Terms of Service

Last updated: September 3, 2025

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These terms are legally binding. Please read carefully before using our services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using SitMyPetTexas ("Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by these terms, please do not use this service.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website located at sitmypettexas.com (the "Service") operated by SitMyPetTexas ("us", "we", or "our"), a Texas-based company.

2. Description of Service

SitMyPetTexas is a digital marketplace platform that connects pet owners with verified pet care providers throughout Texas.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: SitMyPetTexas acts as a marketplace platform only. We do not provide pet care services directly. All pet care services are provided by independent contractors.

3. Pet Care Responsibilities and Standards

3.1 Pet Owner Responsibilities

Pet owners agree to:

Provide accurate and complete information about their pet's health, behavior, dietary needs, and medical conditions
Ensure all vaccinations are current and provide documentation when requested
Disclose any aggressive tendencies, allergies, or special medical needs
Provide emergency contact information and veterinary details
Ensure pets are in good health at the time of service
Provide all necessary supplies (food, medications, leashes, etc.)

3.2 Pet Sitter Responsibilities

Pet sitters agree to:

Provide agreed-upon services with reasonable care and diligence
Follow pet owner instructions regarding feeding, medication, and exercise
Maintain a safe and secure environment for pets
Contact the pet owner immediately in case of emergency or illness
Respect the pet owner's property and privacy
Complete required background checks and maintain verification status

3.3 Emergency Veterinary Care Authorization

CRITICAL AUTHORIZATION: By using our service, pet owners explicitly authorize pet sitters to seek emergency veterinary care if:

The pet owner cannot be immediately reached
The pet's condition requires immediate medical attention
Delay in treatment could result in serious harm or death

Pet owners agree to reimburse reasonable emergency veterinary expenses and hold pet sitters harmless for emergency medical decisions made in good faith.

4. Insurance Coverage and Liability

4.1 Platform Insurance Coverage

Coverage Provided: SitMyPetTexas provides platform insurance coverage with the following limits:

Pet Medical Coverage: Up to $25,000 per incident for emergency veterinary care
Property Damage: Up to $50,000 per incident for damage to owner's property
Care, Custody & Control: Up to $25,000 per incident for pets under sitter care
Third-Party Liability: Up to $1,000,000 per incident for damages to third parties
Coverage Active: From service start to completion, with 24/7 emergency support

4.2 Coverage Exclusions

Platform insurance does NOT cover:

Pre-existing medical conditions not disclosed by pet owner
Intentional acts or criminal behavior
Services provided outside the platform
Damage caused by pets with undisclosed aggressive tendencies
Services where the sitter was intoxicated or under influence
Normal wear and tear or gradual deterioration

4.3 Individual Sitter Insurance

Pet sitters are strongly encouraged to maintain their own pet care liability insurance. Some premium sitters may carry additional coverage beyond platform insurance.

4.4 Liability Limitations

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: SitMyPetTexas's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the total amount paid by the user for the specific service that gave rise to the claim. In no event shall we be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

5. Background Checks and Verification

5.1 Background Check Requirements

All pet sitters must complete a comprehensive background check through our third-party provider (Checkr) that includes:

National criminal database search
County criminal court records
Sex offender registry check
Social Security number verification
Identity verification and driver's license validation

5.2 Background Check Payment Policy

SITTER-PAYS MODEL: Pet sitters are responsible for background check fees:

Background Check Fee: $45.00 (one-time payment)
Payment Required: Before background check processing begins
Processing Time: 24-72 hours after payment confirmation
Validity: Background checks remain valid for 12 months

REFUND POLICY FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS:

Full Refund: If technical errors prevent processing within 7 days
No Refund: If background check is successfully completed (regardless of pass/fail result)
Partial Refund: At our discretion for exceptional circumstances
Failed Payment: Payment failures do not qualify for refunds

5.3 Third-Party Processing (Checkr)

Data Sharing Agreement: By agreeing to a background check, you consent to:

Sharing your personal information with Checkr for verification purposes
Checkr's terms of service and privacy policies
Storage of background check results for compliance and safety purposes
Periodic re-verification as required by applicable laws

5.4 Background Check Limitations

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: While we conduct thorough background checks, no screening process is 100% comprehensive. Background checks may not reveal all criminal history or predict future behavior. Users should exercise their own judgment when selecting pet care providers.

5.5 Ongoing Verification

Pet sitters must maintain current background check status. We reserve the right to conduct periodic re-verification and may suspend or terminate accounts if verification cannot be maintained. Additional fees may apply for re-verification.

6. Payment Terms and Policies

6.1 Service Fees

SitMyPetTexas charges the following fees on transactions processed through our platform:

Platform Transaction Fees:

Pet Owner Fee: 5% of the total booking amount
Pet Sitter Fee: 18-22% of the total booking amount (varies based on insurance coverage level)
Payment Processing: Standard payment processor fees apply (typically 2.9% + $0.30)

Pet Sitter Fee Structure:

Basic Coverage (18%): Standard platform insurance protection
Enhanced Coverage (20%): Premium insurance with extended liability coverage
Premium Coverage (22%): Comprehensive insurance with maximum protection and priority support

Additional Fees:

Background Check Fee: $45.00 (paid by sitter, one-time)
Payment Failed Fee: $5.00 for failed payment recovery
Dispute Resolution Fee: $25.00 if dispute is found in favor of the platform

6.2 Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellation Timeline:

More than 7 days before service: Full refund minus 3% processing fee
3-7 days before service: 50% refund
24-72 hours before service: 25% refund
Less than 24 hours: No refund unless emergency circumstances

Emergency Cancellations: Medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances may qualify for partial refunds at our discretion.

6.3 Dispute Resolution

Payment disputes must be reported within 48 hours of service completion. We will investigate and mediate disputes in good faith. Unresolved disputes may be subject to binding arbitration under Texas law.

7. User Accounts and Registration

To use our services, you must register for an account. You agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
Maintain and promptly update your account information
Maintain the security of your password and accept responsibility for all activities under your account
Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
Be at least 18 years old or have parental consent

8. Prohibited Uses

You may not use our Service:

For any unlawful purpose or to solicit others to perform unlawful acts
To violate any international, federal, provincial, or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances
To infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others
To harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate
To submit false or misleading information
To upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code
To circumvent, disable, or otherwise interfere with security-related features
To engage in any automated use of the system

9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Texas Law Governs: These Terms shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms will be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Harris County, Texas, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in such courts.

10. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at:

Email: legal@sitmypettexas.com
Support: help@sitmypettexas.com
Emergency Issues: Include "URGENT" in subject line