Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern access to and use of WorldPetConnect, including the WorldPetConnect website, applications, messaging features, publishing services and related services (collectively, the “Platform”).

For purposes of these Terms, “WorldPetConnect,” “we,” “us,” and “our” means WorldPetConnect, the current operator of the Platform.

Email: info@worldpetconnect.com

By creating an account, publishing content, purchasing a publishing package, using the Platform, or otherwise accessing our services, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding contract to create an account, publish a Post, purchase a publishing service, operate a business profile, communicate with other users for transactional purposes, or otherwise use features requiring an account.

If you use WorldPetConnect on behalf of a company, veterinary clinic, pet shop, transporter or other organisation, you represent that you have authority to bind that organisation to these Terms.

You may not use the Platform if doing so would violate applicable sanctions, export-control restrictions or other applicable law.

2. Nature of WorldPetConnect

WorldPetConnect provides online publishing, information-discovery and communication services.

Users may publish information concerning pets available for sale or adoption. Veterinary clinics, pet shops, pet transporters and other permitted pet-related businesses may publish profiles concerning their businesses and services.

WorldPetConnect is not a seller, buyer, adopter, breeder, veterinary provider, pet shop, animal transporter, broker, auctioneer, escrow provider, payment intermediary or agent in any transaction between users.

WorldPetConnect does not buy or sell animals.

WorldPetConnect does not take ownership or possession of animals.

WorldPetConnect does not process or hold payment for animals.

WorldPetConnect does not process or hold payment for veterinary services, transportation services, pet-shop products or other goods or services offered by users.

Any sale, adoption, service engagement, transportation arrangement or other agreement resulting from a Post is entered into independently between the relevant users outside WorldPetConnect.

WorldPetConnect is not a party to such agreement.

3. No Guarantee of Transactions or Results

Payment to WorldPetConnect is payment for the digital publishing and visibility service selected by the user.

WorldPetConnect does not guarantee:

• that a pet will be sold;
• that a pet will be adopted;
• that a business will obtain customers;
• that a transporter will obtain bookings;
• that a clinic will receive appointments;
• that a pet shop will make sales;
• that any Post will receive a minimum number of views;
• that any user will receive enquiries or messages;
• that a Featured or Premium Post will produce any particular commercial result.

Visibility packages affect placement and/or Platform features only.

4. User Accounts

You must provide accurate and current account information.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of your login credentials and for activity occurring through your account.

You must notify WorldPetConnect promptly if you believe your account has been compromised.

Accounts may not be sold, rented, transferred or shared for the purpose of circumventing Platform rules.

WorldPetConnect may require identity, email, telephone, business or other verification where reasonably necessary for security, compliance or Platform integrity.

5. User Content

“User Content” includes Posts, descriptions, photographs, images, business information, profile information, messages, links and other material submitted to WorldPetConnect.

You retain ownership of your User Content.

By submitting User Content, you grant WorldPetConnect a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, format, resize, display, distribute and otherwise technically use that content for operating, securing and promoting the Platform and the relevant Post.

This licence includes displaying content on search results, category pages, recommendation sections, WorldPetConnect home pages and other Platform surfaces.

You represent that you own or have all rights and permissions required to submit the User Content.

You may not upload copyrighted photographs, logos, text or other materials that you do not have permission to use.

The licence ends when the relevant content is permanently deleted, except to the extent copies remain reasonably necessary in backups, fraud/security records, legal records, previously generated transaction records or where continued retention is permitted or required by law.

6. Accuracy of Posts

Users are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of the information they publish.

Information regarding an animal's breed, age, health, vaccinations, pedigree, ownership, behaviour, location, price, adoption status and other characteristics must be truthful.

Information concerning a veterinary clinic, pet shop, transporter or other business must also be truthful and current.

WorldPetConnect may request evidence supporting claims made in a Post.

7. One Pet Per Post

Unless WorldPetConnect expressly introduces a different Post type allowing otherwise, each pet Post may relate to one individual pet only.

A litter, group, pair or multiple animals may not be offered through a single Post.

Each individual pet must have its own Post.

Users may not use photographs, descriptions, external links, social-media accounts, image text or other techniques to use one Post as a substitute for multiple pet Posts.

Creating one Post containing several pets for the purpose of avoiding additional publishing requirements or fees is prohibited.

WorldPetConnect may remove such Posts and may suspend or permanently terminate accounts involved in repeated, deliberate or abusive circumvention.

8. Legal Responsibility for Animals

A user publishing a pet represents that the user has the legal right and authority to offer the animal for sale, adoption or rehoming.

Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations concerning, as applicable:

• animal ownership;
• sale and adoption;
• breeding;
• minimum animal age;
• animal welfare;
• microchipping;
• vaccination;
• health certificates;
• pedigree documentation;
• licensing;
• import and export;
• cross-border movement;
• transportation;
• protected or endangered species;
• restricted species or breeds;
• consumer protection;
• commercial breeding and selling requirements.

The availability of a category or publishing function on WorldPetConnect does not mean that a particular sale, adoption, animal, service or transaction is lawful in the user's jurisdiction.

9. Veterinary and Health Information

WorldPetConnect does not inspect animals and does not provide veterinary advice.

A statement that an animal is vaccinated, healthy, microchipped, pedigree-registered or has any other health characteristic is information provided by the user unless WorldPetConnect explicitly states otherwise.

Users should independently verify health records and seek an appropriate veterinary examination before entering into an animal transaction.

WorldPetConnect is not responsible for disease, congenital conditions, genetic conditions, behavioural conditions, injury, death or any other condition of an animal obtained through contact initiated on the Platform.

10. Business Profiles

Veterinary clinics, pet shops, pet transporters and other approved businesses may provide information including addresses, contact details, operating hours, photographs, websites and social-media links.

Business users are responsible for holding all licences, registrations, permits, insurance and professional authorisations required in every jurisdiction in which they operate.

WorldPetConnect does not provide the underlying services advertised or described on a business profile.

11. Verification

WorldPetConnect may offer verification for certain profiles or categories.

Verification means only that WorldPetConnect performed the verification steps expressly described by WorldPetConnect at the time verification occurred.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, verification does not constitute:

• a recommendation;
• an endorsement;
• a guarantee of quality;
• a guarantee of safety;
• a guarantee that information remains current;
• a guarantee that a licence has not subsequently expired, been suspended or revoked;
• a guarantee of legal compliance;
• a guarantee that a business or individual will perform any obligation.

WorldPetConnect may request re-verification or remove verification status at any time where reasonably necessary.

Further detail is set out in the Business Verification Policy.

12. External Websites and Social Media

Users may be permitted to add links to their website and social-media profiles.

These links lead to independent third-party services.

WorldPetConnect does not control and is not responsible for external websites, social-media pages, their content, their security, their privacy practices or transactions occurring through them.

The presence of a link does not constitute an endorsement by WorldPetConnect.

External links may not be used to circumvent WorldPetConnect's rules, mislead users, distribute malware or direct users to illegal content.

13. Messaging

WorldPetConnect may allow users to communicate with one another.

Users must not use messaging to:

• harass or threaten another person;
• send spam;
• commit fraud;
• impersonate another person;
• send malware;
• distribute illegal content;
• obtain information through deception;
• engage in unlawful discrimination;
• circumvent account suspensions;
• conduct any other illegal activity.

WorldPetConnect may preserve and review communications where reasonably necessary for fraud prevention, abuse investigation, security, support or legal compliance, subject to applicable privacy law.

14. Publishing Packages

WorldPetConnect may offer publishing packages such as Basic, Featured and Premium.

Each package provides only the features and duration displayed at the time of purchase.

Unless expressly stated at checkout, publishing packages are one-time purchases and do not automatically renew.

Features may include different placement, duration, image limits, badges, refresh functions, rotation or other visibility features.

A higher placement tier does not constitute an endorsement of the user or the contents of the Post.

How ranking and paid placement work is described in How ranking works.

15. Payments and Merchant of Record

Paid publishing and visibility services may be sold and/or processed through a third-party Merchant of Record (“MoR”).

The identity of the MoR will be shown during checkout or on the applicable payment documentation.

The MoR may be responsible for payment processing, receipts, billing support, applicable indirect taxes, refunds, payment disputes and chargebacks according to its terms and applicable law.

WorldPetConnect does not receive or store full payment-card details where payment-card processing is performed directly by the MoR.

The MoR's payment terms may apply in addition to these Terms.

If there is a conflict concerning payment processing, statutory tax treatment, chargebacks or matters the MoR is legally required to control as Merchant of Record, the MoR's legally applicable requirements may prevail to that extent.

16. Taxes

Taxes applicable to the purchase of WorldPetConnect publishing services may be calculated and collected by the applicable Merchant of Record.

Users remain responsible for their own taxes, reporting and legal obligations arising from any separate animal sale, business service or transaction conducted outside WorldPetConnect.

17. Refunds

Refunds are governed by the WorldPetConnect Refund & Cancellation Policy, incorporated into these Terms.

Nothing in these Terms excludes a statutory refund, cancellation, withdrawal or consumer remedy that applicable law does not permit WorldPetConnect or the Merchant of Record to exclude.

18. Content Moderation

WorldPetConnect may reject, restrict, remove, de-rank or disable content, and may warn, restrict, suspend or terminate accounts, where reasonably considered necessary because of:

• violation of these Terms;
• violation of Listing Rules;
• suspected fraud;
• misleading content;
• illegal content;
• animal-welfare concerns;
• intellectual-property infringement;
• security risk;
• circumvention of Platform limits;
• abusive behaviour;
• requirements of applicable law;
• valid orders from competent authorities;
• requirements imposed by payment providers, a Merchant of Record or card networks;
• material risk to WorldPetConnect, users, animals or third parties.

WorldPetConnect is not required to pre-screen every Post.

Where required by applicable law, WorldPetConnect will provide affected users with appropriate information concerning moderation decisions and available appeal mechanisms.

19. Suspension and Permanent Termination

Serious or repeated violations may result in permanent account termination.

A permanently terminated user may not create another account or use another person's account to circumvent the termination.

WorldPetConnect may terminate immediately where reasonably necessary for fraud, safety, illegal activity, serious abuse or security.

In less urgent circumstances, WorldPetConnect may provide a warning or opportunity to correct a violation, but is not obligated to do so where immediate action is reasonably justified.

20. User Transactions Are at User Risk

Users are solely responsible for deciding whether to interact or enter into an agreement with another user.

WorldPetConnect does not guarantee the identity, honesty, creditworthiness, competence or intentions of any user.

WorldPetConnect does not guarantee ownership of an animal merely because a user claims ownership.

WorldPetConnect does not guarantee that money sent outside WorldPetConnect will be recoverable.

Users should independently inspect relevant documentation, verify identities, verify ownership and use appropriate professional advice before completing transactions.

21. Platform Availability

The Platform is provided on an “as available” basis.

WorldPetConnect does not guarantee uninterrupted availability, uninterrupted messaging, particular uptime, error-free operation or permanent preservation of content.

Maintenance, technical problems, cyber incidents, third-party outages, legal requirements and other circumstances may temporarily affect availability.

22. No Professional Advice

Information provided through WorldPetConnect is for general informational purposes.

WorldPetConnect does not provide legal, veterinary, medical, tax, financial or professional advice.

Users should obtain professional advice where appropriate.

23. Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WORLDPETCONNECT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES NOT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THESE TERMS, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ACCURACY.

WORLDPETCONNECT DOES NOT WARRANT USER CONTENT OR THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION.

This section does not exclude warranties or consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded.

24. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WORLDPETCONNECT AND ITS OWNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS AND AFFILIATES WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF REPUTATION, LOSS OF DATA OR LOSS ARISING FROM A TRANSACTION BETWEEN USERS.

WORLDPETCONNECT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY OR CLAIMS ARISING FROM:

• an animal purchased, sold, adopted or rehomed following contact through the Platform;
• the health, behaviour, pedigree or condition of an animal;
• a veterinary service;
• a pet-shop product;
• a transportation service;
• a business appearing on WorldPetConnect;
• fraud or misconduct by another user;
• an external website or social-media service;
• an off-platform payment;
• User Content.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WORLDPETCONNECT'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE PLATFORM WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF USD 100 OR THE AMOUNT THE CLAIMANT PAID FOR THE SPECIFIC WORLDPETCONNECT SERVICE GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY.

Nothing in this section excludes liability that applicable law does not allow to be excluded or limited, including liability for fraud, intentional misconduct, or other non-excludable liability.

25. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, business users and users acting for commercial or professional purposes agree to indemnify and hold harmless WorldPetConnect and its owners, officers, employees, contractors and affiliates from third-party claims, damages, penalties, costs and reasonable legal fees arising out of:

• their User Content;
• their animal;
• their products or services;
• their violation of law;
• their infringement of third-party rights;
• their breach of these Terms;
• their off-platform transaction with another person.

For consumers, this provision applies only to the extent permitted by applicable mandatory consumer law.

26. Changes to the Platform

WorldPetConnect may modify or discontinue Platform features.

Changes affecting future purchases may be made at any time.

For an already purchased publishing period, WorldPetConnect will not intentionally remove a material paid feature without reasonable justification, except where necessary for law, safety, fraud prevention, security or circumstances outside WorldPetConnect's reasonable control.

Where applicable law requires a remedy, one will be provided.

27. Changes to These Terms

WorldPetConnect may update these Terms.

Material changes will be communicated in a reasonable manner before they take effect where required by law.

Continued use after the effective date of updated Terms constitutes acceptance to the extent permitted by applicable law.

28. Governing Law

These Terms are subject to applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms limits mandatory consumer rights that cannot lawfully be waived, including rights a consumer has under the laws of their country of residence.

29. U.S. Arbitration Agreement

THIS SECTION APPLIES TO USERS IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Before commencing formal proceedings, either party must provide written notice describing the dispute and allow 30 days for an attempt to resolve it informally.

Except for eligible small-claims matters and claims seeking urgent injunctive relief concerning intellectual property, account security or unlawful access, disputes will be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under the applicable AAA rules.

The Federal Arbitration Act governs this arbitration provision.

The parties waive trial by jury for disputes subject to arbitration.

Arbitration will proceed only on an individual basis. Neither party may pursue a claim in arbitration as a plaintiff or member of a class, collective, consolidated or representative proceeding, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

A U.S. user may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to info@worldpetconnect.com within 30 days after first accepting these Terms. The notice must identify the account and clearly state that the user opts out of arbitration.

30. Non-U.S. Consumers

Nothing in the U.S. arbitration section deprives a consumer outside the United States of access to a court, regulator, alternative dispute-resolution body or consumer remedy that applicable mandatory law gives that consumer.

31. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Where legally possible, an invalid provision will be interpreted as narrowly as necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intended purpose.

32. No Waiver

Failure by WorldPetConnect to enforce a provision on one occasion does not waive the right to enforce it later.

33. Assignment

Users may not assign their rights or obligations under these Terms without WorldPetConnect's written consent.

WorldPetConnect may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, incorporation, restructuring, financing, acquisition, sale of assets or transfer of the Platform, subject to applicable law.

34. Contact

Legal questions: info@worldpetconnect.com

Support: Contact support

Reports concerning illegal content: Report content

Privacy: info@worldpetconnect.com