AI, PetMatch & Automated Systems
Effective 2026-10-03 · Version 2026-10-03
PawQuest uses automated systems, including AI, to help match lost pets, check photos, and moderate content. This explains what they do and their limits.
Results are probabilistic
AI-assisted results can be wrong. A PetMatch result is a "possible lead", never proof of identity or ownership. Scores are capped and every lead needs human verification. No photo match guarantees the same animal.
What gets processed
Photos and text you submit may be processed by PawQuest's matching logic and by AI providers. Text and images are also checked for safety by OpenAI's moderation service (omni-moderation-latest) together with PawQuest's own checks, according to our moderation architecture. Public coarse locations — never precise locations — are used for matching.
Do not rely on AI for important decisions
Do not use AI output for medical, veterinary, legal, law-enforcement, emergency, ownership, or identity decisions. Verify independently and consult professionals.
Rescue animals
Rescue adoption animals are included in PetMatch only when the organization has separately consented. That choice stays with the organization.
Virtual Buddy
Your Buddy is a fictional game character. It is not a real animal and not a commitment by anyone to provide animal care.