Trust & Safety

We prioritize safety and pet welfare through tools, guidance, and user responsibility

Platform Tools & User Responsibility

Pawsitive Placements provides tools and resources to help facilitate safe pet adoptions across Canada. However, final decisions about adoptions, meetups, and transactions occur between users outside of our platform. We encourage all users to exercise caution, ask questions, and make informed decisions.

Safety Tools & Features

User Accounts

We provide user account registration with email verification to help establish user identity. Users are responsible for maintaining account security.

Identity Verification Option

Pet owners can require applicants to complete identity verification (government ID + selfie) via Stripe Identity. This confirms who someone is — it is not a Canadian criminal record check.

Content Monitoring

We review user reports when they are submitted. We do not claim continuous automated monitoring of every listing, and we cannot guarantee that all listings are legitimate.

Reporting Tools

Users can report concerns, suspicious listings, or inappropriate behavior. We review reports and take appropriate action when possible.

Identity Verification (Optional)

Some pet owners require applicants to complete identity verification (government-issued ID + matching selfie) before their application is reviewed. This is optional and controlled by the listing owner.

How It Works:

Pet owner choice: When listing a pet, owners can require identity verification for applicants
Stripe Identity: Adopters complete a document + selfie check through Stripe (not operated by Pawsitive Placements)
Timing & fee: Usually minutes; about $9.99 CAD, disclosed before payment
Status sharing: Verification status is available to the pet owner with the application
Owner decision: Pet owners still make their own adoption decisions

Important: This is identity verification, not a criminal background check or CRC. Pawsitive Placements does not collect or store your ID documents. Stripe processes the check; we are not responsible for the accuracy of third-party identity results beyond the status returned to the platform.

Safety Tips for Meetups

All meetups and transactions occur between users outside of the Pawsitive Placements platform. Users are responsible for their own safety and decision-making.

Meeting Safely

Meet in a public place for the first meeting
Bring a friend or family member with you
Inform someone of your meeting location and time
Trust your instincts - if something feels off, leave

Red Flags to Watch For

Pressure to make quick decisions
Requests for payment before meeting
Refusal to meet in person
Vague or inconsistent information

Scam Prevention

We provide reporting tools and review reports when possible. We cannot guarantee that all listings are legitimate. Users should exercise caution and use their judgment.

Common Warning Signs:

Too Good to Be True: Extremely low fees or "free" expensive pets
Payment Requests: Requests for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or unusual methods
Urgency: Pressure to act immediately or pay a "deposit" to hold the pet
No In-Person Meeting: Refusal to meet in person or show the pet
Poor Communication: Vague answers, poor grammar, or inconsistent stories

If you suspect a scam: Report it immediately through our reporting system or contact support. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. Pawsitive Placements is not responsible for transactions or interactions that occur outside of our platform.

Report Concerns

See something suspicious? We review reports and take appropriate action when possible.

Report an Issue