Website Terms and Conditions of Use
Effective Date: September 4, 2026
Last Updated: September 4, 2026
These Terms and Conditions of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website, online services, membership resources, event registration systems, educational materials, and other digital services operated by the Virginia Professional Pet Groomers Association (“VPPGA,” “Association,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).
By accessing or using the VPPGA website, creating an account, purchasing or renewing a membership, registering for an event or educational program, submitting information through the website, or otherwise using our online services, you agree to these Terms and any policies incorporated into these Terms by reference.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not use the website or associated online services.
1. About VPPGA
The Virginia Professional Pet Groomers Association is a professional association serving individuals and businesses within the pet grooming and pet care industry. VPPGA provides membership benefits, professional education, industry resources, networking opportunities, events, advocacy, and other programs consistent with the Association's mission.
Information provided through the VPPGA website is intended primarily for educational, informational, professional, and Association-related purposes.
2. Eligibility and Use of the Website
You may use this website only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.
By using the website, you represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are using the website or completing a transaction on behalf of a business, organization, or other entity, you represent that you are authorized to act on behalf of that entity.
You agree not to:
Use the website for unlawful, fraudulent, abusive, or misleading purposes;
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website, member accounts, servers, databases, or systems;
Interfere with or disrupt the operation or security of the website;
Introduce viruses, malware, malicious code, or other harmful technology;
Scrape, harvest, copy, or systematically collect information from the website without authorization;
Impersonate VPPGA, another member, another organization, or any other person;
Use VPPGA's name, logo, materials, membership directory, or other resources in a misleading or unauthorized manner;
Use member information obtained through VPPGA for unsolicited mass marketing, spam, harassment, or other unauthorized commercial purposes; or
Engage in conduct that VPPGA reasonably determines may harm the Association, its members, its events, its systems, or other users.
VPPGA reserves the right to restrict or terminate access to the website when reasonably necessary to protect the Association, its members, its systems, or the integrity of its programs.
3. Membership
Membership in VPPGA is subject to the eligibility requirements, dues, membership categories, bylaws, policies, codes of conduct, and other rules established by VPPGA.
Membership benefits may vary by membership category and may change from time to time.
Payment of membership dues does not create an employment, partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, or other business relationship between a member and VPPGA.
Unless otherwise stated at the time of purchase, membership dues are non-refundable once a membership term has begun.
VPPGA reserves the right to deny, suspend, terminate, or decline to renew membership when permitted under the Association's bylaws or policies.
Termination or expiration of membership may result in the loss of access to member-only resources, pricing, directories, educational materials, or other membership benefits.
4. Member Accounts
Certain portions of the website may require an account.
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for activity conducted through your account.
You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information and to update your information when necessary.
You may not share account credentials in a manner that provides unauthorized access to member-only materials or benefits.
VPPGA may suspend or restrict an account if we reasonably believe it has been compromised, misused, or used in violation of these Terms.
5. Event, Class, and Program Registration
VPPGA may offer conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, competitions, networking events, certification programs, educational sessions, or other activities.
Registration for an event or program may be subject to additional terms, including:
Registration deadlines;
Eligibility requirements;
Attendance requirements;
Cancellation and refund policies;
Transfer or substitution policies;
Event-specific codes of conduct;
Competition rules;
Vendor or exhibitor requirements;
Photography and media policies; and
Health, safety, animal, venue, or facility requirements.
Any event-specific terms presented during registration are incorporated into these Terms.
If event-specific terms conflict with these general Terms regarding that particular event, the event-specific terms will control.
6. Payments
Prices, membership dues, registration fees, sponsorship fees, exhibitor fees, and other charges will be displayed or otherwise communicated before purchase.
You agree to provide accurate billing and payment information and authorize VPPGA and its authorized payment processors or registration providers to process the applicable charges.
VPPGA may use third-party platforms to process registrations, payments, ticketing, membership transactions, or other services. Your use of those services may also be governed by the third party's applicable terms and privacy policies.
VPPGA does not guarantee that every payment method or registration platform will remain available.
7. Refunds and Cancellations
Refund and cancellation policies may vary depending upon the membership, event, class, sponsorship, booth, program, or product purchased.
The applicable refund or cancellation policy provided at the time of registration or purchase will govern that transaction. If no policy is expressly stated at registration or time of purchase, VPPGA will abide by the following refund policies:
A. Membership Dues
Membership dues are non-refundable once processed.
B. Event Registration Refunds
Refunds for events are permitted under the following structure:
Full refund: If requested 14 days or more days before the event, unless otherwise stated in the event sign up
50% Refund: If requested 7 - 13 days before the event
No Refund: If requested within 6 days of the event
Registrations may be transferred to another individual with written notice at least 72 hours in advance of the event.
C. Sponsorship Fees
Sponsorship Fees are non-refundable once processed.
D. Merchandise Returns
Merchandise and digital products are non-refundable.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, processing fees, platform fees, payment-processing fees, and other third-party transaction charges may be non-refundable. If you believe a transaction was duplicated or processed in error, contact us immediately and we will investigate.
VPPGA reserves the right to cancel, postpone, reschedule, relocate, or modify an event, class, speaker, instructor, program, schedule, or format when reasonably necessary.
If VPPGA cancels an event entirely, VPPGA will determine the applicable refund, credit, or transfer procedure and communicate that procedure to affected registrants.
How to Request a Refund
Send all refund requests to:
Please include the following information:
Name of Purchaser
Name on Ticket, if different from above
Email used for purchase
Order Number or Unique Identifier listed on purchase receipt
Reason for the request
Resolution usually takes 2 - 10 business days.
By submitting payment through the Site, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Refund Policy.
8. Educational Information and Professional Disclaimer
VPPGA provides educational and professional information relating to pet grooming, animal care, business operations, safety, professional development, and other industry topics.
Such information is provided for general educational purposes only.
VPPGA does not guarantee that any particular technique, recommendation, product, procedure, business practice, legal interpretation, safety practice, or educational method is appropriate for every person, business, animal, or situation.
Users remain responsible for exercising their own professional judgment and complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, veterinary requirements, safety standards, and industry obligations.
Nothing provided by VPPGA constitutes veterinary, medical, legal, tax, accounting, financial, or other licensed professional advice.
When appropriate, users should consult a qualified professional.
9. Speakers, Instructors, Vendors, Sponsors, and Third Parties
VPPGA may provide access to speakers, educators, instructors, vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, manufacturers, service providers, or other third parties.
Their statements, products, services, techniques, recommendations, and opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or endorsement of VPPGA.
Participation in a VPPGA event, sponsorship, advertisement, educational session, directory, or vendor program does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by VPPGA unless expressly stated otherwise.
VPPGA is not responsible for transactions or disputes between users and third-party vendors, exhibitors, instructors, sponsors, service providers, or other members.
10. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, the VPPGA website and its contents are owned by or licensed to VPPGA and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
Protected materials may include, without limitation:
The VPPGA name and logo;
Website text and graphics;
Photographs and videos;
Educational materials;
Handouts and presentations;
Training resources;
Membership resources;
Event materials;
Publications;
Templates;
Downloads;
Recorded webinars or educational sessions; and
Other original VPPGA content.
You may access and use VPPGA materials for your personal or internal professional use when permitted by VPPGA.
Unless expressly authorized in writing, you may not reproduce, distribute, sell, sublicense, publicly display, publish, modify, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit VPPGA materials.
Membership or event registration does not transfer ownership of VPPGA intellectual property.
11. Content Submitted to VPPGA
Users may have opportunities to submit photographs, videos, comments, articles, educational materials, directory information, business information, testimonials, event materials, or other content.
You represent that you have the necessary rights and permissions to submit any content you provide.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, by voluntarily submitting content for publication, promotion, or use by VPPGA, you grant VPPGA a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, distribute, and publish that content for Association-related purposes.
You retain ownership of your original content.
VPPGA may remove submitted content that violates these Terms, applicable law, Association policies, or the rights of another person.
12. Member Directory and Business Listings
Participating members of the member directory or business listings are responsible for ensuring their information is accurate and current.
Directory information is provided for informational and networking purposes.
VPPGA does not independently guarantee or warrant the qualifications, licensing, insurance, certifications, experience, services, availability, conduct, or business practices of individuals or businesses listed in a directory.
Inclusion in a directory does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by VPPGA.
Users may not scrape, reproduce, sell, redistribute, or use directory information for unauthorized mass solicitation or marketing.
13. Third-Party Websites and Services
The website may contain links to third-party websites, products, registration platforms, payment processors, social media platforms, educational resources, or services.
VPPGA does not control these third parties and is not responsible for their content, availability, security, privacy practices, terms, products, or services.
A link to a third-party resource does not necessarily constitute endorsement by VPPGA.
Your interactions with third-party websites and services are governed by their own terms and policies.
14. Website Availability
VPPGA attempts to maintain accurate and accessible online services but does not guarantee that the website will always operate without interruption, delay, error, or security vulnerability.
VPPGA may modify, suspend, discontinue, update, or restrict any portion of the website or online services at any time.
We may also perform maintenance or make changes without prior notice.
15. Accuracy of Information
VPPGA makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate and current information. However, information may occasionally contain errors, omissions, outdated information, or typographical mistakes.
VPPGA reserves the right to correct errors and update information without prior notice.
Users should independently verify information when it is important to a professional, financial, legal, animal-care, or business decision.
16. Disclaimer of Warranties
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE WEBSITE, CONTENT, MATERIALS, SERVICES, AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY VPPGA ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS.
VPPGA MAKES NO GUARANTEE THAT THE WEBSITE OR ITS CONTENT WILL BE ERROR-FREE, UNINTERRUPTED, COMPLETELY SECURE, OR SUITABLE FOR EVERY USER OR PURPOSE.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, VPPGA DISCLAIMS WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
Nothing in these Terms excludes any warranty or right that cannot lawfully be excluded.
17. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, VPPGA AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, VOLUNTEERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE, PARTICIPATION IN VPPGA PROGRAMS, OR RELIANCE UPON INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE WEBSITE.
VPPGA is not responsible for losses resulting from unauthorized access to an account, third-party services, internet outages, malware, events beyond VPPGA's reasonable control, or a user's reliance upon third-party information.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability where such limitation is prohibited by applicable law.
18. Assumption of Risk for In-Person Activities
Certain VPPGA programs may involve live animals, grooming tools, equipment, demonstrations, competitions, travel, physical activities, or other inherent risks.
Participants are responsible for following applicable safety instructions, event rules, venue requirements, and professional standards.
Additional releases, waivers, or acknowledgments may be required for particular events or activities.
These Terms do not replace any event-specific waiver or release presented to a participant.
19. Indemnification
To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless VPPGA and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, committee members, contractors, and agents from claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and reasonable expenses arising from your violation of these Terms, misuse of the website, violation of another person's rights, or unlawful conduct.
This provision does not require indemnification to the extent prohibited by applicable law.
20. Privacy
VPPGA's collection and use of personal information is governed by its Privacy Policy and other applicable privacy notices.
The Privacy Policy should be reviewed together with these Terms.
Certain third-party registration or payment platforms may independently collect information subject to their own privacy policies.
21. Electronic Communications
When you provide your email address or other electronic contact information to VPPGA, you may receive communications relating to your membership, transactions, registrations, events, Association business, or other services you request.
Marketing and promotional communications will be handled in accordance with applicable law and available opt-out mechanisms.
You are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information with VPPGA.
22. Photography, Video, and Event Media
VPPGA events may be photographed, recorded, livestreamed, or otherwise documented.
Specific events may include additional photography, recording, publicity, or media terms during registration.
Individuals who do not wish to be photographed or recorded should notify VPPGA when an applicable opt-out process is available.
23. Copyright Complaints
If you believe content appearing on the VPPGA website infringes your intellectual property rights, you may contact VPPGA with sufficient information to identify the material, explain the claimed rights, and allow VPPGA to investigate the matter.
24. Changes to These Terms
VPPGA may revise these Terms periodically to reflect changes to its website, programs, services, technology, business practices, or legal obligations.
Updated Terms will be posted on the website with a revised “Last Updated” date.
When appropriate, VPPGA may provide additional notice of material changes.
Continued use of the website after updated Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.
25. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, any legal proceeding arising from these Terms or use of the VPPGA website shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
26. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable where possible.
The remaining provisions will remain in effect.
27. No Waiver
VPPGA's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not waive its right to enforce that provision or any other provision in the future.
28. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the VPPGA Privacy Policy and any applicable membership, event, registration, competition, vendor, sponsorship, or program-specific terms, constitute the applicable agreement between the user and VPPGA concerning use of the website and related online services.
Additional agreements may apply to specific transactions or activities.
29. Contact VPPGA
Questions regarding these Terms and Conditions may be directed to:
Virginia Professional Pet Groomers Association (VPPGA)
Email: info@vppga.org
Mailing Address: 4500 Plank Rd., Ste 1030, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Website: vppga.org
NOTICE: These Terms and Conditions are intended to establish general rules governing use of VPPGA's website and online services. Event registrations, competitions, memberships, sponsorships, vendor agreements, and other programs may be subject to additional agreements, waivers, policies, or rules.