Last updated on: 2024.10.25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONSUMER DISCLOSURE
THIS IS A BINDING CONTRACT. YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AS AN ENTRANT, COMPETITOR, VOTER, OR WINNER IN THE COMPETITION (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN ANY MANNER SIGNIFIES YOUR ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT TO THESE RULES, THE TERMS OF USE, AND THE PRIVACY POLICY, IN WHATEVER FORM THEY MAY CURRENTLY EXIST. AS SUCH, PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY.
THESE RULES GOVERN WHAT CLAIMS YOU CAN BRING, WHAT DAMAGES YOU CAN CLAIM, AND HOW DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMPETITION ENTITIES RELATING TO YOUR PARTICIPATION AS AN ENTRANT, COMPETITOR, VOTER, OR WINNER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN THE COMPETITION WILL BE RESOLVED. THE SECTIONS OF THESE RULES TITLED “WAIVER AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY” AND “DISPUTE RESOLUTION” EXPLAIN WHAT CLAIMS YOU ARE WAIVING, WHAT DAMAGES YOU CAN CLAIM, AND CONTAIN AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND WAIVER OF CLASS ACTION, WHICH STATES THAT YOU AND THE COMPETITION ENTITIES (EACH A “PARTY” AND, COLLECTIVELY, THE “PARTIES”) MUST ARBITRATE INSTEAD OF GOING TO A COURT BEFORE A JUDGE AND/OR JURY, AND THAT ALL SUCH ARBITRATION CLAIMS MUST BE BROUGHT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE OR MEMBER, OR OTHERWISE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, AND THE GOVERNING LAW, WAIVER, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION SECTIONS CONTAIN IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS ON OUR LIABILITY AND OUR AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE FOLLOWING THE LAWS OF ARIZONA ONLY.
OPERATOR
Colossal Management, LLC ("Operator"), a Delaware limited liability company and for-profit professional/commercial fundraiser, operates the America's Favorite Pet Competition (the "Competition") and is solely responsible for its administration. Operator can be reached here.
GENERAL NOTICE
NO PURCHASE, DONATION, OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS COMPETITION.
It is not necessary for individuals submitting entries on behalf of their legally-owned cat or dog (each an “Entrant” and collectively, the “Entrants”) to pay an entry fee, cast a vote, or tender payment of any kind to enter the Competition. Competition entry open only to individual pet owners that are thirteen (13) years of age or older (“Eligible Entry Age”), at the time of entry. Further eligibility restrictions are listed below.
It is not necessary for individuals submitting votes (each a "Voter" and collectively, "Voters") to pay or donate to cast a vote, although a Voter may choose to do so if they wish to vote more than once per day during the Competition. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by applicable law. Voting by donation ("PAWS Votes") limited to those individuals who are eighteen (18) years or older.
By entering , competing, or voting in this Competition, Entrants, Competitors (defined below), and Voters accept and unconditionally agree to abide by and be bound by these rules (the “Rules”), the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and any decision(s) of Operator. Public voting (votes cast by the public) will decide the Competition winner(s) from those Entrants that have been selected to participate in the Competition (each a “Competitor” and collectively, the “Competitors”) and the Grand Prize and any Ancillary Promotion prize (defined below) will be awarded in accordance with these Rules. Any violation of the Rules or the Terms of Use, at Operator’s sole discretion, may result in disqualification. All decisions of Operator regarding the Competition are final and binding in all respects.
ALL DATES SET FORTH IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES ARE APPROXIMATE. OPERATOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EXTEND ANY DEADLINES.
ELIGIBILITY AND CONSENT
All Entrants must be the legal owner of the entered cat or dog and of Eligible Entry Age, at the time of entry and throughout the duration of the Competition. In the event that a cat or dog that has been entered into the Competition perishes during the Competition, the Competitor's profile shall be removed the competition. In order to verify whether an animal has perished, as well as ownership and/or necessary licensing, Operator may request proof of life and/or ownership or licensing at any time. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by applicable law.
Officers, directors, and/or employees of Operator and Operator’s parent companies, DTCare, and any applicable charity/ies (collectively, the “Competition Entities”), along with their respective immediate family members (defined as spouse, parent, child, sibling) are ineligible to participate in the Competition as Competitors or Voters.
Any individual who has been declared the Grand Prize Winner (as defined below) in the America's Favorite Pet Competition within the past twenty-four (24) months (from the date the past competition winner was announced), shall be ineligible from entering or participating as a Competitor in the Competition.
Operator will take all reasonable steps to prohibit ineligible Entrants and/or Competitors from entering and/or participating in the Competition. Operator reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to determine Entrant eligibility or whether to deem an Entrant or Competitor ineligible to enter or participate in the Competition, at any time and for any reason whatsoever, including due to the Entrant or Competitor's inability to fulfill any obligation(s) as a Competitor or Winner (as defined below), as required by Operator and these Rules. By entering the Competition, Entrants/Competitors agree to Operator’s use of their name, biographical information, and any other materials submitted, including the Submitted Photographs (as defined below), for both online and offline direct marketing purposes in connection with the Competition.
BY REGISTERING TO ENTER THE COMPETITION, ENTRANTS/COMPETITORS GRANT OPERATOR AND SPONSOR A LIMITED, NON-EXCLUSIVE, AND NON-TRANSFERABLE LICENSE TO USE THE ENTRIES AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPHS) IN ANY MANNER REASONABLY RELATED TO THE COMPETITION AND/OR FUTURE AMERICA'S FAVORITE PET COMPETITIONS. INVALID, FALSE, OR DECEPTIVE ENTRIES OR PROFILES SHALL RENDER THOSE ENTRIES OR PROFILES INELIGIBLE. BY ENTERING THE COMPETITION, ENTRANTS/COMPETITORS REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT THEY HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE RULES AND MEET ANY/ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. OPERATOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ITS REASONABLE RELIANCE ON ENTRANTS'/COMPETITORS' REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
NOTICE: YOU HAVE NOT YET WON.
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, Entrants must visit www.AmericasFavPet.com (the “Website”) to complete and submit the official entry form (limit 1 per Entrant). Competition open only to legal owners of cats or dogs. The entered cat or dog must be alive at the time of entry and throughout the duration of the Competition to remain eligible to receive the Grand Prize. Entrants must provide all information requested, including photographs of their cat or dog that conform to the specifications required below (the “Submitted Photographs”), using the upload tool and instructions provided.
Entrants are required to submit no less than one (1) photograph of the Entrant's legally owned cat or dog. Entrant's cat or dog must appear in all Submitted Photographs.
Submitted Photographs must not infringe or violate any right of any third party or entity, including but not limited to copyright, right of publicity, and right of privacy. Please check with the photographer and anyone appearing in the photographs, to make sure that you have the rights to submit the photographs. Submitted photos should not contain obscene or otherwise offensive content. The determination of whether any image exhibits obscene or offensive content is at the sole discretion of Operator. False, deceptive, or incomplete entries or information provided by Entrants or Competitors at any point relating to the Competition may render the entry ineligible, regardless of when the problem is discovered.
Upon submitting an entry form, Entrant agrees that Operator may contact the Entrant/Competitor, including via auto-dialer, email message, or text message, for any purpose relating to the Competition, including to request resubmission of one or more of the Submitted Photographs and/or to request that the Entrant submit additional images (“Additional Photographs”). Entrants/Competitors may contact Operator or reply “STOP”, to withdraw consent to be contacted via auto-dialer, email message, or text message, at any time. While Entrants may have assistance in entering data and uploading the Submitted Photographs, Entrants must otherwise complete the entry forms themselves. As set forth in greater detail below, submission of photographs and entry in the Competition constitutes consent to the use of the Submitted Photographs on the Website and digital apps, and otherwise in connection with Operator, the Competition, and its affiliated Competition partner brands, and in any and all media now known or hereafter discovered, for the full duration of the copyright in the applicable Submitted Photographs. By entering this Competition, Entrant represents and warrants that they are of Eligible Entry Age and own or control all necessary rights in the Submitted Photographs to grant Operator the rights described herein.
Submission of a qualifying entry grants Operator, Sponsors and their representatives and agents the right to publish, use, adapt, edit, and/or modify such entry in any way, in any and all media, without limitation and without consideration to Entrant. Submission of an entry further constitutes Entrant’s consent to grant to Operator and Sponsors a limited, non-transferable license, to use, adapt, edit, and/or modify the entry in any manner it so chooses and for any other purpose whatsoever, in connection with the Competition and any future competition(s).
Only one (1) entry per person/pet owner will be accepted; all subsequent entries will be disregarded, and any secondary entries removed. Limit of one (1) Entrant per entry submission. Entrants may submit their entry forms and photographs using the above procedures anytime on or before January 13th, 2025 (the “Entry Deadline”). After entering the Competition, the Submitted Photographs may be placed on the Website, where they may be viewed by visitors to the Website. Entrants/Competitors may be requested to submit Additional Photographs for publication on the Website, so long as such images do not display offensive content, are not profane/obscene (as determined in the sole discretion of Operator), and do not infringe upon the rights of any person or entity, including but not limited to copyright, right of publicity, and right of privacy.
UPON ENTRY TO THE COMPETITION, COMPETITORS SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE COMPETITOR'S FUNDS AND/OR VOTING BY DONATION FOR THEMSELVES.
HOW TO VOTE
COMPETITORS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DONATE OR PAY FOR VOTES FOR THEMSELVES. COMPETITORS ARE ALSO PROHIBITED FROM CASTING PAWS VOTES FOR THEMSELVES. COMPETITORS CAUGHT PAYING FOR VOTES, OR CASTING PAWS VOTES, FOR THEMSELVES MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION. THE USE OF A COMPETITOR'S PAYMENT METHOD(S) (PERSONAL, BUSINESS, ETC.), OR FUNDS, TO DONATE OR PAY FOR VOTES TO CAST FOR THAT COMPETITOR IS PROHIBITED. All Voters voting by donation/casting PAWS Votes must be at least eighteen (18) years or older on the date that their donations/PAWS Votes are made/cast.
Voters can vote by doing the following: (a) all Voters will earn one (1) free vote every twenty-four (24) hours, which they can cast for their favorite Competitor, after Operator verifies Voter eligibility (whether via Facebook or other verification method); and/or (b) Voters of eligible age can donate to cast PAWS Votes (for one or more Competitors) at any time during the Competition. Operator retains the right to provide additional means of voting (e.g. 2-for-1 votes), which may be offered to voters at any point during the Competition, at its sole discretion. “Qualifying Votes” are those placed in accordance with these Rules and the Terms of Use, which can also be found on the Website.
The winning Competitor(s) of each round of the Competition will be determined based upon the number of Qualifying Votes received, with those receiving the highest number of Qualifying Votes deemed the winner(s) of that round. “Bot” activity or any kind of robotic or automated voting mechanism is not an accepted form of voting and such votes will not be counted, if discovered. If this type of false voting is detected, the individual, associated IP address, email address, and mobile phone number will be banned from voting. At its sole discretion, Operator reserves the right to disqualify Competitors suspected in encouraging, soliciting, or otherwise knowingly participating in this type of activity, or any other voting activity Operator deems unfair. Operator reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry or voting process, or the operation of the Competition, in any way.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
OPERATOR WILL SELECT, IN ITS SOLE, ABSOLUTE, AND COMPLETE DISCRETION, WHICH ENTRANTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION AS COMPETITORS. Upon entry, Competitors will be divided into groups and advance to the initial "Top 20" public voting round. Subsequent public voting rounds (individually a "Round" and, collectively, the “Rounds”) will progressively reduce the number of Competitors. In the unlikely event that one or more Competitors receive an equal number of votes in any Round, Operator will determine the Competitor who shall advance, based upon Competitor profile views. Public voting begins January 6, 2025.
NOTIFICATION TO COMPETITORS
Advancing Competitors for each Round and the Grand Prize Winner(s)/Ancillary Promotion prize winner will be contacted by email, telephone, or other means reasonably calculated to provide notice, including but not limited to via auto-dialer, email message, or text message. Entrants/Competitors consent to a background check that may be performed, at the sole discretion of Operator, to verify accuracy of information provided for Entrants/Competitors and compliance with these Rules, or for other reasons related to the Competition, including but not limited to, ensuring the safety of its employees and protecting the integrity of the Competition, the America's Favorite Pet, Colossal, DTCare, PAWS, and the Modern Cat and Modern Dog brands. If you are selected as the Grand Prize Winner and/or Ancillary Promotion prize winner, your information may also be included on the Website and/or on a publicly available “Winners List”.
GRAND PRIZE
The two (2) verified Grand Prize Winners in the Competition (one cat and one dog) and their cat or dog will each receive a prize package valued at an approximate maximum retail equivalent of $35,000.00, comprised of (a) $10,000 (cash) honorarium, and (b) the $25,000.00 estimated value of their cat or dog being photographed to be featured on the cover of and in a minimum two-page (2-page) feature spread in either Modern Cat (cat) or Modern Dog (dog) magazine, with the exact number of pages for the interior-page pictorial to be determined by Operator (the “Grand Prize”). The Grand Prize Winners may refer to themselves and their pet as the "2025 America's Favorite Pet" and/or "America's Favorite Pet Winner" in written and/or descriptive materials, but only if such use(s) and display(s) is/are purely non-commercial and in no event suggest or create any confusion whatsoever that Operator or Modern Cat or Modern Dog magazine are endorsing or participating in any manner related to the use of their name, logos, or fonts.
The Grand Prize Winners' cat or dog will be photographed exclusively by an America's Favorite Pet-designated photographer. The Grand Prize Winners and their winning pets must be available for the photo shoot within twenty-one (21) days of completion of the Competition, with specific dates to be determined by Operator (between March 14th, 2025 and April 3rd, 2025). If a Grand Prize Winner is not available for the photo shoot for any reason, including due to death or incapacitation of the Grand Prize Winner during the Competition and/or prior to the fulfillment of the Grand Prize photo shoot, Operator may select an alternate winner (“Alternate Winner”), by determining the Competitor with the next-highest number of votes received in the Finals, and the Grand Prize will be transferred to the Alternate Winner. This process shall continue until an available Alternate Winner is determined. In the event that a Grand Prize Winner's winning cat or dog perish(es) prior to the fulfillment of the Grand Prize photo shoot, Operator shall select an Alternate Winner in the same manner as described in this paragraph. Winnings/Prize(s) will be provided only after receiving all necessary documentation in compliance with Competition eligibility and successful completion of feature photography at Operator's designated location. In addition to the photo shoot, the Grand Prize Winners may be required to complete tasks, such as possible public relations appearances, relating to the Competition.
The Grand Prize Winners will be announced on the Website. By agreeing to appear as a winner of the Competition, each Grand Prize Winner consents to the use of their name, photos/videos (including the photo shoot, filming, interview, etc.), and/or likenesses for advertising and trade purposes in connection with the America's Favorite Pet brand, including without limitation, the America's Favorite Pet Competition and in print and digital materials in the United States and any countries where the America's Favorite Pet brands exist, in any and all media known or hereinafter discovered, without territorial or time limitations and without additional compensation, except where prohibited. In the event there is an occurrence beyond Operator’s control, including but not limited to a force majeure, or act of nature, etc., Operator may elect, in its sole discretion, to offer a cash equivalency for any portion of the Grand Prize, in substitution for the current Grand Prize as described herein in this Section. By accepting the prize package or money, the Grand Prize Winner acknowledges compliance with these Rules. To the extent that any United States federal and/or state income or other taxes apply to the value of the prize(s) and/or award(s) provided to the Grand Prize Winner, the Grand Prize Winner shall be solely responsible for the reporting and payment of such taxes. Actual/appraised value may differ from the ARV at time of Grand Prize award. Grand Prize Winner will not receive the difference between the actual value of the Grand Prize or any Grand Prize component and the ARV of such Grand Prize or Grand Prize component.
ANCILLARY PROMOTIONS
Operator reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to conduct additional promotions during the Competition (each, if any, an “Ancillary Promotion”, and collectively, the “Ancillary Promotions”). Ancillary Promotions, if any, may be conducted in a manner that may or may not be related to elements of the Competition.
Prior to conducting, and throughout the duration of, any such Ancillary Promotion, Operator will provide the following information about any such Ancillary Promotion:
Who can enter such Ancillary Promotions (e.g., Competitors only, Voters, the public, and/or combination of two or more of the foregoing categories);
Examples of Ancillary Promotions may include, but are not limited to, promotions related to incentivizing individuals to enter the Competition or vote for Competitors in the Competition during a designated period. In addition to any specific Ancillary Promotion Rules, these Rules, to the extent applicable, shall govern the Ancillary Promotions.
CONDUCT
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES AND/OR THE TERMS OF USE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to take action against any individual participating in the Competition as a Competitor or a Voter, including removal from the Competition or the voiding of votes, for reasons including: (a) acting in any manner deemed by Operator to be in violation of these Rules or the Terms of Use; (b) acting in any manner deemed by Operator to be harmful to the Competition, other Competitors, etc.; or (c) acting in any manner deemed by Operator to be unsportsmanlike, disruptive, and/or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person/entity. Operator also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with or undermining the entry or voting process(es), the operation of the Competition, or to be in breach of these Rules and/or the Terms of Use. ANY ACTION BY AN ENTRANT, COMPETITOR, VOTER, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL, WHICH DAMAGES OR UNDERMINES THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND/OR CIVIL LAWS AND, SHOULD SUCH ACTION BE TAKEN, OPERATOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In order to protect the integrity of the Competition, the safety of its employees, and the America's Favorite Pet, Colossal, DTCare, PAWS, and Modern Cat and Modern Dog brands, Operator reserves the right to disqualify any Competitor or Potential Winner (defined below) due to the Competitor or Potential Winner having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, crime of moral turpitude, or any other criminal and/or civil offense.
REQUIREMENTS AND CONSENT OF WINNER(S)
Any potential Grand Prize or Ancillary Promotion Winner (“Potential Winner”) will be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, Competitor release, and other documents (“Prize Claim Documents”). If any Potential Winner fails or refuses to sign and return all Prize Claim Documents within fourteen (14) days of the delivery of prize notification(s), the Potential Winner may be disqualified, and an Alternate Winner may be determined/selected. If you are selected as a Grand Prize Winner, Alternate Winner, or Ancillary Promotion Winner (each a "Winner"), you consent to your information being included in a publicly available “Winner’s List”. Except where prohibited, acceptance of a prize constitutes the Winner’s irrevocable consent to Operator, its agents, successors, and assigns or other designee's use of the Winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, statement, opinions, biographical information, prize and/or state/city of residence for advertising, promotional and publicity purposes in any and all media or format, worldwide, in perpetuity, without any permission, notification, payment or consideration, except for the awarding of the prizes to the Winner. Operator is not responsible for any failure to notify Operator of any change in address of Entrant(s), Competitor(s), or Voter(s). By accepting a prize, the Winner agrees to maintain their behavior in accordance with all applicable laws and generally accepted social practices while participating in any Competition activity, including but not limited to participation in or use of a prize. The Winner understands and further agrees that Operator has the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify and/or remove the Winner from any activity at any time, if Operator determines that the Winner’s current or past behavior at any point is disruptive or inappropriate, or may or does cause damage to person, property, or the reputation of Operator, or otherwise violates the policies of the prize providers.
WAIVER AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
PARTICIPANTS (TO INCLUDE ENTRANTS, COMPETITORS, VOTERS, AND WINNERS) AGREE THAT, IN NO EVENT, SHALL OPERATOR, DTCARE, PROMOTION ENTITIES, APPLICABLE CHARITIES, COMPETITION SPONSORS, OR ANY PRIZE PROVIDER (COLLECTIVELY THE “COMPETITION ENTITIES”), WHICH INCLUDES THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AGENTS OF EACH, BE LIABLE OR OBLIGATED TO AN ENTRANT, COMPETITOR, VOTER, WINNER, OR ANY THIRD PARTY IN ANY MANNER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE COMPETITION, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE, OTHER THAN FOR ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND ARBITRATION COSTS. THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.
ALL PARTICIPANTS RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE COMPETITION ENTITIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, WITH RESPECT TO, OR IN ANY WAY ARISING FROM, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THIS COMPETITION, PUBLICATION OR USE OF THE SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS, ENTRANTS’/COMPETITORS' NAMES AND LIKENESSES, AND/OR ACCEPTANCE, USE, MISUSE, LOSS, OR MISDIRECTION OF THE PRIZE, INCLUDING LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, DAMAGES, OR MONETARY LOSS. By participating in the Competition, Participants further agree to release and hold harmless the Competition Entities from and against any claim: (a) of ambiguity or error in the Competition, these Rules, the Terms of Use, or the f; (b) related to lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected entries or votes; (c) for injuries, damages or losses (including death) of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse, use, loss, or misdirection of any prize, or participation in any Competition-related activity or participation in this Competition; (d) for copyright infringement or violation of the right of publicity based on use of the Submitted or Additional Photographs by Operator; or (e) due to any error in the offering or announcement of any prize.
PARTICIPANTS FURTHER AGREE THAT ALL DECISIONS OF OPERATOR SHALL BE FINAL AND CONCLUSIVE ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE COMPETITION AND THAT THE COMPETITION ENTITIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCORRECT OR INACCURATE ENTRY INFORMATION, HUMAN ERROR, TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION, FAILURES, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DELETION, OR DEFECT OF ANY TELEPHONE NETWORK, COMPUTER ONLINE SYSTEMS, COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, SERVERS, ACCESS PROVIDERS, OR SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PARTICIPANTS OR ANY OTHER PERSONS’ COMPUTER RELATING TO OR RESULTING FROM PARTICIPATION IN THIS COMPETITION, INABILITY TO ACCESS THE ENTRY WEBSITE OR ANY PAGES THEREOF, THEFT, TAMPERING, DESTRUCTION, OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO, OR ALTERATION OF ENTRIES, ENTRY SUBMISSIONS THAT ARE PROCESSED LATE OR INCORRECTLY OR ARE INCOMPLETE, GARBLED, OR LOST DUE TO COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION OR TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON THE INTERNET OR ANY WEBSITE. PROOF OF ENTERING INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE IS NOT CONSIDERED PROOF OF DELIVERY OR RECEIPT.
PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT OPERATOR DOES NOT MONITOR FOR OFFSITE ACTIVITY AND IS IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING OR CONTROLLING OFF-SITE ACTIVITY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND/OR OTHER THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEGATIVE AND DISPARAGING CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ENTRANTS, COMPETITORS AND VOTERS, OFFSITE VOTE INCENTIVES, MISLEADING OR DECEPTIVE PROMOTIONAL TACTICS, OR ANY OTHER BEHAVIORS CONSIDERED TO BE MISLEADING OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND MANDATORY ARBITRATION
You and Operator agree that any dispute or claim arising out of, or relating in any way to, the Competition, your participation in it, these Rules, the Terms of Use, or the Privacy Policy, including all issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Rules, Terms of Use, Entrant, Competitor, and/or Voter rights and obligations, the rights and obligations of Operator, or the extent of any waiver or release of claims by you, shall be settled by binding and unappealable arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association, by operation of these Rules, in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. ALL ARBITRATION CLAIMS MUST BE BROUGHT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE OR MEMBER, OR OTHERWISE ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
Claims shall be heard by a single arbitrator. The place of arbitration shall be Phoenix, Arizona, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, or is determined by the arbitrator that the arbitration proceed virtually (by videoconference). The arbitration shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona. Each Party will, upon written request of the other Party, promptly provide the other with copies of all relevant documents. There shall be no other discovery allowed. Hearings will take place pursuant to the standard procedures of the Consumer Arbitration Rules, although the Parties can appear in person, by video, or telephonically. The standard provisions of the Consumer Arbitration Rules shall apply. The arbitrator will only have the authority to grant any remedy, relief, or outcome that the Parties could have received in court. In addition, the prevailing Party will be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees and arbitration costs. Except as may be required by law, neither a Party nor an arbitrator may disclose the existence, content, or results of any arbitration hereunder, without the prior written consent of both Parties.
If any part of this arbitration provision is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable, then the remainder of this arbitration provision shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed in accordance with its terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
TERMINATION
If for any reason the Competition and/or any Round of the Competition cannot be executed as set forth in these Rules, including but not limited to, as a result of acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, weather, pandemic or epidemic illness, disease, acts of terrorism, computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or other factors that may corrupt or affect the security, administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Competition, and/or if the Competition is compromised or becomes technically corrupted in any way, electronically or otherwise, Operator reserves the right to cancel, terminate, suspend, and/or modify the Competition and/or any Round of the Competition with or without prior notice, and Operator shall not in any way be responsible or liable for any such cancellation, termination, suspension, and/or modification of the Competition and/or any phase of the Competition. Further, if the Competition is terminated before the original end date, Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion to modify the procedure for selecting the Winner(s), unless the nature of the event giving rise to such termination renders it impossible to select the Winner(s).
COMPETITION WITHDRAWAL REQUEST
By participating in the Competition as Competitor or Voter, you understand that a Competition withdraw request or request for removal from the Competition can take up to forty-eight (48) hours to be processed and that a profile may still remain active during this length of time. Voters and Competitors both acknowledge and agree that no refunds will be given upon a Competitor’s request for removal from the Competition. As such, Operator does not encourage withdrawal or voluntary removal from the Competition, as this does a disservice to Voters. By voting, you understand and acknowledge that no refunds will be offered should a Competitor be eliminated, disqualified, or willingly withdraw from the Competition. Voters acknowledge that there are no exceptions to this policy.
NO REFUND POLICY
Since the Competition will be decided based upon votes the public casts, there are no refunds once a vote is cast. As a Voter, you are responsible for understanding this policy. To maintain the integrity of the Competition, there will be no exceptions to this policy.
All donations/PAWS Votes are immediately final and non-refundable. By making a donation, you acknowledge you have read and agreed to the Competition's "No Refund Policy", as written herein.
DONATION
The Competition is operated as part of a fundraising campaign (“Campaign”) for DTCare, a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization. Donations raised from PAWS Votes cast during this Competition go directly to DTCare, which will subsequently grant the donations, minus Competition fees (36.5%) and variable costs (including payment processing fees, operating and prize costs, etc., not to exceed 13.5%), which shall include a nominal percentage (1%) retained by DTCare, to the Designated Grantee listed below. DTCare retains exclusive custody and control over all funds raised during the Competition.
Donation funds are immediately received by DTCare, upon PAWS Votes being cast. DTCare then distributes the donations to the Designated Grantee (minus fees, costs, etc.), within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Competition.
VOTER DONATION CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
DESIGNATED GRANTEE
The Designated Grantee for the Competition is Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping cats, dogs, and wild animals go home and thrive - through the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating the community to inspire compassionate action for animals.
DTCare has verified that Designated Grantee meets all necessary grant recipient requirements. If, at any time, the Designated Grantee no longer meets these requirements, including due to loss of the Designated Grantee’s qualified 501(c)(3) status, DTCare will determine an alternative/comparable qualified non-profit grantee recipient which will then receive the donation funds.
AGREEMENT
These are the complete Rules which, in combination with the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy, govern your use of the Website and any participation by you as an Entrant, Competitor, Voter, or Winner in the Competition. Nothing published or said elsewhere should be viewed as a modification of these Rules, the Terms of Use, or the Privacy Policy.
SEVERABILITY
If any term or provision in these Rules, the Terms of Use, or the Privacy Policy is determined by a competent authority to be unenforceable, all other terms and provisions of these Rules, the Terms of Use, and the Privacy Policy shall continue in full force and effect.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions or comments about the Competition as outlined above, or would like to request the name of the Grand Prize Winner, please contact Operator here.
NO AFFILIATION
This Competition is not in any manner sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, Modern Dog or Modern Cat, and is operated solely by Colossal Management, LLC, on behalf of DTCare.