Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms; Modifications

1.1 Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a binding legal agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Tails Inc., a Delaware corporation with its registered office at 123 Pet Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105 ("Tails," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms govern your access to and use of our website, mobile applications, and related online services (collectively, the "Tails Platform" or "Services").

By accessing or using the Tails Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy (incorporated herein by reference). If you do not agree, you must not access or use the Tails Platform.

1.2 Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:

Posting the updated Terms on the Tails Platform with a new "Effective Date."
Sending you an email or notification through the Tails Platform.

Your continued use of the Tails Platform after the effective date of the updated Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using the Tails Platform.

2. Tails Services

2.1 Dogs-Only Scope

✓ WE ARE A DOGS-ONLY MARKETPLACE

Tails is a dog-focused marketplace that connects dog owners ("Pet Owners") with independent dog care service providers ("Service Providers"). Service Providers offer services such as dog sitting, walking, grooming, and related care services (collectively, "Dog Care Services"). No other animals are serviced through Tails.

2.2 Nature of the Tails Services

✓ WE ARE A MARKETPLACE, NOT A SERVICE PROVIDER

Tails acts solely as an intermediary to facilitate connections and transactions between Users (Pet Owners and Service Providers). You understand and agree that:

Tails does not itself provide dog care or related services.
Service Providers are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or representatives of Tails.
Tails does not direct or control the Dog Care Services provided by Service Providers.

2.3 Local/State Licensing & Compliance

✓ WE DO NOT VERIFY LICENSING OR CREDENTIALS

Different states, counties, and municipalities in the United States may require licenses, permits, or special authorizations to offer dog care services (e.g., dog boarding, grooming, walking). You agree that you are solely responsible for complying with any local, state, or federal licensing requirements and ensuring that your activities on the Tails Platform are lawful in your jurisdiction.

Tails does not verify whether Service Providers have obtained necessary licenses.
Tails is not liable for Service Providers' failure to comply with any laws or regulations.

2.4 Provider Standards and Platform Efforts

Tails strives to create a trusted marketplace for dog owners and care providers. While we implement various measures to promote quality on our platform—including provider verification processes, background checks, and review systems—we cannot guarantee the suitability, safety, or skill of any specific Service Provider.

Service Providers on Tails are independent contractors who set their own standards of service, not employees of Tails. We recommend Pet Owners review provider profiles, ratings, and reviews before booking and exercise appropriate diligence when selecting providers.

2.5 No Insurance Provided

✓ TAILS DOES NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE

Tails does not provide insurance coverage (e.g., liability, bonding, or veterinary coverage) for any Dog Care Services or interactions on the Platform. Pet Owners and Service Providers are solely responsible for obtaining their own insurance policies, if desired.

2.6 Service Categories and Limitations

Dog Boarding: Overnight care in the Service Provider's home.

Includes: Feeding, bathroom breaks, basic exercise, administration of oral medications
Excludes: Major medical procedures, training, breeding activities

Dog Walking: Supervised on-leash exercise.

Includes: Neighborhood walks, water breaks, waste cleanup
Excludes: Off-leash walks in non-designated areas, interaction with unfamiliar animals

House Sitting: In-home overnight care at the Pet Owner's residence.

Includes: Feeding, bathroom breaks, basic supervision, home presence
Excludes: Home maintenance services, non-dog pet care, house cleaning

Drop-ins: Brief visits to the Pet Owner's home for essential care.

Includes: Feeding, bathroom breaks, brief play/exercise, medication administration
Excludes: Extended supervision, training, grooming

Doggy Day Care: Daytime supervision in the Service Provider's home.

Includes: Feeding, bathroom breaks, supervised play, daytime care
Excludes: Training, grooming, overnight care

Prohibited Services: Users may not offer or request services involving:

Illegal activities
Breeding or stud services
Major medical procedures
Training for aggressive behaviors
Care for exotic animals or animals other than dogs

2.7 User Responsibilities

Pet Owners: You are responsible for selecting a suitable Service Provider for your dog(s), entering into any direct agreements with that Service Provider, and ensuring your dog(s) are healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and accurately described. You accept all risks arising from your interactions and agreements with Service Providers.

Service Providers: You are responsible for providing Dog Care Services in accordance with your agreements with Pet Owners, all applicable laws, and these Terms. You must disclose any relevant qualifications or lack thereof, accurately describe your services, and ensure that your posted information is truthful and up-to-date.

2.8 Transactions Between Users

All transactions conducted via the Tails Platform are solely between Pet Owners and Service Providers. Tails is not a party to any agreements between Users.

3. User Accounts and Responsibilities

3.1 Account Registration

To access certain features of the Tails Platform, you must register for an account ("Tails Account") and provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration. You agree to:

Maintain the confidentiality of your Tails Account credentials.
Promptly update your information so it remains accurate and complete.
Be responsible for all activities that occur under your Tails Account.

3.2 Eligibility

By creating a Tails Account, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

3.3 User Conduct

You agree to use the Tails Platform lawfully and in compliance with:

These Terms.
Applicable laws and regulations.
Our Community Guidelines.

You must not:

Violate any local, state, national, or international law.
Post false, misleading, or defamatory content.
Engage in fraudulent or deceptive practices.
Use the Tails Platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose.
Transmit any viruses, malware, or harmful code.
Harass, intimidate, or discriminate against any person or group.

3.4 Account Suspension and Termination

Tails reserves the right to suspend or terminate your Tails Account or access to the Tails Platform at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, for conduct we believe violates these Terms, our policies, or is otherwise harmful to Tails or our Users.

4. Dog Requirements and Health Policies

4.1 Required Dog Information

Pet Owners must provide accurate and complete information about their dogs, including:

Breed, age, weight, and temperament
Vaccination status and medical history
Behavioral issues or special needs
Emergency contact information

4.2 Vaccination Requirements

All dogs on the Tails Platform must have current vaccinations as required by state and local laws, which typically include:

Rabies
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)

Pet Owners must provide proof of current vaccinations upon request.

4.3 Health and Safety Restrictions

The following restrictions apply to dogs on the Tails Platform:

No dogs with untreated contagious diseases or parasites
No dogs in heat if boarding with other animals
Aggressive dogs must be disclosed and may be restricted from certain services
Certain breeds may be subject to additional restrictions based on local regulations

5. Booking and Payment

5.1 Booking Process

Initiating a Booking: Pet Owners can request Dog Care Services by submitting a booking request through the Tails Platform. Service Providers may accept or decline the request at their sole discretion.

Booking Confirmation: A booking is confirmed when both the Pet Owner and the Service Provider agree to the terms of the booking, including service details and fees.

5.2 Payment Terms

Payment Processing: Tails facilitates payment through third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe). By using these services, you agree to their respective terms and conditions.

Fees: Pet Owners agree to pay the total fees for bookings, which may include Tails service fees. Service Providers authorize Tails (or its payment processor) to deduct any applicable fees before remitting payments to them.

Taxes: Users are responsible for determining and fulfilling their own tax obligations related to Dog Care Services.

5.3 Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation Policy: Service Providers set their own cancellation policies, which appear in their profiles. Pet Owners should review these policies before booking.

Refunds: Refund eligibility and processing are governed by the applicable cancellation policy.

Dispute Resolution: Users are encouraged to resolve disputes directly. Tails may, at its discretion, attempt to mediate but is not obligated to do so.

6. Emergency Protocols

6.1 Emergency Veterinary Care

Authorization for Emergency Care: If a dog in a Service Provider's care appears seriously ill, injured, or otherwise in need of urgent veterinary attention and the Pet Owner is not immediately reachable, the Service Provider may seek emergency veterinary care on the Pet Owner's behalf.

Pet Emergency Procedures: In the event of a dog emergency, Service Providers must:

Immediate Action: Address any immediate life-threatening conditions
Veterinary Care: Transport to nearest emergency veterinary clinic if needed
Notification: Contact Pet Owner and emergency contacts immediately
Documentation: Document incident details and veterinary recommendations
Platform Notification: Notify Tails through the emergency reporting system

6.2 Responsibility for Costs and Good Samaritan Protection

Pet Owner Financial Responsibility: You agree that you are financially responsible for any veterinary expenses incurred due to emergency care. You authorize Tails and/or the Service Provider to charge your payment method on file for these expenses.

Good Samaritan Protection: Pet Owners acknowledge that Service Providers may need to make urgent decisions regarding dog health and safety. You expressly waive and release any claims against Tails or Service Providers for reasonable actions or decisions made in good faith during emergencies, regardless of outcome. This protection extends to decisions to seek or not seek veterinary care based on reasonable judgment under the circumstances.

Records and Consent: You consent to the release of your dog's medical records by any veterinary provider to Tails or the Service Provider as needed for treatment.

6.3 Emergency Contact Requirements

Pet Owners must provide:

Primary emergency contact (must be different from Pet Owner)
Secondary emergency contact
Preferred veterinarian contact information
Authorization for emergency veterinary care

6.4 Communication

The Service Provider will make reasonable efforts to contact the Pet Owner (or their emergency contact) before or during emergency care, but the Pet Owner acknowledges that timely care may require proceeding without prior approval.

7. Background Checks and Verification

7.1 Background Checks

Service Providers: Tails may offer background check services for Service Providers through third-party providers, subject to the provider's consent and applicable laws.

Scope: Background checks may include identity verification, criminal records, and other relevant checks, but are limited in scope.

Disclaimer: Tails does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of background check results.

7.2 User Acknowledgment

Pet Owners: You acknowledge that background checks are not a substitute for your own due diligence. You remain responsible for assessing the suitability of any Service Provider.

Service Providers: You agree to provide accurate information for any background checks and comply with any requests for additional information.

8. Use of AI and Automated Decision-Making

8.1 AI and Machine Learning Technologies

Tails uses artificial intelligence ("AI") and machine learning systems to:

Improve user experience.
Enhance matching between Pet Owners and Service Providers.
Develop new features.

These systems analyze user data (e.g., booking patterns, profiles, feedback) to provide personalized recommendations.

8.2 User Consent

By using the Tails Platform, you consent to the processing of your data through AI and machine learning technologies as described in our Privacy Policy.

8.3 Limitations and No Guarantees

Tails does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or suitability of recommendations or matches made by AI. Users should exercise their own judgment when selecting Service Providers or accepting bookings.

8.4 User Rights Regarding Automated Decisions

If you have concerns about automated decisions that significantly affect you, you may contact us at support@tails.com to request human review or express your views.

9. User Content and Intellectual Property

9.1 User-Generated Content

License Grant: By submitting content (e.g., reviews, photos, profiles) to the Tails Platform, you grant Tails a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, display, and perform such content in connection with the Tails Platform and Tails' business.

Responsibility: You are solely responsible for the content you submit. You must ensure it does not infringe any third-party rights or violate any laws.

9.2 Tails' Intellectual Property Rights

All rights, title, and interest in the Tails Platform—including trademarks, logos, and copyrighted materials—belong to Tails or its licensors. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of Tails content without our express written permission.

10. Reviews and Feedback

10.1 Two-Way Review System

After completing a booking, both Pet Owners and Service Providers may leave reviews or ratings reflecting their experience.

Skills Endorsements (Owner -> Provider): Pet Owners may endorse specific skills or attributes of a Service Provider based on personal experience (e.g., administering medication, handling senior dogs).

Pet Profile Accuracy Feedback (Provider -> Owner): Service Providers may provide feedback regarding the pet's profile accuracy (e.g., temperament, training), either publicly or in a private note visible to future Service Providers.

10.2 Content Guidelines

All reviews must be:

Based on first-hand experiences.
Factually accurate and not misleading.
Respectful, without hateful or defamatory statements, or personal attacks.
Compliant with Tails' Community Guidelines.

10.3 Moderation

Tails reserves the right, but not the obligation, to monitor, edit, or remove reviews that violate these Terms or any policies. We may also suspend or terminate users for serious or repeated violations. However:

We do not remove negative reviews simply because they are negative.
We disclaim liability for user-posted reviews under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act or analogous laws.

10.4 No Review Manipulation

You may not post fake or fraudulent reviews, solicit reviews from users who haven't engaged in a booking, or offer incentives in exchange for positive feedback. Tails reserves the right to remove manipulated reviews and/or take disciplinary action against accounts involved in review fraud.

11. Liability

11.1 Limitation of Liability

✓ OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Tails is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits, data, or goodwill.
Tails' total liability for any claim related to these Terms or the Tails Platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts you have paid or owe for bookings in the twelve (12) months prior to the event giving rise to the liability, or (b) $100 USD.

11.2 Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge that dog care and related services involve inherent risks (e.g., dog bites, property damage, illnesses). You agree to assume all such risks and release Tails from any claims arising from your use of the Tails Platform.

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Agreement

Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights, including your right to file a lawsuit in court.

12.1 Informal Resolution

You agree to contact Tails first at support@tails.com and attempt to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy related to these Terms or the Tails Platform (collectively, "Dispute") through good faith negotiations for at least 30 days before initiating arbitration.

12.2 Binding Arbitration

Except for the exceptions below, any Dispute that remains unresolved after 30 days of good faith negotiations shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules (or a comparable set of rules if AAA is unavailable).

No Class Actions: All arbitration shall occur on an individual basis only. You and Tails waive the right to participate in any class, collective, or representative action or proceeding.

Federal Arbitration Act: This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) and remains in effect even if these Terms are terminated.

12.3 Arbitration Procedures

Location: If you are an individual consumer, you may request that the arbitration take place in the county or parish where you reside, or another location agreed upon by both parties.

Costs and Fees: Tails will pay or split all AAA filing, administrative, and arbitrator fees in accordance with AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules, unless the claim is found to be frivolous.

Arbitrator's Authority: The arbitrator may award damages and relief on an individual basis, consistent with applicable law and these Terms. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding, and judgment may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

12.4 Exceptions to Arbitration

Notwithstanding the above:

Small Claims: Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court for Disputes within that court's jurisdiction, so long as the matter remains in that court.
Injunctive or Equitable Relief: Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights or to address unauthorized use of the Tails Platform.
Opt-Out Right: You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to Tails at 123 Pet Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105 within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, neither you nor Tails can require the other to participate in arbitration.

12.5 Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Except for claims that must be arbitrated under this Section 12, any disputes arising hereunder shall be litigated in the state or federal courts located in New Castle County, Delaware, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.

13. Indemnification

13.1 Your Agreement to Indemnify

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tails, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with:

Your access to or use of the Tails Platform.
Your breach of these Terms or any applicable laws.
Your interactions with any other User or third party, including injuries, losses, or damages.
Any content you submit, including claims that it infringes third-party rights.

14. Inactive Accounts and Data Retention

14.1 Inactive Accounts

If you do not sign in or otherwise use your Tails Account for a period of 24 consecutive months, Tails may deem it inactive. We reserve the right to:

Deactivate or delete your inactive account.
Remove or anonymize associated data or user content.

We will attempt to notify you via the email on file before deactivating or deleting an inactive account.

14.2 Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to provide our services and for legitimate business or legal purposes (e.g., record-keeping, fraud prevention, dispute resolution). If you delete your account or if we delete it due to inactivity:

We will remove or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable time, except where we must retain certain records for legal compliance or to protect our legitimate interests (e.g., historical transaction data for tax/audit purposes).
Content you posted (e.g., reviews) may remain on the Tails Platform in anonymized form (e.g., displayed as "Anonymous") where relevant to other users' experiences.

14.3 User Deletion Requests

If you request to delete your account, we will deactivate it and remove your personal data from active databases within a reasonable timeframe, subject to the exceptions above (e.g., backups, legal obligations).

15. State-Specific Provisions

15.1 California

California users are entitled to the following notice: "The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs may be contacted by mail at 1625 North Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at (916) 445-1254 or (800) 952-5210."

15.2 New York

New York pet boarding service providers must comply with all applicable licensing requirements under NY Agriculture & Markets Law.

15.3 Florida

Florida Service Providers offering pet boarding services may be subject to the requirements of Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5H-26.

16. Modifications to the Tails Platform

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Tails Platform or any part thereof at any time, with or without notice. Tails is not liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Tails Platform.

17. Third-Party Services

The Tails Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Tails. We do not endorse or assume responsibility for any such third-party sites, content, materials, products, or services.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with any policies or agreements expressly incorporated herein (including the Privacy Policy and any Community Guidelines), constitute the entire agreement between you and Tails regarding your use of the Tails Platform, and supersede all prior agreements or understandings.

20. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms or the Tails Platform, please contact us at:

Email: support@tails.com
Mailing Address: Tails Inc., 123 Pet Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105

By using the Tails Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

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