Safety Guide
Practical steps to keep the recovery safe.
Pet recovery can be stressful. Use these steps to avoid scams, protect privacy, and keep communication clear when you find a possible match.
Before meeting anyone
- Use the secure relay instead of sharing your personal number.
- Never send money for a reunion or transport service.
- Meet in public, daylight locations if a handoff is needed.
- Tell a friend or family member where you're going before meeting.
When checking a match
- Compare unique markings, collar details, and behavior notes.
- Review the location and time before sending a reply.
- Use follow-up questions to confirm details before closing the case.
- Ask for a real-time photo to verify the pet is with the finder.
warning Scam warning signs
- Requests for payment to "secure" the reunion or cover transport costs.
- Refusal to do a video call or share a dated photo of the pet.
- Pressure to act quickly before contacting others.
- Contact from someone who "found your pet abroad" or far from last-seen location.
Safe handoff checklist
- Confirm microchip or unique marking before arriving.
- Meet at a vet clinic or animal shelter if possible — they can verify the chip on the spot.
- Bring your pet's vaccination records or a photo of the chip document.
- Never share your home address with someone you haven't verified.
If something feels wrong
Stop the exchange, keep records inside the portal, and contact support with the case ID. The enhanced error and support pages are built to help you recover quickly without exposing private data.
Platform content rules
To keep WhiskerAlert a trustworthy community resource, a small number of content types are strictly prohibited. Reports or messages containing the following will be removed and may result in access being revoked:
- Animal cruelty imagery — images or descriptions depicting abuse, neglect, or harm to animals.
- Doxxing — sharing someone’s personal address, workplace, or identifying information to publicly accuse them of theft or misconduct.
- Scam solicitations — requesting payment or gift cards as a condition of returning a pet.
- Commercial advertising — promoting pet products, breeding services, or for-profit rehoming.
See Terms of Service §6 for the full list.