Pet Purchase & Adoption Guarantee
At Pet Center, we want every customer to feel 100% confident — whether you are purchasing a pet or adopting one through our program. We back every transaction with a clear, written guarantee and transparent process so you are never left wondering where your money went or whether your pet is safe.
Every pet sold or adopted through Pet Center is veterinarian-health-checked before transfer. We do not release any pet without a valid health certificate. You will receive documentation, photos, and a submission reference number for every transaction.
14-Day Health Guarantee
All pets come with a 14-day health guarantee from the date of delivery or pickup. If a licensed veterinarian diagnoses a serious pre-existing or congenital condition within that window, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or vet cost reimbursement depending on the circumstances.
✓ What's Covered
- Serious infectious diseases (e.g., parvovirus, severe URI)
- Congenital defects present at time of sale
- Untreated pre-sale conditions missed in our health check
- Genetic disorders that substantially affect quality of life
- Parasitic infestations not disclosed prior to sale
✗ What's Not Covered
- Normal adjustment behaviors (hiding, stress, appetite changes)
- Pre-existing conditions disclosed before purchase
- Injuries caused after handover or by buyer negligence
- Routine care costs (vaccines, deworming, check-ups)
- Behavioral or temperament issues
How to File a Guarantee Claim
Adoption-Specific Protections
Our adoption program follows the same transparency standards as pet sales. Adoption fees are clearly disclosed upfront, and all applicants receive a submission ID upon completing their application. We conduct a fair review process and notify every applicant of the outcome.
Adoption fees cover the cost of veterinary care, vaccines, microchipping, and rehabilitation of the pet. They are non-refundable once a pet has been matched and reserved, unless Pet Center cancels or is unable to fulfill the placement.
Ownership Transfer Policy
Legal ownership of a pet transfers to the buyer only after full payment is received and all paperwork is signed. A deposit alone does not transfer ownership. We provide a signed transfer agreement and receipt for every completed transaction.
Anti-Scam & Buyer Protection
The pet industry, especially online, is unfortunately targeted by scammers. We want to protect you and give you every tool to verify that Pet Center is legitimate before you send any money.
Our official website is petcenterco.com. Our official emails always end in @petcenterco.com. We never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers to personal accounts, Zelle to individuals, or cryptocurrency. If someone contacts you claiming to be Pet Center and requests these, please report it to us immediately.
Our Verified Payment Methods
We never accept Friends & Family PayPal (no buyer protection), gift cards, Venmo, Cash App to individuals, or cryptocurrency for pet transactions.
Proof of Legitimacy We Provide
- Transaction and submission ID numbers for every purchase or adoption application
- Itemized invoices sent before any payment is due
- Veterinarian health certificate issued within 10 days of travel/handover
- Real-time photo and video updates of your pet during transit
- Handler's direct phone number during shipping
- Official Pet Center email communication only (no personal Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)
If You Suspect Fraud
If you believe you've been contacted by someone impersonating Pet Center, please email support@petcenterco.com immediately with screenshots of the conversation. We will investigate and, where necessary, report to the relevant authorities.
Information We Collect
We collect information necessary to process your purchase, adoption application, or service request. We collect only what is needed and never more.
Information You Provide Directly
| Category | Examples | When Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Full name, date of birth, photo ID (driver's license or passport) | Purchase, adoption application, installment plan setup |
| Contact | Email address, phone number, mailing address | Account creation, checkout, shipping |
| Pet Information | Current pets (name, breed, age, spay/neuter status), veterinarian contact | Adoption application |
| Household Information | Household members, residence type, landlord details | Adoption application screening |
| Financial | Payment method, billing address (card details processed by Stripe/PayPal only) | All purchases, installment agreements |
| Signature | Digital signature image | Adoption application, payment agreements |
| Documents | Government-issued ID, proof of address, vet records | Adoption application |
Information Collected Automatically
- IP address and approximate location (country/state level)
- Browser type, device model, and operating system
- Pages visited, time spent on site, links clicked
- Referral source (how you found our website)
- Session data collected via cookies and analytics tools
Information from Third Parties
- Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) confirm payment status — we do not see full card numbers
- Shipping partners provide delivery tracking and transit updates
- Veterinary partners may share health certificate information relevant to a purchase
How We Use Your Information
We use your information solely for legitimate business purposes. We do not sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
- Process transactions: Authenticate your identity, process payment, and complete pet purchases or adoption placements
- Application review: Evaluate adoption applications and communicate outcomes
- Shipping coordination: Arrange transport, vet documentation, and delivery notifications
- Customer support: Respond to inquiries, resolve disputes, and process guarantee claims
- Legal compliance: Meet regulatory requirements for pet sales and interstate transport
- Fraud prevention: Detect and prevent fraudulent transactions or abuse of our services
- Service improvement: Analyze usage patterns (in aggregated, non-identifiable form) to improve our website and processes
- Marketing communications: Send updates and promotions only if you have opted in (you may opt out at any time)
- Record keeping: Maintain logs of transactions for accounting, dispute resolution, and legal purposes
Pet Center does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for advertising or marketing purposes. Your data is used only to serve you and fulfill your transaction.
Payment & Financial Data
All payment processing is handled by industry-standard, PCI-DSS-compliant third-party processors. Pet Center does not store full card numbers, CVVs, or bank account numbers on our servers.
Accepted Payment Methods
| Method | Used For | Buyer Protection |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Goods & Services | Shipping deposits, purchases | Yes — PayPal Purchase Protection applies |
| Credit / Debit Card (Stripe) | Purchases, adoptions, installments | Yes — card dispute rights apply |
| PayPal Pay in 4 | Split payments (subject to approval) | Yes — via PayPal |
| In-house Installment Plan | Large purchases, split over 2–4 months | Written agreement provided |
Deposit Policy
A 50% deposit is required to reserve a shipping slot or hold a pet for purchase. This deposit covers driver fees, crate inspections, and vet paperwork. Deposits are refundable if you cancel 72+ hours before the scheduled pickup. See our Shipping & Cancellation Policy for full details.
Receipts & Invoices
We provide a written invoice before every payment and a receipt immediately after. All payment records are retained for a minimum of 7 years for accounting and dispute resolution purposes.
Card payments are tokenized by Stripe. We receive only a masked card identifier — never the full number. Stripe is certified PCI Service Provider Level 1, the highest level of payment security certification.
Pet & Adoption Application Data
When you submit an adoption application, you provide significant personal and household information. Here is exactly how we handle it.
What We Collect in Adoption Applications
- Personal identification: full name, address, phone, email, government-issued ID number
- Household details: residence type, landlord contact, household members
- Pet history: current and past pets, veterinarian information, vet contact authorization
- Employment status and financial ability to care for a pet
- Digital signature and application date
- Uploaded documents: front & back of government ID, proof of address, optional vet records
How We Use Adoption Data
All adoption application data is used exclusively to screen and process your adoption request. Your information is reviewed by our adoption team only. We do not share adoption application information with third parties except where required by law or with your explicit consent.
Document Storage
Uploaded identification documents (government ID, proof of address) are stored in a secure, access-controlled server directory. They are retained for a period of 2 years after an adoption is completed or denied, then permanently deleted unless there is an active dispute.
Your adoption application and all supporting documents are treated as confidential records. Only authorized Pet Center adoption staff may access them. We use submission IDs (not names) in our internal logs to minimize unnecessary exposure of personal data.
Installment Plans & Payment Agreements
We offer flexible installment plans to make pet ownership accessible. Here's what you need to know about how your data is handled in these arrangements.
In-House Installment Plan
Our in-house plan requires a 50% deposit at booking, with the remainder split into 2–4 monthly auto-payments. To set up a plan, we collect:
- Full legal name, billing address, phone, and email
- Photo ID (driver's license or passport) — required for all installment agreements
- Card details for auto-charging monthly payments
- Signed digital payment agreement (e-signature)
Third-Party BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later)
We support PayPal Pay in 4, which is subject to PayPal's approval and their privacy policy. Approval may require a soft or hard credit inquiry by PayPal — this is handled entirely by PayPal and is not seen or stored by Pet Center.
Payment Agreement Privacy
Signed payment agreements are stored securely and retained for 7 years. Your card details for recurring charges are tokenized by Stripe — we see only the last 4 digits and card brand, never the full number.
You will always receive a written schedule of payments, and you may request a copy of your signed agreement at any time by emailing support@petcenterco.com.
You have the right to cancel an installment agreement before the first payment is due, subject to our cancellation terms. Any prepayment of the full remaining balance is permitted without penalty. Contact us to discuss your options.
Sharing of Information
We share your personal information only in the limited circumstances described below. We do not sell your data.
| Recipient | What Is Shared | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe / PayPal | Payment details, billing address | To process your payment securely |
| Shipping partners (e.g., PetRelocation, vetted handlers) | Pet info, pickup/delivery address, contact number | To arrange and execute transport |
| Licensed veterinarians | Pet name, breed, health history | To issue health certificates and coordinate care |
| Law enforcement / regulatory agencies | As required by applicable law | Legal compliance, fraud investigation |
| Email service providers | Name, email address | To send transactional and notification emails |
Business Transfers
If Pet Center is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience and understand how visitors use our site.
Types of Cookies We Use
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Can You Opt Out? |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Form session management, CSRF protection, login state | No — required for the site to function |
| Analytics | Google Analytics — page views, bounce rate, traffic sources (anonymized) | Yes — via browser settings or Google opt-out |
| Functional | Remember language and UI preferences | Yes — clear browser cookies |
| Marketing | Retargeting ads (only if enabled) | Yes — opt out in cookie settings |
You can disable cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect your ability to submit forms or complete purchases.
Do Not Track
Our analytics tools respect the Do Not Track (DNT) browser setting. If DNT is enabled, analytics data is not sent to Google Analytics for your session.
Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
- All data transmitted to and from our website is encrypted via HTTPS (TLS)
- Uploaded documents (IDs, address proofs) are stored in access-restricted server directories, not publicly accessible via URL
- Payment data is processed entirely by PCI-DSS-certified processors — we never see raw card numbers
- Server access is restricted to authorized personnel only
- We perform regular reviews of our security practices and access logs
- Temporary uploaded files are automatically purged from our servers after 2 hours if not claimed
No website or internet transmission is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
Security Breach Notification
If we become aware of a data breach that may compromise your personal information, we will notify affected users within the timeframe required by applicable state law (typically 30–72 days), and will cooperate with relevant authorities in any investigation.
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law.
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Transaction records (purchases, adoptions) | 7 years (accounting and legal requirements) |
| Payment agreements and signed contracts | 7 years |
| Adoption application documents (ID, address proof) | 2 years after application outcome, then deleted |
| Communication and support logs | 3 years |
| Temporary upload tokens (pre-upload system) | Auto-deleted after 2 hours |
| Analytics data | Aggregated/anonymized; retained indefinitely in non-identifiable form |
| Marketing email lists | Until you unsubscribe or request deletion |
You may request early deletion of your personal data at any time (see Section 13: Your Privacy Rights). Deletion requests are processed within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
Children's Privacy (COPPA)
Pet Center's services — including pet purchases, adoptions, and shipping — are intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18.
In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), we do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately at support@petcenterco.com. We will delete any such information promptly upon verification.
Adoption applications and purchase agreements require the applicant to be 18 years or older and to provide valid government-issued photo identification confirming their age.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your state of residence, you may have a number of rights regarding your personal information. We honor these rights for all U.S. customers regardless of state.
Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Correct
Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Right to Delete
Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
Right to Opt Out
Opt out of marketing communications at any time using any unsubscribe link or by contacting us.
Right to Portability
Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format (where applicable).
Right to Restrict Processing
Ask us to limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.
California Residents (CCPA)
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is sold or disclosed (note: we do not sell personal information), and the right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights.
How to Exercise Your Rights
Email your request to support@petcenterco.com with the subject line "Privacy Rights Request." Include your full name and the email address associated with your account. We will respond within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
Submit a Privacy Rights RequestMarketing & Communications
We communicate with you for two purposes: transactional (always sent) and marketing (only with your consent).
Transactional Emails
These are always sent regardless of your marketing preferences and cannot be opted out of while you have an active account or open transaction:
- Adoption application submission confirmations and status updates
- Payment receipts and invoices
- Shipping confirmations, tracking updates, and delivery notifications
- Health guarantee claim acknowledgements and updates
- Installment payment reminders and receipts
Marketing Communications
With your consent, we may send promotional emails about new pets available, special adoption events, seasonal offers, and pet care tips. You may opt out at any time by:
- Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email
- Emailing support@petcenterco.com with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line
Unsubscribe requests are processed within 10 business days. Note: you may still receive transactional emails related to active orders or applications.
adopt@petcenterco.com — Adoption inquiries and applications
sales@petcenterco.com — Pet purchase inquiries and sales
support@petcenterco.com — All support, claims, and general questions
Third-Party Links & Services
Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites or services such as PayPal, Stripe, shipping partners, or veterinary platforms. This Privacy Policy applies only to Pet Center's own services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any external site you visit before sharing personal information.
Third-Party Services We Use
Each of these services operates under their own privacy policies and data practices. We select third-party partners carefully and require them to maintain appropriate security standards when handling data on our behalf.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or applicable laws. When we make changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Post a notice on our website homepage for material changes
- Send an email notification to registered customers for significant changes
Your continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. If you do not agree with any changes, please discontinue use of our services and contact us to close your account.
Archived versions of previous policies are available upon request by emailing support@petcenterco.com.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please reach out through the appropriate channel below.
| Contact | Use For | |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption Team | adopt@petcenterco.com | Adoption applications, application data, adoption-related privacy questions |
| Adoption Team | adopt@petcenterco.com | Adoption applications, application data, adoption-related privacy questions |
| Sales Team | sales@petcenterco.com | Pet purchases, pricing, availability inquiries |
| Support & Privacy | support@petcenterco.com | Data privacy requests, health claims, disputes, general support |
We aim to respond to all privacy-related requests within 30 days. If you require a faster response for an urgent matter, please state the urgency in your subject line.