Independent Contractor Agreement
Last updated: February 2026
This agreement applies to all caregivers providing services through the Howl platform. By creating a caregiver profile on Howl, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
1. Independent Contractor Status
As a caregiver on Howl, you are an independent contractor, not an employee, partner, or agent of Howl. This means:
- You control how, when, and where you provide your services
- You may accept or decline any care request at your discretion
- You set your own rates within the platform
- Howl does not provide training, tools, or equipment
- You are free to use other platforms or provide services independently
2. Tax Responsibilities
As an independent contractor, you are responsible for:
- Reporting all income earned through Howl to the appropriate tax authorities
- Paying all applicable federal, state, and local taxes, including self-employment tax
- Maintaining your own records of income and expenses
- Filing quarterly estimated tax payments if required
If you earn $600 or more in a calendar year through Howl, you will receive a 1099-NEC form. We recommend consulting a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
3. Platform Fee Structure
Howl charges a 15% platform fee on each completed booking. This fee covers payment processing, platform maintenance, customer support, and caregiver vetting. You receive 85% of the total booking amount, paid directly to your connected Stripe account 24 hours after the care session ends.
4. Payment Terms
- All payments are processed through Stripe Connect
- You must maintain an active Stripe account to receive payouts
- Payouts are initiated 24 hours after the care session end date
- Payout timing depends on your bank and Stripe account settings (typically 2-3 business days)
- Disputed payments may be held pending resolution
5. Code of Conduct
As a Howl caregiver, you agree to:
- Treat all dogs in your care with kindness, patience, and respect
- Follow any care instructions provided by the dog owner
- Communicate promptly and professionally with owners
- Report any incidents, injuries, or concerns immediately
- Never leave a dog unattended in an unsafe situation
- Maintain a clean, safe environment for dogs in your care
- Respect the confidentiality of owner and pet information
- Not use or be under the influence of substances while providing care
6. Insurance and Liability
Howl recommends that all caregivers obtain appropriate business liability insurance. You are responsible for any damage, injury, or loss that occurs while dogs are in your care. Howl is not liable for incidents that occur during care sessions.
7. Profile and Vetting
All caregiver profiles are reviewed by the Howl team before being published. Howl reserves the right to approve, reject, or remove profiles at its discretion. You agree to maintain accurate profile information and update it as needed.
8. Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement at any time. Howl may suspend or remove your profile for violations of this agreement or the Terms of Service. Outstanding payments for completed services will still be processed.
9. Contact
For questions about this agreement, contact us at HowlRelations@gmail.com.