1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using PetCost-Calculator.com (the “Site”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Site. These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Site.
2. Nature of the Service
PetCost-Calculator provides pet ownership cost estimates, breed information, guides, and related content for informational and planning purposes only. The Site is operated by an independent individual based in Auckland, New Zealand.
By using the calculator and reading the content on this Site, you acknowledge that:
- All cost estimates are averages derived from market data and are intended as planning guides only, not guarantees or predictions of what you will actually spend.
- Actual costs for any individual pet will vary based on the specific animal's health, the owner's choices, local market conditions, and a wide range of factors the Site cannot anticipate.
- The estimates do not account for unusual veterinary events, emergency surgeries, chronic illness, or other one-off costs that can substantially exceed typical annual figures.
- You should use these estimates as one input among many when making decisions about pet ownership — not as the sole basis for any financial decision.
3. No Professional Advice
Nothing on this Site constitutes veterinary, financial, legal, or any other form of professional advice. Content is provided for general informational purposes only. You should always consult a qualified veterinarian for advice about a specific animal's health, diet, and medical needs, and a qualified financial adviser for personalised financial planning.
The cost estimates on this Site are not a substitute for obtaining quotes from local veterinarians, pet insurance providers, groomers, or other service providers in your area. Local prices can differ significantly from the regional averages we model.
4. Accuracy and Data Currency
We make reasonable efforts to maintain accurate, current cost data across the breeds, regions, and cost categories we cover. However, we make no representations or warranties — express or implied — about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or fitness for a particular purpose of any information on the Site.
Pet care costs change with inflation, supply chains, regional market conditions, and other factors outside our control. Data is updated on the schedule described on our Methodology page, but there will always be a lag between real-world price changes and our published figures. Do not rely solely on our estimates for major financial decisions.
5. Affiliate and Commercial Relationships
PetCost-Calculator participates in affiliate programmes. This means we may earn a commission when you click certain links on the Site and subsequently make a purchase or sign up for a service — at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links may appear in breed guides, insurance comparisons, product recommendations, and other content areas.
Our commercial relationships do not influence the cost estimates we publish, the breeds we cover, or the editorial content of our guides and articles. Cost figures are derived from market data, not from advertiser relationships. Where we have a commercial relationship with a product or service provider that we also mention editorially, we will make that relationship clear.
We may also display third-party advertisements on the Site, including through Google AdSense. The appearance of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser's products or services.
6. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, PetCost-Calculator and its operator shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages arising from:
- Your use of, or inability to use, the Site or its content;
- Reliance on any cost estimate, guide, or other information published on the Site;
- Any financial decision made based in whole or in part on information from the Site;
- Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the cost data or other content;
- Any interruption, suspension, or termination of the Site or any service.
If, notwithstanding the foregoing, liability is established, the total liability of PetCost-Calculator to you for any claim arising out of or in connection with these terms or your use of the Site shall not exceed NZD $100 (one hundred New Zealand dollars).
7. Intellectual Property
All content on the Site — including but not limited to the cost database, breed profiles, articles, guides, calculator tool, visual design, and copy — is the intellectual property of PetCost-Calculator.com unless otherwise noted. You may not reproduce, distribute, scrape, republish, or create derivative works from this content without express written permission.
You may share links to pages on the Site, quote brief excerpts for non-commercial commentary or review (with attribution and a link back to the source page), and use the calculator for personal planning purposes.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
The Site may contain links to third-party websites, insurance providers, retailers, or other services. These links are provided for convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. We have no control over the content, privacy practices, or terms of third-party sites and accept no responsibility for them. You access third-party sites at your own risk and subject to their terms.
9. Privacy
Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. The Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use the Site.
10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these terms or your use of the Site shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.
If you are accessing the Site from outside New Zealand, you do so at your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws to the extent applicable.
11. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.
12. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms periodically to reflect changes in the law, our services, or our practices. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you should stop using the Site.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms of Service can be directed to hello@petcost-calculator.com.