PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT.
By clicking “I Agree,” submitting registration, or participating in any World Vets program (“Program”), you (“Volunteer”) agree to the following Volunteer Program Terms & Conditions, Liability Waiver, Assumption of Risk, Release of Claims, and Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”). Your electronic acceptance has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.
1. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION & NON-EMPLOYMENT
1.1 Voluntary Participation. Volunteer understands that participation in the Program is entirely voluntary and undertaken for personal reasons.
1.2 No Employment Relationship. Volunteer is not an employee, contractor, or agent of World Vets (“Organization”) and is not eligible for wages, benefits, or workers’ compensation coverage.
1.3 Limited Oversight. Volunteer agrees to follow safety guidance but acknowledges that the Organization cannot supervise Volunteer activities at all times and assumes no duty to monitor Volunteer’s conduct.
2. PROGRAM FEES — STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE
2.1 No Refunds. All Program fees, deposits, and payments (“Fees”) are strictly non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to illness, injury, personal schedule conflicts, transportation delays, cancelled flights, visa or passport issues, government restrictions, border closures, infectious disease outbreaks, weather, natural disasters, political unrest, or Program changes or cancellations.
2.2 No Transfers or Credits. Fees cannot be transferred to another individual, another Program, another location, another year, or converted into credit.
2.3 Program Modification or Cancellation. The Organization may modify, postpone, relocate, or cancel a Program at its sole discretion. No refund, credit, or replacement trip will be provided. The Organization has no duty to reschedule, rebook, or replace any services.
3. COSTS & WHAT IS/IS NOT INCLUDED
3.1 Volunteer Responsibility. Unless explicitly listed as “included” in the Program description, Volunteer is solely responsible for airfare, baggage fees, meals not listed as included, lodging not listed as included, visas, entry fees, medical care, medications, personal expenses, and travel, medical, and evacuation insurance.
3.2 No Warranty of Lodging, Meals, or Transportation. Any lodging, meals, or transportation described as included may be provided by independent third-party hosts or vendors. The Organization does not own, operate, supervise, control, inspect, or maintain such providers and makes no representations or warranties regarding their safety, reliability, licensure, insurance, training, maintenance, or compliance with local laws or standards.
3.3 No Responsibility for Third-Party Failures. The Organization is not responsible for losses, delays, injuries, or damages arising from the actions, omissions, or negligence of airlines, hotels, transportation companies, local drivers, boat operators, host organizations, vendors, or government authorities.
4. TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED BY INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTIES
Volunteer acknowledges that all transportation services—whether by car, van, shuttle, bus, taxi, rideshare, boat, ferry, or other means—may be provided by independent third-party companies or individuals (“Transportation Providers”). This includes transportation that the Organization may help arrange, coordinate, recommend, or facilitate, as well as transportation voluntarily chosen by the Volunteer through local vendors or during personal free time.
The Organization does not own, operate, supervise, control, inspect, or maintain any Transportation Provider or equipment used for transportation. The Organization makes no representations or warranties regarding the safety, reliability, licensure, insurance, training, maintenance, or compliance with local regulations of any Transportation Provider.
Volunteer understands and agrees that all transportation—whether part of the Program schedule, optional activities, free-time excursions, or vendor-based boat trips recommended by the Organization—is undertaken solely at the Volunteer’s own risk.
Volunteer expressly releases the Organization from any and all liability for injuries, accidents, delays, property damage, or other harm arising out of or related to transportation services, including but not limited to incidents involving automobiles, vans, shuttles, taxis, buses, privately chartered vehicles, hired drivers, boats, ferries, and water transport operated by third-party vendors, as well as transportation chosen by the Volunteer during personal free time.
This release applies regardless of whether the Transportation Provider was recommended, arranged, coordinated, or suggested by the Organization. The Organization assumes no duty to evaluate, supervise, or monitor Transportation Providers.
5. ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
Volunteer acknowledges that participation in the Program involves inherent and significant risks, including but not limited to:
- travel-related hazards; crime; theft; assault; political instability; limited medical access; natural disasters; severe weather
- veterinary risks including bites, scratches, kicks, zoonotic disease exposure, and risks associated with surgery, anesthesia, injections, restraint, and field procedures
- risks from wildlife encounters or environmental hazards
- infectious diseases, foodborne illness, allergic reactions, or other health issues
- risks arising from the actions, omissions, or negligence of other volunteers, host organizations, vendors, or Transportation Providers
Volunteer freely and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with participation, including those arising from negligence.
6. RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS & INDEMNIFICATION
Volunteer releases and forever discharges the Organization and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, host organizations, and affiliates (“Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, or liabilities arising out of or related to participation in the Program, including claims arising from the negligence of any Released Party.
Volunteer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from claims, damages, losses, liabilities, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising from Volunteer’s conduct, legal violations, injuries or property damage caused by Volunteer, or breach of this Agreement.
7. MEDICAL FITNESS & EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Volunteer is solely responsible for determining their physical and mental fitness to participate. The Organization does not evaluate, review, or confirm medical information.
The Organization does not provide medical care and assumes no duty to secure, coordinate, or ensure the availability of medical treatment. In the event of an emergency, the Organization may—but is not obligated to—seek medical treatment for the Volunteer at the Volunteer’s sole expense.
The Organization is not liable for delays, lack of treatment, unavailability of care, or medical outcomes.
8. REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM
The Organization may, at its sole discretion and without refund, remove any Volunteer whose behavior—including but not limited to unsafe behavior, harassment, misconduct, or intoxication that creates a disturbance or safety concern—is deemed to pose a risk to themselves, others, animals, property, or the successful operation of the Program. The Organization does not monitor alcohol use and assumes no duty to supervise Volunteer conduct.
9. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Volunteer is solely responsible for obtaining passports, visas, vaccinations, and meeting host-country travel, entry, and legal requirements. The Organization is not responsible for immigration decisions or government actions affecting travel or participation.
10. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA USE
Volunteer grants the Organization a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use Volunteer’s photographs, videos, written stories, and content created during or relating to the Program for promotional, educational, or fundraising purposes. Volunteer waives any claims relating to editing, alteration, or use of such materials.
11. PERSONAL PROPERTY
The Organization is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to Volunteer’s personal property, including luggage, electronics, documents, or valuables. No bailment is created even if Volunteer property is stored in Organization vehicles, facilities, or lodging areas.
12. NO GUARANTEE OF SAFETY OR PROGRAM CONTENT
The Organization does not guarantee safety, security, medical access, or the availability of specific Program activities. Activities, logistics, schedules, or locations may change without notice.
13. GOVERNING LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. Venue for any dispute is exclusively in King County or Pierce County, Washington. If the Organization prevails in any dispute, Volunteer shall reimburse reasonable attorney fees and costs.
14. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
15. ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE
By clicking “I Agree,” Volunteer acknowledges full understanding and acceptance of all terms, including the waiver of claims arising from negligence.
I have read and agree to the World Vets Program Terms & Conditions and Liability Waiver.
I acknowledge that all Program fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.
I understand this waiver includes a release of claims arising from negligence.
Digital Signature (typed name): ___________________________
Date: _______________________
