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Terms of Service

Last updated 16 August 2026
Plain-language draft, not final legal copy. This document accurately describes how Petcious actually works today, written to be genuinely useful as a real terms-of-service page — but it hasn't been reviewed by an attorney. Given that vendor sign-up involves real banking details and identity information, get it checked by someone qualified in South African consumer and data-protection law (POPIA) before this is the only thing standing behind a real transaction.

1. What Petcious is

Petcious is a marketplace connecting pet owners ("Owners") with independent pet-care businesses ("Vendors") — groomers, veterinarians, trainers, walkers, boarding and daycare providers. Petcious is not itself a groomer, vet, or boarding facility; each Vendor is a separate, independently operated business responsible for the service they deliver.

2. Accounts

You need a real account (real name, real contact details) to book or list a service. You're responsible for anything that happens under your account, so keep your password to yourself and tell us if you think someone else has access to it. We can suspend or close an account that breaches these terms, misuses the platform, or where we've been given cause to believe the information behind it isn't genuine.

3. Bookings and payment

When you book a service, you're entering into an agreement directly with the Vendor for that service — Petcious facilitates the booking and payment, but isn't a party to the service itself. Payment is collected securely through our payment processor (Paystack) at the price shown at checkout, which may include a discount from an active promotion. Petcious retains a service commission (currently 15%) from each completed booking; the remainder is owed to the Vendor.

Cancellation, rescheduling, and refund terms are set out in-app at the point of booking and may vary by Vendor and service type. Where a refund is agreed, it's processed back to your original payment method.

4. Vendors

Vendors must provide accurate business information, hold any licenses, certifications, or insurance their trade requires, and complete Petcious's verification process — which includes proof of banking details, company registration (where applicable), and consent to a background check — before their listing goes live. Vendors are independent contractors, not Petcious employees, and are solely responsible for the quality, safety, and legality of the services they provide.

5. Conduct

6. Reviews

Reviews must reflect a genuine experience with the Vendor. Petcious may remove a review that's fraudulent, abusive, or breaches these terms, and Vendors may publicly reply to reviews left about their business.

7. Liability

Petcious provides the marketplace "as is." We don't guarantee any Vendor's availability, quality, or fitness for a particular pet's needs — that's on the Vendor, and on you to choose one that's right for your pet. To the fullest extent the law allows, Petcious isn't liable for loss, injury, or damage arising from a service a Vendor provided; your recourse for that sits with the Vendor.

8. Changes

We may update these terms as the platform changes. Continuing to use Petcious after an update means you accept the new terms; if you don't, you're welcome to close your account.

9. Contact

Questions about these terms: info@petcious.app