Acceptable Use Policy

1. Permitted Uses

The IPR platform is intended for the following legitimate purposes:

• Registering pet microchip numbers and maintaining accurate owner and pet information.
• Searching the microchip database to identify and reunite lost pets with their owners.
• Transferring pet registrations between owners in good faith.
• Managing pet medical records and health documentation (veterinary professionals).
• Operating shelter, rescue, breeder, or government animal management programs.
• Reporting animal abuse to NAAR in accordance with professional standards and in good faith.
• Using the lost-and-found system to report or search for lost and found pets.
• Accessing the professional directory for legitimate contact and referral purposes.

2. Prohibited Conduct

The following activities are strictly prohibited on the IPR platform:

3. Professional Standards

Users with professional accounts must adhere to the following standards in addition to general platform rules:

• Veterinarians: All medical records entered must be clinically accurate and made in accordance with the veterinary standard of care in the applicable jurisdiction. Records must be entered by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
• Shelters & Rescues: Must maintain accurate and current records of all animals in their care. Intake, adoption, transfer, and outcome records must be truthful and timely. Must comply with all local animal welfare laws and licensing requirements.
• Breeders: Must provide accurate parentage, health testing, and litter information. Must comply with all applicable breeding regulations and licensing requirements. Must not use the platform to facilitate puppy mills or unethical breeding practices.
• Government Agencies: Must use the platform only for authorized official purposes in accordance with applicable government regulations. Must maintain appropriate data access controls and handle personal data in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

4. Content Guidelines

All content submitted to the IPR platform, including pet profiles, photos, descriptions, and communications, must comply with the following guidelines:

• Content must be accurate and not intentionally misleading.
• Pet photos must depict the actual registered pet. Stock photos or photos of different animals are not permitted.
• Content must not contain malware, viruses, or other harmful code.
• Content must not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties.
• Content must comply with applicable laws, including animal welfare laws, privacy laws, and consumer protection laws.
• Content must not contain personally identifiable information of third parties without their consent.

5. Microchip Data Integrity

The integrity of our microchip registry depends on the accuracy of data provided by our users. You agree to:

• Register only valid microchip numbers that have been physically implanted in the designated pet.
• Keep your registration information current, including contact details and pet status.
• Report any errors or discrepancies in your registration promptly.
• Not register microchip numbers belonging to pets you do not own or are not authorized to register.
• Not attempt to register the same microchip number under multiple accounts.
• Report suspected fraudulent registrations to support@internationalpetregistry.net.

6. NAAR Reporting Standards

Authorized professionals who submit reports to the National Animal Abuse Registry must adhere to the following standards:

• Good Faith: All NAAR reports must be made in good faith and based on credible evidence or professional judgment.
• Accuracy: Reports must be factually accurate to the best of the reporter's knowledge. Speculative, unverified, or hearsay information must be clearly identified as such.
• Supporting Documentation: Where available, reports should include supporting documentation such as veterinary findings, photographs, official reports, or court records.
• Professional Conduct: NAAR must not be used as a tool for personal vendettas, competitive retaliation, or any purpose unrelated to animal welfare.
• Consequences of False Reports: Submitting knowingly false or malicious NAAR reports is a serious violation that will result in immediate account termination and may be reported to applicable regulatory authorities or law enforcement. IPR reserves the right to pursue legal action against individuals who deliberately abuse the NAAR system.

7. Enforcement & Consequences

IPR reserves the right to investigate suspected violations of this AUP and to take appropriate action, which may include:

• Warning: A written warning for first-time minor violations.
• Content Removal: Removal or modification of content that violates this AUP.
• Account Suspension: Temporary suspension of account access for serious or repeated violations.
• Account Termination: Permanent termination of the account for severe violations, including fraud, false NAAR reports, harassment, or illegal activity.
• Legal Action: Referral to law enforcement or initiation of legal proceedings in cases involving criminal activity, fraud, or willful harm.
• Reporting to Authorities: Reporting violations to relevant professional licensing bodies, regulatory agencies, or law enforcement as required by law or as IPR deems appropriate.

IPR will use reasonable judgment in enforcing this AUP and will consider the severity, frequency, and intent of the violation when determining appropriate action. We will provide users with an opportunity to respond to allegations of violations before permanent action is taken, except in cases requiring immediate action to protect other users or the platform's integrity.

8. Reporting Violations

If you become aware of any activity that violates this Acceptable Use Policy, we encourage you to report it promptly:

• General Violations: Email support@internationalpetregistry.net with the subject "AUP Violation Report."
• Security Vulnerabilities: Email security@internationalpetregistry.net with the subject "Security Vulnerability Report."
• NAAR Abuse: Email support@internationalpetregistry.net with the subject "NAAR Abuse Report."
• Fraudulent Registrations: Email support@internationalpetregistry.net with the subject "Fraudulent Registration Report."

Please include as much detail as possible, including screenshots, URLs, usernames, dates, and a description of the suspected violation. All reports are treated confidentially, and the identity of reporters is not disclosed to the accused party without the reporter's consent (unless required by law).

IPR will investigate all reports of violations promptly and will take appropriate action as described above. We will notify the reporter of the outcome when possible and appropriate.