PocketPaw is a community built around a shared love of dogs. We want it to be a positive, safe, and respectful space for dog owners, shelters, NGOs, and every dog who gets their own PawFile. These Community Guidelines and Moderation Policy ("Guidelines") set out what we expect from all members of our community, what content is not permitted, and how we handle violations.
These Guidelines apply to all content, communications, and conduct within the PocketPaw app and website — including PawRadar, PawMate, PawBark, PawHeart, and all profile content.
Use of PocketPaw is also subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Violations of these Guidelines may also constitute violations of our Terms of Service.
Table of Contents
- Our Community Values
- Content Standards
- Animal Sales Prohibition
- PawHeart Rules (Adopt, Rehome & Lost)
- PawBark Messaging Rules
- Profile Authenticity
- NGO & Shelter Account Rules
- User Safety
- Reporting Content or Users
- Our Review Process
- Enforcement Actions
- Appeals
- Updates to These Guidelines
- Contact
1. Our Community Values
Everything we do at PocketPaw is grounded in these principles:
- 🐾 Dog Welfare First: The well-being of animals is always our top priority. Nothing on our platform should compromise the safety, health, or welfare of any dog or other animal.
- 🤝 Respect: Treat every member of our community — and every dog — with kindness and dignity. Differences in breed preferences, training philosophies, and dog-keeping approaches are welcome; disrespect is not.
- ✅ Authenticity: Be genuine — real dogs, real owners, real experiences. Our community is built on trust, and fake profiles or deceptive conduct undermine that trust for everyone.
- 🔒 Safety: Protect the privacy and safety of all users. We have zero tolerance for conduct that endangers any person or animal, whether on- or off-platform.
- 🌍 Inclusivity: PocketPaw welcomes dog lovers of all backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, and identities. Discrimination has no place in our community.
- 🏠 Responsible Ownership: We actively support and promote responsible dog ownership, including adoption, responsible rehoming, and positive training methods.
- 🐶 A Dog-Centred Community: PocketPaw exists for dogs and their owners — not as a general human social network. The purpose of the platform is to connect dogs, promote responsible ownership, and support animal welfare. Accounts found to be using PocketPaw for purposes clearly unrelated to dogs, or engaging in inappropriate conduct unrelated to dog ownership, will be subject to suspension or permanent ban.
2. Content Standards
2.1 What We Encourage
- Photos and videos of your dog enjoying everyday life — walks, playdates, naps, and adventures;
- Sharing practical tips, advice, and experiences related to dog ownership and care;
- Connecting with nearby dog owners for playdates, walks, and social meetups;
- Celebrating milestones — birthdays, successful training, adoptions, and anniversaries;
- Promoting responsible dog ownership and sharing information about adoptable dogs through authorised NGO listings;
- Raising awareness about lost dogs to help reunite them with their families.
2.2 Prohibited Content
The following categories of content are strictly prohibited on PocketPaw. Violations may result in immediate content removal and account action.
🐕 Animal Welfare Violations
- Any content depicting, glorifying, or promoting animal abuse, neglect, cruelty, or illegal treatment of any animal;
- Content promoting dog fighting, animal baiting, illegal dog racing, or any form of animal exploitation for entertainment or profit;
- Content that places any dog or other animal in danger or at risk of injury or harm;
- Content instructing how to harm or neglect animals.
🚫 Harmful, Illegal, or Dangerous Content
- Content that is unlawful under applicable law in Hong Kong, Canada, the EU, or any other jurisdiction in which PocketPaw operates;
- Promotion or facilitation of illegal substances, illegal activities, or prohibited weapons;
- Financial fraud, scams, phishing links, or solicitation of money under false pretences;
- Disinformation or misleading content that could cause real-world harm;
- Content promoting or glorifying suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders.
💬 Harassment, Hate Speech & Threats
- Harassment, bullying, targeted abuse, or sustained intimidation of any user;
- Hate speech, slurs, or dehumanising content based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, body type, or any other protected characteristic;
- Threats of violence, intimidation, or incitement to violence against any person or group;
- Coordinated targeting or pile-on harassment campaigns.
🔍 Privacy Violations & Doxxing
- Sharing another person's personally identifiable information — including full name, home or work address, phone number, email address, financial information, or government identification — without their explicit and informed consent;
- Posting photos, videos, or audio recordings of individuals without their permission;
- Recording, capturing, or sharing content from private spaces without consent.
📢 Spam, Scams & Deception
- Spam, bulk messaging, or unsolicited commercial advertisements;
- Impersonating any person, dog, brand, organisation, or public figure;
- Creating fake, misleading, or fabricated PawFiles or posts;
- Coordinated inauthentic behaviour — including operating multiple fake accounts or running manipulation campaigns;
- Artificially inflating engagement or manipulating platform features.
🔞 Adult & Graphic Content
- Sexually explicit or pornographic material of any kind;
- Graphic violence, gore, or content glorifying death or serious injury;
- Content inappropriate for a general audience that is not clearly marked with appropriate warnings.
👶 Minors' Safety
- Any content that exploits, endangers, sexualises, or harms any person under the age of 18;
- Grooming behaviour, attempts to solicit personal contact from minors, or any communication intended to gain inappropriate access to a minor;
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — any such content will be immediately reported to law enforcement, including relevant cybercrime authorities in applicable jurisdictions.
3. Animal Sales Prohibition
The commercial sale or trade of animals is strictly and absolutely prohibited on PocketPaw.
PocketPaw's PawHeart features exist exclusively to facilitate responsible, non-commercial rehoming and adoption. Any of the following will be treated as a prohibited animal sale and may result in immediate account suspension:
- Requesting any monetary payment in exchange for a dog (regardless of how it is described — e.g. "rehoming fee," "vaccination cost," "transport fee");
- Using PocketPaw to facilitate a commercial breeding operation;
- Advertising dogs for sale or soliciting buyers;
- Linking to external platforms for the purpose of selling animals.
If you are uncertain whether your intended use complies with this prohibition, contact us at support@nextpath.hk before posting.
4. PawHeart Rules (Adopt, Rehome & Lost)
4.1 Adopt Tab
- Adoptable dog listings may only be posted by verified NGOs and animal shelters through their designated NGO accounts;
- All listings must accurately represent the dog's condition, temperament, and availability;
- NGOs may not charge rehoming fees through the platform;
- PocketPaw does not independently verify the accuracy or current availability of any listing;
- PocketPaw provides only a free publishing channel for NGOs to reach our community. Listing details may not reflect real-time availability or current adoption status. For accurate information, adoption applications, enquiries, or appointment arrangements, please visit the NGO's official website or contact them directly through their official channels.
4.2 Rehome Tab
- No Animal Sales: All rehoming must be free of charge. No monetary exchange of any kind is permitted (see Section 3);
- One Active Post: Each user account may have only one active Rehome post at a time;
- Post Expiry: Rehome posts automatically expire after 30 days. Expired posts are removed from public view;
- Accuracy: You must provide truthful and accurate information about the dog being rehomed, including health conditions, known behavioural traits, and care requirements;
- "Want to Adopt" Posts: These are text-only posts. No photos may be attached;
- Posts must be for dogs only. PocketPaw does not support rehoming of other species at this time;
- Local Regulations: You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable animal welfare laws, transfer regulations, and any breed-specific legislation or municipal by-laws in your jurisdiction before posting a rehoming listing. PocketPaw does not verify compliance with such regulations.
4.3 Lost Tab
- Lost dog posts are submitted by emailing pocketpaw@nextpath.hk. Users may not self-post on the Lost Tab;
- Posts are reviewed and published by our admin team after verification;
- PocketPaw broadcasts verified lost dog cases free of charge;
- False or misleading lost dog reports — including reports made for dogs that have not actually been lost — may result in account suspension.
5. PawBark Messaging Rules
PawBark is a 1:1 messaging feature available between accepted PawMates. All messages must comply with these Guidelines and our Terms of Service.
The following is prohibited via PawBark:
- Soliciting money, financial information, gifts, or other things of value;
- Sending unsolicited sexual, explicit, or romantic messages;
- Spamming or sending repetitive, irrelevant, or automated messages;
- Harassment, threats, intimidation, or bullying;
- Sharing links to malicious websites, phishing pages, or scam content;
- Any content that would be prohibited under Section 2.2 of these Guidelines.
Safety Reminder: Do not share sensitive personal information via PawBark, such as your home address, financial details, passwords, or government identification numbers. PocketPaw is not responsible for information you voluntarily disclose to other users.
⚠️ Scam Alert: If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam — for example, if someone requests money, gift cards, bank transfers, or personal financial information, or asks you to conduct any transaction outside the PocketPaw platform — stop communicating immediately and report it via the in-app Report function or at safety@nextpath.hk. PocketPaw will never ask you for money or financial information through in-app messages.
Non-PawVIP users are subject to a limit of 5 messages per day. PawVIP subscribers have unlimited messaging.
6. Profile Authenticity
- Your PawFile must represent a real dog that you own, foster, or are directly responsible for;
- Your PawFile must contain information and photos of your dog only. Personal photographs of any person (including yourself) and personally identifiable information about any human must not be posted in a PawFile. Violations will result in content removal and may lead to further account action;
- Profile photos must be of the actual dog you are representing. Do not use another user's dog photos or stock imagery without permission;
- Do not create profiles designed to mislead, deceive, or impersonate another user, dog, brand, or organisation;
- Profile information — including breed, age, health status, and temperament — must be as accurate as possible. If your dog is not friendly toward other dogs or people, or has known behavioural issues or special care requirements, you must disclose this honestly. Deliberately describing your dog as friendly or suitable when you know otherwise is a violation of these Guidelines;
- NGO accounts must accurately represent a registered non-governmental or charitable organisation engaged in animal welfare.
7. NGO & Shelter Account Rules
- NGO accounts are granted posting access to the Adopt Tab upon verification by PocketPaw's admin team;
- NGO accounts must provide accurate organisational information, including registration number where applicable;
- Misrepresentation of NGO status — including falsely claiming to be a registered NGO or shelter — will result in immediate permanent termination of the account;
- NGOs are responsible for ensuring all adoptable dog listings are accurate, current, and compliant with local animal welfare regulations;
- NGOs may not use their accounts for commercial advertising, fundraising (other than awareness posts), or purposes unrelated to animal adoption.
8. User Safety
8.1 Meeting Other Users In Person
PocketPaw does not conduct identity, background, or criminal record checks on any user. If you arrange to meet another PocketPaw user in person:
- Choose a public, well-populated location (e.g. a dog park, café, or public square). Avoid private residences, isolated areas, or any location you are not comfortable with, particularly for first meetings;
- Tell a trusted person where you are going and who you are meeting;
- Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it is okay to leave;
- PocketPaw bears no responsibility for the conduct of users during in-person meetings.
8.2 Protecting Your Privacy
- Do not share your home address, workplace, financial information, or government identification via the app;
- Be thoughtful about what personal information you include in your public PawFile;
- You can make your PawFile private at any time in Settings.
8.3 Minors
PocketPaw requires all users to be at least 13 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian, please supervise your child's use of the app and ensure they understand these Guidelines.
8.4 Emergency
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services immediately. PocketPaw cannot provide emergency assistance.
8.5 Dog Interaction Safety
When your dog meets other dogs or people through connections made on PocketPaw, you are solely responsible for:
- Assessing your dog's temperament and readiness for social interaction before any meeting;
- Managing and controlling your dog's behaviour at all times during any meeting;
- Any injury your dog causes to another dog, animal, or person.
PocketPaw expressly disclaims all liability for any injury, harm, or loss arising from dog-to-dog or dog-to-person interactions arranged through the platform. Each dog owner must exercise independent judgment and take all appropriate precautions before allowing their dog to interact with unfamiliar dogs or people. If you are unsure whether your dog is ready to socialise, consult a qualified veterinarian or certified dog behaviourist first.
9. Reporting Content or Users
If you encounter content or behaviour that violates these Guidelines, we encourage you to report it promptly. All reports are reviewed confidentially. We do not disclose the identity of reporters to reported users.
9.1 In-App Reporting
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋯) on any post, PawFile, message, or user profile;
- Select "Report";
- Choose the reason that best describes the violation;
- Optionally, add additional context to help our review team.
9.2 Email Reporting
You may also report violations by email at safety@nextpath.hk. Please include as much detail as possible, including screenshots where relevant.
9.3 Blocking Users
You may block any user at any time. Blocking a user prevents them from viewing your profile, sending you PawMate requests, or messaging you. Blocking does not automatically report the user; please also submit a report if you believe the user has violated these Guidelines.
10. Our Review Process
When we receive a report, our moderation team will:
- Acknowledge receipt of the report where contact information is provided;
- Assess the severity and category of the reported content or conduct;
- Review the report against these Guidelines and our Terms of Service;
- Take proportionate enforcement action;
- Notify the user whose content or account was subject to action, where applicable and appropriate.
Review Timelines:
- Critical reports (animal abuse, exploitation of minors, imminent harm, CSAM): reviewed within 24 hours;
- Standard reports (harassment, spam, prohibited content): reviewed within 72 hours;
- Complex cases (legal matters, coordinated abuse, pattern analysis): may take up to 14 days.
We may not be able to share the outcome of all reports due to user privacy considerations, but we take every report seriously.
11. Enforcement Actions
We believe in proportionate enforcement. Depending on the nature, severity, and frequency of a violation, we may take one or more of the following actions:
- Content Removal: Removing the specific post, photo, message, or PawFile entry that violates these Guidelines, without any further action against the account.
- Warning: Issuing a formal warning to the user with a clear reminder of our community standards. Warnings are recorded and may be considered in future enforcement decisions.
- Feature Restriction: Temporarily restricting the user's access to specific features, such as posting, messaging (PawBark), or PawHeart submissions, while their account remains active.
- Temporary Suspension: Restricting the user's access to the Services for a defined period (typically 24 hours to 30 days), with or without prior warning, depending on the severity of the violation.
- Permanent Ban: Permanently removing the user's ability to access PocketPaw, including preventing re-registration with the same or linked credentials, for serious, repeated, or egregious violations.
- Legal Referral: Reporting the user and relevant content to appropriate law enforcement authorities or regulatory bodies where the conduct involves or may involve illegal activity.
11.1 Immediate Permanent Termination (Zero-Tolerance)
The following violations will result in immediate permanent account termination without prior warning, and may also be referred to law enforcement:
- Animal abuse, cruelty, or any content depicting or facilitating harm to animals;
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any sexual exploitation of minors;
- Credible threats of serious physical violence against identifiable individuals or groups;
- Commercial sale of animals in violation of Section 3;
- Repeated serious violations following prior permanent ban (ban evasion);
- Misrepresentation of NGO or shelter status.
11.2 Enforcement Consistency
We apply these Guidelines consistently and without discrimination. However, context matters — the same content may be treated differently depending on intent, the identity of the parties involved, and the broader circumstances. We continuously review and refine our enforcement practices.
12. Appeals
If you believe that an enforcement action taken against your account or content was made in error, you may appeal by contacting us within 14 days of receiving notification of the action.
How to appeal:
- Email: appeals@nextpath.hk
- Subject line: "Account Appeal – [Your Account Email]"
Please include in your appeal:
- Your registered account email address;
- A description of the enforcement action you received;
- The reason(s) you believe the action was incorrect or disproportionate;
- Any supporting evidence or context.
We will review all appeals within 14 days and communicate our decision. Our decision on appeals is final.
Appeals are not accepted for permanent bans involving CSAM, animal abuse, or other illegal content. Such decisions are final and non-appealable.
13. Updates to These Guidelines
We may update these Guidelines from time to time to reflect changes in our Services, evolving community standards, or applicable law. Material changes will be announced through an in-app notification. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Your continued use of PocketPaw after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Guidelines. If you do not agree, you may delete your account at any time in app Settings.
14. Contact
- Safety & abuse reports: safety@nextpath.hk
- Account appeals: appeals@nextpath.hk
- Lost dog submissions: pocketpaw@nextpath.hk
- General enquiries: support@nextpath.hk
- Company: NextPath Solutions Limited, Hong Kong
These Community Guidelines were last reviewed by NextPath Solutions Limited's legal and trust & safety teams in April 2026. PocketPaw is committed to evolving these standards as our community grows. This document is for informational and policy purposes. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific situations may vary. Please consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.