Community Guidelines

Community Guidelines

Community Guidelines

Effective Date: 31 October 2025

Publisher / Operator: MEOWOOF LIMITED
13 Adelaide Road, Dublin D02 P950, Ireland
Company Number: 755310

Email: privacy@cats.ie

1. Welcome to the Cats.ie Community

Cats.ie exists to bring together cat lovers, owners, breeders, rescues, and professionals across Ireland in a safe, respectful, and caring environment.
These Community Guidelines outline the standards of behaviour expected from all users whether you’re posting a listing, commenting on an article, or contacting another member.
We want Cats.ie to be a trusted space that reflects the same values we hold for our pets: care, respect, and responsibility

2. Our Core Principles

Every action on Cats.ie should reflect:

  • Respect – Treat others with kindness, even in disagreement.
  • Honesty – Be truthful in all listings, comments, and communications.
  • Safety – Protect animals, users, and personal data.
  • Integrity – Follow Irish law and our platform rules.
  • Community Spirit – Help others and report misuse when you see it.

Cats.ie is more than a website—it’s a shared space where everyone helps make the cat community stronger and safer.

3. What We Expect From You

You agree to:

  • Use your real information where required (especially for listings and services).
  • Keep your account secure and not share login details.
  • Be polite, patient, and constructive when messaging or commenting.
  • Follow all applicable laws, including Irish animal-welfare and consumerprotection legislation.
  • Immediately report any suspicious, misleading, or abusive content to our moderators.

We moderate actively, but community vigilance helps keep Cats.ie safe and enjoyable for everyone.

4. What’s Not Allowed

We take the following violations seriously. Breaches may result in warning, suspension, or permanent removal.

4.1 Prohibited Content

  1. False or misleading animal listings.
  2. Posts promoting illegal or unethical breeding.
  3. Offensive, discriminatory, or harassing language.
  4. Images showing animal harm, distress, or unsafe conditions.
  5. Scam, spam, or deceptive advertising.
  6. Infringement of others’ copyrights, trademarks, or privacy

4.2 Prohibited Behaviour

  1. Impersonating another person, breeder, or organisation.
  2. Posting personal contact details of others without consent.
  3. Repeated posting of similar ads or content to manipulate visibility.
  4. Harassing or “trolling” users in messages or comments.
  5. Circumventing moderation or payment systems.

5. Animal Welfare Responsibilities

Every Cats.ie user has a moral and legal duty to protect animal welfare.
We require strict adherence to Irish Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, IPAAG advertising standards, and our internal Advertising & Welfare Rules.
In practice, this means:

  • Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old before leaving their mother.
  • Animals must be healthy, well cared for, and accurately described.
  • Sellers must provide details of vaccination and neutering (if applicable).
  • Rescues must operate under their valid Charity Registration Number.
  • No misleading “designer” breed naming or pricing inflation is allowed.

Cats.ie reserves the right to remove any listing that raises welfare concerns—even without a formal complaint.

6. Communication Between Users

To protect privacy, Cats.ie offers secure internal messaging.
You agree to use this channel responsibly:

  • No spamming or unsolicited promotions.
  • No pressure tactics, harassment, or discrimination.
  • Keep messages relevant to listings or service enquiries.
  • Report suspicious activity immediately via “Report User” or “Flag Listing.”

All internal messages are monitored for abuse patterns using automated filters and manual
review if necessary.

7. Reviews & Comments

We welcome constructive feedback but insist on fairness and civility. You must not:

  • Post false or defamatory reviews.
  • Review your own listings or competitors’.
  • Copy content from others without permission.

Cats.ie may edit or remove reviews that breach these standards

8. Moderation & Enforcement

Cats.ie moderation combines automated filters, manual review, and user reporting.
We may:

  • Warn or temporarily suspend users;
  • Remove listings or posts without notice;
  • Ban repeat offenders;
  • Report illegal activity to authorities or the ISPCA.

You will be notified of moderation actions where possible, except where prohibited by law or to
prevent further abuse.

9. Reporting & Support

If you see behaviour or content that violates these guidelines, please use the Report button on
listings or contact our team at privacy@cats.ie.
Include details or screenshots when possible.
Reports are confidential and reviewed promptly by moderators.
We prioritise cases involving animal welfare, harassment, or fraud

10. Consequences of Violations

Depending on the severity, actions may include:

  1. Warning (for minor, first-time issues).
  2. Temporary suspension (typically 7–30 days).
  3. Permanent account closure (for severe or repeated abuse).
  4. Referral to authorities (for criminal or welfare violations).

Decisions are made by our moderation team in good faith and are final.

11. Appeals

If you believe your content was wrongly removed or your account unfairly suspended, you may
appeal via email within 14 days of notice.
Send appeals to privacy@cats.ie with the subject line “Appeal – Moderation Decision.”
Appeals are reviewed by a senior moderator not involved in the original decision.

12. Legal References

These guidelines operate in conjunction with:

  • The Cats.ie Terms of Use
  • The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
  • The Criminal Justice (Harassment and Harmful Communications) Act 2020
  • The Consumer Protection Act 2007
  • IPAAG Pet Advertising Advisory Guideline

13. Continuous Improvement

Cats.ie regularly updates these guidelines based on community feedback, evolving welfare standards, and digital safety best practices.
We aim to keep our tone friendly, firm, and fair—just like good cat care should be.

Contact

For questions about these guidelines or moderation policies:

Cats.ie Community & Safety Team
Email : privacy@cats.ie
Address: MEOWOOF LIMITED, 13 Adelaide Road, Dublin D02 P950, Ireland