Agility, Obedience, Heelwork to Music, Bloodhound and Working Trials

The British weather has been kinder to dog lovers this year with fewer shows needing to be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather.  Following problems which occurred during 2008, the Kennel Club has reviewed its policy in relation to Obedience, Agility, Working Trials, Heelwork to Music and Bloodhound Trials.  With immediate effect, none of these events may be postponed should the original event not be able to be held due to unforeseen circumstances; the event must be cancelled.  If the society wishes to reschedule the show/trial this may be done by applying for a new licence, issuing a new schedule etc, and entries from the original date may not be carried forward.

It is hoped that this new policy will safeguard competitors as they will not be in a position of losing entry fees if a show/trial was to be postponed to a date on which they were unable to attend.  It has become apparent that with the increasing popularity of all canine activities it was becoming harder and harder to find a suitable date to reschedule an event that did not clash with another and where a suitable venue was available.

The full cancellation policy for Agility, Obedience, Heelwork to Music, Bloodhound Trials and Working Trials is given below:

With the increasing frequency of show/trial cancellations due to inclement weather, it would be advisable for all clubs to state in their schedule their policy in the eventuality of the show/trial having to be cancelled for reasons beyond their control.

1. All societies must include their refund policy within the schedule – ‘no refunds will be given’ is not acceptable, a suggested wording is:-

‘In the event that the show/trial is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, the society will refund fees, less reasonably incurred expenses, on receipt of a stamped, addressed envelope submitted within 1 month of the show/trial date.’

2. When booking services or venues, clubs should establish what the cancellation policy is for any orders placed or venue bookings made. As a priority, clubs should endeavour to negotiate at an early stage a favourable deal on all services and venues which could be cancelled for reasons beyond their control.  This would enable them to avoid paying the full cost for services/venues contracted but not used.  A hire contract should be in writing and include details of actions regarding both sides’ costs upon cancellation of the event.

3. Clubs should try to avoid purchasing non reusable products too early e.g. catering items and try to source these items as much as possible from companies that have a full credit returns policy.

4. Clubs should consider the type of insurance they have for their event and what impact this would have on their refund policy.

5. In the event of a show/trial being cancelled it is of paramount importance that competitors/creditors of the event are informed as soon as possible and on an ongoing and regular basis about the financial implications that affect them and how to apply for a refund.  Initial information should be available no later than 7 days after the decision to cancel the show is made.

6. In the event of a cancellation, a full set of the licensing club’s detailed accounts for the show must be submitted to the Kennel Club within 3 months of the decision to cancel the event with a copy of the club’s refund policy and the date that action was taken on this refund policy.

7. Events may not be postponed to a later date.  If the club still wishes to hold the event, a new licence should be obtained with a new schedule, judges’ contracts, entries etc.

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