Trust, Safety & Ethical Breeding Guidelines

Our Commitment to Safe & Responsible Breeding

PairMyPet exists to help responsible dog owners find quality breeding partners. We are not a marketplace for puppy sales—we connect stud dog owners with dam owners who share a commitment to improving their breeds through ethical practices.

Every breeding decision impacts generations of dogs. We take that responsibility seriously, and we expect our users to do the same.

Zero Tolerance Policy: Animal Welfare & Commercial Exploitation

PairMyPet maintains strict policies to protect animals and our community. Violations result in immediate action without warning.

1. Prohibition of Commercial Mass Breeding (“Puppy Mills”)

PairMyPet is strictly designed for individual pet owners, hobbyist breeders, and responsible preservation breeders. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy against high-volume commercial breeding operations (often referred to as “puppy mills”).

We define “Commercial Mass Breeding” as:

Accounts listing an unusually high volume of litters or stud services within a short timeframe
Users who keep animals in cages, kennels with unsanitary conditions, or without adequate social interaction
Breeders who refuse to show the mother (dam) or the environment where dogs are raised
Operations prioritizing profit over health testing and animal welfare
Breeding females back-to-back without adequate recovery time

2. Animal Cruelty & Neglect

The safety and wellbeing of animals on our platform is our highest priority. We will immediately and permanently ban any user found to be:

Listing animals that appear sick, injured, malnourished, or kept in poor conditions
Breeding dogs that are underage (females under 18 months) or overaged without veterinary approval
Showing evidence of physical abuse, neglect, or lack of veterinary care
Breeding dogs with known hereditary health issues without proper testing
Overbreeding females (more than one litter per year without vet approval, or more than 4-5 lifetime litters)
Promoting or participating in any form of animal fighting or abuse

3. Fraud & Scam Attempts

To protect our community, we enforce a strict ban on deceptive practices, including but not limited to:

Requesting non-refundable deposits before a video call or in-person meeting
Using stock photos, stolen images, or misrepresenting dogs in listings
Misrepresenting the breed, health status, or genetic history of a dog
Falsifying health testing certificates or OFA records
Requesting payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods
Creating multiple accounts to evade previous bans

4. Enforcement Actions

If a user violates these policies, PairMyPet reserves the right to take the following actions without prior notice:

Immediate Account Termination

Permanent deletion of the user profile and all active listings.

IP & Device Ban

Blocking the user from creating future accounts on any device.

Law Enforcement Cooperation

We will report evidence of animal cruelty or financial fraud to relevant local authorities and animal welfare organizations.

No Warnings: For serious violations involving animal welfare or fraud, we do not issue warnings. Accounts are terminated immediately upon confirmation of a violation.

PairMyPet Verified Badge

Verified Breeder

The PairMyPet Verified Badge indicates that a breeder has met our verification standards. This badge helps you identify trustworthy breeders who are committed to responsible practices.

How to Earn the Verified Badge

To receive the Verified Badge, breeders must complete the following verification steps:

1. Identity Verification

Upload a government-issued photo ID to confirm your identity. Your ID is securely stored and never shared publicly.

2. Health Testing Documentation

Provide OFA certificates or equivalent health testing documentation for your breeding dogs. We verify these against official databases.

3. Kennel Club Registration (Optional)

Provide your AKC, UKC, or equivalent breed club membership for additional verification.

4. Veterinary Reference (Optional)

Provide contact information for your veterinarian who can verify your dogs receive regular care.

What the Badge Means

When you see the Verified Badge on a profile, it means:

✓ The breeder’s identity has been confirmed
✓ Health testing documentation has been verified
✓ The account has no policy violations
✓ The breeder has agreed to our Ethical Breeding Standards

Important: The Verified Badge indicates that a breeder has passed our verification process. However, we still recommend conducting your own due diligence—ask questions, request documentation, and meet in person or via video before any breeding arrangement.

Want to Get Verified?

Log in to your PairMyPet account and visit your profile settings to start the verification process.

Get Verified

How to Spot & Avoid Breeding Scams

Unfortunately, scammers target dog breeding communities. Here’s how to protect yourself when connecting with stud owners or dam owners on any platform:

The “NEVER” List — Red Flags That Signal a Scam:

✕ NEVER pay the full stud fee before meeting the dog (in person or via live video call)
✕ NEVER wire money for “semen shipping insurance” or “special transport crates”
✕ NEVER pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or untraceable methods
✕ NEVER trust someone who refuses to provide health testing documentation
✕ NEVER proceed if they pressure you to decide immediately
✕ NEVER trust unusually low stud fees—quality studs cost money to health test and maintain

Signs of a Legitimate Stud Owner

✓ Willingly provides OFA/health testing certificates with verifiable registration numbers
✓ Offers video calls or in-person meetings before any payment
✓ Uses a written stud service contract with clear terms
✓ Can provide references from previous breeding arrangements
✓ Asks questions about YOUR dog’s health testing and background
✓ Is a member of breed clubs or registries you can verify

Pro Tip: Always verify health testing results directly on the OFA database. Scammers can fake certificates, but they can’t fake OFA records.

Guidelines for Responsible Breeding

PairMyPet supports breeders who prioritize health, temperament, and breed improvement over profit. Here are the standards we encourage:

Age & Health Requirements

Guideline	Recommendation	Why It Matters
Minimum Breeding Age (Females)	18-24 months	Ensures physical and mental maturity; allows time for health testing
Minimum Breeding Age (Males)	12-18 months	Allows confirmation of adult health and temperament
Health Testing	Complete breed-specific panel	Prevents passing genetic diseases to offspring
Brucellosis Test	Within 30 days of breeding	Protects both dogs from this contagious disease
Breeding Frequency (Females)	No back-to-back breedings without vet approval	Allows full physical recovery between litters
Retirement Age (Females)	5-6 years or after 4-5 litters	Prioritizes the dam’s long-term health

Required Health Testing by Breed

Different breeds have different genetic concerns. At minimum, we recommend:

Large Breeds (Labs, Goldens, GSDs)

Hip Dysplasia (OFA or PennHIP)
Elbow Dysplasia
Eye Certification (CERF/OFA)
Cardiac Evaluation
Breed-specific DNA panel

Brachycephalic Breeds (Frenchies, Bulldogs)

Spine Evaluation
Patella Evaluation
Cardiac Evaluation
BOAS Assessment
Comprehensive DNA panel

For complete breed-specific requirements, see our Health Testing Guide.

Why We Care: Health testing costs money upfront, but it prevents heartbreak and expensive vet bills for puppy buyers—and improves your breed for generations.

Questions to Ask Before Breeding

Whether you’re a stud owner or dam owner, asking the right questions protects everyone involved.

If You’re Looking for a Stud

What health tests has he completed? Request copies of all certificates.
Can I verify his OFA results online? Get his registered name or number.
Has he sired litters before? Ask to see photos of offspring.
What is his temperament like? Can you meet him in person or via video?
What are your contract terms? Get everything in writing.
What happens if my female doesn’t conceive? Is there a return breeding guarantee?

If You Own a Stud

What health testing has the female completed? Request documentation.
How old is she? How many litters has she had? Ensure she’s not overbred.
Is she current on brucellosis testing? Protect your stud.
What is her temperament? You’re responsible for the puppies’ genetics too.
Where will the puppies be raised and sold? Ensure responsible placement.

The Golden Rule

If someone refuses to answer these questions or gets defensive, that’s a red flag. Responsible breeders welcome scrutiny—it shows you care about doing things right.

Report a Concern

Help us keep PairMyPet safe. If you encounter any of the following, please report it immediately:

Suspected scams or fraudulent listings
Fake health testing claims
Signs of puppy mill or commercial breeding operations
Animal cruelty or neglect visible in photos
Users asking for suspicious payment methods
Harassment or inappropriate behavior

How to Report

Email: support@pairmypet.com

In-App: Use the “Report” button on any profile or message

We review all reports within 24-48 hours and take action as needed, including permanent bans for serious violations.

All reports are confidential. We never share reporter information with the reported user.

Resources for Responsible Breeders

We encourage all PairMyPet users to educate themselves through these trusted organizations:

Breed Registries & Kennel Clubs

American Kennel Club (AKC) — Breed standards, breeder resources
United Kennel Club (UKC) — Registration, events
The Kennel Club (UK) — International standards

Health Testing Organizations

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — Health testing database
CHIC Program — Breed-specific health protocols
PennHIP — Hip dysplasia evaluation

Animal Welfare Organizations

ASPCA — Animal welfare advocacy
Humane Society — Responsible breeding guidelines

PairMyPet Guides

Why We Built PairMyPet

PairMyPet started because we saw a gap in the market. Responsible breeders needed a better way to connect—without wading through scams, puppy mills, or unverified listings.

We’re dog lovers first, and we built this platform with one goal: to make responsible breeding easier and safer for everyone involved.

Every feature we build, every policy we create, and every decision we make comes back to one question: “Is this good for the dogs?”

Thank you for being part of our community of responsible breeders.

— The PairMyPet Team