Effective Date: 27 March 2025
1. Acceptance of Terms and Updates
By using Love Your Pets (“we”, “our”, “us”), you agree to these Terms of Service (“Terms”).
We may update them periodically, and the latest version will always appear on our website. Continued use of the platform means you accept any changes.
2. Love Your Pets Service
2.1 What Love Your Pets Is
A trusted online marketplace connecting pet owners and pet carers across New Zealand for walking, sitting, boarding, farm, and other animal-care services.
2.2 Love Your Pets Does Not Provide Pet Care Directly
Carers operate independently; we simply facilitate introductions, bookings, and secure payments.
2.3 Release of Liability
We’re not liable for the actions or omissions of users, carers, or pet owners. You participate at your own risk.
2.4 Transactions Between Owners and Carers
All arrangements are between users; we’re not a contracting party to any booking.
2.5 Bookings
A booking is confirmed when both sides agree via the platform and payment is processed.
2.6 Pet Owner Responsibility
Pet owners must assess each carer’s profile, reviews, and qualifications before booking.
2.7 Abandoned Pets and Re-homing
If an owner fails to collect a pet, the carer or Love Your Pets may contact shelters or arrange temporary care at the owner’s cost.
2.8 Emergencies
Carers must contact the owner or emergency contact; owners authorise reasonable vet care and accept related costs.
2.9 Consultation Services
Any advice offered through Love Your Pets is informational only, not a substitute for professional veterinary consultation.
2.10 Mapping Services
Our site may use Google Maps or similar tools, subject to those providers’ terms.
3. Compliance with New Zealand Law
All users must comply with New Zealand laws and local council bylaws, including the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and Privacy Act 2020.
4. Platform Use and Suspension
4.1 Responsible Use
Be respectful, truthful, and lawful. No harassment, spam, or off-platform transactions.
4.2 Suspension or Termination
We may suspend or close accounts for misconduct or safety concerns.
4.3 Reporting Issues
Use our contact form to report unsafe or illegal behaviour.
5. Registration and Account Security
Provide accurate details and keep login credentials secure. You’re responsible for all activity on your account.
6. Privacy
Handled under our Privacy Policy, compliant with the NZ Privacy Act 2020.
7. Your Content
7.1 User Content
You may post photos, text, and reviews.
7.2 Licence
You grant us permission to use your content for operating and promoting the platform.
7.3 Release
You waive claims related to lawful platform use of your content.
7.4 Ownership & Accuracy
You must own the content you post and ensure it’s accurate.
7.5 Removal of Content
We may remove or moderate content that breaches these Terms.
7.6 Reviews
Reviews must reflect genuine experiences; false or abusive reviews may be removed.
8. Communications
8.1 Consent
By joining, you consent to receive essential messages by email, SMS, or in-app notifications.
8.2 Updating Contact Details
Please update your profile if your contact details change.
9. Fees and Payments
9.1 Currency
All payments are in NZD.
9.2 Owner Fees
Pet owners pay the booking cost plus a small platform fee.
9.3 Carer Payments
Carers receive the amount minus Love Your Pets’ service fee.
9.4 Service Fees
Cover payment security, customer support, and platform maintenance.
9.5 Late Fees & Extras
Applied for late pickups or agreed add-on services.
9.6 Cancellations & Refunds
Follow the cancellation policy shown at booking.
9.7 Payment Holds
We may hold payments briefly to prevent fraud or resolve disputes.
9.8 Payment Authorisation
You authorise Love Your Pets to process payments through Stripe Payments NZ Ltd.
9.9 Taxes
Carers are responsible for declaring earnings and paying GST / income tax to Inland Revenue (IRD).
9.10 Payment Processing
All transactions are handled securely by third-party processors.
10. Background Checks & Verification
We may request identity or background checks for carers; these are carried out by independent providers and are not guarantees of suitability.
11. Dispute Resolution
11.1 Between Users
Pet owners and carers should first try to resolve issues directly through in-app messaging.
11.2 Mediation
If unresolved, Love Your Pets may offer informal mediation but is not required to intervene.
11.3 Formal Disputes
Any formal dispute with Love Your Pets will be handled under New Zealand law through the Disputes Tribunal or a New Zealand court.
12. Refunds and Cancellations
Refunds are processed according to each booking’s stated policy and returned via the original payment method. Processing times may vary.
13. Liability and Indemnity
13.1 Platform Liability
Love Your Pets is not liable for direct or indirect loss, injury, or damage arising from services arranged through the platform.
13.2 User Indemnity
You agree to indemnify Love Your Pets against claims or expenses arising from your use of the service, breach of these Terms, or interaction with other users.
14. Insurance
Carers are encouraged to hold suitable insurance (e.g. public liability or pet-sitting cover). Love Your Pets does not provide insurance for users or pets.
15. Intellectual Property
All content, branding, and software on Love Your Pets are protected by copyright and trademark laws. You may not copy or reuse materials without permission.
16. Third-Party Links and Services
We may link to other websites or services (e.g. Stripe, Google Maps). We are not responsible for their content or policies.
17. Termination by User
You may close your account at any time. Data retention will follow our Privacy Policy.
18. Service Availability
We aim for reliable uptime but do not guarantee continuous, error-free operation. Scheduled maintenance may cause temporary interruptions.
19. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and any disputes will be resolved in New Zealand courts.
20. Contact Information
Questions? Email us at contact@loveyourpets.co.nz or visit our Contact Us page.