NSW DOG Community
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1. Introduction

These Terms of Use govern access to and use of NSW Dog Community (“the Platform”), meaning the NSW Dog Community website and the services and features made available through it from time to time. The Platform is intended to support the welfare and protection of dogs and help ensure that dogs are properly cared for.

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

2. Definitions

  • Dog – The companion animal registered by a user on the Platform.
  • Registered Owner – The person who registers a Dog with NSW Dog Community as its owner. This is a Platform designation only and does not establish or prove legal ownership.
  • Guardian/Carer – A person who is not the owner of the Dog and who cares for the Dog.
  • Next-of-Kin (NOK) – One person optionally nominated in relation to the future care of a Dog. A nomination is not confirmed until the nominated person has been notified and accepts it.
  • Rehoming Organisation – A recognised animal welfare or rehoming organisation that may optionally be nominated in relation to the future care or rehoming of a Dog.
  • User – Any person accessing or using the Platform.
  • Platform Data – All information submitted, stored, or generated through the Platform.

3. Purpose of the Platform

The purpose of NSW Dog Community is to support the welfare and protection of dogs and help ensure that dogs are properly cared for.

The Platform may provide social, community, information, care, welfare and other services and features from time to time. These may include tools that help users record information about dogs, arrange continuity of care, communicate with nominated persons or organisations, and participate in the NSW Dog Community.

The Platform does not transfer, create, extinguish, or modify legal ownership of any Dog. Legal ownership is determined by applicable law, not by information recorded on the Platform.

4. User Eligibility

You may use the Platform only if:

  • you are at least 16 years old;
  • you are capable of entering into binding agreements;
  • you are either the legal owner or the Guardian/Carer of any Dog you register.

Persons under 16 may not create or maintain an account. This age restriction reflects applicable online safety requirements, including the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth), where applicable.

5. Ownership and Legal Status

5.1 Registered Owner

“Registered Owner” identifies the person who has registered a Dog with NSW Dog Community as its owner. NSW Dog Community does not verify legal ownership, and being recorded as the Registered Owner does not create, establish, transfer or prove legal ownership of the Dog.

5.2 Platform Records

Platform records are informational only and do not constitute:

  • legal proof of ownership;
  • enforceable rights;
  • binding guardianship or succession instruments.

6. Next-of-Kin and Guardian/Carer

6.1 Optional Nomination

A Registered Owner may nominate one Next-of-Kin (NOK). Nominating a NOK is optional and is not required to register a Dog or use the Platform.

6.2 Acceptance

The nominated person must be notified of the nomination and must accept it before the NOK nomination is confirmed.

A NOK nomination does not create or transfer legal ownership of the Dog.

7. Rehoming Organisations

7.1 Role

A recognised rehoming organisation may be nominated in relation to the future care or rehoming of a Dog. The nomination is optional and is not required to register a Dog or use the Platform.

7.2 No Automatic Ownership

Such organisations do not acquire ownership through Platform nomination.

Ownership transfers only through lawful surrender or disposal under NSW legislation.

7.3 Welfare Notifications

The Platform may notify a nominated organisation where the Dog may require care or rehoming, including where the Registered Owner is unable to act or the nominated NOK cannot be contacted or cannot act.

8. User Responsibilities

Users must:

  • provide accurate and up-to-date information;
  • where a NOK is nominated, provide accurate information needed for the Platform notification and acceptance process;
  • comply with all applicable NSW laws relating to animal welfare;
  • not use the Platform for unlawful, harmful, or misleading purposes.

9. Platform Limitations

The Platform does not:

  • verify legal ownership;
  • monitor real-time welfare conditions;
  • guarantee NOK availability;
  • mediate or adjudicate disputes between users, including disputes about ownership, care or custody;
  • provide legal advice.

The Platform is an information and coordination tool only.

10. Data and Privacy

The Platform collects and stores user-submitted information for the purpose of providing its services.

Users consent to the use of Platform Data for:

  • communication with NOKs and organisations;
  • welfare alerts;
  • service improvement.

For details on privacy practices, refer to the Platform’s Privacy Policy.

11. Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Platform is not liable for:

  • actions or omissions of NOKs, Guardians/Carers, or rehoming organisations;
  • welfare outcomes for any dog;
  • loss arising from inaccurate user-submitted information;
  • disputes between users, including disputes regarding ownership, care or custody.

12. Termination

The Platform may suspend or terminate access if:

  • a user breaches these Terms;
  • fraudulent or harmful activity is detected;
  • required by law or regulatory authority.

Users may delete their account at any time.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

Any disputes shall be resolved in NSW courts.

14. Amendments

The Platform may update these Terms from time to time.

Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

15. Contact

For questions or notices relating to these Terms, users may contact the Platform’s support team.