Terms of Service

Last updated: July 24, 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of Hartford County Pet Central (the “Platform,” “we,” “us”), operated by Scoop Master, LLC. By creating an account or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, don't use the Platform.

1. What we are — and are not

Hartford County Pet Central is an online marketplace that connects pet owners (“Owners”) with independent local pet-care providers (“Providers”) in Hartford County, Connecticut. We provide the technology that lets Owners and Providers find each other, book services, communicate, and pay.

We are not a pet-care provider. Providers are independent third parties — not our employees, agents, or partners. We do not perform, supervise, or control the services Providers offer, and we are not a party to the agreement between an Owner and a Provider for a given job.

2. No background checks or vetting

We do not conduct background checks, criminal-history screening, or identity verification of Owners or Providers (beyond the identity verification Stripe performs for payouts). We do not endorse or guarantee any Provider or Owner. You are solely responsible for evaluating anyone you interact with and for your own safety. Use your own judgment, and take the precautions you would with any independent service provider.

3. Accounts

You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract.
You agree to provide accurate information and keep it current.
You are responsible for your account credentials and all activity under your account.
Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use.

4. For Owners

When a Provider accepts your booking, your payment method is authorized (a hold is placed) for the booking amount. You are charged only after you and the Provider both mark the job complete.
You are responsible for the accuracy of the pet information you provide, including care instructions, medical needs, and access details.
When you book a Provider, you share your relevant pet details with that Provider so they can perform the service.

5. For Providers

You are an independent contractor, not our employee. You control how, when, and where you provide your services.
You set your own rates and the towns you serve, and you are responsible for the quality and legality of the services you provide.
To receive payouts, you must complete onboarding with our payments provider, Stripe, including identity and bank verification.
We charge a platform fee (currently 15%) on completed jobs, deducted from the payout. The current fee is shown in the app before you list.
You are solely responsible for any licenses, permits, insurance, and taxes applicable to your services.

6. Payments

Payments and payouts are processed by Stripe, subject to Stripe's terms. We do not store full card numbers or bank details. For a booking, the Owner's card is authorized when the Provider accepts, captured when both parties mark the job complete, and the Provider is paid the job amount minus the platform fee. Disputes, chargebacks, and refunds are handled in accordance with Stripe's processes and these Terms; contact us and we'll help where we can.

7. Ratings, reviews, and content

Owners and Providers may post ratings, reviews, photos, and messages. You are responsible for content you submit, it must be truthful and lawful, and you grant us a non-exclusive license to host and display it as part of operating the Platform. We may remove content that violates these Terms.

8. Acceptable use

Don't use the Platform for anything unlawful, harmful, or fraudulent.
Don't harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users.
Don't arrange payment off-platform to avoid fees for bookings made through us.
Don't attempt to disrupt, reverse-engineer, or gain unauthorized access to the Platform.

9. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free, and we make no warranties about the conduct, quality, safety, or legality of any Owner, Provider, or the services provided.

10. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any harm arising from the acts or omissions of Owners or Providers or the services performed. Our total liability for any claim relating to the Platform will not exceed the greater of the fees you paid us in the three months before the claim, or US $100.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, losses, and expenses arising out of your use of the Platform, your content, or your interactions with other users.

12. Termination

You may stop using the Platform at any time. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or that we reasonably believe create risk or legal exposure.

13. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the date above, and continued use after changes means you accept them.

14. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any disputes will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Connecticut.

15. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at info@thescoopmaster.com.