Buyer Terms

Effective Date: May 20, 2026 Version: 2.0

1. Introduction

These Buyer Terms ("Terms") govern your participation as a Buyer on the BreederHQ Marketplace, including browsing listings, joining waitlists, paying reservation fees, purchasing animals, booking breeding services, and booking services from Service Providers. These Terms supplement and are incorporated into the BreederHQ Terms of Service, the Acceptable Use Policy, the Marketplace Transaction Terms, and the Legal Definitions Schedule.

"Buyer," "you," and "your" refer to any individual who browses, inquires about, reserves, or purchases animals or services through the BreederHQ Marketplace.

Capitalized terms used in these Terms have the meanings given in the BreederHQ Legal Definitions Schedule, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

2. Account Requirements

2.1 Registration

To participate in transactions on the Marketplace, you must create a BreederHQ account with accurate and current information. You must be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction).

2.2 Accurate Information

You agree to provide truthful information in your account profile, inquiries, and communications with Providers. Misrepresentation of your identity, intentions, or capacity to complete a transaction may result in account suspension or termination.

3. Browsing, Inquiries, and Reliance

3.1 Listing Information; Credential Displays; Profile Indicators

Listings on the Marketplace, including all descriptions, photos, health claims, pedigree data, service descriptions, pricing, and any credential displays, Profile Indicators, badges, or other indicators displayed in connection with a Provider's profile or listing, are created or attested by Providers, not by BreederHQ. BreederHQ does not verify, endorse, evaluate, validate, or guarantee the accuracy, authenticity, currency, or completeness of any such content, except as expressly limited by §2.5 of the Terms of Service (Third-Party Registry Passthrough) and §2.6 of the Terms of Service (Third-Party Identity Verification Passthrough). BreederHQ does not open, read, or evaluate any document a Provider uploads in connection with a credential attestation; the act of BreederHQ displaying or linking to such a document is not a representation by BreederHQ as to the document's authenticity, currency, or contents.

3.2 Due Diligence; Buyer Acknowledgment

You acknowledge and agree that BreederHQ has not conducted, and is under no obligation to conduct, any of the following due-diligence steps on your behalf with respect to any Provider, animal, or listing. You are solely responsible for conducting your own due diligence before entering into any transaction. Without limiting the foregoing, we strongly recommend that you:

Research the Provider's reputation, experience, and history;
Request and review health testing documentation and veterinary records;
Verify registration, pedigree, and credential claims through the relevant breed registry, issuing body, or licensing authority;
Ask the Provider detailed questions about the animal's history, temperament, and care, or about the scope and methods of any service to be rendered;
Arrange an in-person visit or live video call to see the animal or facility before purchase when possible;
Request and review the Provider's written contract, health guarantee, service agreement, and refund or cancellation policy before committing;
Consult your own veterinarian for guidance on health evaluations.

Where a Provider has uploaded a Supporting Document or has indicated holding a professional credential, license, or accreditation, you are responsible for independently confirming the credential with the issuing body before relying on it. The presence of a document link on the Services is not a substitute for that confirmation.

3.3 Communication

All communications between you and Providers conducted through the BreederHQ messaging system are subject to the BreederHQ Terms of Service. You agree to communicate respectfully and in good faith.

3.4 Provider Insurance and Licensing — Your Responsibility, Not BreederHQ's

Where applicable to a Provider's profession or services (for example, a farrier, trainer, veterinarian, groomer, transporter, or pet sitter), the Provider may be required by applicable law to maintain professional licensing, insurance, or both. BreederHQ does not require, evaluate, verify, hold, broker, or facilitate any such licensing or insurance, and BreederHQ makes no representation that any Provider holds any such licensing or insurance. You are encouraged to confirm directly with the Provider, and with the applicable issuing body or insurance carrier, whether the Provider holds the licensing and insurance you consider necessary for your transaction. BreederHQ disclaims all liability for any harm arising from a Provider's lack of, lapse in, or misrepresentation of licensing or insurance.

4. Waitlist Participation

4.1 Joining a Waitlist

When you join a Provider's waitlist and pay a reservation fee, you are entering into a direct agreement with the Provider, not with BreederHQ. Before paying a reservation fee, you should:

Understand the Provider's reservation fee amount and what it covers;
Read and agree to the Provider's refund policy;
Understand the Provider's selection process and timeline;
Confirm whether the reservation fee is refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable.

4.2 Reservation Fee Payments

Reservation fees are paid directly to the Provider through our third-party payment processor. BreederHQ does not hold, escrow, or control reservation fee funds. Once a reservation fee is paid, the Provider's stated refund policy governs your ability to receive a refund.

4.3 Waitlist Position

Your position on a waitlist is managed by the Provider. BreederHQ does not control or guarantee:

Your position on any waitlist;
The timeline for availability of animals;
The Provider's selection process or criteria;
That a suitable animal will be available for you.

4.4 No Guarantee of Placement

Joining a waitlist does not guarantee that you will receive an animal. Litter outcomes, Provider selection processes, and other factors may affect availability. If the Provider is unable to fulfill your reservation, the Provider's refund policy applies.

5. Purchases

5.1 Direct Transaction

All purchases are direct transactions between you and the Provider. By completing a purchase, you agree to:

Pay the agreed-upon price through the payment method provided;
Arrange and pay for transportation/delivery as agreed with the Provider;
Comply with all applicable laws regarding animal acquisition and transport in your jurisdiction;
Provide appropriate care for the animal upon receipt.

5.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through our third-party payment processor. By making a payment, you agree to the payment processor's terms of service. BreederHQ does not process, hold, or have access to your payment card information.

5.3 Purchase Agreement

We strongly recommend that you obtain a written purchase agreement from the Provider that includes:

Complete description of the animal being purchased;
Total purchase price and payment terms;
Health guarantee terms and duration;
Spay/neuter requirements (if any);
Return and refund policy;
Registration transfer details;
Any other conditions or requirements.

BreederHQ is not responsible for enforcing any agreement between you and a Provider.

6. Breeding Service Bookings and Service Provider Bookings

6.1 Service Agreement

When booking a breeding service (stud service, semen purchase, etc.) or a service from a Service Provider (farrier, trainer, veterinarian, groomer, transporter, etc.), the terms of the service are between you and the Provider. Before booking, confirm:

Service type, scope, methods, pricing, and payment schedule;
For breeding services: breeding method (live cover, AI, shipped semen, etc.), return breeding or guarantee terms, required health testing and documentation;
For Service Provider bookings: the qualifications and experience of the individual(s) who will render the service, the service location, any limitations on service, and the Service Provider's cancellation and refund policy;
Timeline and scheduling details.

6.2 Outcome Acknowledgment

You acknowledge that:

Breeding outcomes (including conception, litter size, and offspring health) are inherently unpredictable; neither the Provider nor BreederHQ guarantees any specific breeding outcome;
Services rendered by Service Providers are subject to the inherent unpredictability of working with animals; outcomes (including animal response to training, treatment, transport, or grooming) cannot be guaranteed.

7. Refunds and Disputes

7.1 Provider Refund and Cancellation Policies

Refund and cancellation terms for purchases, reservation fees, and services are established by each Provider. BreederHQ does not set, manage, or enforce Provider refund or cancellation policies.

7.2 Resolving Disputes

If a dispute arises with a Provider, you should:

Contact the Provider directly to attempt resolution in good faith;
Document all communications and agreements;
If you believe fraud has occurred, report it to BreederHQ at legal@breederhq.com;
You may also contact your payment provider (bank or credit card company) to explore chargeback options if applicable.

7.3 BreederHQ's Role

BreederHQ is not a party to your transaction and has no obligation to resolve disputes between you and a Provider. However, BreederHQ may:

Review fraud reports and take action against Provider accounts that violate platform policies;
Suspend display of a disputed credential pending the Provider's response under the procedure in §8.4 of the Acceptable Use Policy;
Provide transaction records upon request, subject to privacy considerations;
Suspend or remove Providers who demonstrate a pattern of bad faith conduct.

Any suspension-of-display or other action BreederHQ takes is an exercise of platform discretion in response to a credible report; it is not BreederHQ's adjudication of the underlying truth of any claim.

8. Buyer Responsibilities

8.1 Legal Compliance

You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction regarding:

Animal ownership and possession;
Import/transport regulations (interstate or international);
Local zoning or housing restrictions for animals;
Species or breed-specific legislation;
Required permits, licenses, or registrations.

8.2 Animal Welfare

By acquiring an animal through the Marketplace or by retaining a Service Provider to render services to an animal in your possession, you agree to:

Provide appropriate food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and socialization;
Not use the animal for any illegal purpose, including animal fighting;
Comply with any contractual obligations agreed upon with the Provider (such as spay/neuter requirements or co-ownership terms).

8.3 Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge and accept that:

Animals are living beings with inherent and unpredictable health and behavioral risks;
No amount of health testing, veterinary screening, or genetic analysis can guarantee the future health or temperament of an animal;
You assume all risks associated with animal ownership from the time you take possession;
You assume all risks associated with retaining a Service Provider to render services to an animal in your possession, including risks associated with the Service Provider's professional conduct, on-site safety, and the inherent risks of working with animals;
BreederHQ has no liability for any injury, illness, death, property damage, or other loss related to an animal acquired through the Marketplace or to services rendered by a Provider engaged through the Marketplace.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You may NOT:

Submit fraudulent inquiries, reservation fees, or purchases;
Misrepresent your identity, location, or intentions to a Provider;
Harass, threaten, or intimidate Providers;
Submit false or defamatory reviews;
Attempt to circumvent Marketplace payment processing to avoid platform fees;
Acquire animals for the purpose of resale without the Provider's knowledge and consent;
Use the Marketplace for any illegal purpose.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BreederHQ LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

Your breach of these Buyer Terms or any other agreement you have with BreederHQ;
Your violation of any applicable law in connection with your use of the Services;
Your acts or omissions in connection with a transaction, including but not limited to the care, transport, or possession of any animal you acquired through the Marketplace;
Any fraudulent inquiry, payment, or representation you make to a Provider;
Any claim by a third party arising from your acts or omissions.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BREEDERHQ SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE MARKETPLACE OR ANY TRANSACTION WITH A PROVIDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES RELATED TO ANIMAL HEALTH, ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, DELIVERY, SERVICES RENDERED BY ANY PROVIDER, OR THE FAILURE OF A PROVIDER TO FULFILL COMMITMENTS.

12. Modifications

BreederHQ may update these Buyer Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to users via email or platform notification at least thirty (30) days before taking effect. Continued use of the Marketplace after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Buyer Terms.

13. Definitions

Capitalized terms not defined in these Terms have the meanings set forth in the Legal Definitions Schedule, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. The terms "Provider Content," "Supporting Documentation," "Third-Party Registry Passthrough," "Third-Party Identity Verification Passthrough," "Profile Indicator," "Credential Attestation," "Credential Dispute," "Breeder/Seller Provider," and "Service Provider" are defined in the Legal Definitions Schedule.

14. Contact

For questions regarding these Buyer Terms, contact:

BreederHQ LLC Email: legal@breederhq.com

By participating in any transaction on the BreederHQ Marketplace as a Buyer, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Buyer Terms.