Terms of Use

Last Updated: October 17, 2026

Welcome to the Olean Kennel Club website.

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your use of oleankennelclub.com and the online services offered through the website by Olean Kennel Club, Inc. (“Olean Kennel Club,” “OKC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

Please read these Terms before using the website, creating or using a member account, submitting a registration, making a payment or donation, posting content, or using other website features.

By using the website or submitting information through it, you agree to these Terms. When an online registration, application, or transaction includes a separate checkbox asking you to accept these Terms, checking that box also confirms your agreement.

If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use website features that require acceptance of them.

1. Scope of These Terms

These Terms govern use of the Olean Kennel Club website and online services.

They do not replace Olean Kennel Club's Constitution and Bylaws, Rules & Procedures, event premiums, waivers and releases, AKC rules and regulations, or other policies that may apply to a particular membership, class, event, trial, activity, or use of Club facilities.

Membership and Club governance are controlled by the Olean Kennel Club Constitution and Bylaws and Rules & Procedures. If these Terms conflict with those documents on a membership or governance matter, the applicable governing document controls.

AKC trials and other sanctioned events may also be subject to American Kennel Club rules, the official event premium, and event-specific requirements. Those provisions control where applicable.

Certain classes, seminars, and special events may have additional registration, cancellation, refund, participation, or safety terms. When clearly stated in an event or class listing, those event-specific terms supplement these Terms and control with respect to that activity.

Our Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms and explains how Olean Kennel Club collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information.

2. Eligibility and Minors

The public portions of our website are available to general visitors.

Member accounts are available only to eligible Olean Kennel Club members.

Individuals under 16 may participate in eligible Olean Kennel Club activities, but a parent or legal guardian must manage their online registration, membership information, and website account.

Parents and legal guardians who use the website on behalf of a minor are responsible for the information they submit and for ensuring the minor complies with applicable Club requirements.

3. Member Accounts

Each individual may have only one member account unless Olean Kennel Club expressly authorizes otherwise.

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and current account information;
• Updating your information when it changes;
• Keeping your password and login credentials confidential;
• Not sharing your account with another person;
• Not using another person's account; and
• Promptly notifying Olean Kennel Club if you believe your account has been accessed or compromised without authorization.

Olean Kennel Club may temporarily restrict, suspend, or disable an account when we reasonably believe it has been compromised, is being misused, or is being used in violation of these Terms or applicable Club policies.

Member-only website access ends when membership ends.

Suspension or restriction of website access is an administrative website action and is separate from formal membership discipline. Any suspension, termination, expulsion, or other disciplinary action concerning membership itself is governed by Olean Kennel Club's applicable governing documents.

4. Membership Applications and Membership Status

Submitting a membership application or paying an application-related fee does not guarantee membership in Olean Kennel Club.

Prospective members must complete the membership process established by the Olean Kennel Club Constitution and Bylaws, which includes attendance at required Club meetings, presentation of the application to the membership, and a membership vote.

If a prospective member pays membership-related fees and is not approved for membership, those fees will be refunded.

Once membership has been approved, dues are generally nonrefundable. The Olean Kennel Club Board may consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis when circumstances warrant.

Membership may be denied, suspended, terminated, or otherwise affected only as provided by the Club's governing documents and applicable rules.

5. Membership Renewals and Automatic Payments

Olean Kennel Club memberships require periodic renewal and payment of applicable dues.

Where available, members may choose to authorize recurring or automatic payment of membership dues. Automatic payment is not required unless clearly stated for a particular membership option.

Before a recurring payment arrangement is established, applicable renewal terms—including the amount or method for determining the charge, renewal frequency, and cancellation method—will be presented through the applicable registration or payment process.

By affirmatively enrolling in automatic payments, you authorize the applicable payment processor to charge the selected payment method for future membership renewals according to the terms shown when you enroll.

Members may stop future recurring membership payments using the options available through their member profile or by contacting Olean Kennel Club.

Stopping automatic payment does not retroactively cancel a payment that has already been properly processed and does not by itself alter any separate membership obligations or requirements.

6. Classes, Seminars, and Other Programs

Registration through the website reserves a place only for the specific person, dog, class, session, or activity identified in the registration.

Registrations are not transferable to another person, dog, class, or program unless Olean Kennel Club expressly approves an exception.

Participants are responsible for reviewing and complying with:

• Eligibility requirements;
• Prerequisites;
• Age requirements;
• Vaccination requirements;
• Health requirements;
• Equipment requirements;
• Behavioral or temperament requirements;
• Registration deadlines; and
• Any additional requirements stated in the applicable class or event listing.

Olean Kennel Club may refuse or discontinue participation when reasonably necessary for safety, failure to meet participation requirements, or violation of applicable Club policies.

7. Class/Event Cancellation and Refund Policy

Unless a particular class, seminar, or event listing states different terms, the following general policy applies.

Cancellation by the Participant

If you cancel seven or more days before the class or event begins, the registration fee is eligible for a refund.

Cancellations received fewer than seven days before the start of the event are not automatically refundable. Refund requests may be considered by the Olean Kennel Club Board on a case-by-case basis.

Once a class or multi-session program has begun, registration fees are generally nonrefundable. The Board may consider exceptional circumstances outside the participant's reasonable control on a case-by-case basis.

No refund is provided for an individual session missed by a participant.

Cancellation by Olean Kennel Club

If Olean Kennel Club cancels an entire event, class, or multi-session program, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee.

If an individual session is canceled because of weather, instructor availability, facility conditions, or another circumstance, Olean Kennel Club will ordinarily schedule a makeup session rather than issue a partial refund.

Removal or Withdrawal for Safety or Conduct

If a dog or handler must discontinue participation because of aggression, illness, health or vaccination concerns, unsafe conduct, inappropriate behavior, or another safety-related issue, any refund or credit will be determined by the Olean Kennel Club Board on a case-by-case basis.

Processing Fees

For an otherwise eligible refund of a payment made by credit/debit card, $5 will be deducted from the refund to offset payment-processing costs, except when Olean Kennel Club cancels the entire class or program.

Other processing or convenience fees, where applicable, are generally nonrefundable unless required by law or expressly stated otherwise.

Special Events and Seminars

Some events, particularly seminars or programs involving outside instructors, facility commitments, or other advance expenses, may have different refund policies and may be designated nonrefundable.

Any different cancellation or refund terms will be stated in the applicable event listing and will control for that event.

Olean Kennel Club may, in its discretion, issue a refund, credit, or other accommodation in unusual circumstances.

8. Events and AKC Trials

Olean Kennel Club may organize educational programs, social events, competitions, trials, tests, seminars, and other activities.

For non-trial events registered through our website, the applicable event listing may establish requirements concerning:

• Eligibility;
• Capacity;
• Registration deadlines;
• Fees;
• Refunds;
• Cancellations;
• Participation requirements; and
• Other event-specific conditions.

Olean Kennel Club may cancel, postpone, relocate, reschedule, or reasonably modify an event when circumstances require.

AKC Trials and Sanctioned Events

Entries for AKC trials are generally not processed through the Olean Kennel Club website.

Trial entries and participation are governed by the applicable:

• Official premium;
• AKC rules and regulations;
• Trial secretary or entry service requirements;
• Entry deadlines;
• Refund and withdrawal provisions; and
• Event-specific policies.

If information on a general Olean Kennel Club webpage differs from the official premium or other controlling event document, the official premium or controlling event document governs.

9. Participation, Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability

Participation in, attendance at, volunteering for, or observation of activities involving dogs carries inherent and other risks. By choosing to participate in or attend an Olean Kennel Club activity, you acknowledge and voluntarily accept those risks.

Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk

Dog training, dog sports, trials, tests, seminars, classes, demonstrations, social activities, and other Olean Kennel Club programs may involve unpredictable animals, physical activity, equipment, unfamiliar environments, and interaction with other people and dogs.

Risks may include, but are not limited to:

• Dog bites, scratches, kicks, or other animal-related injuries;
• Dogs pulling, jumping, lunging, running, escaping, or behaving unpredictably;
• Collisions between people, dogs, equipment, or other objects;
• Slips, trips, falls, strains, sprains, and other physical injuries;
• Injury caused by training, sport, trial, or event equipment;
• Injury to or illness of a dog;
• Interactions or altercations between dogs;
• Exposure to communicable or zoonotic illness;
• Weather, terrain, parking areas, walking surfaces, facility conditions, and other environmental hazards;
• Damage to, loss of, or theft of personal property; and
• The acts or omissions of other participants, spectators, volunteers, instructors, handlers, dogs, or third parties.

These and other risks may result in property damage, financial loss, bodily injury, illness, permanent disability, injury to a dog or other animal, or, in rare circumstances, death.

By participating in, attending, observing, or volunteering at an Olean Kennel Club class, program, seminar, trial, test, meeting, event, activity, or other function, you knowingly and voluntarily assume all inherent and reasonably foreseeable risks associated with that participation or presence, whether specifically described above or not.

Release and Waiver of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to release, waive, and hold harmless Olean Kennel Club, Inc., together with its officers, directors, members, instructors, trainers, volunteers, agents, event officials, contractors, representatives, successors and assigns, and the owners, lessors, or operators of premises used for Olean Kennel Club activities (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, costs, or liabilities arising out of or relating to:

• Your participation in, attendance at, observation of, or volunteering for an Olean Kennel Club activity;
• Your presence at a facility or location being used for an Olean Kennel Club activity;
• Your handling of or interaction with a dog;
• The participation or behavior of your dog;
• Interaction with other participants, spectators, volunteers, instructors, or dogs;
• Use of facilities, grounds, equipment, obstacles, training devices, or other property; or
• Other risks associated with Olean Kennel Club activities.

This release is intended, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to include claims arising from the ordinary negligence of a Released Party. It does not waive or release any claim that applicable law does not permit a person to waive or release.

You understand that injuries, losses, or damages may arise from risks that are known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, foreseeable or unforeseeable, and you voluntarily accept those risks to the extent permitted by law.

Responsibility for Yourself and Your Dog

Participants are responsible for determining whether they and their dogs are physically, medically, behaviorally, and temperamentally appropriate for an activity.

You are responsible for maintaining reasonable control of your dog and for complying with all safety instructions, facility rules, event requirements, and directions given by authorized Olean Kennel Club representatives.

You accept responsibility for injury or damage caused by you or your dog to the extent provided by applicable law.

Olean Kennel Club may refuse, limit, suspend, or discontinue participation by any person or dog when reasonably necessary to protect participants, dogs, instructors, volunteers, spectators, property, or the safe operation of an activity.

Minors

When a parent or legal guardian registers a minor for or permits a minor to participate in an Olean Kennel Club activity, the parent or guardian acknowledges the risks associated with the activity and agrees to these provisions on their own behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of the minor.

Additional Waivers and Event Requirements

Certain classes, trials, tests, seminars, events, facilities, instructors, or other activities may require participants to sign or accept a separate waiver, release, assumption-of-risk agreement, premium, entry form, or participation agreement.

Any additional waiver or release supplements these Terms rather than replacing them unless it expressly states otherwise.

Participation may be denied when a required waiver, release, entry form, or other participation agreement has not been completed.

By registering for, attending, participating in, observing, or volunteering at an Olean Kennel Club activity, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this section and agree to its terms.

10. Dog Health and Responsible Ownership

Participants are responsible for meeting the vaccination and health requirements applicable to their activity and providing requested documentation.

A dog that is ill or potentially contagious must not attend a class, enter the training facility, or participate in an Olean Kennel Club activity until the dog has returned to full health.

This includes dogs experiencing signs of potentially communicable illness, including symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, or parasites.

Olean Kennel Club may require a dog to leave or refrain from participating when there is a reasonable health or safety concern.

Olean Kennel Club is committed to responsible and humane dog ownership.

Abuse, neglect, cruelty, or inappropriate treatment of a dog is not tolerated in connection with Olean Kennel Club activities or facilities. Participants are expected to handle and care for dogs humanely and responsibly and to place the welfare of their dogs first.

11. Sportsmanship and Civility

Olean Kennel Club expects members, participants, volunteers, exhibitors, instructors, and others interacting with the Club to uphold the principles of the American Kennel Club Code of Sportsmanship and Civility.

This expectation applies both in person and in Club-related online interactions.

Participants should treat fellow members, exhibitors, instructors, judges, volunteers, visitors, and others with courtesy and respect.

Disagreement, competition, and constructive discussion are welcome. Harassment, intimidation, personal attacks, abusive conduct, and behavior inconsistent with good sportsmanship and responsible dog ownership are not.

12. Acceptable Use of the Website

You may use the website only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with these Terms.

You may not:

• Harass, threaten, bully, discriminate against, intimidate, or abuse another person;
• Impersonate another person or organization;
• Submit fraudulent, deceptive, or intentionally misleading information;
• Attempt to access another user's account;
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted portions of the website, databases, or systems;
• Introduce malware, malicious code, or other harmful technology;
• Interfere with or attempt to disrupt operation of the website;
• Use automated methods to scrape, harvest, or systematically collect website or member information;
• Send spam or unsolicited commercial messages;
• Use member information for unrelated commercial solicitation;
• Post unlawful, defamatory, infringing, abusive, or otherwise prohibited material;
• Violate another person's intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or other rights;
• Use the website to facilitate unlawful activity; or
• Use the website in a manner that violates applicable Olean Kennel Club or AKC rules.

13. Member Directory

The member directory exists to support community, fellowship, communication, and appropriate connections among Olean Kennel Club members.

Members may use directory information for legitimate Club-related and member-to-member purposes.

Directory access does not give a member permission to use another member's information for unrelated purposes.

You may not:

• Scrape or systematically download the member directory;
• Compile directory information into an outside database or mailing list;
• Sell, rent, distribute, or disclose directory information;
• Use directory information for unrelated commercial solicitation;
• Add members to outside or unrelated marketing lists without permission; or
• Repeatedly contact or harass another member after that person has asked you to stop.

Legitimate, respectful Club-related communication between members is encouraged.

14. Forums, Brags, Testimonials, and Other User Content

The website may allow users to submit posts, photographs, comments, testimonials, documents, attachments, messages, and other material (“User Content”).

Some forums and features are available only to logged-in members.

Other areas, including certain Brags, Testimonials, or similar features, may be visible to the general public. Before posting, users should pay attention to whether the area is public or member-only and should not post information they wish to keep private.

Posts may display the name or profile of the person submitting them.

Users are responsible for the content they submit and must have the necessary rights and permissions to post it.

You may not upload or post material that:

• Violates these Terms;
• Violates another person's copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other rights;
• Contains unlawful, threatening, discriminatory, abusive, or defamatory content;
• Contain profanity or nudity;
• Contains spam or unauthorized commercial promotion;
• Is intentionally false or misleading;
• Inappropriately discloses another person's private information; or
• Is otherwise inconsistent with Olean Kennel Club rules or the purpose of the applicable forum.

Olean Kennel Club may moderate its website and may edit, hide, move, lock, or remove User Content when reasonably necessary.

We may also restrict or suspend a user's posting, messaging, or forum privileges.

Moderation decisions concerning website content are separate from formal membership disciplinary proceedings.

Private Messages

Website features may allow members to communicate directly with one another.

Users are expected to apply the same standards of civility and appropriate conduct to private messages as to other Club-related communications. A private messaging feature should not be used for harassment, spam, unwanted solicitation, or other prohibited conduct.

15. Content You Submit and Permission to Use It

You retain ownership of the original content you submit to Olean Kennel Club unless another agreement states otherwise.

By voluntarily submitting or posting photographs, videos, testimonials, Brags, written material, or other User Content to an Olean Kennel Club website feature, you confirm that you have the right to provide that material.

You grant Olean Kennel Club a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, publish, format, distribute, and share that submitted content for legitimate Olean Kennel Club purposes, including:

• Operating the website;
• Displaying the content in the feature to which it was submitted;
• Club newsletters;
• Social media;
• Event and program promotion;
• Marketing materials;
• Educational materials; and
• Other communications promoting or documenting Olean Kennel Club and its activities.

This permission does not transfer ownership of your content to Olean Kennel Club.

By submitting material containing another identifiable person, you represent that you have appropriate permission to provide and authorize use of that material.

Olean Kennel Club may retain already-published materials and reasonable archival records even if the original submission is later removed from the website.

16. Olean Kennel Club Content and Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise identified, the content created or owned by Olean Kennel Club—including our name, logo, original website text, graphics, designs, photographs, educational materials, and other original content—is owned by or licensed to Olean Kennel Club and is protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.

You may view, download, or print reasonable portions of OKC-owned website content for personal, noncommercial use.

You may not, without permission:

• Sell OKC-owned content;
• Republish substantial website content as your own;
• Modify and redistribute our materials in a misleading manner;
• Use our logo or branding to imply an unauthorized affiliation or endorsement; or
• Use OKC-owned material for commercial purposes.

Sharing Club Promotions

Olean Kennel Club encourages members and the public to share our publicly available social-media posts, event announcements, flyers, and similar promotional materials for the purpose of promoting Olean Kennel Club activities.

Sharing an original public OKC post or flyer does not give permission to alter it in a misleading way, remove ownership information, or use Olean Kennel Club's branding to suggest an affiliation that does not exist.

Third-Party Materials

Some website content may belong to instructors, photographers, the American Kennel Club, or other third parties.

Third-party names, trademarks, logos, photographs, course materials, and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners.

References to AKC programs or use of authorized AKC materials do not mean that the American Kennel Club owns, operates, or controls the Olean Kennel Club website.

17. Copyright or Rights Concerns

If you believe material posted on our website infringes your copyright, privacy, publicity, or other legal rights, please contact Olean Kennel Club at oleankennelclub@gmail.com and identify:

• The material at issue;
• Where it appears on the website;
• The nature of your concern; and
• Information that allows us to contact you.

We will review reasonable complaints and take appropriate action when warranted.

18. Photographs Taken at Club Activities

Olean Kennel Club may photograph or record classes, trials, meetings, walks, programs, and other activities.

The use of photographs or video taken at in-person activities may also be governed by applicable registration terms, waivers, releases, and our Privacy Policy.

If you have concerns about being photographed, please notify the applicable organizer or contact Olean Kennel Club. We will make reasonable efforts to honor such requests where practical.

19. Independent Photographers

Independent photographers may sometimes photograph Olean Kennel Club trials or events.

An independent photographer may operate a separate business and may offer photographs directly to participants.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, purchases, licensing arrangements, payments, delivery issues, and other transactions between an event attendee and an independent photographer are solely between those parties and are governed by the photographer's terms.

Olean Kennel Club does not receive a commission or percentage of independent photographers' photo sales.

20. Donations

Donations made to Olean Kennel Club are generally nonrefundable.

Olean Kennel Club may, in its discretion, correct or refund an accidental or duplicate donation or consider another unusual circumstance.

Making a donation does not create membership in Olean Kennel Club and does not provide the donor with voting rights, ownership, governance authority, or other membership rights.

Membership is available only through the process established by the Olean Kennel Club Constitution and Bylaws.

21. Accuracy and Changes to Website Information

Olean Kennel Club makes reasonable efforts to provide useful and accurate information, but website content may occasionally contain typographical errors, outdated information, or other inaccuracies.

Information such as:

• Class dates;
• Event schedules;
• Instructors;
• Locations;
• Fees;
• Registration availability;
• Deadlines; and
• Program details

may change.

Olean Kennel Club may correct errors or update website information at any time.

For trials and other formal events, an official premium, event communication, AKC rule, or other controlling document may supersede information appearing on a general website page.

When you are unsure about an important deadline or requirement, please consult the applicable registration materials or contact us.

22. Website Availability

We work to keep our website available and functioning properly, but continuous or uninterrupted availability cannot be guaranteed.

The website uses Wild Apricot and other third-party technologies that Olean Kennel Club does not fully control.

We may:

• Perform maintenance;
• Modify website features;
• Add or discontinue functionality;
• Correct errors;
• Temporarily restrict access; or
• Take other reasonable steps to maintain or protect the website.

Olean Kennel Club is not responsible for temporary outages, internet failures, third-party service interruptions, or similar technical problems outside our reasonable control.

23. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to websites operated by third parties, including the American Kennel Club, trial secretaries, entry services such as Secreterrier, social-media platforms, venues, and other organizations.

These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes.

Olean Kennel Club does not control independent third-party websites or services. Their own terms, privacy policies, payment policies, and other rules govern your interactions with them.

The presence of a link does not necessarily constitute Olean Kennel Club's endorsement of every product, service, opinion, policy, or practice of the linked organization.

24. Informational Content Is Not Professional Advice

Training, dog-care, safety, health, educational, or other information available through the website is provided for general informational purposes.

It is not a substitute for individualized veterinary, medical, legal, or other professional advice.

Every dog and handler is different. You remain responsible for making appropriate decisions concerning yourself and your dog and should consult a qualified veterinarian, trainer, physician, or other appropriate professional when individualized guidance is needed.

25. Disclaimer

The website and its content are provided on an “as available” basis.

Olean Kennel Club makes reasonable efforts to maintain useful and accurate website information but does not guarantee that:

• The website will always be available;
• Every feature will operate without interruption;
• Every item of information will always be current or error-free; or
• Third-party services will remain available or function as expected.

Nothing in this section limits any responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

26. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Olean Kennel Club will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising solely from use of, or inability to use, the website or its online features.

This provision concerns use of the website. It does not replace or modify any separately executed waiver, release, assumption-of-risk agreement, event terms, or rights that cannot lawfully be waived.

27. Enforcement of These Terms

Olean Kennel Club may take reasonable action to protect the website, our members, participants, volunteers, organization, or others when these Terms are violated.

Depending on the circumstances, we may:

• Remove or restrict content;
• Edit, hide, or lock forum material;
• Restrict access to a website feature;
• Suspend or terminate website access;
• Cancel an online registration when appropriate;
• Preserve information relating to suspected misconduct or unlawful activity;
• Report suspected unlawful activity to appropriate authorities; or
• Take other reasonable action.

Whenever practical, website enforcement will be proportionate to the issue involved.

Actions taken to administer or protect the website are separate from formal discipline of an Olean Kennel Club member. Member disciplinary proceedings are governed by the Olean Kennel Club Constitution and Bylaws, Rules & Procedures, and any other applicable governing rules.

28. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

To the extent a dispute concerning these Terms is properly brought in court, the parties agree that it may be brought in a state or federal court having appropriate jurisdiction in or over Cattaraugus County, New York, subject to any rights or requirements that applicable law does not permit the parties to alter.

29. Changes to These Terms

Olean Kennel Club may update these Terms when our website, programs, policies, technology, or legal obligations change.

When we update the Terms, we will post the revised version on our website and change the “Last Updated” date.

For material changes that significantly affect members' use of the website or online services, we may also provide notice by email or another appropriate method.

Your continued use of applicable website services after revised Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms where permitted by law.

30. Severability and No Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.

If Olean Kennel Club does not enforce a provision in a particular circumstance, that does not permanently waive our ability to enforce that provision in another appropriate circumstance.

31. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms may be directed to:

Olean Kennel Club, Inc.

1208 Vine Street
Olean,
NY 14760


Email: oleankennelclub@gmail.com