Terms of Use/Privacy Policy- The Animal Court

The Animal Court Podcast™ is a podcast and media project operated by Animal Victory Disaster & Abuse Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 88-3617975, referred to in this policy as “AVDAF,” “we,” “us,” or “our.”

The podcast is produced to educate, inform, and advocate for the protection of animals through storytelling, investigative discussion, and public awareness.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, listening to, subscribing to, donating to, or otherwise engaging with The Animal Court Podcast™, website, donation tools, or related platforms, collectively the “Services,” you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Donation Policy.

If you do not agree, please do not use or engage with the Services.

Editorial Independence and Advocacy Journalism

The Animal Court Podcast™ operates as an advocacy journalism project. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by hosts, guests, or contributors on the podcast, website, and related platforms are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Animal Victory Disaster & Abuse Fund, AVDAF.

All content is produced for educational, informational, and advocacy purposes, intended to promote lawful accountability, animal protection, and public awareness of animal welfare issues.

While we strive for accuracy and journalistic integrity, discussions may involve ongoing investigations, legal proceedings, or alleged abuse. The Animal Court Podcast™ and AVDAF make no representations or warranties regarding the absolute accuracy of guest statements or third party claims. Any mention of individuals, organizations, or entities is made in the context of public interest advocacy and does not constitute a formal legal accusation or conviction unless explicitly stated as a matter of public record.

No Legal Advice

The Animal Court Podcast™ frequently discusses laws, court cases, and the legal system as it pertains to animal welfare. Nothing on this podcast, website, or related platforms constitutes legal advice. No attorney client relationship is formed by listening to the podcast or interacting with our content. If you require legal assistance, you should consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.

Intellectual Property

All podcast episodes, audio recordings, transcripts, written content, graphics, branding, logos, and related materials associated with The Animal Court Podcast™ are protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property laws unless otherwise stated. Some images may be illustrative. We are committed to accuracy, responsibility, and the dignity of the animals involved.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, republish, or exploit any content without prior written permission, except as permitted under fair use laws.

AVDAF retains all rights, title, and interest in The Animal Court Podcast™ brand and content, subject to any licensed third party materials.

Future Ownership and Assignment

You acknowledge and agree that The Animal Court Podcast™, its branding, archives, feeds, intellectual property, and related assets may be transferred, assigned, licensed, or sold in the future, including to a successor organization or third party, consistent with applicable law.

Any such transfer will not affect the enforceability of these Terms, which shall bind any successor or assignee.

User Conduct

You agree to engage respectfully with The Animal Court Podcast™ and its community.

Harassment, hate speech, abusive conduct, impersonation, or unlawful activity in connection with the podcast or its platforms will not be tolerated and may result in removal or restricted access.

Third Party Content and Services

The podcast may reference or link to third party websites, services, advertisements, or content. AVDAF does not control and is not responsible for third party practices, content, or policies.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability

All content provided by The Animal Court Podcast™ is for informational, educational, and advocacy purposes only and is provided “as is” and “as available.”

To the fullest extent permitted by law, AVDAF disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding accuracy, completeness, reliability, or fitness for a particular purpose.

AVDAF shall not be liable for any damages arising from reliance on podcast content, service interruptions, technical issues, or third party actions. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the Services is to discontinue use.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Animal Court Podcast™, AVDAF, and their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, and partners from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from:

Your violation of these Terms.

Your misuse of the Services.

Content or statements you submit or share.

Any violation of applicable law or third party rights.

This obligation survives termination of your use of the Services.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and your use of the Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Hanover County, North Carolina. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objections to venue. You further agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Privacy Policy

Information Collected

We may collect personal information such as name, email address, and donation details when you subscribe, contact us, or donate. Technical data, such as IP address and device information, may be collected automatically.

Use of Information

Information is used to process donations, communicate updates, improve content, and support AVDAF’s charitable mission.

Sharing of Information

We do not sell personal information. Limited data may be shared with trusted service providers, including payment processors and hosting platforms, solely to provide services or comply with legal obligations.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies may be used to support site functionality and analytics. You may manage cookie preferences through your browser or consent tools.

Data Security

Reasonable safeguards are used to protect information, though no system can be guaranteed secure.

User Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal data by contacting info@animalvictoryfund.org.

Donation Policy

Tax Deductibility

The Animal Court Podcast™ is a project of Animal Victory Disaster & Abuse Fund, a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals in crisis and disaster situations, EIN 88-3617975. The mission of The Animal Court Podcast™ aligns directly with that purpose, making your support fully eligible for a tax deduction to the extent allowed by law.

Donations are the primary means by which we fund this podcast. That support allows us to shine a light on the systemic issues and failures that enable animal cruelty, and to advocate loudly for the reform that dogs, cats, and the people who love them deserve.

Net proceeds from donations will be dedicated to dogs and cats. Funds, and in some cases supplies, will be directed to credible, sustainable small nonprofit dog and cat rescue and animal rights organizations, or individuals who are doing meaningful work but lack the platform or resources to promote their cause and attract funding. The remainder will support the podcast’s infrastructure and ongoing operations.

Guest, Co Host and Participant Terms

Who These Terms Cover. These additional terms apply to every guest, co host, contributor, volunteer, interviewer, panelist, editor, producer, contractor, or other participant who appears in, contributes to, or assists with The Animal Court Podcast™. For these terms to apply as a contract, the participant must affirmatively accept them before recording or work begins by signing the Guest Application Agreement, selecting a required acceptance box in an application or booking form, or providing clear written acceptance by email.

Required Agreement Before Recording. Before a recording session begins, each participant must review and affirmatively accept the Guest Application Agreement. A participant who signs that agreement, submits an application containing a required acceptance box, or gives clear written acceptance by email agrees to these Guest, Co Host and Participant Terms, the Terms of Use for The Animal Court Podcast™, and the applicable privacy policies of The Animal Court Podcast™ and Animal Victory Disaster & Abuse Fund.

Consent to Record and Use. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each participant grants AVDAF, its successors, licensees, service providers, and assigns permission to record, photograph, film, livestream, edit, excerpt, caption, transcribe, reproduce, publish, distribute, promote, archive, and otherwise use the participant’s name, voice, likeness, image, statements, and contribution made in connection with The Animal Court Podcast™. This permission applies worldwide, in all media now known or later developed, for purposes connected with the podcast, AVDAF’s charitable and educational mission, promotion, advocacy, fundraising, and archival records.

Editorial Control. AVDAF has sole editorial discretion over whether, when, and how any recording or contribution is edited, titled, excerpted, promoted, published, republished, archived, corrected, or removed. AVDAF is not required to publish any appearance and may decline, postpone, modify, or remove content at its discretion. No participant may require AVDAF to publish content or to refrain from making lawful editorial changes.

Ownership and License of Contributions. AVDAF owns The Animal Court Podcast™ and all AVDAF created production elements, including the show name, branding, format, logos, graphics, website content, social media content, episode packaging, promotional materials, recordings, edits, transcripts, and archives, except for properly licensed third party material. To the extent a participant has any copyright, publicity, or other right in their recorded contribution, the participant grants AVDAF an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty free, transferable, sublicensable license to use that contribution as described in these terms. A participant keeps ownership of material they created before appearing, but grants AVDAF the license needed to include that material in the episode and related promotion if they choose to provide or discuss it.

No Ownership, Partnership, or Vested Interest. A guest, co host, contributor, volunteer, editor, producer, or contractor does not acquire any ownership interest, equity, partnership interest, joint venture interest, management authority, right to revenue, right to donations, or vested interest in AVDAF, The Animal Court Podcast™, its trademarks, its social media accounts, its distribution accounts, or its other assets merely by participating, performing services, being credited, appearing in an episode, or receiving compensation. No partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, fiduciary relationship, or agency relationship is created unless a separate written agreement, signed by an authorized AVDAF representative, expressly says otherwise.

Compensation. Unless a separate written agreement signed by an authorized AVDAF representative states otherwise, participation is voluntary and unpaid. If AVDAF separately engages a participant for paid services, the exact scope of work, payment terms, and any rights granted must be set out in that separate written agreement. Payment for an appearance, editing, production, consulting, or other services does not create any ownership, revenue sharing, donation sharing, or continuing payment right.

Participant Promises. Each participant represents that they have the right to make their contribution and to grant the permissions in these terms. Each participant agrees not to knowingly submit material that infringes another person’s copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, confidentiality, or other legal rights. Each participant remains responsible for the accuracy of their own statements and for obtaining permission for any material they supply to AVDAF.

Release of Authorized Use Claims. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each participant releases and agrees not to bring a claim against AVDAF, The Animal Court Podcast™, their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, partners, successors, and assigns based on AVDAF’s authorized recording, editing, publication, promotion, distribution, or archival use of the participant’s appearance or contribution under these terms. This release does not waive any claim that cannot legally be waived or any claim arising from AVDAF’s intentional misconduct outside the scope of these terms.

Indemnification by Participants. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AVDAF, The Animal Court Podcast™, and their officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, partners, successors, and assigns from third party claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and reasonable legal expenses arising from the participant’s breach of these terms, knowingly false statements, unlawful conduct, or material supplied by the participant that infringes another person’s rights. This obligation does not apply to claims caused solely by AVDAF’s editing or use outside the permissions granted in these terms.

Use of the Podcast Name and Trademarks. The Animal Court Podcast™ and The Neighbor Next Door. The Hidden Abuse.™ are trademarks claimed by AVDAF. No participant may use the show name, tagline, logos, episode artwork, podcast accounts, website content, or branding in a way that suggests ownership, endorsement, sponsorship, or an ongoing affiliation without AVDAF’s prior written permission. A factual credit describing a participant’s appearance does not grant trademark, copyright, ownership, or promotional rights.

Confidential and Unpublished Information. A participant must not disclose, copy, share, or publish AVDAF confidential or nonpublic information without written authorization. This includes unpublished episode content, internal planning, donor information, private communications, and nonpublic case materials. This obligation survives the participant’s appearance.