Pet Guide & Open Paws Hub: Powered by Smart Data

Our platforms use multiple feeds and filters to simplify information from trusted sources. We compile data from councils, verified industry partners, and community contributions to give you accurate, up-to-date information in one place.

• Councils & Government: Local council feeds, National Parks, government databases
• Industry Associations: Pet industry bodies, vet associations, relevant clubs
• Trusted Partners: Verified vets, groomers, trainers, and pet services
• Community Wisdom: Member recommendations and reviews based on experiences — knowledge sharing
• Favourites: Your saved places and services for quick access

Our Mission: Everything Pet Care, One Platform

We started with a simple goal: create an app to help manage and care for pets. That vision grew into something bigger — a complete pet care ecosystem where everything you need lives in one place.

From finding pet-friendly parks to booking grooming appointments, we search and compile so you can spend less time researching and more time enjoying life with your pets. We're here to make things easier for busy pet parents and families while building meaningful community connections.

Contribute to Open Paws Hub

Love a pet-friendly café or discovered a hidden gem? Found a professional or business you highly recommend? Your contributions help fellow pet parents discover the best spots while building a stronger community for everyone.

Our Baseline Standards

Before any business appears on Only Paws, they must meet these fundamental requirements:

• Valid ABN: Australian Business Number registered and verified
• Transparency: Clear pricing, services, and contact information
• Evident policies and documentation: Delivery terms, refunds, recalls, terms and privacy
• No Red Flags: Clean record — no wild reviews, unresolved complaints or regulatory actions and disputes found online across public access records

Our AI agents are very thorough but in the event you find something our bots may have missed – we would love to hear from you! audit@joinonlypaws.com

Core Badges

Every listing on Only Paws carries one of three core badges so members can quickly see who they're dealing with:

Additional Recognition Badges

Verified Providers may submit evidence to request additional recognition badges. These badges recognise achievements, accreditations, or practices that the business has demonstrated:

How Verification Works

1. Application: Business submits verification request with relevant supporting documentation selecting relevant badges
2. Assessment: Our team reviews credentials, insurance, compliance documentation, any supporting certification & association badges and recognition
3. Decision: Approved badges get loaded onto listed business partner pages
4. Onboarding: Business who sign-up as a business partner are provided access to upload their services or product and contribute to our community
5. Ongoing: Core badges and additional recognition badges are reviewed annually; non-compliance results in badge and/or profile removal

Be Kind

• Treat fellow members, businesses, and their pets with respect
• No harassment, bullying, or discriminatory language
• Disagree constructively — personal attacks are not tolerated
• Remember: behind every profile is a real person who loves their pet

Be Honest

• Post accurate information about your pets, services, and products
• Reviews should reflect genuine experiences
• Don't create fake accounts or post spam
• Disclose any conflicts of interest

Be Safe

• Don't share personal information publicly (addresses, phone numbers)
• Report suspicious behaviour or scams immediately
• Meet in public places for first-time pet playdates
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is

Content Guidelines

• Keep content pet-appropriate and family-friendly
• No graphic content, animal cruelty depictions, or harmful misinformation
• Respect copyright — only share content you own or have permission to use
• Tag sensitive content appropriately

Enforcement

Violations of these rules may result in:

• Content removal
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent account termination
• Reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate

We review all reports promptly and action is taken at our discretion. If you see something that violates these rules, please report it.

1. Choose Your Subscription

Select a plan that suits your household. Whether you're a single pet parent or a multi-pet family, we have options designed for your needs. Compare features and find your perfect fit.

Family Tier: Up to 4 users and 4 devices with 3 sub-accounts (mobile + iPad). Includes parental controls to manage what sub-account users can access.

Premium Tier: 2 users and 2 devices with 1 sub-account (mobile only). Includes priority support and full health features.

2. Create Your Account

Sign up takes just a few minutes. You'll receive a welcome email with everything you need to get going.

3. Set Up Sub-Accounts (Family & Premium Tiers)

If you're on the Family or Premium plan, you can create sub-accounts for family members or friends. The primary account holder manages all sub-accounts.

How it works:

• Primary account holder enters the sub-account user's name and device type
• Date of birth is required for every sub-account user
• System generates a unique username and password
• Credentials are emailed to the primary account holder to share manually

Parental Controls (Optional)

In addition to the automatic under-16 block, the primary account holder can enable parental controls on any sub-account to further restrict Connect-Paw features:

• Block chat in channels
• Block creating groups
• Block hosting events
• Block national noticeboard

Sub-account users with parental controls enabled are restricted to view-only in Connect-Paw. Parental controls can be toggled at any time. The under-16 Connect-Paw block is automatic and cannot be overridden by parental controls settings.

Privacy & Date of Birth

Sub-account dates of birth are stored securely and used solely for age verification to enforce Connect-Paw access restrictions. DOB is not displayed on profiles, not shared with other members, and not visible to the sub-account user. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

4. Explore Member Portal Guidelines

Your member portal includes helpful guides and setup assistance to ensure you get the maximum benefits from your subscription. Take a moment to familiarise yourself with what's available.

5. Set Up Your Profile

Add your pets, set your preferences, and customise your experience. The more you tell us, the better we can tailor recommendations for you.

6. Download the App

The app is your go-to tool for everything Only Paws. While the web portal handles basic tasks, the app puts the full experience in your pocket — notifications, health tracking, community features, and more.

Tip: Make the app your daily companion for the best experience.