Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using MeowHQ ("the Platform"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to these Terms of Service, please do not use the Platform.

2. Description of Service

MeowHQ is a comprehensive platform and community for cat lovers. Our services include:

• Cat profile management and social features
• AI-powered veterinary consultation (Dr. Catsby)
• Professional veterinary consultations and clinic finder
• Community features including posts, comments, and social interactions
• Cat adoption listings and matching
• Cat exchange and breeding program
• Lost & Found / Meow Alerts system
• Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden
• Medical record management and prescriptions
• Community badges and achievements
• Security monitoring and account protection

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration

You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

3.2 Account Types

• Regular Users: Can create cat profiles, participate in community features, and access available services
• Verified Vets: Can provide professional veterinary services (subject to verification)

3.3 Account Termination

You may request account deletion at any time through your account settings. Deletion requests require admin approval. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.

6. Veterinary Services

6.1 AI Veterinary Consultation (Dr. Catsby)

We are not responsible for any decisions made based on AI-generated advice. Prescriptions generated through the platform should be reviewed by a licensed veterinarian.

6.2 Professional Veterinary Consultations

Consultation Fees: Veterinary consultation fees are determined by individual veterinarians and clearly displayed before booking.

Payment & Escrow: Consultation payments are held in escrow and released to the veterinarian upon consultation completion.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled consultation for a full refund. Late cancellations may incur fees.

Refund Policy: Refunds for consultations are processed through escrow within 5-10 business days if cancellation policy is met or if the consultation was not provided as agreed.

8. Lost & Found System

Reporting: Users can report lost or found cats through the Meow Alerts system.

Accuracy Requirement: All information provided must be accurate and truthful. False reports may result in account suspension.

Platform Role: MeowHQ acts solely as a facilitator connecting users. We do not verify the accuracy of reports or guarantee reunions.

User Responsibility: Always verify ownership through proper documentation, microchip records, or veterinary records before claiming a cat.

9. Memorial Garden (Rainbow Bridge)

Memorial Submissions: Users can create memorial tributes for deceased cats in the Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden.

Content Guidelines: Memorials must be respectful and appropriate. Offensive or inappropriate content will be removed.

Content Ownership: You retain ownership of memorial content but grant MeowHQ a license to display it on the platform.

Removal: Memorial content may be removed if it violates our guidelines or upon user request.

11. Cat Exchange Program

Exchange vs. Sale: The Cat Exchange program facilitates breeding and exchange arrangements between verified users. It is distinct from commercial sales.

Health Requirements: All cats in exchange programs must have current health certifications from licensed veterinarians.

Escrow Protection: Exchange transactions involving payments are protected by our escrow system.

User Responsibility: Users are solely responsible for cat welfare, breeding practices, and compliance with animal welfare laws.

Prohibited Practices: Inhumane breeding practices, neglect, or violations of animal welfare laws will result in immediate account termination and reporting to authorities.

12. Community Guidelines

12.1 Acceptable Use

Community features (posts, comments, groups) must be used respectfully and in accordance with these guidelines.

12.2 Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited:

• Hate speech, harassment, or bullying
• Spam or excessive self-promotion
• Explicit or inappropriate content
• Misinformation or harmful advice
• Content violating others' privacy or intellectual property

12.3 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to remove content and suspend accounts that violate community guidelines.

12.4 Reporting & Appeals

Users can report violations through the platform. Suspended users may appeal through our support system.

13. Badges & Gamification

Earning Badges: Badges are earned through platform activities, achievements, and milestones.

Display Rights: Earned badges are displayed on user profiles and may be used within the platform.

Revocation: Badges may be revoked if earned through fraudulent means or if account terms are violated.

No Monetary Value: Badges have no monetary value and cannot be transferred, sold, or exchanged.

14. Security & Account Safety

14.1 Security Monitoring

We employ security monitoring and audit logging to protect user accounts and detect suspicious activity.

14.2 Account Lockout

Accounts may be temporarily locked if suspicious activity is detected. Users will be notified and can verify their identity to regain access.

14.3 Two-Factor Authentication

We recommend enabling two-factor authentication for enhanced account security.

14.4 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach affecting user information, we will notify affected users promptly and take appropriate remedial action.

15. Intellectual Property

15.1 Platform Content

All content on MeowHQ, including logos, designs, text, and software, is owned by MeowHQ or its licensors and protected by copyright laws.

15.2 User Content

You retain ownership of content you post (cat photos, reviews, posts). By posting, you grant MeowHQ a non-exclusive license to use, display, and distribute your content on the platform.

16. Privacy & Data

Your use of MeowHQ is also governed by our Privacy Policy. We collect and process personal data as described in our Privacy Policy, including:

• Account information (name, email, contact details)
• Cat profiles and medical records
• Lost/found cat reports
• Memorial garden submissions
• Security audit logs
• Usage data and analytics

17. Payment Terms

17.1 Payment Methods

We accept various payment methods including cash on delivery (COD), bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and card payments.

17.2 Escrow Payment System

Payment Holding: Payments for marketplace purchases, vet consultations, contest entries, and cat exchanges are held securely in escrow until transaction completion.

Release Conditions: Funds are released to sellers/service providers only after:

• Consultation completion (veterinary services)
• Successful exchange completion (cat exchange transactions)

Buyer Protection: Buyers can dispute transactions within 14 days of delivery/completion.

Dispute Resolution: Escrow funds remain frozen during dispute investigation. Disputes are resolved based on evidence provided by both parties.

Refund Process: Approved refunds are processed from escrow to the original payment method within 5-10 business days.

Platform Fees: Platform commission is deducted before escrow release to sellers.

Timeframes:

• Standard escrow release: 3-7 days after delivery/completion confirmation
• Dispute window: 14 days from delivery/completion
• Refund processing: 5-10 business days

Escrow Agent Role: MeowHQ acts as escrow agent only and is not responsible for transaction quality, product/service delivery, or dispute outcomes.

17.3 Refunds

Refund policies vary by transaction type. Platform fees are generally non-refundable except in cases of platform error.

18. Limitation of Liability

MeowHQ acts as a platform connecting users. We are not responsible for:

• Medical outcomes from AI consultations or veterinary services
• Accuracy of medical advice or prescriptions
• Cat health, breeding outcomes, or exchange arrangements
• Accuracy of lost/found reports or reunion outcomes
• User-generated content in community features or memorial garden
• Loss of data or service interruptions
• Actions of other users on the platform

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, MEOWHQ SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

19. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiation between parties
2. Platform mediation if negotiation fails
3. Arbitration or legal proceedings in accordance with local laws

20. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of modified terms.

21. Governing Law

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.