Safety & Location Disclosure
Effective 2026-10-03 · Version 2026-10-03
PawQuest is about discovery from a distance. This disclosure explains the real-world and online risks, and how PawQuest handles locations.
Public means public
Anything you make public can be seen by strangers and may be copied, screenshotted, or shared beyond PawQuest.
How locations work
Sightings and missing-pet reports show coarse, approximate public locations — never an exact address. Nearby alerts compare your rounded alert area (about 2 km grid) with a pet's approximate public area. Your device's precise location may be used transiently, if you allow it, to center the map or suggest an area, but it is not made public. Map positions can be approximate, incomplete, or outdated.
Meeting and recovering animals
Meet in public, well-lit places. Bring another adult. Do not enter a stranger's home or vehicle. Prefer handoffs at shelters, vet clinics, or with animal control. Ask for proof of ownership before handing over an animal and be wary of requests for money.
Animals can be unpredictable
Unknown animals may bite, scratch, or carry disease. Do not chase, corner, feed, or handle them. Never trespass or put yourself in danger to recover an animal.
No background checks
PawQuest does not background-check, identity-verify, or security-vet ordinary users. Use your own judgment and caution.
Emergencies
PawQuest is not an emergency service. If a person or animal is in danger, contact 911 or your local emergency number, law enforcement, animal control, or a veterinarian.