BarkMatch Terms of Service -- Rescues

Effective date: July 23, 2026

Last updated: July 23, 2026

This Terms of Service for Rescues ("Agreement") governs your organization's ("Rescue," "you") access to and use of the BarkMatch platform (the "Service"). By creating or using a Rescue account, you agree to this Agreement.

1. What BarkMatch is

BarkMatch is a matching platform that connects prospective dog adopters ("Adopters") with independent third-party animal rescue organizations like yours. BarkMatch is not an animal rescue, shelter, breeder, or adoption agency, and is not a party to any adoption transaction between your organization and an Adopter.

2. Eligibility and approval

Access to BarkMatch as a Rescue is invite-only. You may apply using a single-use invite link from an approved Rescue, or an invite issued directly by BarkMatch. Your account is created in "pending" status upon signup and cannot access Adopter data until approved.

As part of applying, you provide the email address of a licensed veterinarian associated with your organization. BarkMatch sends that veterinarian a verification form directly (hosted by a third-party provider); this form must be completed by the veterinarian, not you, and BarkMatch independently reviews the veterinarian's responses as part of the approval decision.

BarkMatch reviews all applications and approves, rejects, or requests more information at its sole discretion. BarkMatch may also suspend or terminate an already-approved account at any time, including in response to a report from an Adopter or another user, and will notify you by email of any change to your application or account status.

Approved Rescues may invite other rescue organizations they know to apply. An invitation from an existing Rescue does not exempt the invited applicant from the approval process described above.

You must be able to confirm your organization is legitimately involved in animal rescue, and any individual using your account on your organization's behalf must be at least 18 years old.

3. Permitted use of Adopter information

You may search, filter, and view Adopter profile information solely for the purpose of identifying and reaching out to prospective adopters for animals in your organization's actual care or custody. You do not have access to any Adopter's email or phone number through the Service; outreach happens exclusively through the "Suggest a Dog" feature, described in Section 4.

You may NOT:

• Use Adopter information for any purpose unrelated to matching and outreach through the Service (including fundraising solicitation, mailing lists, volunteer recruitment, or any other marketing use)
• Attempt to obtain, solicit, or infer an Adopter's direct contact information outside of what they choose to share with you after you reach out
• Export, scrape, or bulk-collect Adopter information from the Service
• Share your account credentials with any individual or organization outside your own rescue
• Provide false or misleading information during the application process, including arranging for anyone other than an actual licensed veterinarian to complete the veterinarian verification step

4. Outreach ("Suggest a Dog")

• To reach out to an Adopter, you submit a specific dog's adoption listing link and/or a message through the Service. This action is logged, and BarkMatch sends an automated email to that Adopter on your behalf containing what you submitted, along with your organization's own contact information (email and website), so the Adopter can choose to reach out to you directly.
• Any communication that follows is between you and the Adopter directly, outside the Service, and is not monitored by BarkMatch -- but remains subject to the conduct obligations in this Agreement.
• You agree to represent your organization, your available animals, and any known behavioral or medical history accurately and honestly.
• You agree not to use abusive, coercive, discriminatory, or harassing language or tactics when communicating with any Adopter, including in response to an Adopter declining a match.

5. Data handling

You agree to take reasonable steps to protect any information you access through the Service, and to promptly notify BarkMatch if you become aware of any unauthorized access to your account.

6. Independent relationship

Your organization is an independent entity and is not an employee, agent, partner, or joint venturer of BarkMatch. BarkMatch does not control, supervise, or direct your organization's rescue operations, adoption decisions, animal care practices, or interactions with Adopters.

7. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BarkMatch from any claim, loss, or liability arising from: (a) your use of the Service or of Adopter information, (b) your representations to any Adopter, (c) any adoption transaction or dispute between your organization and an Adopter, (d) false or misleading information provided during the application process, or (e) your violation of this Agreement or applicable law.

8. Fees

BarkMatch is currently provided to Rescues at no cost. BarkMatch may introduce fees for certain features in the future, with advance notice to Rescues.

9. Communications from BarkMatch

In addition to transactional emails related to your account and outreach activity, BarkMatch sends approved Rescues a recurring weekly digest summarizing new Adopter signups. You may opt out of this digest at any time from your dashboard, and every digest includes an unsubscribe mechanism and our physical mailing address.

10. Reports and suspension

Adopters and other users may report a concern about your organization using a reporting mechanism available on the Service. BarkMatch will review reports and may suspend or terminate your account, at its discretion, based on a report or other information indicating a violation of this Agreement or applicable law.

11. Limitation of liability

The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, BarkMatch's total liability to you for any claim arising from use of the Service shall not exceed $500.

12. Governing law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma, without regard to conflict of law principles.

13. Changes to this Agreement

We may update this Agreement from time to time. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Agreement.

14. Contact us

Questions about this Agreement can be sent to barkmatch@outlook.com.