Guardian Paws — Terms & Conditions of Health Commitment
(Effective for puppies purchased on or after September 1, 2022)
1) Purpose & Plain-English Summary
We work hard to ensure your puppy arrives healthy. Puppies are living beings, and health issues can occasionally arise. This Health Commitment explains what we cover, what we don’t, and how to get help. Regular veterinary care is essential and remains the owner’s responsibility.
Insurance is optional. If you carry active pet insurance, we’ll top up certain costs (see Section 5). If you don’t, you still have coverage under this Commitment.
2) Who & Where This Applies
This Commitment applies to puppies placed by Guardian Paws that are delivered to and continuously reside in the U.S. or Canada.
3) What We Cover
Days 1–14: Infectious/Contagious Conditions
If a licensed veterinarian diagnoses a contagious illness or parasite within 14 days of arrival, we will reimburse reasonable and customary veterinary treatment costs up to the puppy’s purchase price.
- Send itemized invoices/records within 21 days of arrival.
- Insurance not required for this period.
Year 1: Congenital/Hereditary Conditions
If, within the first year, a congenital or hereditary condition is diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian and materially affects the puppy’s health, we will reimburse reasonable, documented veterinary expenses up to the purchase price.
- Provide written notice to us within 5 business days of diagnosis.
Years 2–10: Long-Term Congenital/Hereditary Conditions
From the 2nd through the 10th year (breed-appropriate; see exclusions), if a congenital/hereditary condition is diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian and materially affects health, choose one remedy:
- Credit up to 50% of the purchase price toward another Guardian Paws puppy, or
- Direct reimbursement up to 25% of the purchase price for documented vet expenses.
Note: Certain high-risk breeds may have modified terms; see Exclusions (Section 4).
4) What Isn’t Covered (Clear & Fair)
- Routine care & ownership costs: exams, vaccines after arrival, preventives, food, supplements, training, grooming, supplies.
- Accidents/injuries: ingestion, falls, car injuries, bites, treatment complications, etc.
- Behavior/temperament: chewing, digging, potty training, etc.
- Appearance/size/conformation: adult size, color changes, breed-standard aesthetics, DNA test variances.
- Hip dysplasia where the dog is overweight or over-exercised, or contrary to vet guidance.
- Genetic test results alone without clinical disease.
- Infectious/parasite diagnoses made after Day 14 from arrival.
- Hereditary disease first diagnosed after Year 10.
- Breed-specific limits: For English Bulldogs, conditions typically considered breed-normal (e.g., cherry eye, entropion, elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, small trachea, certain skin allergies) are excluded; congenital/hereditary coverage is limited to Year 1.
- Other pets in the home are not covered under this puppy’s Commitment.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is not covered (see Owner Tips below).
Owner Tips to Prevent Hypoglycemia (especially ≤5 lb puppies)
- Frequent small meals; keep food available during the first weeks.
- Consider temporary energy support (e.g., Nutri-Cal/Karo/honey) per vet advice.
- Monitor appetite, energy, body temperature; contact your vet promptly if concerned.
5) Insurance Makes Help Faster (Optional but Rewarded)
- With Active Pet Insurance:
- You file with your insurer first.
- For approved claims, we will reimburse up to $300 of your deductible and 100% of your copay, subject to the limits and periods in Sections 3–4 (and not exceeding the puppy’s purchase price in total).
- Without Insurance:
- You still have the protections in Sections 3–4.
- Send complete medical records and itemized invoices when you claim.
6) Your Responsibilities (to keep coverage smooth)
- Timely vet care: Schedule a welcome check soon after arrival and follow your vet’s plan.
- No vaccines for the first 10 days after arrival (to avoid over-vaccination).
- Avoid high-risk exposure (dog parks, unknown dogs) until vaccinations are complete (often ~16 weeks).
- Healthy routine: appropriate diet, gradual food transitions, age-appropriate exercise, weight control (especially for hip-prone breeds).
- Companion intent: This puppy is intended as a companion. Breeding without an explicit breeding agreement voids congenital/hereditary coverage.
- Records: Keep and share complete medical records when filing a claim.
7) How to File a Claim (Simple Steps)
- Contact us: support@guardianpawsusa.com (or your assigned concierge).
- Send documents: vet diagnosis, itemized invoices, medical records; for insurance users, include your insurer’s EOB/decision.
- We review promptly; if needed, we may request a second opinion from an independent licensed veterinarian (at our expense).
- Resolution: We confirm eligibility and the applicable remedy/reimbursement under Sections 3–5.
In rare, severe orthopedic cases (hips/elbows/knees), imaging must include permanent identifiers (pet name/ID, clinic, date) and meet OFA-style standards.
8) Who May Claim
The original purchaser (or legal guardian within the same household) may file claims. This Commitment is not transferable to a new owner without our written consent.
9) Your Legal Rights
This Commitment gives you specific rights. You may have additional consumer rights that vary by state or province. Nothing here limits protections you have under applicable law.
10) Dispute Resolution (Customer-First)
We aim to solve issues informally and quickly. If a dispute remains:
- You may choose Small Claims Court in your home county/state, or
- Voluntary arbitration under AAA Consumer Rules only if you elect it.
There is no mandatory arbitration and no class-action waiver in this Commitment.
11) Definitions
- Veterinarian: A doctor of veterinary medicine licensed by the applicable authority.
- Purchase Price: The puppy’s price paid to Guardian Paws (excludes taxes, travel, health certificates, supplies, or other add-ons).