern;
• Required information, an enrolment form, or vaccination proof is not provided; or
• Continuing would be unsafe or unlawful.

We may also update our services, prices and these Terms from time to time (see Section 16).

13. Liability

• We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability where it may not lawfully be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury, or for loss caused by our gross negligence, fraud, or breach of the Consumer Protection Act.
• Subject to the above, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for: stress reactions or outcomes that are an inherent and unavoidable part of caring for dogs in a group setting; pre-existing conditions that are discovered or aggravated despite reasonable care; or indirect or consequential loss.
• Subject to the above, our total liability arising from a service is limited to the amount you paid for that service, except where the law requires otherwise.

14. Intellectual property

All content on our website — including text, logos, branding, photographs and design — is owned by or licensed to Dogtopia Ballito and may not be copied or used without our permission. Any photographs of your dog that you submit remain yours; by submitting them you give us permission to use them to provide, and, where you have not opted out, to promote our services.

15. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. We would like the chance to resolve any concern directly first — please contact us. Any dispute that cannot be resolved will be subject to South African law, and you retain all rights available to you under the Consumer Protection Act, including recourse to the National Consumer Commission or a relevant ombud or court of competent jurisdiction in KwaZulu-Natal.

16. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date shows the latest version, and the current Terms will always be available on our website. Continuing to use our services after a change means you accept the updated Terms.

17. Contact us