Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using PetConnect EU ("the Platform"), available at petconnect.info, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must immediately discontinue use of the Platform. Continued use constitutes acceptance of these Terms, including any future modifications.

2. Description of Service

PetConnect EU is a pan-European social networking and management platform for pet owners, certified breeders, animal shelters, and animal enthusiasts. The Platform provides the following services:

• Digital Pet Profiles: Create and manage detailed profiles for your pets, including health records, pedigree information, microchip data, titles, and photographs
• Social Feed: Share posts, photos, and updates; like, comment, and interact with other pet owners
• Pet Matching: Discover compatible pets based on species, breed, location, and other criteria
• Breeder Directory: Search for verified breeders with kennel profiles, certifications, and geographic search
• Shelter Listings: Browse animal shelters, view available animals, and find adoption opportunities
• Events: Discover and organize pet-related events (shows, meetups, competitions, adoption days)
• Direct Messaging: Communicate privately with other users on the Platform
• Subscription Plans: Access premium features through paid subscription tiers

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

3.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 16 years of age to create an account and use the Platform. If you are between 16 and 18, you confirm that you have the consent of your parent or legal guardian. By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet these age requirements.

3.2 Account Responsibilities

• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• You are liable for all activity that occurs under your account
• You must notify us immediately at support@petconnect.info if you suspect unauthorized access to your account
• You may not create multiple accounts or use another person's account without permission

3.3 Account Verification

Certain account types (e.g., breeder accounts, shelter accounts) may require verification. Verification involves submitting documentation that we review. Verification status may be revoked if submitted information is found to be false or outdated.

4. User Content

4.1 Ownership

You retain all intellectual property rights to the content you create and post on the Platform, including text, images, pet data, and other materials ("User Content").

4.2 License Grant

By posting User Content on the Platform, you grant PetConnect EU a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your User Content solely for the purpose of operating and providing the Platform's services. This license terminates when you delete your User Content or your account, except where your content has been shared by others in accordance with Platform functionality.

4.3 Prohibited Content

You agree not to post, upload, or transmit any content that:

• Is illegal under EU or applicable national law
• Promotes, depicts, or glorifies animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, or abandonment
• Promotes illegal animal trade, endangered species trafficking, or unethical breeding practices
• Infringes on the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party
• Is fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive (including false health records or certifications)
• Contains hateful, harassing, threatening, defamatory, or discriminatory material
• Constitutes spam, unsolicited advertising, or pyramid schemes
• Contains malware, viruses, or any harmful code
• Violates any applicable animal welfare legislation

4.4 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, moderate, and remove any User Content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable, at our sole discretion and without prior notice. Repeated violations may result in account suspension or termination.

5. Subscriptions and Payments

5.1 Subscription Plans

The Platform offers the following subscription tiers:

• Free: Basic features including pet profiles, social feed, and limited messaging
• Premium: Enhanced features including unlimited messaging, advanced pet matching, and priority support
• Breeder: Professional tools for breeders including kennel profiles, verification, and enhanced visibility
• Shelter: Dedicated tools for shelters including animal listings, adoption management, and donation integration

5.2 Billing and Payment

• All paid subscriptions are billed in advance on a recurring monthly or annual basis
• Prices are displayed in EUR and include applicable VAT for EU customers
• Payments are processed securely by Stripe, Inc. We do not store your payment card details
• By subscribing, you authorize recurring charges until you cancel your subscription

5.3 Cancellation and Refunds

• You may cancel your subscription at any time through your Dashboard Settings
• Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period; you retain access to paid features until then
• We do not provide prorated refunds for partial billing periods, except where required by applicable EU consumer protection law
• EU consumers may exercise their right of withdrawal within 14 days of initial subscription purchase, provided the digital service has not been fully performed with prior express consent (Directive 2011/83/EU, Art. 16(m))

5.4 Price Changes

We reserve the right to modify subscription pricing. You will be notified at least 30 days before any price change takes effect. Continued use after the change constitutes acceptance of the new pricing.

6. Breeder Verification

Breeders may apply for verification on the Platform by submitting kennel registration documentation, breeding certifications, and other relevant credentials.

• Verification indicates that the breeder has submitted documentation that we have reviewed for basic authenticity
• Verification does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee of quality, or certification of breeding practices
• PetConnect EU is not responsible for the health, temperament, genetic quality, or welfare of any animals bred, sold, or adopted through the Platform
• Users should always conduct their own due diligence, request veterinary records, visit facilities in person, and verify breeder credentials independently
• Breeder verification status may be revoked at any time if we determine that submitted documentation is false, outdated, or if the breeder violates these Terms

7. Shelters and Donations

• Shelters listed on the Platform are responsible for the accuracy of their own information, including animal listings, capacity, and adoption procedures
• Donations made through external donation links provided by shelters are processed outside of the Platform. PetConnect EU does not handle donation transactions and takes no commission
• PetConnect EU does not guarantee the legitimacy, tax-deductibility, or use of donations made to shelters. Verify the shelter's registered charity status independently

8. Direct Messaging

• Direct messages are private communications between users. We do not monitor message content in real time
• You must not use the messaging feature for spam, harassment, solicitation, or any illegal purpose
• We may review reported messages for the purpose of enforcing these Terms and ensuring Platform safety
• Messages are stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy and deleted when either party deletes their account

9. Pet Health Records and Data Accuracy

• Pet health records, microchip numbers, pedigree information, and veterinary data entered on the Platform are self-reported by users
• PetConnect EU does not verify the accuracy of health records, test results, titles, or pedigree information
• The Platform is not a substitute for official veterinary records, government-issued microchip registries, or recognized kennel club registrations
• You should never rely solely on data from the Platform for making health, breeding, or purchasing decisions regarding animals

10. Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its design, source code, logos, trademarks, and all non-user-generated content, is the exclusive property of PetConnect EU and is protected by EU and international intellectual property laws.

You may not:

• Copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on the Platform
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform
• Use the PetConnect EU name, logo, or branding without prior written consent
• Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract data from the Platform

11. Prohibited Activities

In addition to the content restrictions in Section 4, you agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other users' accounts, data, or Platform systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's infrastructure, security, or performance
• Impersonate another person, organization, or breeder
• Use the Platform to facilitate the sale or trade of animals in violation of EU or national animal welfare laws
• Circumvent, disable, or tamper with any security or access control features
• Use bots, scripts, or automation tools except through officially provided APIs
• Engage in activities that could harm the Platform's reputation or create legal liability

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable EU law:

• The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory
• PetConnect EU shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, profits, or business opportunities
• Our total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Platform shall not exceed the total amount you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim
• We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by other users, including health records, breeder claims, shelter listings, or event details
• We are not responsible for any transactions, agreements, or disputes between users of the Platform

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable EU law.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless PetConnect EU, its directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights
• User Content you post on the Platform

14. Account Suspension and Termination

14.1 By You

You may delete your account at any time through your Dashboard Settings. Upon deletion, all your personal data will be removed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Active subscriptions will be cancelled.

14.2 By Us

We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your account without prior notice if:

• You violate these Terms of Service
• You engage in fraudulent, illegal, or harmful activity
• Your account poses a security risk to the Platform or other users
• Required by law or legal process

Upon termination by us for cause, you forfeit any remaining prepaid subscription period. Where termination is without cause, we will provide a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of your subscription.

15. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms by reference and describes how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in compliance with GDPR (EU) 2016/679.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

16. Modifications to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. When we make material changes:

• We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• We will notify you via email or a prominent notice on the Platform at least 30 days before the changes take effect
• Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms
• If you do not agree with the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and may delete your account

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

17.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the European Union and the applicable national law of the country in which PetConnect EU is established, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17.2 Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer within the EU, you benefit from mandatory consumer protection provisions of the law of your country of residence. Nothing in these Terms affects your rights as a consumer under applicable EU consumer protection legislation.

17.3 Dispute Resolution

We encourage you to contact us first at legal@petconnect.info to resolve any dispute amicably. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, EU consumers may use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

Any disputes that cannot be resolved through the ODR platform shall be submitted to the courts of competent jurisdiction within the EU.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published on the Platform, constitute the entire agreement between you and PetConnect EU regarding your use of the Platform. They supersede all prior agreements, communications, and understandings.

20. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• Legal inquiries: legal@petconnect.info
• General support: support@petconnect.info
• Data protection: dpo@petconnect.info