Terms of Use.

1. Acceptance of terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Rescue Network website at rescuenetworkmn.org and any related services (collectively, the "Services"). By using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you don't agree, please don't use the Services.

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to use our Services. If you're under 18, you may only use the Services with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

2. About us

Rescue Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization (EIN 84-3274038) based in Buffalo, Minnesota. We're a 100% foster-based rescue serving Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

3. Use of website

You may use our website for lawful, personal purposes related to learning about our organization, applying to adopt or foster, donating, purchasing merchandise, or contacting us. You agree not to:

• Use the Services for any illegal, harmful, or unauthorized purpose
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services or related systems
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Services
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the Services without our written permission
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation

4. User accounts

Some features may require you to create an account or provide registration information. You're responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use
• Providing accurate, current, and complete information

5. Adoption & foster applications

By submitting an adoption, foster, or volunteer application, you certify that:

• All information you provide is true, accurate, and complete
• You consent to us contacting references, including landlords and veterinarians
• You understand that submitting an application does not guarantee approval or placement
• We may decline applications at our sole discretion based on the best interest of the animal

Adoption contract: All adoptions are subject to a separate written adoption contract signed at the time of placement. The contract may include additional terms, including return-to-rescue requirements, spay/neuter agreements, and ongoing care commitments. The adoption contract governs the adoption relationship and supersedes these Terms with respect to the adopted animal.

6. Donations & refunds

Donations to Rescue Network are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You'll receive a receipt by email for every donation. We do not issue refunds for donations except in cases of demonstrated processing error or unauthorized transaction.

Recurring donations: You can cancel or modify monthly giving at any time by contacting us at [email protected] or through your donor portal if available. Cancellations take effect for the next billing cycle.

7. Merchandise purchases

Merchandise purchases (Shasta Stuffies, stickers, apparel) are not tax-deductible donations. Sales support our rescue work, but they are commercial transactions. All sales are final unless the item arrives damaged, defective, or differs from what was ordered. To report a problem, email [email protected] within 14 days of receipt.

8. Content you submit

When you submit content to us (application info, success stories, photos, comments, contact form messages), you grant Rescue Network a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, and display that content for purposes related to operating the rescue and promoting our mission. You represent that:

• You own the content or have permission to share it
• The content doesn't violate anyone else's rights
• The content is accurate and not misleading

For adoption alumni photos and stories, we may use them on our website, social media, newsletters, and other promotional materials unless you specifically request otherwise.

9. Prohibited conduct

You may not use our Services to:

• Harass, threaten, or harm any person or animal
• Post or share content that's unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or hateful
• Violate intellectual property or privacy rights of others
• Send spam, phishing attempts, or other unsolicited communications
• Distribute malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Misrepresent yourself for the purpose of fraudulent adoption or surrender

10. Intellectual property

All content on our website — including text, images, logos, photos of our animals, design, and code — is owned by Rescue Network or our licensors, and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You may not copy, distribute, modify, or use our content for commercial purposes without our written permission. You may share our content on social media for the purpose of supporting our mission, with attribution to Rescue Network.

The "Rescue Network" name and logo are trademarks of our organization.

11. Disclaimers

The Services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We make no warranties about:

• The accuracy, reliability, or completeness of website content
• The availability or uninterrupted operation of the Services
• The temperament, health, or behavior of any animal beyond what's disclosed in writing at the time of placement
• The results of any adoption, foster, or volunteer placement

While we make our best efforts to accurately describe each animal's known history, behavior, and medical condition, animals are living beings whose behavior may change in a new environment. We cannot guarantee compatibility, training level, or future health outcomes.

12. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Rescue Network, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including loss of profits, data, or goodwill — arising out of or related to your use of the Services, your interactions with animals or other adopters, or any adoption, foster, or volunteer placement.

Our total liability for any direct damages will not exceed the amount you paid us (if any) in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Some jurisdictions don't allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rescue Network and our directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of your use of the Services, your violation of these Terms, your violation of any third-party rights, or any content you submit.

14. Governing law & disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Wright County, Minnesota, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

15. Changes to terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we may also notify you by email or website notice. Your continued use of the Services after the updated Terms take effect constitutes acceptance.

16. Text messaging (SMS) program

By providing your mobile number and opting in on our website, you agree to these SMS terms. The Rescue Network text-messaging program sends recurring automated marketing and informational messages (such as adoptable animals, events, urgent needs, and rescue updates).

• Opt-in: You enroll only by submitting your mobile number and affirmatively consenting on our website opt-in form. Consent is not a condition of any adoption, donation, purchase, or service.
• Frequency & cost: Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
• Opt-out: Reply STOP to cancel at any time. Reply HELP for help, or email [email protected].
• Carriers: Mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
• Privacy: We do not share your mobile number or your SMS opt-in consent with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

17. Contact us