Terms of Use

Effective Date: September 14, 2025

Welcome to Pawthenticity (“we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing or using our website (the “Site”), you agree to these Terms of Use (“Terms”). Please read them carefully before using the Site. If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use Pawthenticity.

1. Purpose of the Site

Pawthenticity is a neutral public registry of information about dog breeders, dealers, pet stores, and related entities. We compile content from publicly available sources such as USDA inspection reports, state inspections, LLC filings, Humane Society publications, CAPS investigations, media reports, and other online resources. Some summaries may be assisted by artificial intelligence (AI).

We do not endorse, promote, or oppose any breeder, business, or organization listed. Our role is limited to aggregating, organizing, and presenting information already in the public domain.

Use of the Site is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect information.

2. No Professional Advice

The content on Pawthenticity is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be considered verified fact, legal advice, veterinary advice, or a substitute for consulting official records. While we strive for accuracy, content may contain errors or omissions. Visitors are encouraged to review the original source documents (linked when available) for authoritative information.

3. User-Generated Content

Pawthenticity may allow users to submit reports, breeder information, or other materials (“User Submissions”). By providing a submission, you represent and warrant that the content is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

You further understand and agree that:

• Agreement to Policies – By submitting, you agree to these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
• Responsibility of Submitters – You are solely responsible for your User Submissions, including ensuring that the content does not violate any law, infringe on third-party rights, or contain defamatory, false, or misleading statements.
• Publication – User Submissions may be published publicly on Pawthenticity and made accessible to the general public.
• Editing and Removal – Pawthenticity reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to edit, format, moderate, or remove User Submissions at any time without notice.
• No Guarantee of Accuracy – While Pawthenticity strives for accuracy and clarity, it does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of User Submissions, and disclaims responsibility for errors, omissions, or misrepresentations.
• No Endorsement – User Submissions do not represent the views of Pawthenticity.

Prohibited User Submissions include (but are not limited to):

• Defamatory, false, or misleading statements
• Private personal information (such as home addresses or non-business phone numbers)
• Spam, promotions, or irrelevant material
• Content that infringes intellectual property rights

Pawthenticity assumes no liability for User Submissions and hosts such material under the protections of applicable law, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

4. Intellectual Property

All original content on the Site, including text, design, and branding, is owned by Pawthenticity or its licensors and is protected by copyright law. Some content may be generated by AI but remains subject to these protections.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our content without prior written permission, except as allowed by fair use or applicable law.

5. External Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. We do not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, availability, or practices of external sites.

6. Accuracy & Limitations

While we strive to present accurate information, content may contain errors, omissions, or outdated material. We make no guarantees regarding completeness, reliability, or timeliness.

7. Requests for Corrections

If you believe information on Pawthenticity is inaccurate, outdated, or misrepresented, you may submit a correction request to contact@pawthenticity.org. We will review submissions in good faith but are not obligated to make changes.

8. Limitation of Liability

Pawthenticity provides this Site and its content on an “as is” and “as available” basis. While we strive to present accurate and reliable information, we make no guarantees regarding completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or availability.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Pawthenticity and its sponsors, officers, employees, and affiliates will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages—including but not limited to loss of profits, revenue, business opportunities, customers, data, reputation, goodwill, or other intangible losses—arising out of or in connection with:

• the use or inability to use the Site,
• reliance on any content provided through the Site,
• participation in or exposure to user-generated submissions, or
• the inclusion, publication, or display of information about any individual, breeder, dealer, business, or organization on the Site.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Pawthenticity, its sponsors, officers, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Site, your User Submissions, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of applicable law.

10. Termination of Access

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access to the Site, or remove User Content, at our discretion and without notice, if we believe these Terms have been violated or if required by law.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

12. Severability & Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, govern your use of the Site and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at: contact@pawthenticity.org.