Verification Policy

Verification exists to help buyers make more informed decisions when contacting breeders through Pawthentic Pedigree.

It provides a structured way for breeders to demonstrate that they have supplied supporting documentation about their identity, cattery, registrations or health testing, and for our team to review that documentation before certain badges are displayed on public profiles and listings.

Verification is intended to raise the overall standard of information available on the platform. It does not replace the buyer's own due diligence and does not create any contractual relationship between Pawthentic Pedigree and buyers, breeders or third parties in respect of any individual cat.

Verification is based entirely on documentation and information provided by the breeder. When we mark a breeder or a specific test as verified, we mean that:

• the breeder has submitted documentation of the type requested
• our team has reviewed that documentation at a point in time
• the documentation appeared, on its face, to support the claim being made

Verification is not:

• a veterinary examination or endorsement of any cat
• a government, local authority or regulatory licence
• an independent audit of the breeder's premises or practices
• a guarantee of the health, temperament, pedigree or future behaviour of any cat
• a warranty of the outcome of any sale, reservation, stud arrangement or other transaction

Buyers should continue to visit breeders where possible, view parent cats, review contracts and seek independent veterinary advice before completing any purchase.

Depending on the type of verification, breeders may be asked to provide:

• proof of identity, such as a government-issued photo ID
• proof of address in the United Kingdom
• proof of cattery prefix or registry membership (for example GCCF, TICA or FIFe)
• any applicable local authority licence, where required by law
• health test certificates issued by a recognised laboratory or veterinary professional, showing the cat's name or reference, the test performed and the result
• supporting notes explaining the context of the documentation submitted

Documents must be clear, legible, current and belong to the breeder or cattery in question. We may reject submissions that are illegible, incomplete, expired or that cannot reasonably be attributed to the breeder.

All documentation is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Where verification is granted, badges may be displayed on the breeder's public profile and listings. Typical badges include:

• Verified breeder — identity and/or registration documentation reviewed
• DNA verified — one or more DNA test results reviewed for specific parent cats
• Response time verified — the breeder has committed to a defined response window
• Registry membership — recognised cat registry membership documentation reviewed

Badges relate only to the specific documentation reviewed. A DNA badge for a particular test on a particular cat does not extend to other cats, other tests or future litters. A registration badge does not imply endorsement by the registry itself.

Verification reflects information available at the time of review. Circumstances change: registrations may lapse, catteries may relocate, and health tests may need to be repeated for new breeding cats.

Breeders are expected to:

• keep their profile information accurate and up to date
• submit updated documentation when previously verified information changes
• remove or update badges that are no longer supported by current documentation

Pawthentic Pedigree may periodically request refreshed documentation to confirm that previously verified information remains accurate.

Providing false, misleading or fraudulent information as part of a verification submission is a serious breach of our Breeder Terms & Conditions.

Examples include, without limitation:

• submitting documentation belonging to another person or cattery
• altering or fabricating certificates, laboratory results or registration papers
• misrepresenting the cat to which a document relates
• claiming health tests that have not actually been performed

Where we reasonably believe false information has been submitted, we may immediately revoke verification, hide or remove listings, suspend or remove the breeder account, and, where appropriate, report the matter to the relevant registry, regulator or law enforcement authority.

Verification may be withdrawn at any time where, acting reasonably, we consider that:

• the underlying documentation is no longer valid or accurate
• the breeder has failed to respond to a reasonable request for updated documentation
• the breeder is in material breach of our Breeder Terms & Conditions
• there is a credible concern about animal welfare, misrepresentation or unlawful activity

Where practical, we will notify the breeder before withdrawing verification and give them an opportunity to respond. In urgent cases, verification may be removed immediately and reviewed afterwards.

Buyers, other breeders or third parties can raise concerns about a verified breeder by contacting us at the address in section 10.

When we receive a complaint we may:

• ask the complainant for further information or supporting evidence
• contact the breeder for their response and any relevant documentation
• temporarily hide the breeder profile or specific listings while we review the matter
• adjust, suspend or withdraw verification based on the outcome of our review

We aim to handle complaints fairly and proportionately. Pawthentic Pedigree is not a dispute resolution service and cannot adjudicate on the legal rights of parties to a private sale; disputes between buyers and breeders should be resolved directly, or through appropriate legal or trading standards channels.

Verification does not guarantee:

• the current or future health of any cat
• the temperament or behaviour of any cat
• the accuracy of the pedigree of any individual cat beyond the documentation reviewed
• the ongoing conduct of any breeder
• the outcome of any sale, reservation, stud arrangement or other transaction

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Pawthentic Pedigree is not liable for any loss arising from reliance on verification badges or verified status. Nothing in this policy limits or excludes liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

Questions about verification or this Verification Policy can be sent to:

Email: contact@pawthenticpedigree.co.uk

Pawthentic Pedigree may carry out random verification audits at any time. Breeders may be asked to provide updated health testing, registration certificates or additional supporting documentation. Failure to cooperate may result in verification being suspended or removed.