Terms of Service
Last updated: [date]
1. About this site
This website is operated by NorCal Shiba, a sole proprietorship registered in California, owned and operated by Eric L. ("we," "us," "our"). By accessing or using norcalshiba.com (the "Site"), you agree to these Terms of Service.
If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Site.
2. What NorCal Shiba does
We are a privately operated Shiba Inu rescue, rehoming, boarding, and training business based in Northern California. We are not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Contributions and fees paid to NorCal Shiba are not tax-deductible.
We provide information on this website about our services and about Shiba Inu care. We do not provide veterinary, behavioral, or legal advice. Information on this Site is general and educational only.
3. Services subject to written agreement
All adoption, surrender, boarding, training, and Lifetime Placement Promise transactions are subject to written agreements signed in person at the in- person meeting between the parties. The terms of the signed agreements control. Statements on this Site about services do not replace, modify, or supplement the signed agreements.
If anything on this Site conflicts with a signed agreement, the signed agreement controls.
4. Application is not approval
Submitting an adoption application does not entitle you to a placement. NorCal Shiba reviews all applications at its sole discretion and may decline any application without obligation to state a reason. NorCal Shiba's decisions on applications are final.
5. No behavioral or health guarantees
We share what we know about each dog's known medical and behavioral history to the best of our knowledge at the time of placement. We do not guarantee future health, future behavior, or future temperament. Dogs are individuals. Their behavior and health may change over time and after placement.
6. Background verification
When you submit an application, you authorize NorCal Shiba to contact your references, landlord, employer, and veterinarian for the purpose of verifying information in your application.
7. Payment policy
All final placement, boarding, and training payments occur in person at the in-person meeting. Deposits and fees may be paid in person via Zelle to our business account, bank transfer, or check. We never request payment by DM or text. See our Payment Policy for full instructions.
If anyone contacts you claiming to be from NorCal Shiba and asks for payment by direct message, text, social media, or to a personal account, it is a scam. We only use the methods listed on our Payment Policy. Email us at norcalshiba@gmail.com to verify before sending anything.
Full payment policy at norcalshiba.com/payments/.
8. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by California law, NorCal Shiba, its operator Eric L., its volunteers, its foster families, and its partners are not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from your use of this Site or from interactions with NorCal Shiba.
Our total liability for any claim related to Site content is limited to the fees you have paid us in connection with the specific service at issue.
This limitation does not apply to gross negligence or willful misconduct.
9. Intellectual property
All content on this Site, including text, images, and the NorCal Shiba name and logo, is owned by NorCal Shiba or used with permission. You may not copy, reproduce, or republish content without our written permission, except for personal noncommercial use.
10. Linked sites
We may link to other websites for your convenience. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or policies of any linked site.
11. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms at any time. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect the most recent change. Continued use of the Site after a change constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.
12. Governing law and disputes
These Terms are governed by California law. Any dispute arising from these Terms or from your use of the Site will be resolved first by good-faith discussion. If discussion does not resolve the dispute, the parties agree to mediation in [County], California before any litigation. Venue for any litigation is exclusively in the courts of [County], California.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms can be sent to norcalshiba@gmail.com.