These are the ground rules for working together, written plainly so there are no surprises. They cover how a booking starts, what we each agree to, and what happens if plans change. Booking a stay with us means you are comfortable with what follows.
These terms were last reviewed on 21 June 2026 and apply to the bird sitting and boarding services Oakville Avian Care provides to bird owners across Oakville, Ontario.
It all starts with a conversation. When you submit our contact form or reach out by phone or email, you are asking us about availability, not yet confirming a booking. We will reply, talk through your bird's needs, and offer you a quote. A stay is only confirmed once we have agreed on the dates, you have accepted the quote, and we have both settled the care details for your bird. Until that point, either of us is free to say it is not the right fit.
Because we look after each bird individually and our space is limited, dates are held on a first-come basis. We would always rather be honest about a full calendar than overcommit and shortchange a bird already in our care.
We do not publish a flat price list, because no two birds need exactly the same thing. Every quote is built around your bird's species, the length of the stay, and any extra care it requires, such as medications, a particular diet, or additional attention. The figure we give you is the figure we stand behind for the dates discussed.
If your plans shift in a way that changes the scope, for example a longer stay or new care needs, we will talk it through and update the quote together before anything changes. You will never find an unexpected charge on your invoice that we did not discuss with you first.
Good care depends on good information, and that part is on you. Before a stay begins, you agree to give us an honest and complete picture of your bird: its diet, any medications and how they are given, known health conditions, behavioural quirks, and your avian veterinarian's contact details. If your bird has a history of illness or aggression, we need to know up front so we can prepare properly.
You also confirm that your bird is in good health at drop-off and, to the best of your knowledge, is not carrying a contagious illness. We ask that you supply your bird's usual food where possible, so its diet stays consistent, and that you leave us a reliable way to reach you throughout the stay. Coming clean about a difficult bird is always better than a surprise once it is in our care.
We watch every guest closely for changes in appetite, behaviour, and droppings, and we will contact you straight away if something seems off. If your bird needs to see a vet during its stay and we cannot reach you in time, you authorise us to seek care from a trusted avian veterinarian in the Oakville area, with your prior consent on file. Any veterinary costs that result are the owner's responsibility. We will always try to reach you first and act in your bird's best interest if we cannot.
Life happens, and travel plans fall through. If you need to cancel or change a confirmed booking, please let us know as early as you can. Early notice means we can free the dates for another family and rarely creates any issue at all. We will set out any cancellation terms tied to your specific booking, such as deposit handling for longer or peak-season stays, in writing when we confirm, so you know where you stand before you commit.
If we ever have to cancel from our side, which we treat as a last resort, we will tell you immediately, help you find an alternative where we can, and return any prepayment for the portion of care not provided.
We will agree on drop-off and pick-up times when we confirm your booking. If you are running late or need to adjust, a quick message lets us plan around it. Any cage, toys, food, or supplies you leave with your bird remain your property; we will look after them with care and return them at pick-up, though ordinary wear from daily use is to be expected.
We pour genuine, attentive care into every bird we look after, and we treat each one as if it were our own. At the same time, birds are living animals, and even with the best care some things sit outside anyone's control. Except where caused by our negligence, Oakville Avian Care is not liable for illness, injury, or other outcomes that arise from a pre-existing condition, an undisclosed health or behavioural issue, or the natural risks of a bird's age and temperament. Disclosing your bird's full history up front is the single best way for us to keep it safe.
Our responsibility for any claim relating to a stay is limited to the value of the services provided for that stay. Nothing in these terms limits any responsibility that cannot be limited under the laws of Ontario.
These terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. If anything here is ever unclear, please ask before booking. We would always rather answer a question early than leave room for a misunderstanding later, and we are happy to walk you through any of it.
Ask us anything about these terms or how a stay works: