Version 2.1 · Effective November 11, 2026

Terms of Use

These Terms of Use apply when you create or use an account on Wildlife Exchange (the “Marketplace”). By creating an account, you agree to these terms. The Privacy Policy explains how account and listing information is handled.

Accounts

Provide accurate account information, keep your login credentials private, and promptly update information that changes. You are responsible for activity under your account. Do not impersonate another person or use the Marketplace to mislead others.

Listings and photos

Caretakers are responsible for the accuracy and legality of their listings, and for having the rights needed to upload their descriptions and photos, including an optional business photo. You retain ownership of content you submit. You give the Marketplace a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to store, process, and display that content as needed to operate the service and show listings. A business photo is not public unless the Caretaker enables sharing and the photo has passed the initial account review.

A Caretaker’s first listing and its photos are reviewed together by an administrator. After the account passes that initial review, non-exotic listings and photos may publish automatically. Exotic listings always require administrator review and an administrator-verified USDA license. Members may report public photos; a reported photo is hidden while an administrator reviews it. The Marketplace may withhold or remove listings or photos under these terms.

Caretakers select an account scope when registering. A Non-USDA Caretaker account is limited to non-exotic animals and cannot submit an exotic listing for publication. A Caretaker selecting the USDA-license holder scope must provide a license reference; an administrator must verify that license before an exotic listing can be published. The Caretaker must classify each listing accurately. The Marketplace reviews submitted listings but does not determine the legality of a particular animal sale. Caretakers remain responsible for applicable licensing, permits, animal eligibility, and compliance.

Caretakers may separately choose whether to display an operation name and description, general location, full street address, and contact information on public listing pages. Each category is private unless the Caretaker enables its sharing option. Caretakers are responsible for the accuracy of shared information and should enable full-address sharing only if they intend the street address to be visible to all visitors.

Caretakers may separately opt in to the member-only Caretaker directory. Directory listings show the operation name and description entered for the directory, plus any optional photo, location, address, or contact information enabled by the Caretaker’s corresponding sharing settings. A selected U.S. state is used to organize and search directory entries. Only users with an active paid Customer membership or paid Caretaker subscription can view and search the directory. A Caretaker’s entry is removed from the directory when their paid or complimentary listing access ends, or when they turn off directory sharing.

Transporter directory

Transporter accounts are free. A transporter may create an account, enter business and service details, and opt in to the paid-member directory. The Marketplace administrator reviews the submitted USDA license information and controls verification and publication. A verified status records an administrator’s check of the information available at the time; it is not a USDA endorsement or a guarantee that a license, insurance policy, or service remains current. Caretakers and paid Customers should independently confirm the transporter’s credentials, services, insurance, and terms before arranging transport. Animal purchase transactions are between Caretakers and Customers. Transport arrangements are made directly by the parties, and the Marketplace does not provide transport services or process animal-purchase or transport payments.

Animal sales and regulatory responsibility

The Marketplace provides listing pages. It does not act as a caretaker, customer, transporter, or regulator; it does not approve individual transactions or determine whether a particular animal may legally be sold or purchased. Caretakers are responsible for checking applicable laws, permits, customer eligibility, animal care, and transport requirements. Users must independently assess a caretaker and any proposed transaction.

A “USDA License Verified” badge means the Marketplace administrator manually checked the caretaker-provided reference against publicly available USDA APHIS records at the time of review. It is not a USDA endorsement, does not guarantee the license remains active, and does not establish that any particular animal sale is legal.

Payments

Caretaker plans are monthly subscriptions. When you choose a plan and confirm payment through Stripe Checkout, you authorize recurring monthly charges at the price shown until you cancel. You can manage your subscription or cancel future renewals through the Manage billing option in your dashboard. Any change takes effect according to the timing shown by Stripe.

Customer membership is $5 per month and renews monthly until canceled. An active membership provides private messaging with Caretakers and transporters and access to the Caretaker and Transporter directories. A canceled or inactive membership removes these paid features when Stripe reports that the subscription is no longer active. Public animal browsing remains free.

Caretakers with active listing access may contact another eligible Caretaker from an animal listing or save that Caretaker to a private contact list and start a direct conversation later. Only the two participants can view a conversation. Participants see each other’s account usernames; optional operation and contact details are shown only when the Caretaker has enabled those sharing settings. Saved Caretaker contacts are private to the account that saved them.

Wildlife Exchange does not process payments for animal purchases, auctions, or transport, and does not charge a commission on those transactions. Caretakers and customers arrange those transactions directly.

Private messaging

Private messages are intended for animal listing inquiries, transporter inquiries, and related communication. Conversation participants can see each other’s account usernames; email addresses and other account details are not shown in the messaging interface. Do not include payment card details, passwords, or sensitive personal information. Messages are visible to the participants and may be accessed by authorized service administrators when needed to operate the Marketplace, respond to support requests, investigate abuse, or meet legal obligations. We may restrict messaging for accounts that violate these terms.

Suspension and changes

The Marketplace may restrict or suspend accounts or remove content that violates these terms, appears unlawful, or threatens the safety or operation of the service. We may update these terms. If a change requires renewed acceptance, account access will ask you to accept the new version.

Contact

Questions about these terms: [email protected].