IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
This document is a template and provides general information about what a Terms and Conditions agreement for an application like PetLink might contain. It is NOT legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal counsel. You MUST consult with a qualified lawyer in Egypt (and any other relevant jurisdictions where PetLink operates) to draft a legally binding and enforceable Terms and Conditions document tailored to your specific business model, local laws, and regulatory requirements.
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
1.1. Welcome to PetLink:
PetLink (referred to as "the Platform," "we," "us," or "our") provides a marketplace connecting pet owners ("Users," "you") with independent pet care service providers ("Professionals") and animal shelters ("Shelters").
1.2. Agreement to Terms:
By accessing or using the PetLink mobile application or website (collectively, "the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and all other operating rules, policies, and procedures that may be published from time to time on the Service by us. If you do not agree to all the Terms, you may not access or use the Service.
1.3. Changes to Terms:
We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Terms on the Service. Your continued use of the Service after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
2. User Accounts
2.1. Registration:
To access certain features of the Service, you must register for an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.
2.2. Account Types:
PetLink offers different account types: - Pet Owners: For individuals seeking pet care services. - Professionals: For independent service providers (e.g., veterinarians, groomers, trainers, dog walkers, pet sitters). - Shelters: For registered animal shelters and rescue organizations.
2.3. Account Security:
You are responsible for safeguarding your password and for any activities or actions under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.
2.4. Verification:
We may implement verification processes for Professionals and Shelters (e.g., license checks, background checks, identity verification). While we strive to verify information, we cannot guarantee the complete accuracy or reliability of any user's identity or qualifications.
3. Role of PetLink
3.1. Marketplace Provider:
PetLink acts solely as a technology platform to facilitate connections between Users, Professionals, and Shelters. We are not a pet care service provider, nor are we an employer of Professionals or a direct partner with Shelters beyond providing the platform.
3.2. Independent Contractors:
Professionals operate as independent contractors. They are solely responsible for the services they provide, their qualifications, and their compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
3.3. Shelter Listings:
Shelters are responsible for the accuracy of their profiles, adoptable animal listings, and donation/volunteer information.
4. Service Bookings and Payments
4.1. Booking Process:
Users can browse Professional and Shelter profiles, request services, and book appointments through the Platform.
4.2. Pricing:
Professionals set their own prices for services. Shelters may list donation needs.
4.3. Payment Processing:
PetLink facilitates secure payment processing for services booked through the Platform. Users agree to pay for all services booked through PetLink. Professionals agree to receive payments for services through PetLink's integrated payment system.
4.4. Service Fee/Commission:
PetLink applies a service fee (commission) to all completed bookings facilitated through the Platform. This fee is clearly communicated to Professionals before booking confirmation and helps us operate and improve the Service.
4.5. Escrow-Based Transactions:
For enhanced security, funds for completed services may be held in an escrow-like system for a specified period (e.g., 24 hours) after service completion before being released to the Professional. This allows time for dispute resolution.
5. Platform Usage Policy & Off-Platform Transactions
5.1. On-Platform Transactions:
To ensure trust, security, and to benefit from features like secure payments, dispute resolution, and building your review history, all bookings for services initiated or discovered through PetLink should be completed and transacted exclusively on the Platform.
5.2. Prohibited Conduct:
Attempting to take communications or payments off-platform for services discovered here is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing direct contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles) with the intent to circumvent the Platform's booking and payment system, or making arrangements for services outside of PetLink after initial contact was made through the Service.
5.3. Consequences of Violation:
Violation of this policy may result in: - Account review. - Temporary or permanent account suspension. - Removal of listings. - Forfeiture of earnings. - Any other action deemed necessary by PetLink to protect the integrity of the marketplace.
5.4. Why this Policy:
This policy helps us maintain a fair and reliable marketplace for everyone, ensures the safety and security of transactions, allows us to provide customer support and dispute resolution, and enables the continued operation and improvement of the PetLink Service.
6. Lost & Found Section
6.1. Community Feature:
The Lost & Found section is a community-driven feature designed to help reunite lost pets with their owners.
6.2. User Responsibility:
Users are solely responsible for the accuracy of information provided in Lost & Found reports.
6.3. Disclaimer for Lost & Found:
PetLink facilitates the connection but is not responsible for the outcome of any Lost & Found efforts, the safety of individuals involved in searches, or the condition of pets found or reunited. Users engage with this feature at their own risk.
7. Animal Shelters Section
7.1. Shelter Profiles:
Shelters can create profiles to showcase their mission, stories, needs, and adoptable animals.
7.2. Donation Facilitation:
PetLink may provide tools or links to facilitate donations to listed Shelters. PetLink is not a charity or a fundraising platform and does not directly handle or guarantee the transfer of donations unless explicitly stated and integrated with a specific payment gateway for this purpose. Any in-app donation processing will be subject to the terms of the relevant payment gateway.
7.3. Adoption & Volunteering:
PetLink connects users with Shelters for adoption and volunteering opportunities. PetLink is not involved in the adoption process itself, nor does it vet or manage volunteers for Shelters. All adoption and volunteering agreements are solely between the User and the Shelter.
8. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
8.1. "AS IS" Basis:
The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis. PetLink makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the Service's operation or the information, content, materials, or products included on the Service.
8.2. NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROFESSIONAL ACTIONS:
PetLink is a platform connecting users. We do not employ, supervise, or control the Professionals or Shelters listed on our platform. Therefore, PetLink is NOT responsible for the actions, omissions, negligence, quality of service, or any conduct whatsoever of any Professional or Shelter, or any third party encountered through the Service. This includes, but is not limited to, any damage, injury, loss, or harm that may occur to pets, property, or individuals as a result of services provided by Professionals, interactions with Shelters, or any other activity facilitated by the Platform. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence, vetting, and making their own decisions regarding the selection of any Professional or Shelter. We strongly advise users to verify credentials, check references, and exercise caution.
8.3. Limitation of Liability:
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, PetLink shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from (a) your access to or use of or inability to access or use the Service; (b) any conduct or content of any third party on the Service, including without limitation, any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of other users or third parties; (c) any content obtained from the Service; and (d) unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or any other legal theory, whether or not we have been informed of the possibility of such damage.
9. User Conduct
9.1. Prohibited Conduct:
You agree not to use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in any way that could harm PetLink, its users, or third parties. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, fraud, harassment, spamming, and intellectual property infringement.
9.2. Reviews and Ratings:
Users may submit reviews and ratings for Professionals. All reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on actual experiences. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate our content policies.
10. Intellectual Property
10.1. Ownership:
All content, trademarks, logos, and intellectual property on the PetLink Service are the exclusive property of PetLink or its licensors.
10.2. Limited License:
You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms.
11. Dispute Resolution
11.1. User-Professional Disputes:
We encourage Users and Professionals to resolve disputes directly. PetLink may, at its sole discretion, offer a mediation service to facilitate resolution but is not obligated to do so. This may involve reviewing communication logs and booking details available on the platform. The outcome of any mediation offered by PetLink is non-binding unless agreed otherwise by all parties.
11.2. Disputes with PetLink:
Any disputes arising from these Terms will be resolved through amicable negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to the competent courts in Cairo, Egypt.
12. Governing Law
12. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Egypt, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
13. Termination
13. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms.