Veterinary Partner Policy

Introduction and acceptance

This Veterinary Partner Policy (the “Policy”) governs the engagement of veterinary practitioners with Acquir Technologies (“Vetsy”, “we”, “us” or “our”) through the Vetsy Partners application and the related systems of the Vetsy platform (together, the “Platform”).

By applying to join, signing in to, or otherwise using the Platform, the Partner agrees to be bound by this Policy, which is supplementary to and is to be read with the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. In matters concerning Partners, this Policy shall prevail in the event of any inconsistency.

This Policy is an electronic record under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Acceptance is effected by conduct, and no physical or digital signature is required.

Definitions

“Partner”

a veterinary practitioner registered with the Veterinary Council of India or a State Veterinary Council under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, whose application has been approved by Vetsy.

“Pet Owner”

a person who uses the Platform to obtain veterinary services for an animal in their care.

“Booking”

a request for a home visit or vaccination that a Partner has accepted through the Platform and of which the Pet Owner has been notified.

“Teleconsultation”

a consultation with a Pet Owner conducted by video or voice call through the Platform.

“Services”

the veterinary services provided by a Partner through the Platform, including home visits, vaccinations, Teleconsultations, prescriptions and clinical records.

“Platform Fee”

the portion of the fee for a Service retained by Vetsy, as communicated to the Partner.

“Pet Owner Data”

any personal data, address, contact details or animal health information concerning a Pet Owner that the Partner accesses in connection with a Service.

Admission to the Platform

1. A veterinary practitioner may apply to join through the Vetsy Partners application by submitting: (i) a registration number issued by the Veterinary Council of India or a State Veterinary Council; (ii) a copy of the current council registration certificate; (iii) a masked copy of the Aadhaar, with only the last four digits visible; and (iv) a mobile number and email address.
2. Admission is at the discretion of Vetsy. A Partner may provide Services only after the application has been approved and the account activated.
3. The Partner warrants that all information and documents submitted are accurate, current and complete. Any material misrepresentation constitutes a material breach of this Policy.
4. Vetsy verifies the fact of registration only. Verification is not a representation or endorsement of the Partner’s clinical competence, fitness to practise or quality of care.

Nature of the engagement

The Partner engages with Vetsy solely as an independent professional. Nothing in this Policy creates any relationship of employment, agency, partnership or joint venture between the Partner and Vetsy. The Partner has no authority to bind Vetsy or to incur any obligation on its behalf.

Vetsy provides the technology for bookings, scheduling, Teleconsultations, records and payment facilitation. Vetsy does not direct, supervise or control the Partner’s clinical judgment. All diagnoses, treatment decisions, prescriptions and clinical outcomes are the sole professional responsibility of the Partner.

Availability and bookings

1. The Partner indicates availability for new requests through the Platform. Requests for home visits and Teleconsultations are offered to available Partners in the relevant service area.
2. A Booking is confirmed only when the Partner accepts the request through the Platform and the Pet Owner is notified. Vetsy does not guarantee any minimum volume of requests.
3. The Partner shall respond to requests in a consistent and timely manner, within the limits of availability and professional capacity, and may decline a request where genuine constraints of availability, travel or clinical suitability exist.

Teleconsultations

1. The Partner shall conduct Teleconsultations with the same professional care as an in-person consultation, and shall recommend a home visit or attendance at a clinic where a physical examination is required.
2. Vetsy does not record Teleconsultations. The Partner shall not record a Pet Owner without the Pet Owner’s consent.
3. A prescription issued in a Teleconsultation shall be issued only where the Partner considers it clinically appropriate on the information available.

Cancellations and non-attendance

1. Where the Partner is unable to attend a confirmed Booking, the Partner shall inform Vetsy as early as possible so that the Pet Owner may be informed and, where practicable, an alternative arranged. Repeated late cancellations or non-attendance constitute a material breach of this Policy.
2. Pet Owners may cancel in accordance with the Cancellation and Refund Policy. No payment is due for a visit that does not take place by reason of the Pet Owner’s cancellation.
3. Where the Partner attends and the visit cannot proceed owing to the Pet Owner’s absence or failure to provide access, the Partner shall record the attempt and inform Vetsy. Any compensation shall be determined by Vetsy at its reasonable discretion.

Fees, earnings and payouts

1. The fee for a home visit is payable by the Pet Owner upon completion of the visit, through the Platform. The Partner’s earnings for each completed Service are the applicable fee less the Platform Fee.
2. The Platform Fee is communicated to the Partner at the time of admission. Vetsy may revise it upon notice to the Partner; a revision applies only to Services confirmed after the date stated in the notice.
3. Earnings are paid to the Partner’s registered bank account within the payout period communicated to the Partner, with a statement of earnings and deductions. Any query concerning a payout shall be raised within a reasonable period of receipt of the statement.
4. The Partner shall not solicit or accept payment from a Pet Owner otherwise than through the Platform.

Taxes

The Partner is solely responsible for all taxes on earnings received through the Platform, including income tax and goods and services tax, as applicable. Vetsy does not deduct, withhold or remit taxes on the Partner’s behalf. The Partner is advised to obtain independent professional advice on applicable tax obligations.

Professional standards

The Partner shall at all times:

1. maintain a valid registration with the Veterinary Council of India or the relevant State Veterinary Council;
2. exercise independent professional judgment in examination, diagnosis, prescription and treatment;
3. provide care to the standard reasonably expected of a competent practitioner;
4. communicate findings, treatment plans and post-visit instructions to Pet Owners accurately and clearly;
5. maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of Services on the Platform;
6. comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (to the extent applicable) and all other laws governing veterinary practice in India; and
7. decline any Service outside the Partner’s competence, or that would be clinically inappropriate or contrary to the welfare of the animal.

Conduct during home visits

During a home visit, the Partner shall:

1. arrive within the agreed time and inform the Pet Owner or Vetsy promptly of any expected delay;
2. carry the equipment and materials reasonably required for the Service;
3. conduct themselves courteously, and treat the Pet Owner’s property, household and animals with care and respect;
4. handle animals in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and established veterinary practice; and
5. discontinue the visit and inform Vetsy immediately where the premises, the conduct of any person or any other circumstance presents a genuine risk to the safety of the Partner or the animal.

Confidentiality and data protection

Pet Owner Data is made available to the Partner solely to provide the Service concerned. The Partner shall:

1. keep Pet Owner Data strictly confidential and not disclose it to any third party, except as required by law or with Vetsy’s prior written consent;
2. use Pet Owner Data only to provide the Service for which it was made available;
3. not contact Pet Owners outside the Platform except to perform a confirmed Booking;
4. not retain Pet Owner Data beyond the period required for clinical record-keeping under law; and
5. inform Vetsy without undue delay of any actual or suspected unauthorised disclosure, loss or misuse of Pet Owner Data.

The Partner shall comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the rules made under them, to the extent applicable. The obligations in this section survive the termination of this Policy.

Non-solicitation

During the engagement and for 6 (six) months after its termination, the Partner shall not, directly or indirectly, provide or arrange veterinary services outside the Platform for any Pet Owner introduced to the Partner through the Platform. This restriction does not apply to a Pet Owner who approaches the Partner independently and without reference to the Platform, or to a professional relationship established before the Partner joined the Platform. This obligation survives termination.

Registration and mandatory disclosures

The Partner is solely responsible for the timely renewal of registration. The Partner shall inform Vetsy in writing within 48 (forty-eight) hours of becoming aware of:

1. the suspension, cancellation, revocation or lapse of the Partner’s registration;
2. the initiation of any disciplinary inquiry or proceeding by a veterinary council or other professional regulator; or
3. the institution of criminal proceedings relevant to the Partner’s fitness to practise.

Failure to make such disclosure is a material breach of this Policy.

Liability, indemnity and insurance

1. The Partner bears sole professional and legal responsibility for all clinical Services rendered through the Platform, including every act, omission, diagnosis, prescription and treatment decision.
2. The Partner shall indemnify and hold harmless Vetsy, its co-founders, employees and agents against all claims, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (i) any veterinary care, act or omission of the Partner; (ii) any breach of this Policy by the Partner; (iii) any violation of law or professional regulation by the Partner; or (iv) any third-party claim arising from the Partner’s conduct during a Service.
3. Professional indemnity insurance is not presently a condition of admission. The Partner is strongly advised to maintain cover appropriate to the Partner’s practice. The absence of such cover does not limit the Partner’s obligations under this Policy.

Suspension and termination

1. Either party may terminate the engagement without cause on reasonable prior written notice. The Partner may also close the account in the Vetsy Partners application (Profile → Delete account).
2. Vetsy may suspend or terminate the engagement with immediate effect on: (i) a credible complaint concerning the Partner’s conduct or standard of care; (ii) the suspension, lapse, cancellation or revocation of the Partner’s registration; (iii) a material breach of this Policy; (iv) conduct that Vetsy reasonably determines to be incompatible with the safety, reputation or operation of the Platform; or (v) the institution of criminal proceedings relevant to fitness to practise.
3. On termination, the Partner’s access is deactivated, and payouts for Services completed before termination are settled within the usual payout period. Clinical records created by the Partner remain part of the relevant health records. The sections on confidentiality, non-solicitation and liability survive termination.

Amendments

Vetsy may amend this Policy from time to time. Material amendments shall be notified to the Partner by email or Platform notification before they take effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance; a Partner who does not accept an amendment may terminate the engagement in accordance with this Policy.

Governing law and disputes

This Policy is governed by the laws of India. Before commencing legal proceedings, the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute amicably within 30 (thirty) days of written notice of the dispute. Subject to that, the courts at Guwahati, Assam shall have exclusive jurisdiction. If any provision of this Policy is held unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions shall continue in effect. This Policy, with the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties on its subject matter.

Notices and contacts

Notices under this Policy shall be given in writing to the contacts below. A notice sent by email is deemed received upon confirmed transmission.