Terms & Privacy

1. Nature of Service & Aggregator Disclaimer

PawCost.com ("PawCost," "we," "us," or "our"), operated by Hanlon Digital LLC, operates as an information aggregator that compiles publicly available information about low-cost veterinary services, including but not limited to clinic names, addresses, contact information, general service offerings, and pricing. We are not a veterinary service provider, and we do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The information displayed on PawCost is gathered from publicly available sources including official websites, public directories, and community submissions. We endeavor to keep information current through regular updates, but we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any information on our platform.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using PawCost.com, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not use our service. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time, with changes effective upon posting. Your continued use constitutes acceptance of modified terms.

3. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• All information is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
• We disclaim all liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided, including but not limited to pricing, hours of operation, service availability, or eligibility requirements.
• We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or reliance on information obtained from PawCost.
• We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of services provided by any listed veterinary provider, nor for any interactions or transactions between you and such providers.
• Our aggregate liability shall not exceed $100 USD or the amount you paid to use our service (which is $0 as PawCost is free), whichever is greater.

4. Third-Party Content & Intellectual Property

PawCost aggregates information from third-party sources. We do not claim ownership of third-party content, trademarks, service marks, or logos displayed on our platform.

• Trademarks: Names such as ASPCA, Humane Society, Emancipet, Petco, PetSmart, Vetco, ShotVet, Tractor Supply Co., and others are registered trademarks of their respective owners. PawCost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these organizations unless explicitly stated.
• Factual Information: We present factual information (addresses, phone numbers, publicly posted prices) which is not subject to copyright protection. Descriptive content is independently written or sufficiently transformed.
• No Endorsement: Inclusion of any provider on PawCost does not constitute an endorsement. We do not guarantee the quality of any listed service.

5. Pricing Terminology

Terms such as "low-cost," "affordable," and "savings" are used to describe services that are generally priced below average market rates for veterinary services in the United States, based on publicly available pricing information and industry comparisons. These terms are relative and subjective; actual prices vary by location, service type, and individual circumstances. We make no representation that any listed service is the lowest-cost option available or that prices reflect current rates. Savings percentages are estimates based on industry averages and may not reflect your specific situation.

6. User Conduct & Submissions

You agree not to:

• Use automated systems to scrape or collect data from PawCost without permission
• Submit false, misleading, or malicious information
• Interfere with the operation of our service
• Use our service for any unlawful purpose

If you submit content (reviews, corrections, business listings), you grant PawCost a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, display, and modify that content. We may remove submissions at our discretion. Per Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, we are not liable for user-submitted content.

7. AI Chat Assistant

PawCost provides an AI-powered chat assistant to help users find information about pet care services and costs. By using the AI Chat Assistant, you agree to the following:

• Not Medical Advice: The AI assistant does NOT provide veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for your pet's health needs.
• Informational Only: Responses are generated based on our directory data and general pet care information. The AI may produce inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information.
• No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any AI-generated responses. Always verify information directly with providers.
• Third-Party AI: The chat feature is powered by Google Gemini AI. Your messages are processed by Google's servers subject to their terms and privacy policy.
• Usage Limits: The AI chat is subject to daily usage limits per user to prevent abuse.
• Content Filtering: Messages are filtered for inappropriate content. Attempts to misuse, jailbreak, or manipulate the AI assistant may result in restricted access.
• No Sensitive Information: Do not share personal, financial, or medical information with the AI assistant. We are not responsible for any information you voluntarily disclose.

8. Information for Business Owners

If your business is listed on PawCost and you wish to update, correct, or remove your listing, please contact us. We compile information from publicly available sources and community submissions. We will make reasonable efforts to honor valid removal or correction requests in a timely manner. Listing on PawCost is free and does not constitute a business relationship or endorsement.

9. Geographic Limitation

PawCost is intended for use by residents of the United States only. By using our service, you represent that you are located in the United States. We make no representations regarding the suitability or availability of our service in other jurisdictions.

10. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of PawCost shall be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.

• You agree to waive any right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action lawsuit.
• Arbitration shall take place in the state where you reside or, at your election, via telephone or video conference.
• You may opt out of arbitration by notifying us in writing within 30 days of first using PawCost.
• These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PawCost, Hanlon Digital LLC, and their owners, operators, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from your use of the service, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights.

12. No Medical Advice

13. No Affiliation Declaration

PawCost is an independent directory service. We explicitly declare that we are:

• NOT affiliated with any listed provider
• NOT endorsed by any listed provider
• NOT sponsored by any listed provider
• NOT partnered with any listed provider
• NOT certified by any veterinary organization
• NOT affiliated with or endorsed by any state veterinary licensing board or accrediting organization

This includes but is not limited to: ASPCA, Humane Society, Emancipet, Petco, PetSmart, Vetco, ShotVet, Tractor Supply, PetVet, and any other organization whose information appears on our site. All trademarks, service marks, and company names are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification purposes.

14. Force Majeure

PawCost and Hanlon Digital LLC shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from causes beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, war, terrorism, government actions, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, cyberattacks, or any other force majeure event.

15. No Waiver

The failure of PawCost 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.

16. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. PawCost may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets without your consent.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Data Collection Practices, constitute the entire agreement between you and PawCost regarding your use of this website and supersede all prior agreements, communications, and understandings regarding the subject matter hereof.

18. Accessibility

PawCost is committed to making its website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. If you experience any accessibility barriers, please contact us so we can address your concerns.