Legal Information

1. Introduction

Scoop Patrol ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our dog waste removal services or visit our website.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and postal address
• Service Information: Details about your garden, number of dogs, service preferences, and access instructions (e.g., gate codes)
• Payment Information: Card details are processed securely through our payment provider and are not stored on our servers
• Communication Records: Records of correspondence with us via email, phone, or text message

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our dog waste removal services
• Process payments and send invoices
• Communicate with you about your service, including scheduling and completion notifications
• Send service completion photos as proof of work
• Respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
• Send promotional communications (with your consent)
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us operate our business (e.g., payment processors, route optimization software)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS)
• Secure payment processing via PCI-compliant providers
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Regular security assessments

6. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to or restrict processing
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time

7. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

8. Contact Us

For privacy-related enquiries, please contact us:

1. Acceptance of Terms

By booking our services or using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use our services. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter into a service agreement with Scoop Patrol.

2. Our Services

Scoop Patrol provides professional dog waste removal services including:

• Regular weekly or fortnightly garden cleanup
• One-off deep clean / Garden Rescue package
• Garden sanitisation and deodorisation
• Photo proof of service completion

3. Garden Rescue Package

The Garden Rescue package is a one-time deep clean service that includes automatic enrolment into our regular ongoing maintenance service. By booking the Garden Rescue package, you agree to the following:

• Automatic Maintenance Enrolment: Following your Garden Rescue service, you will be enrolled onto a regular maintenance plan (weekly or fortnightly as selected during booking)
• Free Trial Period: You receive one week of free maintenance following your Garden Rescue service
• Cancellation: You may cancel your ongoing maintenance at any time with no cancellation fee
• Lifetime Discount: Customers who maintain continuous service receive 15% off ongoing maintenance pricing

4. Service Scope & Exclusions

Our dog waste removal service covers the collection and disposal of dog faeces from your garden. The following items are NOT included in our standard service:

• Human waste or sanitary products (nappies, sanitary towels, etc.)
• Cat litter or other pet waste (non-dog)
• General household rubbish or litter
• Hazardous materials or chemicals
• Medical waste or sharps
• Dead animals or wildlife
• Building materials or large garden debris

If we encounter any of the above during service, we reserve the right to leave these items in place and will notify you accordingly.

Optional Add-On: Garden Tidy Service

For customers who require additional tidying (loose rubbish, smaller debris, general garden clutter), we offer an optional Garden Tidy service at £15 per 15 minutes. This is charged in addition to your regular service.

For larger items or accumulated waste piles, we offer skip runs on a monthly basis. If removal is required, we will provide a quote for collection and disposal during one of our scheduled runs.

5. Service Areas

We currently serve Dundee, Perth, Fife, Forfar, and surrounding areas in Scotland. Service availability is subject to postcode verification.

6. Booking and Scheduling

• Services are scheduled based on postcode routing (e.g., Monday for DD1-DD5, DD8)
• We will notify you the day before your service with an estimated time of arrival and tracking link
• We require reasonable access to your garden; please ensure gates are unlocked or provide access codes
• You do not need to be home during service if we have access

7. Pet Safety & Aggressive Dogs

• Please inform us of any dogs that may be reactive, anxious, or aggressive towards strangers
• If your dog requires securing during visits, please ensure this is arranged before our arrival
• We use pet-safe, eco-friendly cleaning products
• We always ensure gates are properly secured after each visit

Welcome Packs & Allergies

New customers may receive a welcome pack containing treats and toys for their dog(s). It is your responsibility to inform us of any known allergies your dog may have. Scoop Patrol accepts no liability for allergic reactions if we have not been notified of specific dietary requirements or allergies.

Toys & Choking Hazards

Any toys provided by Scoop Patrol are standard dog toys appropriate for typical use. However, dogs being dogs, accidents can happen. Scoop Patrol accepts no liability for choking incidents, injuries, or damages resulting from your dog's interaction with toys provided or any other items. Owners should always supervise their pets with new toys and remove any item that becomes damaged or poses a hazard.

8. Access to Property

• You are responsible for providing safe, unobstructed access to your garden
• If we are unable to access your property due to locked gates, no access code provided, or aggressive dogs, the visit will be marked as a "missed visit"
• Repeated access failures (3 or more consecutive missed visits) may result in service suspension
• We will always attempt to contact you if access is not possible
• Mid-Terrace Properties: For properties requiring access through the home (e.g., mid-terrace houses with no side access), you must either be home to grant entry or provide alternative access arrangements. If access cannot be provided, the visit will be marked as a missed visit.

9. Photo Proof Policy

We provide photo documentation of our service for your peace of mind and as proof of work completed:

• What We Photograph: Service completion, secured gates, before/after comparisons (for deep cleans)
• Privacy Protection: Our staff are trained to avoid photographing vehicle number plates, house numbers, personal items, windows, or any identifying features of neighbouring properties
• Use of Photos: Photos may be used as evidence if there is a dispute regarding service completion
• Retention: Photos are typically retained for 90 days
• Your Rights: You may request deletion of photos or opt out of the photo service (though this may limit our ability to resolve disputes)

10. Customer Responsibilities

By using our service, you confirm that:

• All information provided during booking is accurate and complete
• You are the property owner or have authority from the owner to arrange this service
• You will ensure safe access to the garden on scheduled service days
• You will inform us of any hazards in the garden (broken glass, exposed nails, etc.)
• You will notify us of any changes to your contact details, address, or access arrangements
• You will secure aggressive or reactive dogs before our arrival
• You will inform us of any allergies your dog(s) may have before receiving welcome packs

Sanitisation Service Disclaimer

Our sanitisation and deodorisation service uses professional-grade, pet-safe products designed to significantly reduce bacteria, germs, and odours in your garden. However, sanitisation does not guarantee the complete elimination of all bacteria, viruses, diseases, or pathogens. Outdoor environments are continually exposed to wildlife, weather, and other factors beyond our control. Our service provides a high level of cleanliness but should not be relied upon as a medical-grade sterilisation solution.

11. Pricing and Payment

• Prices are as quoted at the time of booking
• We accept payment via credit/debit card
• Recurring payments are processed automatically according to your chosen payment frequency (weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly, or monthly)
• Deep clean / garden rescue services are charged upon completion
• Promotional discounts apply as stated at the time of booking

12. Late Payment & Failed Payments

• If a payment fails, we will attempt to contact you and retry the payment
• Service may be suspended after 7 days of non-payment
• Accounts with outstanding balances over 14 days may be passed to debt collection
• We reserve the right to charge a £10 administration fee for failed payment recovery
• Service will resume once all outstanding balances are settled

13. Cancellation Policy & No Refunds

• Regular Service: You may cancel your ongoing service at any time with no cancellation fee. Please provide at least 24 hours notice before your next scheduled visit.
• One-off Services: Please provide at least 24 hours notice to reschedule or cancel without charge.
• Same-day Cancellations: May be subject to a £10 cancellation fee.
• No-shows: If we arrive and cannot complete service due to customer-side issues (access, aggressive dogs, etc.), this counts as a completed visit and will be charged.

14. Our Right to Refuse or Terminate Service

We reserve the right to refuse or terminate service in the following circumstances:

• Unsafe working conditions (aggressive animals, hazardous materials, etc.)
• Verbal or physical abuse towards our staff
• Repeated non-payment or failed payments
• Repeated access failures
• Fraudulent claims or disputes
• Any other behavior we deem inappropriate or harmful to our business

If we terminate service, any outstanding balances remain due and payable.

15. Weather Policy

We provide service in all weather conditions, including rain, snow, and adverse weather. In the rare event of extreme conditions making service impossible or unsafe (severe flooding, dangerous ice, red weather warnings), we will contact you to reschedule at no additional charge.

16. Environmental Compliance

We are fully licensed and compliant with Scottish and UK environmental regulations:

• SEPA Licensed: We are registered with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to transport controlled waste
• Responsible Disposal: All waste collected is disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations
• Eco-Friendly Products: We use biodegradable, pet-safe cleaning and sanitisation products

17. Liability

• We are fully insured for public liability
• We take reasonable care to avoid damage to your property
• We are not liable for pre-existing damage or normal wear and tear
• We are not liable for damage caused by your pets, weather conditions, or third parties
• Claims must be reported within 48 hours of service with photographic evidence where possible
• Our liability is limited to the cost of the service provided

18. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, severe weather, pandemics, government restrictions, fuel shortages, civil unrest, or other events of force majeure.

19. Complaints & Disputes

• If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact us within 48 hours
• We aim to resolve all complaints within 48 hours
• Where service has not been completed to standard, we will offer re-service at no charge
• Refunds are offered at our discretion and only where we have clearly failed to deliver the agreed service
• Disputes raised more than 14 days after service may not be eligible for refund or re-service

20. Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. Material changes affecting ongoing customers will be communicated via email with 14 days notice.

21. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy and Data Protection notice, constitute the entire agreement between you and Scoop Patrol. Any verbal statements or promises not included in these documents do not form part of our agreement.

22. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Scotland and the United Kingdom. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

1. Our Commitment

Scoop Patrol is committed to ensuring your personal data is protected in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Data Controller

Scoop Patrol acts as the Data Controller for the personal data you provide. We determine the purposes and means of processing your personal data.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

• Contract: Processing necessary for the performance of our service contract with you
• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our business operations where it doesn't override your rights
• Consent: Where you have given explicit consent for marketing communications
• Legal Obligation: Where we need to comply with legal requirements

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Maintain records for tax and accounting purposes (typically 6 years)
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Comply with legal obligations

Service completion photos are retained for 90 days unless you request earlier deletion or longer retention.

5. Third-Party Processors

We work with trusted third-party processors who act on our behalf:

• Payment Processing: Secure payment providers (PCI-DSS compliant)
• Customer Management: GoHighLevel CRM for secure customer data management
• Route Optimization: OptimoRoute for efficient service scheduling
• Communication: SMS and email providers for service notifications

All processors are contractually bound to process data in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

6. International Transfers

Some of our third-party processors may be located outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the ICO
• Adequacy decisions where applicable

7. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: We do not use automated decision-making that significantly affects you

8. Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within one month.

9. Data Breach Procedures

In the event of a personal data breach, we will:

• Assess the risk to your rights and freedoms
• Notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours if required
• Notify affected individuals without undue delay if there is a high risk to their rights
• Document the breach and our response

10. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal data appropriately, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office:

11. Updates to This Notice

We may update this Data Protection notice from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or through our website.

1. Our Commitment

Scoop Patrol is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children. We recognise that everyone has the right to protection from abuse and neglect, regardless of their age, gender, disability, or circumstances.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, subcontractors, and volunteers working on behalf of Scoop Patrol. While our service primarily involves outdoor work with no requirement to enter homes, we understand that many of our customers may be vulnerable individuals who require additional consideration.

3. Staff Vetting

• All Scoop Patrol staff undergo PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) checks through Disclosure Scotland
• PVG membership is maintained and updated as required
• Subcontractors must provide evidence of appropriate background checks before commencing work
• References are sought and verified for all new team members

4. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Our team is trained to recognise potential signs of abuse or neglect, including:

• Signs of physical injury or neglect of the property or animals
• Unexplained changes in behaviour or withdrawn demeanour
• Signs of financial exploitation (e.g., pressure to cancel services)
• Self-neglect or evidence of inadequate care
• Concerns about animal welfare

5. Reporting Concerns

If any member of our team has a safeguarding concern:

• They will report it immediately to the Scoop Patrol Safeguarding Lead
• Concerns will be documented factually and objectively
• Where appropriate, we will refer concerns to the relevant local authority adult protection team, police, or other appropriate agency
• We will cooperate fully with any subsequent investigations

6. Confidentiality

All safeguarding concerns are treated with the utmost confidentiality. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with data protection legislation and safeguarding best practice.

7. Contact

Safeguarding Lead: [email protected] | 0800 206 2762

1. Policy Statement

Scoop Patrol is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all employees, subcontractors, customers, and members of the public who may be affected by our work. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation.

2. Responsibilities

• Management: Responsible for implementing this policy, providing adequate resources, and ensuring compliance
• Employees/Subcontractors: Responsible for following safe working practices, using PPE provided, and reporting hazards
• Customers: Responsible for informing us of known hazards and securing aggressive animals

3. Risk Assessment

We conduct risk assessments for all aspects of our work, including:

• Manual handling of equipment and waste
• Working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Working around dogs and other animals
• Vehicle operations and driving
• Use of cleaning and sanitisation products

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All team members are provided with and required to use appropriate PPE, including:

• Protective gloves
• Waterproof footwear and clothing
• Hi-visibility clothing where required
• First aid kits in all vehicles

5. Training

All staff receive induction training covering health and safety procedures, including:

• Safe working practices
• Correct use of equipment and PPE
• Hazard identification and reporting
• Emergency procedures
• Animal handling and dog behaviour awareness

6. Incident Reporting

All accidents, incidents, and near-misses are reported, investigated, and documented. RIDDOR-reportable incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive as required by law.

7. Review

This policy is reviewed annually or following any significant incident or change in operations.

1. Policy Statement

Scoop Patrol is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of our business. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

2. Commitment

We are committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality in relation to:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

3. Employment

All employment decisions are made on the basis of merit and business needs. We will:

• Advertise positions widely and fairly
• Select candidates based solely on their skills and suitability
• Provide equal access to training and development opportunities
• Apply disciplinary and grievance procedures fairly to all

4. Service Delivery

We provide our services equally to all customers. We are particularly proud to offer discounted services to vulnerable individuals referred by partner charities, including those with visual impairments, mobility issues, mental health conditions, and other challenges.

5. Complaints

Any employee, contractor, or customer who believes they have experienced discrimination should report this to [email protected]. All complaints will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.

1. Our Commitment

Scoop Patrol is committed to preventing slavery, human trafficking, and forced labour in our business and supply chains. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery of any kind.

2. Our Business

Scoop Patrol is a professional dog waste removal service operating in Dundee, Perth, Fife, Forfar, and surrounding areas in Scotland. We employ local staff and subcontractors who are paid fairly and treated with respect.

3. Due Diligence

We take the following steps to prevent modern slavery:

• All employees and subcontractors are paid at least the National Living Wage
• We verify the identity and right to work of all team members
• We do not use recruitment agencies that charge fees to workers
• We maintain visibility over our supply chain, which is primarily local
• We are alert to warning signs of exploitation in our workforce and supply chain

4. Reporting Concerns

Anyone who suspects modern slavery or exploitation should report their concerns to:

• Scoop Patrol: [email protected] | 0800 206 2762
• Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 012 17 00
• Police Scotland: 101 (or 999 in emergencies)

5. Review

This statement is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect our ongoing commitment to combating modern slavery.

1. Our Commitment to Quality

Scoop Patrol is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality service to every customer, every visit. We believe that maintaining high standards is essential to building trust and supporting vulnerable individuals who rely on our service.

2. Service Standards

• Thorough Cleaning: Every visit includes a complete inspection and cleanup of the designated area
• Photo Proof: Photographic evidence is provided after every service for transparency and peace of mind
• Prompt Communication: Customers (and care coordinators where applicable) receive automated notifications upon service completion
• Reliable Scheduling: Services are delivered on the scheduled day unless weather conditions make this impossible
• Secure Access: Gates are always secured and photographed after each visit

3. Staff Training & Supervision

• All team members receive comprehensive induction training
• Ongoing training is provided on service standards, customer care, and health & safety
• Regular quality audits are conducted by management
• Performance feedback is provided to team members

4. Customer Feedback

We actively seek and act on customer feedback:

• Customers can provide feedback after any service
• All feedback is reviewed by management
• Complaints are investigated within 48 hours
• Positive feedback is shared and celebrated with the team

5. Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuously improving our service through:

• Regular review of processes and procedures
• Investment in training and equipment
• Acting on customer and partner feedback
• Monitoring industry best practices

6. Charity & Partner Reporting

For partner organisations, we provide:

• Monthly service delivery reports
• Individual client updates upon request
• Named point of contact for partnership matters
• Flexibility to add care coordinator emails to notification loops