Effective Date: September 23, 2026
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the services, programs, communications, website content, and related offerings provided by Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society ("Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society", "we", "us", or "our"). By visiting our website, contacting us, submitting an intake request, applying for adoption, participating in foster placement coordination, receiving educational services, or otherwise using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and all applicable laws and regulations in Canada and in the Province of Alberta.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our services. Where required by law, additional consent, waivers, adoption agreements, foster agreements, or veterinary consent forms may also apply and will be read together with these Terms.
2. Scope of Services
Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society is an animal-shelter organization that may provide the following services, subject to availability, eligibility, capacity, safety, animal welfare considerations, and applicable law:
- Dog and cat rescue intake;
- Adoption matching and counseling;
- Short-term foster placement coordination;
- Basic veterinary screening and vaccinations;
- Microchipping and identification support;
- Lost-and-found pet reunification;
- Community pet care education and outreach.
We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any service at any time, including where an animal's health, behavior, legal status, or welfare requires it. We do not guarantee placement, reunification, vaccination availability, foster placement, or adoption approval.
Any veterinary-related support is limited to basic screening and coordination and is not a substitute for full veterinary diagnosis, treatment, or emergency care by a licensed veterinarian. Emergency medical situations must be directed immediately to an appropriate veterinary clinic or emergency animal hospital.
3. User Obligations and Responsibilities
When using our services, you agree that you will:
- Provide complete, accurate, and current information at all times;
- Not misrepresent your identity, residence, ability to care for an animal, ownership status, or authority to surrender, foster, or adopt an animal;
- Follow all instructions, safety rules, and written requirements provided by us;
- Treat staff, volunteers, adopters, foster caregivers, visitors, and animals respectfully and safely;
- Comply with all applicable municipal, provincial, and federal laws, including animal welfare, licensing, vaccination, transport, and public safety laws;
- Supervise any animal in your care and ensure humane, lawful, and appropriate treatment;
- Promptly disclose any bite incidents, aggressive behavior, contagious illness, injuries, escape events, or other material concerns;
- Not use our services for unlawful, abusive, negligent, fraudulent, or harmful purposes.
You are solely responsible for the actions of any animal once the animal is placed into your care, subject to applicable law and any signed adoption, foster, or transfer agreements. You acknowledge that animals may have unknown histories, medical conditions, behavior issues, or temperament concerns that cannot always be fully assessed in advance.
You must not bring unsafe objects, prohibited substances, or aggressive animals to our premises or events. We may refuse or end services at our discretion where safety, welfare, legal compliance, or operational concerns require it.
4. Payment Terms and Conditions
Some services may require fees, contributions, deposits, reimbursements, or other charges as disclosed at the time of application, intake, adoption, foster placement, or service booking. Applicable fees may relate to administrative processing, medical support, microchipping, vaccinations, or other service-related costs, subject to applicable law and any written agreement.
- All amounts are payable in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated;
- Payments must be made using approved payment methods, if offered;
- Fees may be non-refundable unless expressly stated otherwise in writing or required by law;
- You are responsible for any applicable taxes, if charged;
- We may withhold service delivery, adoption finalization, or release of an animal until payment obligations are satisfied, where permitted by law.
If a payment is reversed, declined, charged back, or disputed without valid basis, we may suspend or terminate related services and seek recovery of any associated costs, to the extent permitted by law.
5. Cancellation and Refund Policy
Because our services may involve animal welfare, staffing, scheduling, medical supplies, and placement planning, cancellations may affect our operations and available resources. If you need to cancel an appointment, intake, foster placement, adoption meeting, education session, or other scheduled service, you should notify us as early as possible using the contact information below.
- Cancellations may be subject to administrative fees or loss of deposits where disclosed in advance and permitted by law;
- Fees for completed services, supplies used, vaccinations provided, or administrative work already performed are generally non-refundable;
- Refunds, where applicable, are issued at our discretion in accordance with these Terms and any separate written policy or agreement, and always subject to applicable Canadian law;
- If we cancel or postpone a service, we may offer rescheduling, credit, or refund at our discretion, depending on the circumstances.
Any adoption or foster placement may be subject to separate written agreements that may include specific return, surrender, trial, or refund conditions. In the event of conflict, the separate written agreement will govern to the extent permitted by law.
6. Liability Limitations
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, and representatives shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, loss of data, emotional distress, or loss arising from delays, service interruptions, or inability to obtain a particular animal or placement.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for:
- Pre-existing or undisclosed medical conditions, congenital issues, hereditary conditions, or behavioral issues in animals;
- Injuries, illness, escape, loss, death, property damage, or third-party claims arising from an animal after transfer into your care;
- Actions or omissions of adopters, foster caregivers, volunteers, transporters, donors, or third-party service providers;
- Any reliance placed on informational materials, education content, or general guidance provided by us;
- Any interruptions or failures caused by third-party systems, internet outages, payment processors, or veterinary service availability.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or any other liability that Canadian or Alberta law prohibits from being limited or excluded. Where limitations are not permitted, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent allowed by law.
You acknowledge that interaction with animals involves inherent risks. By using our services, visiting our facilities, attending events, or handling animals, you assume all ordinary and inherent risks associated with such activities, subject to applicable law and any signed waiver or agreement.
7. Intellectual Property Rights
Unless otherwise indicated, all text, graphics, logos, images, photographs, videos, educational materials, forms, website content, layouts, and other materials provided by Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society are owned by us or used with permission and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws in Canada and elsewhere.
You may view, download, and print materials for your personal, non-commercial use only, provided that you do not remove any copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices. You must not reproduce, modify, distribute, publicly display, sell, license, or exploit our materials without our prior written consent, except as permitted by law.
Any feedback, suggestions, or recommendations you provide to us may be used by us without restriction or compensation, unless otherwise agreed in writing and permitted by law.
8. Data Protection and Privacy
We collect, use, disclose, and retain personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) where applicable, and any applicable Alberta privacy legislation. By using our services, you consent to our handling of personal information as reasonably necessary to operate our shelter, process requests, manage adoption and foster placements, provide education, coordinate services, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations.
Personal information may include your name, contact details, address, identification documents, references, animal-related information, payment-related information, and information related to your interactions with us. We may share personal information with veterinarians, foster caregivers, adopters, transport providers, law enforcement, regulators, insurers, payment processors, or other third parties where necessary for the service or required by law.
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Where required by law, you may request access to or correction of your personal information by contacting us at the details below. Our collection, use, and disclosure practices may also be set out in a separate privacy policy, which forms part of these Terms to the extent referenced or incorporated.
9. Force Majeure
We will not be liable for any delay, interruption, or failure in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather, fire, flood, epidemic, pandemic, government action, civil unrest, labor disruptions, power outages, transportation failures, internet outages, equipment failures, supply shortages, or acts of third parties.
During a force majeure event, we may suspend or modify services, reroute communications, delay appointments, or take other reasonable steps to protect animals, staff, volunteers, and the public.
10. Changes to Terms
We may update or revise these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our operations, legal requirements, or service offerings. The revised Terms will become effective on the date specified by us when posted or otherwise communicated.
Your continued use of our services after any changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms, to the extent permitted by law. If you do not agree with the revised Terms, you must stop using our services.
11. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and any dispute, claim, or matter arising out of or relating to them, our services, or any related agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
You agree that, subject to any mandatory consumer protection or other applicable laws, the courts located in Alberta will have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from or related to these Terms or our services.
12. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, requests, or complaints regarding these Terms or our services, please contact:
Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society
405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B8, Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (403) 762-2287
13. Severability Clause
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, unenforceable, or invalid by a court or other competent authority, that provision will be severed or limited to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.
By using the services of Maple Haven Animal Shelter Society, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.