The safety of our users and their dogs is very important to us. There are steps that everyone can follow to help ensure their safety while using BarkHappy. Please take a few minutes to read these tips.

Keep your financial information private

Ignore any request to send money from other users – even if the person claims to be pursuant to an emergency – and report it to us immediately. Never give out financial information such as your social security number, credit card number or bank information.

Keep your personal information private

You are in control of your BarkHappy experience at all times. Be careful about sharing personal information, such as your full name, phone number, email and address. Protect your identity until you are comfortable enough with someone to share it, if at all. Also, leave any personal contact information out of your BarkHappy profile.

Please note that BarkHappy will never send you an email asking for your username and password information. Any such communication should be reported immediately.

Spam/Scammers

There are red flags to watch out for that may indicate you’re dealing with a scammer. Be aware of anyone who:

    • Sends you messages containing links to third party websites
    • Asks to talk or chat outside of BarkHappy too quickly
    • Asks you for money
    • Vanishes mysteriously then reappears under a different name
    • Asks for your address under the guise of sending flowers or gifts

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s advice to avoid online scams is available here.

Report suspicious users

Please report anyone who violates our terms of use. Examples of terms of use violations include:

    • Asking you for money or donations
    • Anyone that looks like they could be under the age of 13
    • Users sending harassing or offensive messages
    • Users behaving inappropriately after meeting in person
    • Fraudulent profiles
    • Spam or solicitation, such as attempts to sell or advertise products or services

Meeting In Person

First meetings and play dates are exciting, but always take precautions and follow these guidelines to help you and your dog stay safe:

Get to know the other person and their dog before meeting them offline

Get to know someone through chat before disclosing personal information or meeting in person. Disclosure of personal information to any third parties is at your own risk. We don’t conduct criminal background checks on our users, so it’s up to you to do your own research and remain cautious. Additionally, some users may not understand their dog’s temperament fully.

Be sure to ask questions about other user’s dogs to understand how it may get along or behave with new dogs/your dog.

Always meet in public

Meet for the first time in a populated, public place. Never meet in a private or remote location, and never at your home or apartment.

Bring a friend or inform a friend or family member of your plans

Tell friends and family who you are meeting, where you are going and when you will return. Bring your phone with you.

Drive yourself to and from the first meeting

Be in control of your own ride, even if you take a taxi or car service. Securing your own ride is important. Even if the person you’re meeting volunteers to pick you up, do not get into a vehicle with someone you don’t know and trust, especially if it’s the first meeting.

Stay sober or be cautious when around alcohol

Do not do anything that would impair your judgment and cause you to make a decision you could regret.

Safety with Dogs
 
Always take precaution when you or your dog are meeting an unfamiliar dog  or person for the first time.  Not all dogs are friendly and not all dog owners take precautions with aggressive dogs.

Be careful when introducing your dog to a new person or when you are meeting another dog.  Ensure both your dog and the other dogs are under supervision by their respective owners at all times.
Never leave your dog unattended in any scenario or with strangers that you to do not know or trust.

If your dog doesn’t get along with strangers or other dogs, it is not a good idea to meet others or put your dog in situations it will not handle well.

Never leave children unsupervised around dogs. Never leave your dog unsupervised with children.

If going to a restaurant, bar, hotel, or other public dog-friendly place or event, be sure to keep control of your dog at all times and be aware of your dog’s state of mind.  Aggressive dogs that do not do well in crowded areas or with strangers should not be taken to dog-friendly restaurants/bars/events or other situations your dog is uncomfortable in.

If your dog gets aggressive take your dog away from others to calm down or leave.  Dogs that get in fights and are aggressive should be removed immediately. BarkHappy is not responsible for the consequences of any event or place you attend or the actions of any other person or animal.

Extremely aggressive dogs that cause problems, or the actions of their owners, can be reported in the BarkHappy app.