HonestPet Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 1, 2025 (Updated July 2026)

1. Overview

HonestPet.com is an online marketplace that allows consumers to search for and purchase puppies listed by independent breeders approved by HonestPet. HonestPet does not own or breed puppies, nor does it provide transportation services. Delivery is arranged with independent, USDA-certified third-party transport providers.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into contracts to use HonestPet.com and complete purchases.

If the age of majority in your state or jurisdiction is higher than 18, or if applicable law otherwise restricts your ability to enter into this agreement, you must meet the eligibility requirements of your jurisdiction before using HonestPet.com. Where a purchase is made on behalf of a minor, the purchasing adult, and not the minor, shall be deemed the buyer and shall be solely responsible for all obligations under these Terms.

3. Platform Role & Independence

HonestPet is not a breeder or owner of any puppies listed on the site. All breeders are independent businesses. HonestPet coordinates listings but is not responsible for breeder representations, breeding practices, or the health of any animal. HonestPet does not certify or guarantee the conduct or compliance of any breeder beyond its internal approval process.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HonestPet disclaims liability for any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in listings, advertisements, or descriptions appearing on the website or in promotional materials, whether supplied by breeders or generated by HonestPet. Buyers acknowledge that photos, descriptions, and marketing content are for informational purposes only and may not perfectly represent the specific puppy purchased, as a puppy is a living creature that will grow and change with time.

All breeders, transport providers, veterinarians, trainers, groomers, insurers, financing providers, and other third-party service providers operate as independent businesses and are not employees, agents, partners, joint venturers, or legal representatives of HonestPet. HonestPet shall not be responsible for the acts, omissions, negligence, or representations of any independent third party except as expressly required by law.

4. Listings & Descriptions

All puppy listings, photos, and descriptions are provided by breeders. HonestPet does not guarantee breed purity, lineage, health, temperament, or characteristics. Listings may be modified or removed without notice.

HonestPet may advertise or highlight puppies, breeders, or services through ads, marketing copy, or featured placements. HonestPet does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of such information, and shall not be liable for reliance upon marketing or descriptive statements.

Marketing materials, advertisements, testimonials, customer reviews, educational content, social media posts, videos, blog articles, and other promotional materials are intended solely for general informational and marketing purposes and shall not create any warranty or representation beyond those expressly contained in the written Purchase Agreement and Health & Genetic Guarantee.

4.1 Photos, Videos & Digital Media

HonestPet, its breeders, and its service providers may use professional photography, videography, digital editing, image enhancement, artificial intelligence (AI), and other technologies to improve the quality, clarity, lighting, color balance, background, resolution, cropping, or overall presentation of photographs and videos displayed on the HonestPet platform. These enhancements are intended solely to improve visual presentation and customer experience and are not intended to materially alter or misrepresent the identity, breed, health, age, condition, markings, coloration, size, temperament, or other characteristics of any puppy. Because puppies are living animals that naturally grow and change, a puppy's appearance may vary over time due to age, grooming, lighting, camera angles, seasonal coat changes, development, and other natural factors. Accordingly, all photographs and videos are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a guarantee or warranty that a puppy will appear exactly as depicted at the time of delivery or thereafter.

5. Health & Behavior Disclaimer

Puppies are living animals and naturally subject to variation. HonestPet does not guarantee health beyond the 10 Year Health & Genetic Guarantee, temperament, adult size, coat, color, or compatibility with other pets or individuals. Buyers assume all inherent risks associated with pet ownership.

Buyer acknowledges that puppies are living animals whose health, development, appearance, temperament, size, weight, coat, coloration, behavior, and other characteristics may naturally change over time due to genetics, age, environment, nutrition, training, veterinary care, and other factors beyond HonestPet's control.

6. Veterinary Information Disclaimer

HonestPet is not a veterinary practice and does not provide veterinary, medical, genetic, behavioral, nutritional, or breeding advice. Any information provided by HonestPet, its employees, contractors, breeders, or representatives regarding puppy health, genetics, nutrition, training, behavior, vaccinations, medications, or care is provided solely for general informational purposes and should not be relied upon as professional veterinary advice. Buyers should always consult their licensed veterinarian regarding the diagnosis, treatment, or medical care of their puppy.

7. DNA Testing & Designer Breed Disclaimer

Designer breeds are not universally recognized as standardized breeds by all kennel clubs or registries. Genetic ancestry testing utilizes proprietary databases, statistical models, algorithms, and reference populations that may differ between testing providers. As a result, ancestry estimates and breed percentages may vary between laboratories and over time as scientific databases evolve.

DNA testing results are intended for informational purposes only and shall not be interpreted as conclusive proof of breed purity, pedigree, intentional misrepresentation, fraud, or the precise genetic composition of any puppy.

8. Breeding & Reproductive Disclaimer

Unless expressly agreed to in writing, HonestPet makes no representation or warranty regarding the puppy's fertility, reproductive capability, breeding suitability, genetic value for breeding purposes, or future ability to produce offspring.

9. Buyer Responsibilities

Buyers agree to:

Carefully review all puppy information before purchase
Confirm legal eligibility and local breed restrictions
Be financially and personally prepared for lifelong pet ownership
Respond promptly to communication regarding delivery
Cover all lifetime care costs (food, vet visits, training, grooming, etc.)

10. Buyer's Duty to Mitigate

Buyer agrees to promptly seek appropriate veterinary care if the puppy exhibits signs of illness, injury, disease, or distress, to follow the recommendations of the treating veterinarian, and to take reasonable steps to minimize any damages or worsening of the puppy's condition. HonestPet shall not be responsible for damages resulting from delayed veterinary treatment, failure to follow veterinary recommendations, improper care, neglect, or failure to mitigate damages.

11. Reservation, Deposits & Payment Terms

11.1 No-Hold Policy

No puppy will be held or reserved without a cleared deposit.

11.2 Refundable Window

A deposit is refundable only if:

(a) the puppy becomes unavailable prior to delivery;

(b) HonestPet cancels the transaction; or

After the 24-hour cancellation window expires, all deposits are non-refundable, except as required by applicable law. Processing, administrative, or service fees may be non-refundable as permitted by law.

If a breeder cancels the transaction for any reason, or if HonestPet cancels due to puppy unavailability or suspected fraud, abuse, or misuse of the platform, the buyer will receive a full refund of amounts paid, excluding any non-refundable fees where permitted by law.

11.3 Deposit Transferability

After the initial 24-hour refundable window expires, the deposit becomes non-refundable but remains transferable to another puppy or future litter for up to seventy-two (72) hours, subject to availability and the payment timelines set forth below.

11.4 Unborn or Newborn Litters

Deposits placed on unborn or newborn litters are automatically transferable in accordance with the payment timelines applicable to the puppy’s age at the time payments are due.

11.5 Payment Timelines & Final Payments

Payment schedules are determined by the puppy’s age at the time the initial deposit is placed. Failure to comply with the timelines below may result in forfeiture of the deposit and release of the puppy to the next available buyer. Once a puppy has been paid for in full, all amounts paid are non-refundable, except as required by applicable law.

(a) Puppies Under Eight (8) Weeks of Age

Initial Deposit: Required immediately to secure a reservation.

Midpoint Payment: Fifty percent (50%) of the remaining balance is due within seven (7) calendar days of the initial deposit.

Final Balance: Remaining balance due no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to scheduled delivery or pickup.

(b) Puppies Eight (8) Weeks of Age or Older

Initial Deposit: Required immediately to secure a reservation.

Final Balance: Remaining balance due no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to scheduled delivery or pickup.

If a buyer requests a hold or extension for a puppy that is eight (8) weeks of age or older:

Initial Deposit: Required immediately to secure a reservation.

Final Balance: Remaining balance must be paid within seventy-two (72) hours of the deposit to cover continued veterinary care, boarding, food, and related expenses during the hold period.

12. Delivery

Delivery is coordinated through third-party transport providers. Delivery estimates are not guaranteed and may be affected by breeder readiness, buyer communication, weather, logistics, or force majeure. HonestPet is not liable for delays or transport-related issues.

HonestPet shall not be liable for delays, injuries, illnesses, or other issues arising from transportation that result from weather events, airline delays or cancellations, traffic, regulatory actions, airport restrictions, acts of God, force majeure events, or circumstances beyond HonestPet's reasonable control.

13. Post-Delivery & Consumer Protections

Sales are considered final once all amounts due have been paid in full, and all amounts paid are non-refundable, except as required by applicable law.

Buyers must report any health concerns, fraud, or material misrepresentation within three (3) days of delivery to support@honestpet.com. HonestPet may, at its discretion, assist in facilitating communication or mediation between the buyer and breeder, but assumes no liability for breeder conduct, puppy condition, or outcomes.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy for any claim relating to the puppy—including claims of misrepresentation, incorrect puppy delivered, health condition, or deceptive advertising—shall be limited to a refund of the purchase price actually paid, if and only if such a remedy is required by applicable law.

Certain states impose mandatory guarantees or remedies for the sale of pets (“puppy lemon laws”). Where applicable, such statutory remedies shall apply and shall be the buyer’s exclusive recourse. HonestPet expressly disclaims all other warranties, remedies, and liabilities not required by law.

14. Customer Cooperation

Buyer agrees to cooperate with any reasonable investigation conducted by HonestPet regarding claims relating to the puppy, including providing veterinary records, diagnostic reports, invoices, photographs, videos, and authorization, where legally permissible, for HonestPet to communicate with treating veterinarians regarding the puppy's medical condition.

15. Claim Review Process

HonestPet reserves the right to investigate any claim relating to puppy health, breed representation, transportation, delivery, or other matters before determining eligibility for any remedy available under the Purchase Agreement or Health & Genetic Guarantee. HonestPet may request supporting documentation, veterinary records, diagnostic reports, photographs, videos, breeder records, or other information reasonably necessary to complete its review.

16. Payment Processing & Security

All payments are processed by third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). HonestPet does not store full payment credentials and is not responsible for payment delays, failures, or data breaches caused by third-party providers.

17. Insurance & Legal Compliance

Breeders are required to comply with applicable animal welfare laws and maintain necessary licenses or insurance. Buyers and breeders agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HonestPet and its affiliates from claims, liabilities, or damages arising from their conduct, purchases, or interactions on the platform.

Breeders are solely responsible for the accuracy of any representations regarding the health, breeding practices, or certifications of puppies. HonestPet relies on breeder-supplied information and is not responsible for false, misleading, or incomplete breeder claims.

18. Account Use (If Applicable)

If users create an account, they are responsible for maintaining its confidentiality and for all activity under that account. HonestPet is not responsible for unauthorized access or activity resulting from compromised login credentials.

19. Fraud, Abuse & Platform Enforcement

HonestPet reserves the right to deny service, cancel transactions, or suspend accounts for suspected fraud, abuse, chargebacks, or violation of these Terms. Violations may be reported to law enforcement where appropriate.

20. User Content: Photos & Reviews

Users grant HonestPet a royalty-free, worldwide license to use submitted reviews, testimonials, or photos unless they opt out in writing. All content must be honest, not defamatory, and free from confidential or copyrighted materials. HonestPet may remove or moderate content at its discretion.

21. Communications & Marketing Consent

By using HonestPet.com, you consent to receive transactional communications (purchase confirmations, delivery updates, etc.) and promotional emails (with the option to opt out at any time via email or unsubscribe links).

22. Prohibited Conduct

Users must not:

Misrepresent their identity or intent
Circumvent platform processes or fees
Engage in abusive, harassing, or illegal conduct
Create fake accounts or manipulate listings
Scrape, crawl, or use bots to extract data from HonestPet.com

23. Intellectual Property Rights

All content, branding, software, and design on HonestPet.com are the exclusive property of HonestPet or its licensors. No content may be copied, republished, modified, or used without prior written permission.

24. Third-Party Links & Services

HonestPet may include links to third-party services or websites. HonestPet is not responsible for the content, terms, or privacy practices of these third parties. Use of third-party services is at your own risk.

25. Platform Availability

HonestPet aims to provide uninterrupted access to the website but does not guarantee uptime or error-free operation. Services may be suspended for maintenance, updates, or unforeseen technical issues.

26. Disclaimer of Warranties

The platform is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind. HonestPet disclaims all express and implied warranties, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

HonestPet makes no warranty that any listing, advertisement, or marketing material will be error-free, accurate, or reliable, and disclaims liability for any reliance placed on such materials.

27. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HonestPet is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Total liability is limited to the amount paid by the buyer for the specific puppy in question.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, HonestPet shall not be liable for emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, sentimental value, loss of enjoyment, lost breeding opportunities, lost profits, future veterinary expenses beyond those expressly provided under the Health & Genetic Guarantee, incidental damages, consequential damages, special damages, exemplary damages, or punitive damages.

28. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

All disputes arising from use of the platform shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration shall occur in Delaware and shall be governed by Delaware law. By agreeing, you waive your right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action.

These Terms of Service, and any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to them or to HonestPet.com, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles, except to the extent such laws are preempted by or inconsistent with applicable federal law or the mandatory consumer protection laws of the buyer's state of residence.

29. Force Majeure

HonestPet is not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond its control, including natural disasters, transportation delays, labor shortages, acts of war, regulatory actions, or pandemics.

30. Changes to These Terms

HonestPet may revise these Terms of Service at any time. Updated terms will be posted on the site. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

31. Severability & Survival

If any part of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. Terms related to liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution shall survive termination of this agreement.

32. Privacy Policy

Use of the platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and store your personal information.

If you are a resident of California, Virginia, Colorado, or another state with its own comprehensive privacy law, our Privacy Policy describes any additional rights available to you under such law, which may include the right to know, delete, correct, or opt out of certain uses of your personal information, and explains how to submit such a request.

33. Entire Agreement & No Oral Representations

These Terms of Service, together with any written Purchase Agreement, Health & Genetic Guarantee, Privacy Policy, and any other written agreements expressly incorporated herein, constitute the entire agreement between the parties regarding the purchase of a puppy through HonestPet.

Buyer acknowledges that they have not relied upon any verbal statements, estimates, promises, opinions, marketing discussions, recommendations, or representations made by any sales representative, customer support representative, breeder, transporter, contractor, or other individual except as expressly set forth in the written agreements governing the transaction. No verbal statement or communication shall modify, expand, or supersede these Terms or any written agreement unless expressly agreed to in writing by an authorized officer of HonestPet.

34. Contact Information

For questions, complaints, or legal notices, contact:

📧 support@honestpet.com

📍1640 Boro Place, 4th Floor, McLean, VA 22102

35. Acknowledgment

By using HonestPet.com, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms of Service.