Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy (“Policy”) explains how you may and may not use the HomeWagger Platform.

This Policy works alongside our Terms of Use, Privacy Notice, Safeguarding & Welfare Policy, Code of Ethics, Complaints Policy and other HomeWagger governance documents.

By using the HomeWagger website, app or related services (the “Platform”), you agree to follow this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, you should not use the Platform.

1. Purpose of this Policy

HomeWagger exists to support welfare-first dog rehoming.

This Policy sets clear expectations for behaviour on the Platform so that dogs, adopters, rehomers, shelters, volunteers and other users can participate safely, responsibly and respectfully.

2. Who This Policy Applies To

This Policy applies to all users of the Platform, including:

Adopters;
Rehomers;
Shelters and rescue organisations;
Volunteers;
Moderators;
Visitors; and
Any other person using HomeWagger services.

This Policy applies to all activity conducted through the Platform, including:

User profiles;
Dog listings;
Messages and communications;
Expressions of Interest (EOIs);
Reviews and feedback;
Images, videos and other content;
Verification processes;
Reports and complaints; and
Other user-generated content.

3. General Behaviour Standards

Users must behave in a lawful, respectful, honest and welfare-first manner.

You must:

Treat others with courtesy and respect;
Provide honest and accurate information;
Act in the best interests of animal welfare;
Comply with applicable laws and regulations;
Respect the privacy and safety of others;
Follow HomeWagger policies and guidance where applicable; and
Use the Platform in good faith.

4. Prohibited Content and Conduct

You must not use the Platform to:

Animal Welfare and Rehoming Violations

Sell dogs or facilitate dog sales;
Advertise dogs for commercial breeding purposes;
Advertise litters for sale;
Support puppy farming or irresponsible breeding;
Facilitate unlawful animal trading;
Seek dogs for fighting, intimidation, guarding unlawful activity or other inappropriate purposes; or
Engage in conduct that places animal welfare at risk.

Misrepresentation and Fraud

Provide false, misleading or incomplete information;
Misrepresent your identity or circumstances;
Impersonate another person or organisation;
Falsely claim affiliation with a rescue, shelter or charity;
Circumvent verification processes; or
Misuse trust indicators, badges or verification features.

Abuse and Harassment

Harass, intimidate or threaten others;
Engage in discriminatory behaviour;
Use abusive, hateful or offensive language;
Bully, shame or target users; or
Encourage others to engage in abusive conduct.

Unsafe Behaviour

Encourage unsafe meetings or interactions;
Pressure others into decisions;
Circumvent safeguarding measures;
Create risks to users, volunteers or animals; or
Ignore reasonable safety requirements communicated by HomeWagger.

Platform Abuse

Send spam or unsolicited communications;
Promote unrelated products or services;
Attempt unauthorised access to systems or accounts;
Reverse engineer, exploit or interfere with the Platform;
Upload malicious software or code; or
Scrape, harvest or collect data without written permission.

Illegal Activity

Engage in unlawful activity;
Promote illegal activity;
Upload unlawful content; or
Use the Platform for fraudulent purposes.

5. Listings and Profiles

When creating profiles or listings, you must:

Provide information that is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge;
Disclose known health, behavioural or welfare concerns where relevant;
Keep information reasonably up to date;
Remove or update listings that are no longer relevant;
Only upload content that you have permission to use; and
Avoid misleading omissions, exaggerations or misrepresentations.

Where HomeWagger operates verification, approval or trust systems, users must provide truthful information throughout those processes.

6. Messaging and Communication

Platform messaging and communication tools must be used responsibly and respectfully.

You must not:

Pressure, manipulate or coerce others;
Send repeated unwanted communications;
Harass, intimidate or threaten users;
Share another person’s personal information without permission;
Use messaging systems to facilitate prohibited activities; or
Attempt to move prohibited transactions or activities off-platform.

7. Verification, Trust and Safety Systems

HomeWagger may operate:

Identity verification;
Organisation verification;
Profile approvals;
Trust indicators;
Moderation systems;
Safeguarding reviews; and
Fraud prevention measures.

Users must not:

Circumvent verification processes;
Submit false verification information;
Misrepresent approval status;
Abuse trust indicators; or
Attempt to manipulate platform safety systems.

8. Reporting Concerns

If you believe content or behaviour breaches this Policy, please report it through available reporting tools or contact:

hello@homewagger.org.uk

Reports may relate to:

Animal welfare concerns;
Fraud or deception;
Misrepresentation;
Harassment or abuse;
Safeguarding concerns;
Policy violations; or
Other safety-related issues.

If an animal or person is at immediate risk, you should contact the relevant authority or emergency services without delay.

9. Breaches and Enforcement

Where HomeWagger reasonably believes this Policy has been breached, we may:

Issue warnings;
Request further information;
Remove content;
Restrict platform features;
Remove trust indicators;
Suspend verification status;
Pause or remove listings;
Restrict account access;
Suspend accounts; or
Permanently terminate accounts.

Actions taken will depend on the nature, severity and frequency of the breach.

10. Welfare and Safeguarding Escalations

Where concerns involve animal welfare, user safety, fraud, abuse, safeguarding risks or serious misconduct, HomeWagger may investigate concerns in accordance with its Safeguarding & Welfare Policy.

Where lawful and necessary, information may be shared with appropriate welfare organisations, regulatory bodies, authorities or law enforcement agencies.