The ground rules for using PawConnect — please read alongside our Privacy Policy.
Effective Date: 24 March 2026 · Version 1.0These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legal agreement between you and Goepies (Pty) Ltd ("Goepies", "we", "us"), governing your use of the PawConnect app and related services (the "Service").
By creating an account or using PawConnect, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the Service. These Terms work alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle your personal information — both apply to you.
By tapping "I Agree" at registration, or by otherwise accessing or using PawConnect, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you are using PawConnect on behalf of a business (for example, listing a kennel or breeding service), you confirm you have the authority to bind that business to these Terms.
PawConnect is intended for users aged 18 years and older, consistent with our Privacy Policy. By registering, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and that creating an account does not violate any law applicable to you.
Accounts are personal to you. Don't create an account on behalf of someone else, or maintain more than one account, without our permission.
"Your Content" means anything you post, upload, or submit through PawConnect — pet profiles and photos, medical records, bios, blog posts and comments, Community Chat and Singles Lounge messages, Lost Pet Alerts, and anything else you contribute.
You keep full ownership of Your Content. We don't claim it as ours.
To let us actually run the Service — storing your pet's photos, showing your Community Chat messages to other members, displaying your blog post — you grant Goepies a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display, and distribute Your Content, solely for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and improving PawConnect. This licence ends when you delete the specific content or your account, except where a copy reasonably needs to persist (for example, backups, or anonymised Community Chat messages retained for moderation continuity as described in our Privacy Policy).
To keep PawConnect safe and welcoming, you agree not to:
We may remove content, suspend, or permanently terminate accounts that violate this section, with or without notice, depending on severity.
Vets, kennels, daycares, breeders, pet sitters, pet walkers, and pet salons listed on PawConnect are independent third parties, not employees or agents of Goepies.
PawConnect does not verify credentials, perform background checks, or guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of any listed service. You engage with listed providers at your own discretion and risk — please do your own due diligence.
Lost Pet Alerts and Walking Trail suggestions are provided on a best-effort basis using location data you choose to share.
The medical record feature is a personal record-keeping tool. Nothing in PawConnect constitutes veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for your pet's health needs.
The Singles Lounge is an optional feature connecting pet-loving members aged 18 and over. As described in our Privacy Policy, it's opt-in and you control your visibility.
We do not conduct background checks on members. Use good judgement: meet new connections in public places, tell a trusted person your plans, and report or block anyone who makes you feel unsafe. PawConnect is not liable for the conduct of any member, on or off the app.
PawConnect's name, logo, branding, design, and underlying software are owned by Goepies (Pty) Ltd or our licensors and are protected by intellectual property law. Except for Your Content, nothing in these Terms grants you any right to use our trademarks, branding, or software outside of normal use of the app.
PawConnect relies on third-party services to operate — including Firebase (Google), PayFast, and Google Maps / Apple Maps. Your use of features powered by these services is also subject to those providers' own terms. We are not responsible for the availability or performance of third-party services outside our control.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, PawConnect is provided without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We don't guarantee the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that user-generated content or third-party listings are accurate, complete, or safe.
To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, Goepies (Pty) Ltd will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of PawConnect, including but not limited to loss of data, loss arising from interactions with other users or listed service providers, or reliance on Lost Pet Alerts. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act.
You agree to indemnify and hold Goepies (Pty) Ltd harmless from any claim, loss, or damage (including reasonable legal fees) arising from Your Content, your violation of these Terms, or your misuse of the Service.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of PawConnect will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the South African courts.
We're happy to talk through anything in here — reach out any time.