Terms and Conditions

1 Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

• "Account" means a registered user account on Breeders Online
• "Advertisement" or "Advert" or "Listing" means any listing for animals, stud services, or related content posted on the Service
• "Animal" means any dog, cat, or other pet species permitted to be listed on the Service
• "Breeder" means any Member who breeds animals and lists them for sale on the Service
• "Buyer" means any person who contacts a Member through the Service with the intention of acquiring an animal
• "Content" means any text, images, photographs, videos, or other materials uploaded to the Service
• "Member" means any individual or entity with a registered Account on the Service
• "Membership" means a paid subscription granting access to premium features of the Service
• "Service" means the Breeders Online website and all related services
• "Stud Service" means the offering of a male animal for breeding purposes

2 Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to register for an Account and use the Service. By registering, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old.

2.2 Registration Requirements

When registering for an Account, you must:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Provide your full legal name and surname
• Provide a valid and working email address
• Provide a complete postal address within the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland
• Provide a valid telephone number
• Maintain and promptly update your Account information to keep it accurate and current

2.3 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your Account credentials
• All activities that occur under your Account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorised use of your Account

2.4 One Account Per Person

Multiple Account registrations by a single person or household are strictly prohibited. If you have forgotten your login credentials, you must contact us for assistance rather than creating a new Account. Where multiple Accounts are identified, all associated Accounts and Listings may be removed without refund.

2.5 Right to Refuse

We reserve the absolute right to refuse any application for Membership or Account registration without being obliged to provide reasons or explanation.

3 Membership Types and Fees

3.1 Membership Tiers

The Service offers various Membership tiers with different features and pricing. Details of current Membership options and pricing are available on the website.

3.2 Payment

• Membership fees are payable in advance
• Fees are non-refundable except where required by law or at our sole discretion
• We reserve the right to change Membership fees at any time, with changes taking effect at your next renewal period
• Failure to pay applicable fees may result in suspension or termination of your Membership

3.3 Automatic Renewal

Unless otherwise stated, Memberships may automatically renew at the end of each subscription period. You may cancel automatic renewal at any time through your Account settings.

3.4 Refunds

Membership fees are generally non-refundable. In the event your Membership is terminated due to breach of these Terms, no refund of any fees paid shall be due.

4 Member Conduct and Responsibilities

4.1 Honesty and Integrity

We rely on the honesty and integrity of our Members. You agree to:

• Provide truthful and accurate information in all communications
• Not misrepresent yourself, your animals, or your breeding practices
• Not exaggerate or make false claims about your animals' pedigree, health, temperament, or any other characteristics
• Disclose all material information that a prospective buyer would reasonably wish to know

Any Member found to have been untruthful in any communication with Breeders Online administration, other Members, or the public may be immediately and permanently removed from the Service.

4.2 Lawful Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You shall not:

• Violate any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation
• Infringe upon the rights of others
• Engage in any fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading practices
• Harass, abuse, or threaten other Members or users
• Collect or store personal data about other users without their consent
• Use the Service for any commercial purpose not expressly permitted
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Service
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Use automated systems or software to extract data from the Service

4.3 Prohibited Content

You shall not upload, post, or transmit any Content that:

• Is false, misleading, or deceptive
• Is defamatory, obscene, offensive, or inappropriate
• Infringes any patent, trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights
• Violates the privacy or publicity rights of any third party
• Contains viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Constitutes spam, unsolicited advertising, or promotional material
• Encourages or promotes illegal activity
• Depicts or promotes animal cruelty or neglect

4.4 Communication Standards

When communicating with other users through or in connection with the Service, you agree to:

• Be respectful and professional
• Respond to genuine enquiries in a timely manner
• Not use aggressive, threatening, or abusive language
• Not send unsolicited commercial communications

5 Animal Welfare and Breeding Standards

5.1 General Welfare Requirements

All Members who breed or keep animals must:

• Comply with all applicable animal welfare legislation, including but not limited to the Animal Welfare Act 2006
• Ensure all animals are kept in appropriate conditions with adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care
• Not engage in any practice that causes unnecessary suffering to animals
• Act in the best interests of the animals in their care at all times

5.2 Licensing Requirements

Where applicable, you must:

• Hold all necessary licences required for breeding and selling animals under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 or equivalent legislation in your jurisdiction
• Display your licence number on all relevant Listings where required by law
• Comply with all conditions of any licence held
• Notify us immediately if any licence is revoked, suspended, or expires

5.3 Health Testing

We expect all breeders to:

• Conduct appropriate health testing for their breed as recommended by the relevant breed society, club, or veterinary guidance
• Only breed from animals that have received acceptable health test results
• Disclose all health test results (including carrier status) to prospective buyers
• Not knowingly breed from animals with hereditary conditions that would cause suffering to offspring
• Provide accurate documentation of health testing upon request

5.4 Breeding Age and Frequency

Breeders must ensure that:

• Female animals are of appropriate age and physical maturity before breeding
• Adequate recovery time is allowed between litters
• Animals are not bred beyond a safe age
• The total number of litters produced by any female animal is reasonable and does not compromise her welfare

We reserve the right to remove any breeder found to be breeding from animals that are too young, too old, or too frequently.

5.5 Pedigree Registration

Where animals are advertised as pedigree or purebred:

• They must be registered with an appropriate national kennel club or breed registry
• Registration details must be accurate and verifiable
• False or misleading claims about pedigree or registration will result in removal

5.6 Prohibited Breeding Practices

The following practices are prohibited:

• Breeding animals that are not of sound health and temperament
• Deliberate inbreeding that compromises animal health
• Breeding for characteristics that cause suffering (e.g., extreme brachycephaly, harmful colour genes)
• Cross-breeding where animals are advertised as purebred
• Any breeding practices that violate applicable law or ethical standards

5.7 Aftercare Obligations

All breeders are expected to:

• Provide appropriate support and guidance to buyers throughout the lifetime of the animal
• Be willing to take back or assist in rehoming any animal they have bred if circumstances require
• Provide buyers with comprehensive information about care, training, and health requirements

6 Listing and Advertisement Guidelines

6.1 Listing Requirements

All Listings must:

• Be accurate, truthful, and not misleading
• Relate only to animals owned by you or for which you have authority to sell
• Include clear, recent photographs of the actual animals being offered
• Accurately describe the animal's breed, age, sex, colour, health status, and any known conditions
• State a fair and reasonable price
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

6.2 Prohibited Listings

The following Listings are prohibited:

• Animals you do not own or have authority to sell
• Stolen animals or animals of unknown provenance
• Wild, dangerous, or prohibited species
• Animals imported illegally or in breach of import regulations
• Animals under the legal minimum age for sale
• Sick or unwell animals (unless clearly disclosed as requiring veterinary care)
• Listings for animals located outside permitted jurisdictions
• Duplicate Listings for the same animal
• Listings on behalf of third parties (unless expressly permitted)
• Any Listing that violates applicable law

6.3 Photographs

All photographs must:

• Be of the actual animal(s) being offered
• Be recent and representative of the animal's current appearance
• Be owned by you or used with permission
• Not include watermarks, logos, or advertising for other websites
• Not be digitally altered to misrepresent the animal's appearance

6.4 Pricing

Prices must:

• Be stated in pounds sterling (GBP)
• Reflect the true asking price
• Not be used for price gouging or profiteering
• Include disclosure of any additional charges or conditions

6.5 Updating Listings

You are responsible for keeping your Listings current and accurate. You must:

• Remove or mark as sold any animals that are no longer available
• Update Listings promptly when circumstances change
• Respond to genuine enquiries in a timely manner

Failure to maintain accurate Listings may result in suspension or removal of Listing privileges.

6.6 Kennel Names and Affiliations

If you use a kennel name or claim affiliation with any breed club or registry:

• The kennel name must be genuinely registered with the appropriate national kennel club
• Any claimed affiliations must be accurate and current
• We reserve the right to verify kennel names and affiliations
• False claims will result in removal from the Service

7 Transactions Between Users

7.1 No Agency Relationship

Breeders Online is a platform connecting buyers and sellers. We are not a party to any transaction between users. We do not act as agent, broker, or intermediary for any buyer or seller.

7.2 User Responsibility

Users are solely responsible for:

• Conducting their own due diligence before entering into any transaction
• Verifying the identity and legitimacy of other users
• Negotiating and agreeing terms of sale
• Completing transactions safely and lawfully
• Resolving any disputes that may arise

7.3 Safe Transactions

We strongly recommend that users:

• Meet in person to view animals before purchase
• Visit the premises where animals are kept
• Request to see health documentation and parent animals
• Never send money without viewing the animal
• Use secure payment methods
• Obtain written contracts or receipts
• Report any suspicious activity to us and relevant authorities

7.4 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee, endorse, or verify:

• The identity, credentials, or reputation of any user
• The accuracy of any Listing or user-provided information
• The health, pedigree, or quality of any animal
• That any transaction will be completed satisfactorily

7.5 Disputes

We are not responsible for resolving disputes between users. However, we may, at our sole discretion:

• Investigate complaints regarding Member conduct
• Take action against Members who violate these Terms
• Provide information to law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required

8 Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content (excluding Content provided by users), features, and functionality are owned by Fetch Network Ltd and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute any part of the Service without permission
• Use our trademarks, logos, or branding without authorisation
• Create derivative works based on the Service
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of Content you submit to the Service. However, by submitting Content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, display, and distribute such Content in connection with operating and promoting the Service.

8.3 Content Representations

By submitting Content, you represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to the Content
• The Content does not infringe any third party's intellectual property or other rights
• The Content does not violate any applicable law

8.4 Content Removal

We reserve the right to remove any Content at our sole discretion, without notice or liability.

9 Privacy and Data Protection

9.1 Privacy Policy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our data practices.

9.2 Data Processing

By using the Service, you consent to the collection, processing, and use of your personal data as described in our Privacy Policy and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

9.3 User Data Sharing

Certain information you provide (such as your name, location, and contact details) may be displayed publicly on your profile and Listings. You consent to this display and understand that such information may be viewed and used by other users for the purpose of facilitating transactions.

10 Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service Provided "As Is"

The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not warrant that:

• The Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• The results obtained from using the Service will be accurate or reliable
• The quality of any products, services, or information obtained through the Service will meet your expectations

10.2 No Responsibility for User Content

We do not control and are not responsible for Content posted by users. We do not endorse, guarantee, or verify the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any user Content.

10.3 No Responsibility for Transactions

We are not responsible for any aspect of transactions between users, including but not limited to:

• The quality, safety, or legality of animals offered
• The truth or accuracy of Listings
• The ability of sellers to sell or buyers to pay
• Any disputes arising from transactions

10.4 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• We shall not be liable for any loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill
• Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms or use of the Service shall not exceed the amount paid by you for the Service in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim

10.5 Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer. If you are a consumer, you have legal rights in relation to services that are not performed with reasonable skill and care. Nothing in these Terms is intended to affect those rights.

11 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Fetch Network Ltd, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use of the Service
• Your breach of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or the rights of any third party
• Any Content you submit to the Service
• Any transaction you enter into with another user
• Any dispute between you and another user

12 Termination and Suspension

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your Account at any time by contacting us or using the Account closure feature (if available). Upon termination:

• Your access to the Service will cease
• Your Listings will be removed
• No refund of Membership fees will be due

12.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your Account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms
• Fraudulent, misleading, or illegal activity
• Conduct harmful to other users, us, or third parties
• Failure to maintain accurate Account information
• Non-payment of fees
• Inactivity
• Any other reason at our sole discretion

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• All rights granted to you under these Terms will immediately cease
• You must immediately cease all use of the Service
• We may delete your Account and all associated Content
• Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive

12.4 No Right to Re-register

If your Account is terminated for breach of these Terms, you may not re-register for the Service without our express written permission.

13 Modifications to Terms and Service

13.1 Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the website. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

13.2 Notification of Changes

We will endeavour to notify Members of material changes to these Terms via email or through the Service. However, it is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.

13.3 Changes to Service

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Service at any time without notice or liability.

13.4 Retroactive Application

These Terms and any modifications may be applied retroactively to all Members.

14 Reporting and Complaints

14.1 Reporting Violations

If you become aware of any violation of these Terms, illegal activity, or suspicious conduct, please report it to us immediately.

14.2 Cooperation with Authorities

We may cooperate with law enforcement, regulatory authorities, and third parties in the investigation of suspected criminal or civil wrongdoing. We may disclose any information about you that we consider necessary to comply with legal requirements or protect the rights, property, or safety of ourselves or others.

14.3 Investigation Rights

We reserve the right to investigate suspected violations of these Terms and take any action we deem appropriate, including but not limited to reporting to authorities, removing Content, suspending or terminating Accounts, and taking legal action.

15 General Provisions

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

15.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or use of the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. However, nothing in this clause shall limit our right to bring proceedings against you in your country of residence.

15.3 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

15.4 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

15.5 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

15.6 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

15.7 No Partnership

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and us.

15.8 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, pandemics, government actions, power failures, or internet disruptions.

15.9 Third Party Rights

These Terms do not confer any rights on any third party under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

15.10 Language

These Terms are written in English. Any translation is provided for convenience only. In the event of any conflict between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail.

16 Additional Terms for Specific Features

16.1 Stud Services

Members offering stud services must:

• Ensure the stud animal is of appropriate age and health for breeding
• Disclose all relevant health test results to prospective clients
• Ensure appropriate welfare standards during mating
• Not allow their animal to mate with underage or unhealthy females
• Verify that any litters resulting from stud services are appropriately registered

16.2 Profile and Kennel Pages

Members with enhanced profiles or kennel pages must:

• Only include content relevant to animals they own or have bred
• Not reference other breeders or their animals without permission
• Not use these pages for third-party advertising
• Ensure all information is accurate and current

16.3 External Website Links

If you list an external website in your profile:

• It must be your own website related to your breeding activities
• It must not be a commercial puppy-selling website or third-party platform
• We are not responsible for the content of external websites

17 Consumer Contracts Regulations

17.1 Right to Cancel

If you are a consumer, you may have the right to cancel your Membership within 14 days of purchase under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. However, this right may be lost if you have accessed or used the Service during this period.

17.2 Exercising Cancellation Rights

To exercise any right to cancel, you must inform us of your decision by a clear statement.

18 Complaints Procedure

If you have a complaint about the Service or another Member:

1. Contact us with details of your complaint
2. We will acknowledge your complaint and investigate
3. We will respond with our findings and any action taken
4. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have recourse to external dispute resolution

19 Acceptance of Terms

By registering for an Account, accessing, or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service.