Terms of Service

By creating an account, browsing listings, submitting applications, or otherwise using GoodCattery, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you are using the Site on behalf of a business or legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

You must be at least 18 years of age to use this Site. By using GoodCattery, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

GoodCattery is an online marketplace that connects prospective cat buyers with verified Maine Coon cat breeders. Our platform provides:

• A directory of Maine Coon breeders whose registry credentials (TICA and/or CFA) have been verified by our team.
• Tools for buyers to search for breeders by location, availability, and other criteria.
• An application system through which buyers can express interest in available kittens or upcoming litters.
• A secure deposit and payment system powered by Stripe Connect that facilitates financial transactions between buyers and breeders.
• A community-driven scam database to help users identify and avoid fraudulent breeders.
• Featured listings for available kittens, retired breeding cats, upcoming litters, and special offers.

GoodCattery acts solely as a marketplace platform. We are not a party to any transaction between buyers and breeders. We do not own, breed, sell, or adopt out any cats or kittens. All transactions, including the sale and purchase of animals, are conducted directly between the buyer and the breeder.

To access certain features of the Site, you must create an account. GoodCattery supports the following account types:

• Buyer accounts — for individuals seeking to purchase or adopt a Maine Coon cat from a verified breeder.
• Breeder accounts — for registered Maine Coon breeders who wish to list their cattery, post available kittens, and receive buyer applications and deposits.
• Administrator accounts — for GoodCattery staff who manage the platform, verify breeders, and moderate content.

When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process.
• Maintain and promptly update your account information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials and not share them with any third party.
• Immediately notify GoodCattery of any unauthorized use of your account or any other breach of security.
• Accept full responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that we reasonably believe violates these Terms or poses a risk to our platform, users, or community.

By listing your cattery on GoodCattery, you, as a breeder, represent, warrant, and agree to the following:

• Registry Membership. You must be a current, active, and in-good-standing member of The International Cat Association (TICA) and/or the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). You agree to provide your registration number and any supporting documentation requested during the verification process.
• Accurate Cattery Information. All information you provide about your cattery, including but not limited to your location, contact information, breeding practices, health testing protocols, and cattery history, must be truthful and accurate.
• Honest Representation of Cats and Kittens. You must accurately represent every cat or kitten listed on the platform, including breed, pedigree, health status, genetic testing results, vaccination records, age, color, and any known health conditions. You shall not misrepresent, omit material facts about, or use misleading photographs of any animal.
• Timely Communication. You agree to respond to buyer applications in a timely manner, generally within seven (7) business days. Failure to maintain responsive communication may result in a warning, reduced visibility in search results, or suspension of your account.
• Compliance with Laws. You must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws relating to animal breeding, sales, and welfare, including any required licensing or permits.
• Animal Welfare Standards. You affirm that your breeding practices meet or exceed the standards set by TICA and/or CFA, that your cats are kept in safe, clean, and humane conditions, and that you prioritize the health and well-being of your animals.

As a buyer using GoodCattery, you agree to:

• Accurate Application Information. Provide truthful and complete information in all applications you submit, including details about your household, living situation, experience with cats, and reasons for wanting a Maine Coon.
• Good-Faith Engagement. Submit applications only when you have a genuine interest in and intent to purchase or adopt a cat. Do not submit frivolous, duplicate, or misleading applications.
• Understanding the Buyer-Breeder Relationship. You understand and acknowledge that any deposit placed or purchase made through GoodCattery constitutes a direct transaction between you and the breeder. GoodCattery facilitates the connection and provides the payment infrastructure, but is not a party to the agreement between you and the breeder.
• Due Diligence. While GoodCattery verifies the registry status of breeders, you are encouraged to conduct your own research, ask questions, request references, and, where possible, visit the cattery before committing to a purchase.
• Respectful Communication. Communicate with breeders in a respectful and professional manner. Harassment, threats, or abusive language directed at breeders will not be tolerated and may result in account suspension.

All financial transactions on GoodCattery are processed through Stripe Connect, a third-party payment processing service. By using our payment features, you also agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

• Payment Processing. When a buyer places a deposit or makes a payment, the funds are processed through Stripe Connect and transferred to the breeder's connected Stripe account, less any applicable platform fees.
• Platform Fee. GoodCattery charges a platform fee on transactions processed through the Site. The current fee structure is disclosed to both buyers and breeders before a transaction is completed. We reserve the right to change our fee structure at any time with reasonable advance notice.
• Deposits Are Non-Refundable. Unless the breeder expressly agrees otherwise, all deposits placed through the platform are non-refundable. Deposits represent a commitment between the buyer and the breeder, and refund policies are determined by the individual breeder. Buyers should confirm a breeder's deposit and refund policy before placing any deposit.
• GoodCattery Is Not a Party to the Sale. We facilitate the payment infrastructure only. Any dispute regarding the terms of a sale, the condition of a cat or kitten, or a refund must be resolved directly between the buyer and the breeder. GoodCattery may, at our sole discretion, assist in mediating disputes but is under no obligation to do so.
• Taxes. Each party is responsible for its own tax obligations arising from transactions on the platform. GoodCattery does not collect or remit taxes on behalf of buyers or breeders unless required by law.

GoodCattery takes verification seriously and undertakes reasonable efforts to confirm that breeders listed on our platform hold valid, active registrations with TICA and/or CFA. Our verification process may include:

• Confirming registry membership numbers against the official TICA and/or CFA databases.
• Reviewing submitted documentation, including breeder certificates and cattery registration materials.
• Periodic re-verification to ensure continued compliance.

However, verification of registry status does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of any kind. Specifically, GoodCattery does not guarantee:

• The quality, health, temperament, or genetic soundness of any cat or kitten.
• The breeding practices, ethics, or professionalism of any breeder.
• The accuracy of any information provided by breeders on their profiles or listings.
• The outcome of any transaction between a buyer and a breeder.

A “Verified” badge on a breeder's profile indicates only that we have confirmed their registry status at the time of verification. Buyers should always perform their own due diligence.

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities when using GoodCattery:

• Fraud and Misrepresentation. Creating a fake breeder profile, listing cats or kittens that do not exist, providing false registry information, impersonating another breeder, or otherwise engaging in fraudulent or deceptive conduct.
• Fake Listings. Posting fictitious listings for cats, kittens, or litters that are not genuinely available, or using stock photographs or photographs of animals that do not belong to you.
• Harassment and Abuse. Harassing, threatening, intimidating, or bullying other users, including breeders, buyers, or GoodCattery staff. This includes abusive language in messages, reviews, or any other communications through the platform.
• Scraping and Automated Access. Using bots, web scrapers, crawlers, or any automated means to access, collect, or extract data from the Site without our express written permission.
• Spam. Sending unsolicited commercial messages, bulk communications, or promotional content to other users through the platform.
• Circumventing Fees. Encouraging or arranging off-platform transactions to avoid GoodCattery's platform fees or payment protections.
• Interfering with the Platform. Attempting to disrupt, disable, overload, or impair the functionality of the Site or its underlying infrastructure, including uploading viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
• Violating Applicable Laws. Using the Site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms, or in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair GoodCattery.

Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account, removal of your content, and, where applicable, referral to law enforcement authorities.

GoodCattery maintains a community-driven scam database that allows users to report suspected fraudulent breeders, websites, and other scam entities. The following terms apply to the scam database:

• Community-Reported Content. Reports in the scam database are submitted by members of the community. GoodCattery does not independently investigate or verify every report prior to publication.
• Moderation. GoodCattery moderates scam reports and may remove or edit reports that appear to be false, defamatory, or submitted in bad faith. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any report in the database.
• No Guarantee. The absence of a report about a particular breeder or entity does not mean they are legitimate. Conversely, the presence of a report does not constitute a definitive finding that the reported entity has engaged in fraudulent conduct.
• Reporting in Good Faith. If you submit a report to the scam database, you represent that the information is truthful to the best of your knowledge and that you are reporting in good faith. Submitting knowingly false reports is prohibited and may result in account termination.
• Dispute Process. If you believe a report about you or your cattery is inaccurate, you may contact us to request a review. GoodCattery will investigate and, if appropriate, amend or remove the report.

GoodCattery is a marketplace platform only. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

• GoodCattery shall not be liable for any disputes, disagreements, or claims arising from transactions between buyers and breeders, including but not limited to the health, condition, or quality of any cat or kitten purchased through the platform.
• GoodCattery shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the Site, including damages for loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses.
• The Site and all content, features, and services are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
• GoodCattery does not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components.
• In no event shall GoodCattery's total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site exceed the greater of (a) the total fees paid by you to GoodCattery in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00).

You agree that breeders are independent third parties and not employees, contractors, or agents of GoodCattery. We are not responsible for the actions, omissions, or representations of any breeder on the platform.

GoodCattery reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Site, at our sole discretion, with or without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms or any applicable law.
• Fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive conduct on the platform.
• Failure to maintain valid registry membership (for breeder accounts).
• Conduct that is harmful to other users, the platform, or the Maine Coon breeding community.
• Extended inactivity on the platform.
• Request by law enforcement or government agencies.

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us through our contact page. Upon termination, your right to use the Site ceases immediately. Any provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnification, and limitations of liability.

If you are a breeder with pending transactions or active deposits at the time of termination, you remain obligated to fulfill those commitments in accordance with the agreements made with the respective buyers.

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. You agree to waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any action or litigation arising under or related to these Terms.

GoodCattery reserves the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms at any time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a notice on the Site.

Your continued use of the Site following the posting of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Site and may terminate your account.

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any updates.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms of Service, please reach out to us through our contact page.

For legal inquiries or formal notices, please direct correspondence to our contact page with the subject line “Legal — Terms of Service.”