Terms of Service

Replaces all previous versions

This document is the official public offer (the "Offer") of Individual Entrepreneur KIRILL BASHORIN, identification number 322774137, address Georgia, Adigeni region, village Varkhani, 7th street, N7, contact e-mail legal@expaw.pet (the "Expaw" or the "Platform"), addressed to:

owners of pets who wish to use the Platform's services to find a person to care for their animal (the "Owner"), and
persons providing boarding, home sitting, dog-walking and day-care services through the Platform (the "Sitter").

The Owner and the Sitter are jointly referred to as the "Users" and individually as a "User".

Using the website, submitting a request or a profile, or otherwise actually starting to interact with the Platform constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of the terms of this Offer (acceptance). If you do not agree with these terms, do not use the Expaw website or services.

1. Definitions

Platform / Expaw — the service at expaw.pet, together with the related communication channels through which Expaw receives requests and profiles, screens and matches Sitters, and supports the interaction between the parties.

Platform Services — Expaw's informational and organizational services: receiving and processing requests, screening Sitters, matching and introducing the parties, giving the parties the data they need to agree the terms of an Order, supporting communication, and assisting in resolving disputes.

Care Services — the pet-care services provided by the Sitter to the Owner:

boarding at the Sitter's home — the animal lives at the Sitter's home;
sitting at the Owner's home — the Sitter provides care at the Owner's home, including living there for the duration of the Order;
day visits / day care — the Sitter visits the animal at the agreed times for feeding, care, litter/ toilet maintenance, play and check-ins, without staying overnight;
dog walking — walks for the agreed duration;
and other pet-care services agreed by the parties.

Request — an Owner's inquiry through the website or other Expaw channels for the purpose of finding a Sitter or starting interaction with a selected Sitter.

Profile — a Sitter's profile (description, experience, terms, photos, reviews) published on the Platform and available to Owners for review and selection.

Order — the Care Services agreed between the Owner and the Sitter and arranged with the Platform's involvement. A submitted Request is not an Order: an Order exists only once the parties have confirmed it.

2. Subject of the Offer and the Platform's Role

2.1. Expaw operates as a catalogue of Sitters combined with an informational and organizational matching service: it publishes Sitter Profiles, helps the parties find each other and organizes their interaction.

2.2. Expaw is not a marketplace, a service exchange, or a payment agent. Expaw does not process, hold or transfer payments for Care Services, does not act as an escrow or guarantor of either party's performance, and does not conclude the care agreement on anyone's behalf.

2.3. Expaw provides Platform Services only. The actual Care Services for the animal are provided by the Sitter independently and at the Sitter's own responsibility.

2.4. Expaw is not:

an employer, principal or agent of the Sitter, and not a party to the Order;
a pet hotel, shelter, veterinary facility or animal-health provider;
a recipient of payment for the Care Services;
an arbitrator in disputes between the parties.

2.5. The agreement for the provision of Care Services is concluded directly between the Owner and the Sitter. Expaw offers the parties a standard template of such an agreement; by default the parties conclude a written agreement, but they may agree otherwise, including proceeding without a signed document — in that case the terms they fixed in writing (their correspondence and the Order's agreed dates, scope and price) apply. The conclusion, content and performance of that agreement are the responsibility of the parties themselves (see also 5.4).

2.6. Sitter Profiles are based on information provided by the Sitters themselves. Expaw screens* candidates and checks the information provided, but does not guarantee the absolute completeness and accuracy of each Profile. The Owner selects a Sitter independently and at the Owner's own responsibility.

* See 3.7 for what the screening consists of.

3. How the Service Works

3.1. The website displays Profiles of Sitters who have passed the Platform's screening. The Owner may start interaction in one of two ways:

Self-selection. The Owner reviews Profiles and submits a Request for a specific Sitter.
Matching request. The Owner submits a Request describing the task, and the Platform matches a suitable Sitter.

In both cases the Platform supports the interaction between the parties.

3.2. Upon receiving a Request, the Platform contacts the Owner, clarifies the details (dates, service format, area, information about the animal, its health, behaviour, routine and care preferences) and, if necessary, matches a suitable Sitter.

3.3. The platform offers the Order to the Sitter (chosen by the Owner or matched by the Platform) and asks the Sitter to confirm readiness. While the Order is being matched or offered, the Sitter may decline it at any time and for any reason; the Platform may approach several Sitters for the same Request, and a Profile's publication or a preliminary response does not guarantee that a specific Sitter is available. If the Sitter preliminarily confirms readiness, the Platform provides the Owner with a brief description of the Sitter, their experience, terms and profile.

3.4. After preliminary agreement of both parties, the Platform shares the contact details. The parties then independently arrange the meet-and-greet and the details of care.

3.5. Meet-and-greet. Before the first Order, an in-person meet-and-greet is the standard: it lets the parties see how the animal behaves and agree the practical details in advance. The meet-and-greet is a separate paid service of the Sitter (indicatively about one hour; indicative cost 30 GEL, agreed with the Owner beforehand). It is payable even if the Order ultimately does not take place, because the Sitter has already spent their time. The Sitter may waive the fee at their own discretion — for example where the Owner comes to the Sitter's own home to see the conditions — provided this is agreed in advance; a waiver is a personal concession by the Sitter, not an entitlement. A free video call can be arranged instead of an in-person meeting but does not replace a full meet-and-greet with the animal.

3.6. After the meet-and-greet, the parties confirm the Order — the dates, the scope, the final price and, where they choose, a written agreement. The Order is not confirmed until both parties have confirmed it.

3.7. Screening. Expaw's screening of a Sitter consists of an interview with the candidate and an online/social-media check. It is a reasonable but not exhaustive process; it does not guarantee the behaviour, qualifications or performance of a Sitter in a specific Order, and Expaw publishes no other guarantees of quality or outcome.

3.8. Availability and response. Sitters are not required to be online continuously. Where a Request is urgent and a Sitter does not respond within a reasonable time, the Platform may offer the same Request to other Sitters in parallel. This is normal and does not by itself mean the Request has been withdrawn.

4. Payment, Prices and Commission

4.1. Payment for Care Services. The Owner pays the Sitter directly. The Platform does not hold, process or transfer payment for Care Services. The standard payment terms are:

full payment at check-in; or
at least 50% before check-in, with the remainder on checkout.

The parties may agree a different split, but payment must be settled (at minimum 50%) before the animal is handed over, and any balance before/at the end of the Order. The Platform never pays the Sitter on the Owner's behalf and never reimburses the Owner (see 9.6).

4.2. Price. The final cost of the Order is determined by the Sitter and agreed with the Owner before the Order is confirmed. The prices indicated on the website are indicative and do not constitute an offer of a specific price: the final cost depends on the Sitter's experience, the terms, the duration, the number and type of animals, and the complexity of the Order.

4.3. Changes to dates and scope. If the dates or scope of the Order change (early pickup, extension, late return, a change of service or of the animal(s)), the price for the new terms is recalculated and re-confirmed in writing with the parties before the change takes effect. Neither party may agree such a change alone: the Sitter must inform the Platform and obtain the parties' confirmation before committing to new dates or a new price.

4.4. Platform Commission. For the Platform Services, the Sitter pays Expaw a commission of 20% of the Order cost, including the cost of the in-person meet-and-greet. The commission is not withheld automatically; it is calculated on Orders completed in the calendar month and remitted by the Sitter to the Platform at the end of that month, on the basis of the Platform's statement. The current rate is 20%; Expaw may introduce different rates for different Sitters or services in the future, and will give notice of a rate change before it applies to new Orders. The procedure and timing of settlement may be additionally agreed between the Platform and the Sitter.

4.5. Promotions and discounts. Expaw may offer Owners discounts and run promotions; their terms are set by Expaw and funded by Expaw — where a Platform promotion reduces the Order cost, the commission is reduced by the same amount, so the Sitter's net amount is unaffected. Discounts the Sitter themselves offers (for example for longer Orders or for an additional animal) are funded by the Sitter: they reduce the Order cost and the commission is calculated on the reduced amount. Any discount that affects the Order cost is notified to the Sitter before the Order is confirmed.

4.6. Working through the Platform. Orders obtained through Expaw, including all repeat Orders of Owners who came through the Platform, must continue to be handled through the Platform, even where the parties already have each other's direct contacts. Deliberately bypassing the Platform and taking Owners outside the service is a material breach of this Offer and grounds for terminating cooperation with the Sitter.

5. User Obligations and Representations

5.1. The Sitter undertakes to:

provide Care Services conscientiously, humanely and attentively; no physical punishment, intimidation or "harsh training" of any animal;
honestly assess their abilities and conditions and decline an Order if they cannot ensure proper care;
clarify in advance with the Owner the information about the animal's health, vaccinations, parasite treatment, behaviour and routine, and not start the Order if the animal is not vaccinated against rabies and other core diseases, or has not had current flea/tick treatment (see 5.3);
keep the dog under control at all times during walks and never off-leash during the Order, including in a familiar or fenced park, unless the Owner has expressly agreed otherwise in writing;
keep doors and windows closed or properly protected for cats; an ordinary mosquito net does not count as protection;
ensure that the number of animals at the Sitter's home at once is comfortable for every animal and agreed with the Owner in advance, and that the Sitter's own animals tolerate other pets;
follow the agreed walk duration and visit schedule and not shorten, extend or reschedule them without agreement;
ensure the animal's safety and provide the agreed care, including during walks, at the Sitter's home and at the Owner's home;
inform the Owner and the Platform promptly and honestly about the progress of the Order and immediately about any unusual or emergency situation — refusal of food or water, vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding, unusual lethargy, injury, a bite, an escape or a conflict with another animal;
comply with the arrangements made with the Owner, this Offer and the operational rules the Platform gives the Sitter.

5.2. The Owner undertakes to:

provide complete and accurate information about the animal, its health, vaccinations, parasite treatment, behaviour, fears and special features;
hand over the items and supplies needed for the care (food, gear, medication with dosages, litter, dryers, etc.) in sufficient quantity for the whole Order;
pay for the Care Services to the Sitter in full and on time in accordance with 4.1;
remain reachable in the agreed format and agree the reporting frequency with the Sitter before the Order starts;
agree in advance the practicalities of their home where care takes place there (see 6).

5.3. Animal health precondition. The animal must have current vaccinations (including rabies) and current flea and tick treatment before the Order. The Owner confirms this to the Sitter and the Platform. If the animal is not vaccinated or treated, or if the information provided is false or concealed, the Sitter and the Platform may refuse or terminate the Order.

5.4. Each User represents that they are a person with legal capacity, provide accurate data and have the right to enter into the relevant arrangements. The parties conclude a written agreement for the Care Services by default, using the Platform's template; where they agree to proceed without a signed document, the terms fixed in their written correspondence with the Sitter apply, and the Platform may keep a record of the agreed dates, scope and price for accounting purposes.

6. The Owner's Home, Access and Confidentiality

6.1. Where Care Services are provided at the Owner's home (including where the Sitter lives there for the duration of the Order), the following applies in addition:

the Sitter uses only the rooms, furniture, appliances and supplies agreed in advance;
the Sitter does not bring guests into the Owner's home;
the Sitter does not hand over keys, access codes, intercom codes or any other access to the home to anyone else, and does not disclose them;
the Sitter does not publish or share the address, photos of the home's interior, or any other personal information about the Owner;
the Sitter immediately informs the Owner and the Platform of any damage caused, any incident, or any problem noticed in the home;
the parties agree in advance the practicalities: sleeping arrangements and linen, which rooms and appliances may be used, whether the Owner's food and supplies may be consumed, where spare keys, cleaning products and care supplies are kept, whether anyone else may visit during the Order, and how keys are handed over and returned.

6.2. The Owner provides safe and truthful information about the home's rules and any risks to the animal that the home presents. Where care is provided at the Sitter's home, the Platform's operational rules require the Sitter to prepare the home for the animal in advance (including removing access to hazardous substances, plants, cables and valuables, protecting soft furniture, and securing windows, the balcony and the entrance).

7. Reporting and Support

7.1. The Sitter keeps the Owner informed according to the frequency agreed before the Order (as a rule, a short message with photo or video — provided on the Owner's request, as agreed). The Sitter must not disappear for long periods, must warn the Owner if they will be temporarily unavailable, and must treat the Owner's anxiety about a new person caring for their animal with patience.

7.2. Emergency situations concerning the animal's health or safety are reported immediately to the Owner and the Platform, at any time, without waiting for the next agreed report.

7.3. The Platform's support for routine organizational questions is available daily from 11:00 to 21:00; for genuine animal-health or safety emergencies, the Platform is contactable at any time using the channels in Section 12.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1. Expaw provides informational and organizational services and is not liable for the quality, safety, timeliness or outcome of the Care Services provided by the Sitter.

8.2. Expaw is not liable for:

the acts or omissions of the Owner or the Sitter;
harm to the life and health of the animal, its escape, loss or death;
harm to property, health or life of the Users or third parties caused in connection with the Order;
the accuracy of information provided by the Users to each other;
financial settlements between the Owner and the Sitter and any disputes over payment for the Care Services.

8.3. The Platform's screening and selection of Sitters are reasonable but not exhaustive (see 3.7) and do not guarantee the outcome of a specific Order.

8.4. All liability for the proper provision of the Care Services rests with the Sitter. All liability for the accuracy of information about the animal and for timely payment rests with the Owner.

8.5. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Expaw's aggregate liability to a User is limited to the amount of commission actually received by Expaw for the relevant Order.

8.6. Nothing in this Offer limits liability to the extent such limitation is expressly prohibited by applicable law.

9. Order Changes, Cancellation, Disputes and Refunds

9.1. Decline and withdrawal before confirmation. While the Order is still being matched or offered, the Sitter may decline it and the Owner may withdraw, without any consequence and without a reason.

9.2. After confirmation. Once the parties have confirmed the Order, neither party may cancel it unilaterally. A cancellation, a change of dates or a change of scope is arranged through the Platform, which looks for a replacement Sitter or another solution where possible and records the reason for the cancellation. The Sitter must not refuse a confirmed Order to the Owner directly, and the Owner must not cancel directly with the Sitter; both must inform the Platform.

9.3. Best efforts only. Where a confirmed Order has to be cancelled or moved (including by the Sitter, for reasons outside their control), the Platform will make reasonable efforts to find a replacement Sitter, but does not guarantee that one can be found, and is not liable for the consequences of the cancellation.

9.4. The Platform assists the parties in resolving disputes, acting as an intermediary, but not as an arbitrator or guarantor of the parties' performance of their obligations.

9.5. In the event of a dispute, the User reports it to the Platform using the contacts in Section 12. The Platform is entitled to request explanations, correspondence, photos and other materials from the parties.

9.6. Refunds and compensation for the Care Services (cancellation, under-performance, damage, etc.) are handled directly between the Owner and the Sitter, since payment is made directly between them. Expaw does not hold payment and does not act as a payer for such refunds.

9.7. The cost of the in-person meet-and-greet is non-refundable, as the Sitter has already spent their time, except where the meet-and-greet did not take place due to the Sitter's fault, or where the fee was waived in advance under 3.5.

9.8. The parties shall seek to settle disputes through negotiation. Unresolved disputes are settled in accordance with the applicable law of Georgia.

10. Personal Data

10.1. By submitting a Request, a profile or otherwise interacting with the Platform, the User consents to Expaw's processing of the personal data provided by them (name, contact details, information about the animal and other data necessary to provide the Platform Services).

10.2. Purposes of processing: receiving and processing Requests, matching and introducing the parties, supporting communication, resolving disputes, keeping records of Orders and commission, and improving the service.

10.3. To arrange an Order, Expaw shares the necessary data of the Owner and the Sitter with each other. Users undertake to use the data received about the other party solely for the purposes of the Order, and not to publish it (see also 6.1).

10.4. Expaw takes reasonable measures to protect personal data and does not transfer it to third parties, except where necessary to provide the services or as required by law.

10.5. The User is entitled to withdraw consent and request deletion of their data by sending a request to the contacts in Section 12.

11. Amendments, the Sitter Guide, and Miscellaneous

11.1. Expaw is entitled to unilaterally amend the terms of this Offer, prices and promotion terms by publishing a new version on the website. Amendments take effect upon publication; material changes affecting commission rates apply to new Orders after the publication date.

11.2. Continued use of the service after an amendment to the Offer constitutes the User's agreement to the new version.

11.3. The operational guide Expaw provides to Sitters (platform rules, standards of care, case examples) is an internal document: it describes how the Platform and the Sitter work together, does not form part of this Offer, does not create obligations for the Owner, and does not create liability for Expaw beyond these terms. Where the guide and this Offer differ, this Offer prevails as between the Owner and Expaw; as between Expaw and the Sitter, the guide prevails for operational matters and this Offer for commission and platform-use obligations.

11.4. If any provision of the Offer is found invalid, this does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

11.5. This Offer is governed by the law of Georgia.

11.6. This Offer is published in English and Russian. In the event of any discrepancy between the two versions, the English version prevails.

12. Details and Contacts

Individual Entrepreneur: KIRILL BASHORIN
Identification number: 322774137
Address: Georgia, Adigeni region, village Varkhani, 7th street, N7
E-mail: legal@expaw.pet
Website: expaw.pet