Editorial policy

Accuracy comes first

Everything we publish should be true, clearly explained and useful to the reader. We prefer a plain, well-supported statement to a dramatic one, and we do not invent quotations, interviews, studies or statistics.

How articles are produced

Our articles are researched and drafted with the help of AI writing tools, then edited by our team. No article is published on the strength of a draft alone. People are responsible for everything that appears on the site.

Review by a veterinarian

Articles that deal with animal health, behavior that may signal illness, feeding, or end-of-life care are reviewed by a veterinarian before publication. The reviewer checks facts, figures, named conditions and treatments, and the advice we give.

Safety information

Advice about dangerous wildlife, bites, stings and outdoor safety follows the published guidance of recognized authorities, such as national park services, state wildlife agencies and poison control centers. Where guidance differs by place, we say so and point readers to local sources.

Sources

We rely on veterinary and scientific literature, official agencies, breed and species organizations, and established reference works. When we name a study, organization or person, it is because the claim rests on that source.

Corrections

We correct mistakes quickly and openly. Small fixes such as typing errors are made without comment. When a correction changes the meaning of an article or the advice it gives, we note the change on the page and update the date shown.

To report an error, see our contact page.

Updates

Knowledge changes, and so do our articles. Each one shows the date it was last updated. We do not change that date unless the content has genuinely been revised.

Headlines

A headline must describe what the article delivers. We do not promise things in a headline that the text does not contain.

Advertising and independence

The site is funded by advertising. Advertisers do not see articles before publication and have no influence over what we cover or what we say. Advertisements are labeled. If we ever publish sponsored content or earn a commission from a link, it will be clearly marked.

Photographs

Most photographs come from Unsplash and are credited to the photographer under each image. Pictures illustrate the subject of an article. Unless a caption says otherwise, they do not show the specific animal or place being described.

Reader votes

The thumbs and hearts on our articles are counted from real readers, one per reader per item. We do not add to or adjust the totals.

Not a substitute for professional advice

Our articles are general information. They cannot take the place of an examination by your own veterinarian or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your veterinarian or your local emergency number.