Rondje Mee Terms of Use

These terms apply to everyone who uses Rondje Mee: the website and the iOS and Android app. By creating an account, you agree to them. The Code of Conduct, the Safety Protocol, the Privacy Policy and the Cookie Statement are part of these terms. Shelters must also follow the Partner Terms for Shelters.

1. Who we are

Rondje Mee is provided by Laurens Bos, the maker of Rondje Mee ("Rondje Mee", "we" or "us").

You can reach us at hallo@rondjemee.nl. This is also our point of contact for users and public authorities under the Digital Services Act (DSA). You can write to us in Dutch, English, Spanish or French.

2. What Rondje Mee is, and what it is not

Rondje Mee is a free online platform that connects walkers (adults who would like to walk a dog) with owners (private individuals, often older or ill neighbours) and shelters (organisations that take in dogs).

Rondje Mee is an intermediary:

• You make arrangements about a walk with each other. We are not a party to those arrangements.
• Walkers are volunteers acting in their own private capacity, not for, employed by or on behalf of Rondje Mee.
• We do not own or keep any of the dogs. We do not check dogs and we do not supervise walks.
• We do provide tools for trust and safety. They make walks safer, but they cannot remove every risk.

Rondje Mee is not a dog-walking business, a vet, a support service or therapy.

3. Who can use Rondje Mee

You must be 18 or older and use Rondje Mee as a private individual, for yourself. Shelters use an organisation account. If we have banned you before, you may not create a new account. Rondje Mee is available to users in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.

4. Your account

• You sign in with email and password, a passkey, or Google or Apple.
• You provide correct information and use your own first name and a photo that clearly shows you.
• You have one account and share it with no one. Keep your login details secret and report any misuse immediately.
• You are responsible for what happens through your account, unless you could not reasonably have prevented it.

What others see of you depends on who is looking. Owners and shelters see, among other things, the first name, photo, age group and town of a walker who sends them a request. On the page of a dog that belongs to an owner, members of Rondje Mee (signed in, with a finished profile and not suspended) see, among other things, the owner's first name, photo and town, and the dog's location rounded to about 500 metres. Anyone who is not a member only sees the dog, the town and that there is an owner nearby. The other person only sees your phone number and email address once a request has been accepted. If you sign up for a group walk, the shelter sees your phone number straight away. See the Privacy Policy.

5. Roles

• Walker: looks for dogs nearby, sends requests and walks according to the arrangements made.
• Owner: creates a profile for the dog and decides who may walk it, and how.
• Shelter: an organisation with a verified account and one or more staff members. Offers, among other things, supervised group walks.

You can have more than one role.

6. Requests, first meeting and solo trust

1. Request. A walker uses Rondje Mee to ask for a first meeting or a walk. The owner or shelter accepts or declines. No one is obliged to accept.
2. Contact details. Once accepted, both sides see each other's phone number and email address, and the protected details needed, such as the meeting point. Use them only for the walk.
3. First meeting. The first time you meet is always a first meeting (kennismaking), with the owner or a shelter staff member present.
4. ID check. At the first meeting, the walker shows a valid identity document. The owner or shelter checks that the name, photo and age match and ticks a box in the app. Rondje Mee keeps no copy. Please do not take a photo or copy of it yourself either.
5. Solo trust. Walking an owner's dog alone is only allowed once that owner has explicitly given permission in the app. This applies to that one dog only and can be withdrawn at any time. A walk alone with the dog is also only possible while live location is switched on (section 13). You never walk a shelter's dog alone: someone from the shelter is always there, at the first meeting or on a supervised group walk (section 7).
6. Safety quiz. Before you ask for a first meeting or join a group walk, you complete a short safety quiz.
7. New accounts can at first only take part in first meetings and supervised walks. Walking a dog alone only becomes possible with solo trust (point 5), and only while live location is switched on. The app shows whether it is possible for you and a dog.
8. Recurring walks. You can also arrange a walk alone with the dog as a fixed weekly walk. So this is only possible with solo trust and while live location is switched on. Can't make it? Cancel through the app as soon as possible.

7. Group walks at shelters

Shelters can schedule supervised group walks with a limited number of places. A shelter staff member is always present, and you follow their instructions. The shelter records attendance, decides which dog suits which walker and may have its own house rules.

8. No money

Rondje Mee is free for everyone.

• You may not ask for or offer money for a walk, including tips, gift cards or any other payment.
• Poop bags, leash, harness, treats and water are provided by the owner or shelter, as stated on the dog's profile.
• If someone asks for money, bank details (IBAN) or a payment through a link, do not respond and report it to us.
• Messages sent with requests are automatically checked for payment requests, bank account numbers and links. If something is found, you see a warning and a team member reviews it.
• Voluntary support for Rondje Mee. You can support Rondje Mee with a gift through the fundraiser on Whydonate. The money goes to Laurens Bos, the maker of Rondje Mee, for the costs of Rondje Mee. Laurens Bos passes 10% of all gifts on to good causes for dogs and people in the neighbourhood, as stated on the support page of the website; where it goes and exactly how much will be listed there once it has been transferred. There is no fixed monthly contribution at the moment. A gift is voluntary and without anything in return: you get no priority, extra features or other benefits, and it has no influence on matching, visibility or moderation. Whydonate's own terms also apply to the payment. Rondje Mee is not a foundation or a registered charity, so a gift gives you no tax benefit. If another way to support Rondje Mee is added later, the same applies to it.

9. What we expect from everyone

• You follow the Code of Conduct and the Safety Protocol, as well as local rules, for example on leashes and cleaning up after the dog.
• You are honest about yourself and, if you are an owner or shelter, about your dog.
• You treat people and animals with respect. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, violence or animal abuse.
• You use other people's contact details only for the walk and share them with no one.
• You post nothing illegal and nothing that infringes the rights of others.
• You do not use Rondje Mee commercially, do not get around our security and do not collect data with bots or scrapers.

10. Additional rules for owners

As an owner, you confirm when creating a dog profile, and on an ongoing basis, that:

• you are the owner, or have the owner's permission;
• the dog is microchipped, registered and vaccinated as required by law in your country or region;
• the dog is insured for damage caused to others (third-party liability) where this is required or customary. We always strongly recommend it;
• you are honest about behaviour and character, including any previous bites or aggression, and you report changes;
• you provide what you promise on the profile, such as poop bags, a leash, a harness, treats and water;
• you clearly state whether treats are allowed and whether there are allergies;
• the dog may not go off the leash, unless you explicitly allow it and it is legally allowed in that place. Off-leash is switched off by default.

You decide who walks your dog. Rondje Mee does not make that decision for you.

11. Additional rules for walkers

As a walker:

• you follow the Code of Conduct and the arrangements on the dog's profile;
• you keep the dog on a leash, unless the owner or shelter explicitly allows otherwise;
• you only give treats if allowed, and only the permitted ones;
• you do not bring other dogs and do not hand the dog over to anyone else;
• you only walk if you are fit, and never under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• you start a walk arranged through Rondje Mee in the app, so that the owner or shelter knows you are on your way (not needed for a group walk at a shelter);
• you report any incident immediately to the owner or shelter, and to Rondje Mee.

We strongly recommend that you have your own personal liability insurance (see section 15).

12. Spain: potentially dangerous dogs (PPP)

In Spain, extra rules apply to perros potencialmente peligrosos (PPP), mainly under Ley 50/1999 and Real Decreto 287/2002. Regional and municipal rules may also apply.

• The owner states on the profile whether the dog is a PPP dog, and meets the keeper's obligations, such as registration and insurance.
• A PPP dog may only be walked by a walker who confirms they hold a valid PPP licence (licencia administrativa). You carry it with you during the walk.
• In public places the dog wears a muzzle and is kept on a non-extendable leash of no more than 2 metres.
• No more than one PPP dog per person.

Ley 7/2023 on the rights and welfare of animals also applies. Under this law, dog keepers must have liability insurance. Exactly when this obligation takes effect depends on further implementing rules.

13. Live location during a walk

Live location can be switched on or off. As long as the data protection impact assessment (DPIA) is not finished, it is switched off for everyone (see the Privacy Policy). Rondje Mee shows you when live location is off.

• Live location only belongs to a walk alone with the dog. During a first meeting or a group walk we never keep track of where you walk: the owner or the shelter walks along.
• If live location is on and you start a walk alone with the dog as a walker, your phone shares your location with the owner until you end the walk. This is the only time we keep track of where you walk. The owner then sees a live map with the route. You see your own route.
• If live location is off, we do not keep track of where you walk and nobody sees a live map. You then cannot ask for, accept or start a walk alone with the dog. A first meeting is still possible.
• If a walk runs well over the planned time, Rondje Mee sometimes sends an alert, but not always. So do not count on it.
• The SOS screen shows emergency numbers, a button to call the owner or shelter (if their number is known), what the dog's profile says about the vet, and the first steps if the dog runs off. The SOS screen does not send anything to the owner or shelter by itself and does not share your location.
• We delete the routes of walks with live location after 30 days, unless they are needed for an open report.

If live location is on, it depends on your phone, battery and network. It is a tool, not a guarantee. If there is danger, always call 112 first.

14. Feedback, reports and moderation

Feedback. After each walk you can give private feedback. The other person never sees it. Only Rondje Mee uses it, for safety and moderation.

Reporting and blocking. You can use the app to report a profile, message or incident, for example abuse, an unsafe situation, a scam, harassment or a fake profile. You can also block someone.

Illegal content (DSA). Anyone can report illegal content to us, even without an account. Please state why the content is illegal, exactly where it is, your name and email address, and that your notice is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge. You will receive an acknowledgement and a message about our decision.

How we decide. We assess reports carefully, objectively and as quickly as possible. For safety reports, we aim for a first review within 24 hours. Automated tools, such as the check for payment requests, only flag content. Decisions about your account are always taken by a person.

Measures. If someone breaks these terms or the law, we may give a warning, hide or remove content, restrict features (such as solo walks or requests), or suspend or permanently close an account. The measure fits the seriousness. You will receive a statement of reasons: what we decided, why, on which rule, whether automated means were used, and how to appeal. We do not do this where the law or a competent authority prohibits it. We only reveal who made a report where this is strictly necessary.

Police and authorities. If we suspect a criminal offence that threatens someone's life or safety, we report it to the competent authorities. We cooperate with authorities when the law requires us to.

15. Liability and insurance

Let's be honest: walking dogs involves risks. A dog can bite, run away or knock someone over. Who is liable for damage is determined by the law of the country where it happens.

Damage caused by the dog

• Netherlands: the possessor of the dog (usually the owner or the shelter) is in principle liable, even when someone else is walking it (art. 6:179 Dutch Civil Code). A walker who makes a mistake may also be liable (art. 6:162 Dutch Civil Code).
• Belgium: since 1 January 2025, the new Book 6 of the Civil Code applies. Liability for animals is set out in art. 6.17. Who counts as the custodian of the dog during a walk depends on the circumstances.
• Spain: the possessor of an animal, or whoever makes use of it, is liable for the damage it causes (art. 1905 Spanish Civil Code). A walker may also fall under this rule.

Insurance

• Owners and shelters must have liability insurance that covers damage caused by the dog, including when someone else walks it. Check this in your policy.
• We strongly recommend that walkers have their own personal liability insurance. Please note: many policies do not cover damage to animals or things "in your custody", such as the dog itself or its leash.
• Rondje Mee has no insurance for walks between users, unless we expressly tell you otherwise later.

Our liability

• We do our best to offer Rondje Mee in a safe and working state, but cannot guarantee that it will always work without errors or interruptions.
• We are not liable for what users agree or do with each other, for what dogs do, or for the accuracy of what users say about themselves or their dog. This does not apply where we ourselves have done something wrong.
• To the extent permitted by law, we are only liable for direct damage caused by our own failure.
• These limitations do not apply in the case of intent or gross negligence on the part of Rondje Mee, to death or personal injury caused by our fault, or where mandatory consumer law prohibits them. Your statutory rights as a consumer always remain in place.

16. Your content and our rights

• Photos, stories and texts you post remain yours.
• You give us a free, non-exclusive licence to store that content, resize it for display and show it, only to operate Rondje Mee. For example, to show a dog profile or to assess a report.
• The licence ends when you delete the content or your account. Backups are cleared within 30 days. Content needed for an open report is kept for as long as necessary.
• We do not use your content for advertising or social media without your separate, explicit consent.
• You only post content you have the rights to. If other people appear in a photo, you need their permission.
• The Rondje Mee name, logo, software and design belong to us or our licensors.

17. Restricting, suspending or closing an account

• You can delete your account at any time in the app. We then delete your data as described in the Privacy Policy.
• We may suspend or permanently close your account in the case of a serious or repeated breach, if you put people or animals at risk, or if safety requires it. If you repeatedly post manifestly illegal content, we will warn you first.
• If we stop Rondje Mee or change it significantly, we will tell you at least 30 days in advance, unless that is not possible, for example because of an urgent safety issue.

18. Complaints and appeals

• A complaint about Rondje Mee? Email hallo@rondjemee.nl. We will respond within 14 days.
• Disagree with a decision about your content, your account or your report? Appeal within 6 months through the app or by email. Someone who was not involved in the original decision will review it.
• You can also use a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body under the DSA, or go to court.
• The European ODR platform for online disputes was discontinued in July 2025.

19. Changes

We may change these terms, for example because of new features or legislation. We will notify you of important changes at least 30 days in advance, in the app or by email. If you do not agree, you can delete your account before the change takes effect.

20. Governing law and disputes

• These terms are governed by Dutch law. If you are a consumer living in another country, such as Belgium or Spain, you always keep the protection of the mandatory rules of your country of residence (art. 6 Rome I Regulation).
• We will first try to resolve any dispute together. If that does not work, as a consumer you can go to court in your country of residence. We can only bring proceedings against a consumer in the courts of the place where they live.
• If any part of these terms is invalid, the rest remains in force.
• These terms exist in Dutch, English, Spanish and French. If there are differences, the Dutch text prevails, unless that is less favourable to you as a consumer.