Community & Listing Standards Policy

1 — Purpose

• Define clear rules for ethical and lawful participation in the Pet.ug community.
• Ensure that all pet listings, services, and products respect animal welfare, truthful advertising, and data integrity.
• Promote safety, trust, and professionalism among all users (buyers, sellers, vets, and service providers).

2 — Core Community Principles

Every Pet.ug user agrees to:

• Treat animals humanely at all times.
• Act honestly in all transactions.
• Respect others and avoid harassment or abuse.
• Protect privacy and confidential information.
• Comply with Ugandan and international animal welfare laws (including CITES).
• Uphold the reputation and integrity of Pet.ug.

3 — Listing Accuracy and Integrity

• Provide accurate and verifiable details for every listing.
• Use recent, authentic photos of the actual pet or product.
• Include:
  • Breed, species, sex, color, and estimated date of birth.
  • Vaccination status and veterinary history.
  • Microchip or tag number (if applicable).
  • Price or adoption fee in UGX (or clearly stated currency).
• Update listings promptly when unavailable or sold.
• Include disclaimers for mixed breeds or approximate ages.

4 — Prohibited Listings

The following are strictly prohibited on Pet.ug:

• Endangered or protected species without valid CITES permits.
• Wild-caught animals or illegal wildlife trade.
• Animals under 8 weeks old (unless cleared by a licensed vet and with mother).
• Stolen, smuggled, or unregistered animals.
• Listings related to fighting, hunting, or cruelty.
• Human or animal parts (ivory, horns, fur, etc.).
• Unlicensed pharmaceuticals or sedatives.
• Unsafe breeding or overbreeding practices.
• Any content promoting neglect or illegal acts.

Pet.ug reserves the right to remove any content at its discretion.

5 — Service & Product Listings

• Services (grooming, walking, training, boarding, vet care) must be performed by competent or licensed providers.
• Sellers must disclose:
  • Service terms, duration, and fees.
  • Any risks, requirements, or qualifications.
• Pet product vendors must ensure items meet safety standards, provide accurate descriptions, and remove expired/recalled goods immediately.

6 — Photo and Media Guidelines

• Only upload clear, authentic photos of the listed pet or product.
• No AI-generated or edited photos that mislead buyers.
• Watermarks are acceptable if they do not obscure features.
• No graphic or distressing content.
• Videos showing cruelty are banned and reported to authorities.

7 — Communication and Conduct

• All interactions must remain respectful and professional.
• No harassment, hate speech, or discriminatory remarks.
• No spam, scams, or solicitation outside the platform.
• Do not share external contact details to bypass Pet.ug.
• Misuse of chat may lead to suspension.

8 — Advertising and Promotion

• Only Pet.ug-approved ads are permitted.
• No external links or social media promotion in listings.
• No misleading “free” or “urgent” claims unless factual.
• Sponsored breeders must meet verified welfare standards.

9 — Reporting Violations

• Users are encouraged to report unethical or illegal activity.
• Reports are reviewed within 72 hours.
• Violations may result in removal, warnings, suspension, or permanent ban.
• Serious cases (cruelty or wildlife trade) are reported to authorities and CITES enforcement.

10 — Enforcement and Penalties

• First offense: Warning and education notice.
• Second offense: Temporary suspension (7–30 days).
• Third or serious offense: Permanent ban and potential referral to authorities.
• Pet.ug may withhold or forfeit earnings from violating accounts.

11 — Animal Welfare Standards

• All animals must receive adequate food, water, shelter, and care.
• Transport must comply with welfare and safety codes.
• Breeding must be humane — no forced or excessive breeding.
• Sick or injured animals must be cleared by a vet before listing.
• Vaccinations must be up to date before transfer.

12 — Education and Awareness

Pet.ug may publish educational content promoting:

• Responsible pet ownership and adoption.
• Vaccination and disease prevention.
• Humane breeding and animal handling.
• Sellers are encouraged to share verified educational resources.

13 — Compliance and Review

• Pet.ug reserves the right to modify or update these standards anytime.
• Material updates will be announced via the platform or email.
• Continued use indicates acceptance of updated standards.

14 — Governing Law and Enforcement

• This Policy is governed by laws of Uganda.
• Serious violations may be referred to animal welfare agencies or law enforcement.
• Pet.ug cooperates with the Personal Data Protection Office where data misuse occurs.