Terms and conditions

Acceptance of Terms and General Provisions

Governing Your Use of Our Services and Platforms

This document sets forth the comprehensive Terms and Conditions of Service (the “Terms”) that govern all interactions between you (“User,” “Applicant,” “Adopter,” “Donor,” or “Volunteer”) and SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED, including its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives (collectively, the “Organization”). By accessing our website, submitting an application (whether for adoption, fostering, or volunteering), making a donation, or otherwise utilizing any of the services, resources, or information provided by the Organization, you are entering into a legally binding agreement and signify your unqualified acceptance of these Terms, along with our separately published Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to be fully bound by every clause and condition contained within these Terms, you are expressly prohibited from using our services and must immediately cease all engagement with the Organization’s digital and physical assets. These Terms are effective immediately upon your first engagement with the Organization’s platforms or processes, and they supersede any prior agreements or understandings, oral or written, regarding your relationship with us. The Organization reserves the exclusive and unrestricted right to amend, modify, or update these Terms at any time, with such changes becoming effective immediately upon posting to our website. It remains your sole responsibility to periodically review these Terms for any modifications, and your continued use of our services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. Any reference to the Organization’s physical address, 7263 TURNER LAKE ROAD NW, OVINGTON, GA 30014-0000, is for informational and legal jurisdictional purposes only and does not imply a general right of access for the public, which is strictly governed by our appointment-only policy as outlined in our mission and contact information.

II. Terms Governing the Adoption Process and Final Agreement

Contractual Requirements, Vetting, and the Lifetime Commitment to the Pet

The submission of an application for adoption or fostering through SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED initiates a rigorous, multi-stage screening process but does not, under any circumstances, constitute a contract for the adoption or guarantee of placement. The application itself is merely an initial offer to engage in a formal contractual process, and the Organization reserves the exclusive, unilateral, and non-reviewable right to deny any application for any reason, or no reason at all, at any stage of the process, without prior notice or explanation. By applying, the Applicant expressly acknowledges that the Organization’s primary ethical and legal obligation is solely to the long-term health, safety, and welfare of the animal, and that the needs of the animal will always supersede the desires or convenience of the Applicant. The Applicant warrants that all information provided in the application, supporting documentation, and during all interviews and home checks (virtual or physical) is true, accurate, and complete, and the Applicant understands that any willful misrepresentation or omission of material fact shall constitute immediate and permanent grounds for rejection of the application and potential voiding of any subsequent adoption agreement. The final, formal relationship between the Organization and the Adopter is governed entirely by a separate, physical Adoption Contract or Foster Agreement, which must be executed in writing and signed by both parties at the time of placement, and which will contain additional, specific terms, including liability waivers, medical history disclosure, and ongoing care requirements. The terms outlined in this section serve as preconditions to that final contract, and the Organization’s mandatory Lifetime Return Policy (Rescue Back-Up) is a non-negotiable term of every adoption; the Adopter agrees that if, at any point during the pet’s lifetime, they are unable to keep the animal, the pet must be returned directly and exclusively to the care of SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED at its current facility location or a designated point, and the Adopter is strictly prohibited from rehoming, selling, or surrendering the pet to any third party, individual, or other rescue organization.

III. Warranties, Disclaimers, and Limitation of Liability in Pet Placement

Acknowledge of Risk, Animal Status, and Release of Claims

A. Disclaimer of Warranties Regarding Animal Health and Behavior

The Adopter and User expressly acknowledge and agree that SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED is a non-profit animal rescue organization dealing with animals of unknown, often complex, and frequently traumatic backgrounds. All pets are offered for adoption “AS IS,” “WITH ALL FAULTS,” AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, breed lineage accuracy, or suitability for any specific environment or household. While the Organization’s Director of Medical Operations, Dr. Eleanor Vance, and her team, ensure that every pet receives high-quality veterinary care, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and behavioral assessment prior to placement, the Organization CANNOT AND DOES NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE the future health, temperament, longevity, or complete behavioral stability of any animal. Specifically, the Organization disclaims all liability for the onset of any pre-existing medical conditions, inherited genetic defects, infectious diseases, or illnesses that may manifest after the adoption date, or for any unexpected changes in the pet’s temperament, behavior, or socialization following their integration into the new home environment. The Adopter specifically acknowledges the inherent unpredictability of rescued animals and assumes all responsibility for future veterinary costs, behavioral training, and any unforeseen medical expenses immediately upon finalizing the adoption agreement, releasing the Organization from all future financial and clinical responsibility.

B. Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk

The Adopter further understands and agrees that the adoption of any animal involves inherent risks, including but not limited to, the possibility of property damage, injury to persons or other animals, the transmission of zoonotic diseases, or the occurrence of aggressive behavior (including biting or scratching), irrespective of the pet’s prior behavioral assessment by the Organization’s Behavioral Director, Marcus Chen. By adopting a pet from the Organization, the Adopter VOLUNTARILY AND EXPRESSLY ASSUMES ALL SUCH RISKS and agrees that SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including, without limitation, damages for personal injury, property damage, lost wages, veterinary expenses incurred after adoption, loss of companionship, or emotional distress, arising out of or in connection with the ownership, possession, or presence of the adopted animal. This limitation of liability applies to all claims, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or any other legal theory. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction finds the Organization liable for any reason, the maximum aggregate liability of the Organization to any Applicant, Adopter, or User shall be strictly limited to the exact amount of the non-refundable adoption fee paid by that specific individual for that specific animal, and no more.

IV. Financial Transactions, Donations, and Application Fees

Terms Governing Contributions to Our Non-Profit Mission

A. Non-Profit Status and Donor Responsibility

SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States, and all financial contributions, including charitable donations and application fees, are utilized exclusively for the operational costs directly associated with our mission of animal rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption, including high-quality veterinary care and behavioral training. While direct charitable donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law in the United States, the Donor is solely and entirely responsible for determining the tax deductibility of their contributions and should consult with a qualified tax advisor regarding their personal tax situation. The Organization will provide appropriate tax receipt documentation for donations upon request or as required by law, using the Donor Data provided during the transaction, but makes no guarantee or warranty regarding the final tax treatment of any payment. All application fees, administrative fees, and adoption fees are considered non-refundable contributions made toward the Organization’s operational costs, even in the event that an application is denied, the pet is returned under the lifetime return policy, or the Applicant withdraws from the process, as these funds are immediately allocated to cover administrative expenses, background checks, and the ongoing care provided to the animals during the screening process, making them irrevocable upon successful submission.

B. Payment Security and Transaction Finality

All financial transactions, whether donations or fee payments, conducted through our website are processed via secure, third-party payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or similar certified processors) that are compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). The Organization DOES NOT store, retain, or have direct access to your full credit card number or bank account information. By initiating a financial transaction, you warrant that you are the authorized user of the payment method provided and that the information is accurate. All donations are deemed final and non-refundable, reflecting the immediate allocation of funds toward critical, time-sensitive animal care expenses, such as emergency medical procedures coordinated by Dr. Vance. In the event of an erroneous or accidental duplicate donation, the Donor must contact the Organization within forty-eight (48) hours of the transaction at info@sgpas.site to initiate a review, and any refunds processed will be subject to deduction for transaction processing fees incurred by the Organization. The Organization will not be held liable for any data breaches or financial losses resulting from errors or failures occurring on the platforms or systems of the third-party payment processors.

V. Terms for Volunteers, Fosters, and Community Participants

Release of Liability and Adherence to Operational Policies

A. Independent Status and Liability Release

All individuals volunteering time, services, or equipment to SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED, whether at the facility, at adoption events, or through the Foster Ambassador Program, do so strictly in the capacity of a Volunteer and acknowledge that they are not employees, independent contractors, partners, or agents of the Organization. The Volunteer expressly agrees that they are providing their services without expectation of compensation, benefit, or future employment and understand that the Organization carries no liability for the Volunteer’s actions or inactions while performing duties, nor does the Organization provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for volunteers. By commencing volunteer work, the individual agrees to INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS the Organization from any and all claims, suits, demands, damages, losses, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, arising out of or related to any personal injury, property damage, or death suffered by the Volunteer or caused by the Volunteer or an animal under their care during the course of their duties, including, specifically, any injury caused by an animal bite, scratch, or behavioral incident, recognizing the inherent risk of working with rescued animals.

B. Foster Agreement and Ownership of Animals

Fostering an animal for the Organization is a temporary service, and the Foster acknowledges and agrees that SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED retains sole and absolute legal ownership of the animal at all times while it is placed in the Foster’s care. The Foster is entrusted with the physical custody and daily care of the animal but has no rights, title, or interest in the pet beyond the terms specified in the separate Foster Agreement. The Foster is strictly prohibited from executing any decisions regarding the pet’s medical care beyond routine feeding and administration of pre-approved medication, without the express written consent of the Director of Medical Operations, Dr. Vance, or the Foster Coordinator, Sarah Albright. The Foster may not offer the animal for adoption, transfer custody, or enter into any adoption discussions with third parties without the prior, explicit authorization of the Organization. Any breach of this ownership clause shall result in the immediate and permanent termination of the Foster Agreement and the immediate demand for the return of the animal, with the Organization reserving all rights to seek legal remedies for recovery of the property.

VI. Intellectual Property, Copyright, and License Grant

Ownership of Digital Assets and Use of User-Generated Content

A. Organization’s Proprietary Rights

All content displayed on the SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED website, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, software, organizational structure, the Mission Statement, and the design and arrangement of the site itself, is the exclusive property of the Organization or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. The name SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED and its associated logos are registered or pending trademarks of the Organization. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and make personal, non-commercial use of the website and its content for the sole purpose of engaging in activities related to the Organization’s mission (e.g., viewing adoptable pets, applying, or making a donation). This license explicitly prohibits any resale or commercial use of the website or its contents, any derivative use of the website or its contents, or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools. Unauthorized use of the Organization’s intellectual property is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action, including claims for monetary damages and injunctive relief.

B. License Grant for User-Submitted Content

By submitting photographs, videos, testimonials, success stories, or other creative content (collectively, “User Content”) to SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED—such as through email to info@sgpas.site or via social media—the User grants the Organization an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-exclusive, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the User Content in connection with the Organization’s mission, including, without limitation, for fundraising, promotional, marketing, and educational purposes across any and all media now known or hereafter developed. The User warrants and represents that they own or otherwise control all of the rights to the User Content and that the public posting and use of the content by the Organization will not infringe upon the rights of any third party. The Organization is under no obligation to use the submitted User Content, is not obligated to pay any compensation for its use, and reserves the right to remove, edit, or refuse to publish any User Content at its sole discretion and without prior notice.

VII. Indemnification, Governing Law, and Dispute Resolution

Legal Framework for Enforcement and Conflict Resolution

A. Indemnification

You agree to INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or in any way related to (a) your breach or violation of these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or any specific Adoption/Foster Agreement; (b) your use of the website or services; (c) your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any intellectual property, privacy, or property right; or (d) any personal injury, property damage, or other harm caused by an animal adopted, fostered, or handled by you. This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination of these Terms and your relationship with the Organization.

B. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms, and all matters arising from or relating to your use of the services, shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Ovington, Georgia, or the nearest applicable judicial district, for any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms, except as otherwise provided for in the Dispute Resolution clause below.

C. Mandatory Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be settled exclusively by MANDATORY BINDING ARBITRATION administered by a recognized arbitration association in accordance with its commercial arbitration rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration shall take place in Ovington, Georgia, and the proceedings shall be conducted on an individual basis. YOU AND THE ORGANIZATION EXPRESSLY AGREE TO WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION against the Organization regarding any claims or disputes arising under these Terms. This agreement to arbitrate and the class action waiver is a material term of these Terms.

VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions and Full Agreement

Final Legal Clauses and Severability

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any fully executed Adoption Contract or Foster Agreement, constitute the entire and full agreement between you and SAVED BY GRACE PET ADOPTION SERVICE S INCORPORATED concerning your use of our services, superseding all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, and agreements, whether electronic, oral, or written. If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that specific provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. The failure of the Organization to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not operate as a waiver of such right or provision. Any headings and section titles used in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. You may not assign your rights or delegate your obligations under these Terms without the prior written consent of the Organization. The Organization may assign its rights and obligations under these Terms to any other entity in connection with a corporate reorganization, merger, or sale of assets without your consent. The provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including, without limitation, the sections concerning Warranties and Disclaimers, Indemnification, Governing Law, and Limitation of Liability.