We kept these as readable as we could. Each section opens with a plain-English “short version,” with the full text below it.
1. Welcome — and What This Agreement Is
The short version: This is the agreement between you and us. By signing up, signing, paying, or letting us into your yard, you're agreeing to it — and an e-signature counts just like a pen-and-paper one.
Hi there, and thanks for choosing Humane Paws. These Terms of Service ("Terms") are the agreement between you ("you," "Customer") and Humane Paws ("Humane Paws," "we," "us," or "our") for our pet waste removal, yard sanitation, and related services (the "Services"). We've tried to write them like humans, with a plain-English summary on top of each section — but the full text of each section is what legally controls.
By signing up, checking a box to agree, providing an electronic or handwritten signature, scheduling a visit, making a payment, or letting us onto your property, you agree to these Terms for yourself and everyone in your household. You agree that your electronic signature or click-to-accept has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature under the federal E-SIGN Act and applicable Washington law, and that this agreement won't be denied effect just because it's electronic.
If you're agreeing on behalf of another person, household, business, or property owner, you confirm you're authorized to bind them, and "you" includes them.
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. THEY INCLUDE A BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND A CLASS ACTION AND JURY TRIAL WAIVER (SECTION 27), RELEASES AND LIABILITY LIMITS, AND A NO-CHARGEBACK COMMITMENT THAT AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
2. A Few Definitions
The short version: Quick vocabulary so the rest reads clearly.
"Service Area" means the yard, kennel, run, or other outdoor areas we've agreed to service at your property. "Visit" means a single scheduled service appointment. "Plan" means the package, frequency, and pricing you selected at signup. "Term Plan" means any fixed-term or price-lock plan. "Fees" means the prices, taxes, and any charges described in these Terms or at signup. "Personnel" means our owners, employees, and contractors.
3. Who Can Sign Up
The short version: You need to be an adult, give us accurate info, and have the right to authorize service at the property.
You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into a contract. You agree to give us accurate, current, and complete information at signup and to keep it updated. You represent that you own the property to be serviced or otherwise have the authority and permission to authorize our entry and the Services there.
4. Coming Onto Your Property
The short version: By hiring us, you're giving our team permission to enter the agreed areas on service days. Please keep access safe and clear.
By engaging us, you grant Humane Paws and our Personnel a limited license to enter the Service Area on scheduled service dates to perform the Services. You're responsible for providing safe, lawful, unobstructed access, including unlocking gates or giving us a working gate code or key.
We'll do our best to respect your stated preferences, like re-latching gates. You agree that our entry to perform the Services you requested is not a trespass, and you release us from claims based solely on our authorized presence on your property.
5. The Services & What's Included
The short version: We do what your plan says. We can tailor service to your yard, and we can decline or stop service when it isn't safe or practical.
We provide dog waste removal and the yard sanitation included in your Plan, on a recurring or one-time basis as selected at signup, in your service agreement, or during a free on-site assessment.
We may tailor service to your yard and may, in our sole discretion, refuse, decline, pause, or discontinue service for any lawful reason, including unsafe conditions, non-payment, or access problems. Anything not expressly included in your Plan is not part of the Services.
6. Optional Discounted Price-Lock Plans (No Pressure!)
The short version: Term plans are 100% optional and exist to save you money in exchange for committing to a term. If you choose one and cancel early, there's a fee — and by choosing it, you agree that fee is fair and you won't dispute it later.
Enrolling in a Term Plan is completely optional. Standard, no-commitment service is always available to you with no minimum term — you never have to enroll in a Term Plan to get the Services.
If you choose a Term Plan (for example, a 6- or 12-month agreement), you do so voluntarily in exchange for a benefit — like a discounted or locked rate, a waived or free initial cleanup, or promotional pricing — that we provide in reliance on your commitment to the full term.
If you cancel a Term Plan before its term ends, you agree to pay the early termination fee disclosed to you at signup, which may include repayment of the discounts, waived fees, or promotional value you already received. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THIS FEE IS A FAIR, REASONABLE, AND AGREED MEASURE OF THE BENEFIT YOU RECEIVED AND OUR RELIANCE — NOT A PENALTY — AND YOU KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION, CLAIM, COMPLAINT, DISPUTE, REFUND REQUEST, OR CHARGEBACK CONCERNING THE EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR THE DISCOUNTED-PLAN TERMS, INCLUDING ANY LATER CLAIM THAT THEY ARE UNFAIR OR UNEXPECTED.
Unless cancelled as provided in Section 14, Term Plans and recurring plans automatically renew for successive periods at the then-current rate, and your authorized payment method will continue to be charged. By enrolling, you confirm you chose the plan voluntarily, were offered standard non-term service, and consent to this automatic renewal and continued billing.
7. Scheduling, Skips & Trip Fees
The short version: Give us at least 24 hours' notice to skip or reschedule. If we show up and can't get in safely, that visit may still be billed, sometimes with a trip fee.
We'll service your yard on your scheduled day. To skip, pause, or reschedule an upcoming Visit, please notify us at least twenty-four (24) hours beforehand; Visits we aren't notified about in time may still be billed in full.
If we arrive and can't safely access the Service Area — for example, due to a locked or blocked gate, an unsecured or aggressive animal, or another obstruction — the Visit may be treated as completed and billed in full, and a trip fee may apply. Please send access instructions and any changes in advance.
8. Your Dogs & Keeping Everyone Safe
The short version: We love dogs! Please secure any pup that might be nervous or protective, or tell us how to approach them. If a dog injures our team, the visit may still be billed and you're responsible for that.
For the safety of your pets and our team, you're responsible for securing any animal that may be territorial, anxious, or aggressive during our Visit, or for telling us how you'd like us to approach your dog. You may also choose to have us service the yard only while your dog is indoors.
If an animal behaves aggressively or bites or injures a member of our team, our technician will leave immediately, the yard may be left "as-is" for that Visit, and the Visit and any trip fee may still be billed. YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND AGREE TO BE LIABLE FOR, ANY INJURY, MEDICAL EXPENSE, OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY YOUR ANIMAL, AND YOU RELEASE US FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY PET THAT ESCAPES THROUGH A GATE OR DOOR LEFT UNSECURED BY ANYONE OTHER THAN US.
9. Yard Conditions, Hazards & Assumption of Risk
The short version: Tell us about any hazards in the yard. We can't always reach waste hidden by snow, tall grass, or clutter, and we're not responsible for things we weren't told about.
We remove dog waste and perform the sanitation included in your Plan. We may be unable to fully service areas obscured by tall grass, snow, ice, standing water, dense landscaping, or debris, and we're not responsible for waste we can't reasonably locate under those conditions.
You're responsible for disclosing known hazards — including sharp objects, chemicals, electrical or irrigation equipment, unmarked property lines, structural defects, and unsafe surfaces. YOU ASSUME THE RISK of conditions on your property that aren't disclosed to us, and you agree we're not liable for pre-existing conditions or for damage or injury arising from undisclosed hazards.
10. A Note on Health, Parasites & Biology
The short version: Cleaning up waste helps a lot, but we can't promise to eliminate every germ, parasite, or odor — and nothing we do is medical or veterinary advice.
Our Services help reduce pet waste and the conditions associated with it, but WE DO NOT AND CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ELIMINATION OR REMEDIATION OF ANY BACTERIA, VIRUSES, PARASITES, PARASITE EGGS OR LARVAE, ZOONOTIC ORGANISMS, ODORS, ALLERGENS, OR HEALTH RISK to any person or animal. Our sanitation steps are general yard care, not a medical, disinfection, or remediation guarantee.
Nothing we provide is medical or veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You're solely responsible for the health and veterinary care of your pets and household. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU RELEASE US FROM ANY CLAIM RELATING TO ILLNESS, INFECTION, PARASITE OR PATHOGEN EXPOSURE, ALLERGIC REACTION, OR OTHER HEALTH CONDITION alleged to arise from your yard, your pets, pet waste, or the Services.
11. Pricing, Billing & Card on File
The short version: Your price is what we agreed at signup. You authorize us to securely charge your card on file for each service. We don't store full card numbers ourselves.
Pricing is based on the Plan, visit frequency, and number of dogs confirmed at signup, and may be adjusted if your yard or service needs differ materially from what was described, or as permitted for non-price-lock plans. Outside of a price-lock term, we may change rates; your continued use of the Services after a rate change constitutes acceptance, and if you don't accept a change you may cancel as provided in Section 14.
Payment is processed through our third-party, PCI-compliant payment processor. When you add a card on file, you authorize us to securely store that payment method and to charge it on a recurring basis — at or around the time of each service, or per your billing cycle — for the Services you selected, plus applicable taxes and any Fees described in these Terms or at signup, until you cancel. We don't store full card numbers on our own servers, and we aren't liable for acts, errors, outages, or delays of the payment processor or your bank.
You authorize these recurring charges to continue without further authorization for each transaction, and you agree to keep your billing information current.
12. Billing Questions & No Surprise Chargebacks
The short version: If a charge looks off, just reach out — we'll make it right. In return, please don't file a chargeback for service we provided or fees you agreed to.
If you think a charge is incorrect, please contact us first at contact@humanepaws.com and give us a reasonable chance to review and resolve it before disputing the charge with your bank or card issuer.
YOU AGREE NOT TO INITIATE A CHARGEBACK, REVERSAL, OR PAYMENT DISPUTE for Services that were rendered, for Fees you agreed to (including early termination fees and trip fees), or for any charge authorized under these Terms. You authorize us to submit these Terms, your signup record, your signature, and our service records to the payment processor, your bank, or any arbitrator as evidence that the charge was authorized.
If you initiate a chargeback or dispute in breach of this Section, you agree it's a breach of this agreement and that you remain responsible for the full disputed amount plus our reasonable chargeback, administrative, and collection costs (including attorneys' fees), and we may immediately suspend or terminate service.
13. Late or Missed Payments & Collections
The short version: If a payment doesn't go through, we may pause service and add reasonable late fees. If it goes to collections, you cover those costs.
If a payment is declined or not received when due, we may suspend or terminate service until your balance is paid in full and may charge reasonable late fees, returned-payment/NSF fees, re-presentment fees, and the costs of bringing your account current.
If we refer your past-due account for collection, you agree to pay the costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees and court or arbitration costs, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14. Cancelling or Ending Service
The short version: Standard service: cancel anytime. Term Plan: cancelling early means the early-termination fee from Section 6. We can also end service for safety or non-payment.
You may cancel ongoing standard service by contacting us. To skip, pause, or reschedule a Visit, the 24-hour notice in Section 7 applies.
Cancellation of a Term Plan before the end of its term is subject to the early termination fee described in Section 6. We may cancel, suspend, or decline service at any time for safety concerns, non-payment, or conditions beyond our control. Amounts owed for Services already provided remain due.
15. If We Miss Something
The short version: If you're not happy with a visit, let us know and we'll try to make it right. Anything we offer is at our discretion and is your remedy for a missed visit.
Your satisfaction matters to us. If you believe an area was missed on a recent Visit, contact us promptly and we'll try to make it right. Any re-service, credit, or refund is provided at our sole discretion and, where applicable, is your sole and exclusive remedy for a missed or incomplete Visit. Nothing here guarantees a refund, credit, or re-service.
16. Weather & Things Nobody Can Control
The short version: Big storms and other events outside our control may delay service. We'll keep you posted and aren't penalized for those delays.
We may delay, reschedule, or cancel service due to inclement or extreme weather, road or yard conditions, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control, out of an abundance of caution and without penalty to us.
We aren't liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including weather, natural disasters, labor shortages, utility or supplier failures, government action, illness, or acts of third parties ("Force Majeure").
17. Photos, Reviews & Feedback
The short version: We may take photos of your yard and our work and use them for our business — including marketing — and anything you share with us, like a review, we can use too.
We may take and keep photographs and other media of the Service Area, the property's condition, and the results of our work before, during, and after Visits. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, transferable license to use that media for any lawful business purpose — including quality assurance, training, billing, documentation, and marketing or promotional use — in any media now known or later developed.
If you provide a review, testimonial, suggestion, or other feedback, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use and display it in connection with our business, and you agree we may use feedback to improve the Services without obligation to you.
18. Our Team & Subcontractors
The short version: Sometimes we use trained contractors to help deliver service. These Terms protect them too.
We may perform the Services through employees or qualified independent contractors. References in these Terms to Humane Paws include our Personnel, who are intended beneficiaries of the releases, limitations of liability, and other protections in these Terms.
19. Insurance
The short version: Any insurance we may carry is for our own business — having it isn't a promise to be responsible for things these Terms say we're not.
Any insurance we may carry is maintained for our own business purposes. Its existence does not expand our obligations or liability beyond what these Terms provide, create any right in your favor, or constitute an admission of liability for any claim.
20. Calls & Texts
The short version: By giving us your number, you're okay with us calling or texting you about service — and, if you want, marketing. Reply STOP to opt out of marketing texts anytime. Saying yes to marketing isn't required to be a customer.
By providing your telephone number, you consent to receive calls and text messages from us and our agents at that number — including for scheduling, billing, service, account, and marketing purposes — and you agree that we may place such calls and texts using an automatic telephone dialing system and/or prerecorded or artificial voice messages. Consent to marketing communications is not a condition of purchasing the Services.
Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies. You may opt out of marketing texts by replying STOP, and you may withdraw consent to non-essential communications at any time; we may still send you transactional messages about your account and service. We may monitor or record calls for quality and training purposes.
21. Your Privacy
The short version: We handle your info per our Privacy Policy.
Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information. By using the Services, you consent to those practices.
22. Disclaimer of Warranties
The short version: We work hard, but the Services come "as is" — we don't make legal warranties or promise to remove every trace of waste, parasites, or odor.
THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL ELIMINATE ALL WASTE, PARASITES, PATHOGENS, ODORS, OR HEALTH RISKS.
23. Limitation of Liability
The short version: If something goes wrong, our responsibility is capped at what you paid us in the last month, and we're not on the hook for indirect or "extra" damages.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HUMANE PAWS AND ITS PERSONNEL WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR FOR LOST PROFITS OR PROPERTY VALUE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
OUR TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES OR THESE TERMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICES IN THE ONE (1) MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM. Some jurisdictions don't allow certain limitations, so portions of this section may not apply to you.
24. A Mutual Release
The short version: Outside of serious misconduct, you agree to let go of claims relating to the service or billing.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE HUMANE PAWS AND ITS PERSONNEL FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES, BILLING, FEES, OR THESE TERMS, except for claims arising from our gross negligence or willful misconduct that can't be waived by law.
25. You've Got Our Back (Indemnification)
The short version: If someone brings a claim because of something on your end — an undisclosed hazard, your pet, or breaking these Terms — you'll cover us for it.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Humane Paws and its Personnel from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your breach of these Terms, your failure to disclose a hazard, your violation of any law, or the acts or omissions of any pet, person, or condition on your property.
26. A One-Year Window for Claims
The short version: If you ever have a claim, it needs to be brought within a year.
ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES OR THESE TERMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CLAIM AROSE; OTHERWISE IT IS PERMANENTLY BARRED, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
27. If We Ever Disagree (Arbitration & Class/Jury Waiver)
The short version: We'd always rather just talk it out. If we can't, disputes go to individual arbitration instead of court, and we both give up class actions and jury trials. You can opt out within 30 days, and small-claims court is still on the table.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY — IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. You and Humane Paws agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the Services, billing, Fees, or these Terms will be resolved by final and binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its applicable rules, rather than in court, except that either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court.
YOU AND HUMANE PAWS WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY AND WAIVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. DISPUTES MUST BE BROUGHT IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY ONLY, NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to contact@humanepaws.com within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms, stating your name, address, and intent to opt out. If any portion of this Section is found unenforceable, the remainder will continue to apply, except that if the class-action waiver is found unenforceable, this entire arbitration Section will be void.
28. Governing Law & Where Disputes Happen
The short version: Washington law applies, and any court matters happen here in the Seattle area.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Subject to the arbitration agreement above, any permitted court action will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Seattle, WA, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.
29. Transfers
The short version: You can't hand off this agreement without our okay, but we may transfer it (for example, if the business is sold).
You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our written consent. We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or by operation of law.
30. How We'll Reach Each Other
The short version: We'll use the email, phone, and address you give us — and you agree those electronic notices count.
You agree we may provide notices to you electronically — by email, text, or by posting to our website — at the contact information you provide, and that such notices are effective when sent or posted. You're responsible for keeping your contact information current. You may send notices to us at contact@humanepaws.com.
31. The Fine Print
The short version: Standard wrap-up: we can update these Terms, the strong parts survive cancellation, and if one piece is unenforceable the rest still stands.
We may modify these Terms from time to time. The "last updated" date reflects the current version, and your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force, and the invalid provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted. Section headings and "short version" summaries are for convenience only and don't limit the full text.
Our failure to enforce any provision isn't a waiver of it. These Terms, together with your signup information, service agreement, and our Privacy Policy, are the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Services and supersede any prior understandings. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including billing for completed work, no-chargeback commitments, releases, limitations of liability, indemnification, time limits, and dispute resolution) will survive.
32. Say Hello
The short version: Questions? We're real people and happy to help.
Questions about these Terms? Reach us anytime at contact@humanepaws.com or (206) 813-2025. We're based in Seattle, WA, and we're glad you're here.
