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WaitingTheLongest

Terms of Service for Shelter Partners

Version 1.0Effective Date: March 20, 2026

1. Definitions

"Platform" refers to WaitingTheLongest.com, including its website, APIs, and all related services operated by WaitingTheLongest ("WTL", "we", "us", "our").

"Shelter Partner" ("you", "your") refers to any animal shelter, rescue organization, humane society, SPCA, or foster network that registers to list animals on the Platform.

"Dog Listing" refers to any animal profile created on the Platform, including all associated data, photos, and status information.

"Content" means all text, images, videos, data, and other materials submitted to or displayed on the Platform.

"Services" means all features and functionality provided by the Platform, including but not limited to dog listing, search, wait time tracking, API access, webhook integrations, and analytics.

2. Service Description

WaitingTheLongest.com is a free platform that helps shelters and rescues increase visibility for their adoptable dogs. We provide:

  • Free listing of adoptable dogs with real-time LED wait time counters
  • Nationwide search and discovery for potential adopters
  • API and webhook integrations for automated data sync
  • Urgency indicators and euthanasia countdown timers for at-risk animals
  • Analytics on listing views and engagement

Core listing services are and will always remain free. We may offer optional premium features in the future, but participation will never be required for basic listing services.

3. Shelter Partner Obligations

As a Shelter Partner, you agree to:

  • Accurate Data: Provide truthful, accurate, and up-to-date information for all dog listings, including breed, age, medical status, and availability.
  • Timely Updates: Update listing status within 24 hours of any change (adoption, transfer, euthanasia, return to owner, or medical hold).
  • No Fraudulent Listings: Not create fake, misleading, or duplicate listings. Not list animals from third-party breeders, pet stores, or for-profit entities.
  • Legal Compliance: Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal animal welfare laws and regulations.
  • Adoption Inquiry Response: Make reasonable efforts to respond to adoption inquiries within 48 hours.
  • Content Standards: Not upload misleading photos, use accurate breed/age/medical descriptions, and ensure all listing content is truthful.
  • API Fair Use: Use API access in accordance with rate limits and the API Usage Agreement. Not scrape or access other shelters' data through the API.

4. Platform Obligations

WaitingTheLongest.com agrees to:

  • Provide free hosting and display of shelter dog listings
  • Maintain reasonable data security measures (see Data Sharing Agreement)
  • Target 99.5% uptime for the Platform
  • Remove listings within 24 hours upon shelter request
  • Not sell shelter contact information to commercial entities
  • Provide reasonable notice of material changes to these terms

5. Data Ownership

  • Shelter Data: You retain full ownership of all data, photos, and content you submit to the Platform.
  • License Grant: By submitting content, you grant WTL a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, index, cache, promote, and distribute your listings through the Platform and associated marketing channels (including social media).
  • Data Portability: You may request a full export of all your data at any time.
  • Data Deletion: You may request deletion of all your data at any time. We will comply within 30 days of written request.

6. Limitation of Liability

WaitingTheLongest.com is a listing platform only. We do not process adoptions, screen adopters, or make adoption decisions.

  • WTL is not liable for adoption outcomes, including but not limited to animal health issues, behavioral problems, or adopter misconduct.
  • Shelter Partners are solely responsible for screening adopters and ensuring appropriate placement of animals.
  • WTL is not liable for data inaccuracies caused by shelter-provided information or technical issues beyond our reasonable control.
  • IN NO EVENT SHALL WTL'S TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO WTL IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM (which, for free tier users, is $0).

7. Indemnification

Each party agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other party from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from:

  • Breach of these Terms
  • Violation of applicable law
  • Negligent or willful misconduct
  • Inaccurate or misleading content submitted to the Platform

8. Termination

  • Either party may terminate this agreement with 30 days written notice for any reason.
  • WTL may terminate immediately for material violations of these Terms, including but not limited to: fraudulent listings, API abuse, or illegal activity.
  • Upon termination, your listings will be removed within 24 hours. Data is retained for 90 days post-termination for administrative purposes, then permanently deleted.
  • You may request immediate data deletion upon termination by written request.

9. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall take place in Delaware, and the laws of the State of Delaware shall govern these Terms.

10. Modifications

WTL may modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated with at least 30 days notice via email to your registered contact address and/or prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

11. General Provisions

  • Severability: If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Data Sharing Agreement, Privacy Policy, and API Usage Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
  • Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  • Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. WTL may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets.

12. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at: legal@waitingthelongest.com

See also: Data Sharing Agreement | Privacy Policy | API Usage Agreement