Terms of Service

Effective Date: July 23, 2026 · Last Updated: July 23, 2026

Welcome to LivePaws ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"). By creating an account, accessing our website, purchasing or listing pets, or interacting with live video streams, you ("User," "Buyer," or "Breeder") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to all of these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

1. Overview of Platform Services

LivePaws provides an online marketplace technology platform that connects verified pet breeders ("Breeders") with prospective pet owners ("Buyers"). LivePaws enables Buyers to view live video broadcasts of puppies and kittens, communicate with Breeders, place escrow-backed deposits, and arrange pet purchase transactions.

Important disclosure: LivePaws is an independent technology marketplace. LivePaws is not a pet breeder, dealer, broker, animal shelter, or transport agency, and does not take legal ownership of any animal listed on the Platform. All purchase contracts, health guarantees, and transfers of ownership occur directly between the Buyer and the Breeder.

2. Eligibility & Account Registration

• Age requirement: you must be at least 18 years old and capable of entering binding legal contracts to use LivePaws.
• Account accuracy: you agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information when registering, and to keep it updated.
• Account security: you're responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity under your account.

3. Breeder Requirements & Verification

Breeders listing animals on LivePaws must comply with the following:

• Identity & licensing verification: breeders complete an application reviewed before their listings or livestreams go public, including business/contact details and licensing information (USDA license, state permit, or hobby-breeder disclosure, as applicable).
• Legal compliance & welfare: breeders warrant that they comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including USDA animal welfare regulations, state licensing requirements, and municipal pet limitations where relevant.
• Animal health & care: breeders agree to maintain clean, humane, safe conditions and provide proper nutrition, socialization, and veterinary care/vaccinations prior to delivery or pickup.
• Prohibited practices: LivePaws strictly prohibits puppy/kitten mills, illegal breeding operations, animal abuse, or fraudulent listings, and may suspend or terminate a Breeder account without notice for suspected animal neglect or fraud.

4. Payments, Escrow & Fees

LivePaws uses a third-party payment processing partner to handle transactions, hold escrow funds, and issue Breeder payouts. LivePaws does not directly store full card numbers or raw bank credentials — financial data is transmitted to and processed by our payment partner in compliance with applicable payment card industry (PCI) standards.

Escrow deposits & final payments

• Escrow holding: when a Buyer pays a deposit or the full purchase price, funds are held in escrow rather than released to the Breeder immediately.
• Payout release: escrowed funds are released to the Breeder only after the Buyer confirms receipt of the pet through the Platform.
• Platform fees: LivePaws may charge a marketplace service fee on completed transactions, deducted before disbursing payouts to the Breeder.

Cancellations & refunds

• Breeder default: if a Breeder cancels a reservation, fails to produce the pet, or fails to provide required health documentation prior to delivery, the Buyer is entitled to a full refund of escrowed funds tied to that transaction.
• Buyer default: deposits are generally non-refundable if the Buyer cancels without cause after the agreed reservation window, except where required by law or otherwise agreed with the Breeder in writing.

5. Live Streaming & User Conduct

Breeders may stream live video of their animals ("Live Nursery Feeds") through our video infrastructure partner. Live video and chat must remain professional, safe, and family-friendly. Users may not broadcast, post, or transmit:

• Content showing mistreatment, physical harm, or distress to animals.
• Offensive, abusive, harassing, or sexually explicit content or language.
• Attempts to move buyers off-platform to avoid marketplace transaction protections.

LivePaws reserves the right to end any live stream or suspend chat privileges for violations of these conduct rules.

6. Pet Health Guarantees & Disclaimers

• Direct Breeder responsibility: health guarantees, vaccination histories, and veterinary certificates are provided solely by the Breeder.
• Veterinary exam period: Buyers are strongly encouraged to have a newly acquired pet examined by a licensed veterinarian within 48–72 hours of pickup or delivery.
• No platform warranty: LivePaws does not conduct physical medical exams on animals and disclaims any implied warranties of health, temperament, or fitness for a particular purpose regarding animals listed on the Platform.

7. Intellectual Property

All Platform code, trademarks, logos, UI designs, graphics, and text are the exclusive property of LivePaws and protected by intellectual property law. By uploading photos, video, or pet descriptions, Breeders grant LivePaws a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute that media for platform operation and marketing purposes.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, LivePaws and its founders, officers, employees, and partners are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from: the health, behavior, temperament, or longevity of any pet acquired through the Platform; disputes between Buyers and Breeders; unauthorized access to our servers, payment infrastructure, or data; or technical interruptions, stream outages, or Platform errors. In no event shall LivePaws' total liability exceed the total service fees LivePaws retained from the specific transaction giving rise to the claim.

9. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless LivePaws, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees from claims, liabilities, losses, damages, or costs (including reasonable legal fees) resulting from your violation of these Terms, misuse of the Platform, or your transactions with other Users.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any legal action arising under these Terms will be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Ohio, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. When we do, we'll update the "Last Updated" date above. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

12. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms can be sent to the LivePaws team.

This document is a working draft and will continue to be refined as the Platform evolves.