Terms of Service

Definitions

• "Provider" — Any registered user who creates a provider profile on the Platform to offer pet care services.
• "Listed Provider" — A Provider who has completed HeyDog's directory verification requirements (background check and commercial liability insurance) and appears in HeyDog's public search directory.
• "Unlisted Provider" — A Provider who uses HeyDog's platform tools (profile page, booking system, messaging) but has not completed directory verification and does not appear in HeyDog's public search directory.
• "Pet Owner" — Any registered user who uses the Platform to discover, contact, or book pet care providers.
• "Platform" — The HeyDog website, mobile applications, and all related services operated by Hanlon Digital LLC.

1. Platform Status and Nature of Service

This Platform:

• Does NOT employ, supervise, or control any user or provider
• Does NOT independently verify, investigate, or guarantee the accuracy of any provider's background check results, insurance coverage, or qualifications
• Does NOT guarantee the accuracy, quality, safety, or legality of any content or services
• Does NOT recommend, endorse, or vouch for any user or provider
• Does NOT set pricing, schedules, or terms between users
• Does NOT mediate, arbitrate, or resolve disputes between users
• Does NOT provide insurance coverage for any party
• Does NOT hold, escrow, or control funds — online payments flow directly from pet owner to provider via Stripe Connect
• Does NOT assume any duty of care for any pet, person, or property

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account or use the Platform. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are using the Platform on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

3. User Relationship

All users of HeyDog, including providers who pay for platform subscriptions, are independent users of this software platform— not employees, contractors, agents, franchisees, or joint venturers of HeyDog or Hanlon Digital LLC. Providers are independent business operators who use HeyDog's software tools to market their own services. By using this Platform, you acknowledge that:

• Providers are independent users, not employees or contractors of HeyDog
• HeyDog's role is limited to providing the technology platform; it has no involvement in the actual delivery of pet care services
• Payment of a subscription fee does not create an employment, partnership, agency, or franchise relationship
• Any pet care services are arranged and performed entirely between the provider and the pet owner — HeyDog is not a party to any service agreement
• You are solely responsible for your content, interactions, and any services you provide or receive
• HeyDog does not direct, supervise, or control when, where, or how providers perform their services

4. User Responsibilities

For All Users

• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account
• You agree not to use the Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• You agree not to harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• You are responsible for all content you post, including profiles, reviews, photos, and messages

For Pet Owners

• You are solely responsible for evaluating and selecting providers
• You should meet providers in person before booking services
• You should verify provider credentials and insurance independently
• You must provide accurate information about your pets, including any health conditions, behavioral issues, or known risks
• You are responsible for ensuring your pet is up to date on vaccinations
• You assume all risk when booking services through the Platform

For Providers

• You must have the legal right to provide pet care services in your jurisdiction
• You must maintain accurate and current profile information
• You are encouraged to maintain active commercial pet sitting liability insurance with adequate coverage at all times while listed on the Platform
• You must comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to your services
• You must handle all pets with proper care and in a humane manner
• You are solely responsible for the animals in your care and for the safety of all persons and property during the provision of your services
• You represent and warrant that you are qualified to perform the services you offer on the Platform
• You assume all risk associated with performing the services you offer

5. Provider Access and Directory Listing

Any registered user may create a Provider profile and use HeyDog's platform tools, including a branded profile page, booking system, and messaging. To be listed in HeyDog's public search directory, Providers must complete both a background check through Checkr and upload proof of commercial general liability insurance with minimum $100,000 coverage.

Unlisted Providers (Free Platform Access)

Providers who have not completed directory verification are Unlisted Providers. Unlisted Providers may use all platform tools — including their branded profile page, booking system, messaging, and dashboard — but do not appear in HeyDog's public search directory.

Listed Providers (Directory Verified)

Providers who complete both a Checkr background check and upload proof of commercial general liability insurance are eligible to appear in HeyDog's public search directory as Listed Providers. Completion of these requirements does not constitute an endorsement, certification, or guarantee of the provider's qualifications, safety, or quality of service. The directory verification process is an administrative measure only and does not create any duty of care or liability on the part of HeyDog.

Platform Discretion

HeyDog reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to approve, deny, or revoke any provider's access to the Platform or directory listing at any time and for any reason, and to suspend or remove provider profiles that do not meet Platform standards or that generate repeated complaints.

6. User Content and Intellectual Property

Content Ownership and License

You retain ownership of the content you post on the Platform. However, by posting content, you grant HeyDog a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, display, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, and distribute such content in connection with the operation, promotion, and improvement of the Platform, in any media format and through any media channel.

You are solely responsible for any content you post.This Platform operator does not pre-screen, verify, edit, or control user content. Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(2), this Platform may, but is not obligated to, remove or restrict access to content that it considers objectionable in good faith.

Prohibited Content

Users agree not to post content that is:

• False, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading, including fake profiles or misrepresented qualifications
• Defamatory, libelous, harassing, threatening, or hateful
• Sexually explicit or obscene
• Involving exploitation of minors
• Impersonating another person or entity
• Containing private information of others without their consent
• Infringing on intellectual property rights of any third party
• Containing spam, malware, or unsolicited commercial communications
• Illegal under applicable federal, state, or local law

Content Removal

HeyDog reserves the right to remove any content at its sole discretion, at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to content that appears to violate these Terms or that HeyDog deems objectionable. However, HeyDog has no obligation to monitor, review, or remove content. The decision to remove or not remove content does not constitute verification, endorsement, or control of any content.

DMCA / Copyright Policy

HeyDog respects intellectual property rights. If you believe content on this Platform infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice to our designated agent at heydog@hanlon.digital with the following information:

• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
• Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on this Platform
• Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address)
• A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner
• Your physical or electronic signature

Upon receipt of a valid DMCA notice, HeyDog will promptly remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material and notify the content poster. Counter-notices may be submitted in accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 512(g). Repeat infringers may have their accounts terminated.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

8. Limitation of Liability

Without limiting the foregoing, HeyDog is not liable for:

• Any injury, illness, death, or harm to any pet, person, or property arising from services booked or arranged through the Platform
• Any loss, theft, or damage of any kind
• Any disputes between users
• Any interactions between users, whether on or off the Platform
• The accuracy, truthfulness, or completeness of any user content
• The quality, safety, or legality of any services offered by users
• Any transaction between users

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

9. Assumption of Risk

Provider-Specific Assumption of Risk

If you are a provider, you additionally acknowledge and agree that:

• You are solely responsible for the safety and well-being of all animals in your care
• You assume all risk associated with performing the pet care services you offer
• You are encouraged to carry your own commercial liability insurance adequate for the services you provide
• You represent that you are qualified and competent to perform the services you offer on the Platform
• You are responsible for any injury, illness, escape, or death of any animal while in your care
• You are responsible for any property damage or bodily injury arising from your services

10. Release of Claims

If you are a California resident, you expressly waive California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor." You waive any similar provision under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction.

11. Indemnification

Additional Provider Indemnification

If you are a provider, you additionally agree to indemnify and hold the Indemnified Parties harmless from any and all claims arising from or related to:

• The pet care services you provide, including any injury, escape, illness, or death of any animal in your care
• Property damage to any pet owner's home, vehicle, or personal property
• Bodily injury to any person arising from your services or the animals in your care
• Any lapse in your liability insurance coverage
• Any failure to disclose relevant background check information
• Any tax obligations, licensing fees, or regulatory penalties you incur

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

13. Payments and Subscriptions

Payment Processing

All payments on the Platform are processed by Stripe, Inc.HeyDog does not store credit card numbers or directly process payment transactions. By making a payment through the Platform, you agree to Stripe's terms of service in addition to these Terms.

Provider Accounts (Free & Pro)

Booking Payments & Processing Fees

Pet Owner Access

Pet owners use HeyDog for free. There are no subscription fees, platform fees, or service charges for pet owners discovering, contacting, or booking providers through HeyDog.

14. Account Termination

You may close your account at any time through your account settings or by contacting heydog@hanlon.digital. HeyDog reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account immediately, without prior notice, if:

• You violate these Terms of Service or the Provider Agreement
• You engage in fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• You pose a safety risk to other users, pets, or the public
• You receive repeated reports or complaints from other users
• Your account is inactive for an extended period
• HeyDog determines, in its sole discretion, that termination is necessary to protect the Platform or its users

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. Sections that by their nature should survive termination — including Indemnification, Limitation of Liability, Release of Claims, Dispute Resolution, and all disclaimers — shall remain in full force and effect.

15. Section 230 Safe Harbor Notice

16. Booking System

17. Platform Metrics and Badges

• Response time metrics, ratings, review counts, and badges (e.g., "Quick Responder," "Complete Profile") are calculated automatically from platform data
• These metrics are for informational purposes only and do NOT constitute verification, endorsement, or guarantee of service quality
• HeyDog does not independently verify the accuracy of user-reported data that feeds into these metrics
• Users must independently evaluate providers regardless of any badges or metrics displayed

18. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

19. Modifications to Terms

HeyDog reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. For material changes, we will provide at least thirty (30) days' advance notice via email to the address associated with your account or through a prominent notice on the Platform. Your continued use of HeyDog after the effective date of any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Platform and close your account.

20. Communications and Electronic Consent

By creating an account, you consent to receiving electronic communications from HeyDog, including transactional emails (password resets, security alerts, booking confirmations), legal notices, and policy updates. You agree that these electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You may opt out of non-essential emails (marketing, tips) through your notification preferences at any time. Transactional and legal communications cannot be disabled while your account is active.

21. Email Communications

HeyDog may send transactional emails (booking confirmations, password resets, account alerts) and promotional emails (tips, product updates, re-engagement). You may opt out of promotional emails at any time via your dashboard notification settings or by clicking the unsubscribe link in any promotional email. Opt-out requests are processed within 10 business days as required by law. Transactional emails required for account security and service operation cannot be opted out of while your account is active.

22. Support

Pro subscribers may submit support tickets through the dashboard. HeyDog will make reasonable efforts to respond in a timely manner but does not guarantee response times. Support is limited to platform-related issues and does not extend to disputes between users, pet care quality, or services arranged through the Platform.

23. Promotional Offers

HeyDog may offer promotional pricing, free trial periods, or other incentives from time to time. Promotional offers may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Promotional benefits have no cash value and cannot be transferred. After any promotional period ends, standard pricing applies unless you cancel beforehand. Abuse of promotional offers (including creating multiple accounts) may result in account termination.

24. Emergency SOS Feature

25. GPS Walk Tracking

The GPS walk tracking feature allows providers to record walk routes and share location data with pet owners. GPS location data is approximate and may be inaccurate. Walk tracking does NOT guarantee pet safety, supervision quality, or service completion. Walk event logs are self-reported by the provider and NOT verified by HeyDog. HeyDog does NOT monitor walks in real time and is NOT responsible for any incidents during a walk.

26. Pet Health Dashboard

27. Provider Certification Quizzes

HeyDog certification badges are earned by passing self-service knowledge quizzes. They are NOT professional certifications, licenses, or accreditations. Certification badges do NOT indicate that HeyDog has verified, screened, or endorsed a provider's skills or qualifications. Quizzes are educational tools only and do NOT replace professional training or licensing. Pet owners must independently evaluate all providers regardless of any certification badges displayed.

28. Community Hub and Lost & Found

The Community Hub, including the Lost & Found feature, is a space for user-generated content. All community posts, lost pet alerts, found pet reports, and event listings are posted by users and NOT verified by HeyDog. HeyDog does NOT guarantee that lost pet alerts will result in a pet being found or returned. Users claiming to have found a pet should exercise caution and may wish to coordinate through a local animal shelter or law enforcement. The content policies in Section 6 apply to all community content.

29. ASAP Bookings and Recurring Bookings

• ASAP Booking: HeyDog does NOT guarantee that a provider will be available or respond. ASAP requests expire after 15 minutes. Provider availability is self-reported.
• Recurring Bookings: Recurring schedules are a scheduling tool only. HeyDog does NOT guarantee that the provider will fulfill future bookings. Either party may cancel individual occurrences.
• Neither feature creates an employment or contractual relationship between HeyDog and any user
• All disclaimers in Section 16 (Booking System) apply equally to ASAP and recurring bookings

30. Cost Calculator and Competitor Comparisons

Cost estimation tools and competitor comparisons are for general informational purposes only. All pricing data and savings calculations are approximate and may not reflect actual prices in your area. Competitor fee information is based on publicly available data and may be outdated. HeyDog is NOT affiliated with any competitor mentioned. Cost calculator results do NOT constitute financial advice.

31. Blog and Educational Content

Blog posts, breed guides, care guides, and other editorial content are for general informational and educational purposes only. Content does NOT constitute professional veterinary, medical, legal, financial, or insurance advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your needs. HeyDog is not liable for any actions taken based on editorial content.

32. Insurance Comparison Information

The insurance comparison page is for general informational purposes only and does NOT constitute insurance advice or endorsement. HeyDog is NOT an insurance broker, agent, or licensed insurance professional. Insurance information shown may be outdated or inaccurate. Always verify directly with the insurance provider and consult a licensed insurance professional before purchasing any policy.

33. Meet & Greet Scheduling

The Meet & Greet scheduling tool facilitates users proposing meeting times and locations. HeyDog does NOT supervise, attend, or monitor meet & greet sessions. Users meet at their own risk and should choose safe, public locations. All safety precautions are the sole responsibility of the users involved.

34. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

35. Force Majeure

HeyDog shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, war, terrorism, riots, government actions, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, or cyberattacks.

36. No Waiver

The failure of HeyDog to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by HeyDog.

37. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under them without HeyDog's prior written consent. HeyDog may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets without your consent. Subject to the foregoing, these Terms shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their permitted successors and assigns.

38. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Provider Agreement (if applicable), constitute the entire agreement between you and HeyDog regarding your use of the Platform. These Terms supersede all prior agreements, communications, and understandings, whether written or oral, regarding the subject matter hereof.

39. Accessibility

HeyDog is committed to making its Platform accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We strive to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. If you experience any accessibility barriers, please contact us at heydog@hanlon.digital.

40. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or to submit legal notices: