Happy Pet List
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Happy Pet List
Join free

Help Center

How can we help you today?

Browse the questions below, or select an option above to focus on questions for you.

Questions for Pet Parents

Finding & Trusting Providers

How are pet care providers selected for Happy Pet List?
Providers are added through research, referrals, and direct sign-ups. Silver and Gold are paid membership tiers, not verification badges. Providers can separately choose optional verification, explained on our verification page.
What do the Silver and Gold membership badges mean?
Silver and Gold indicate a provider's paid membership and listing features. They do not mean a provider has been verified. Background Checked, Organization Verified, and Public Resource are separate verification badges. A badge is one signal to consider alongside your own questions and references, not a guarantee of safety or service quality.

Using the Platform

How do I search for a provider near me?
You can search by location, category, type of pet, or by provider name.
Can I recommend a pet care provider I trust?
Yes. If you'd like to recommend a provider, email us at support@happypetlist.com with their contact information.
Does Happy Pet List recommend one provider over another?
We don't rank providers based on ads or reviews. Gold members may have expanded profiles and added visibility, but we focus on transparency so you can choose what feels right for your pet.
Can pet care providers contact me if I join Happy Pet List?
No. Your information is private. We never share or sell your data.

Safety & Responsibility

Does Happy Pet List guarantee services or outcomes?
No. Happy Pet List helps you discover providers, but all services and agreements are handled directly between you and the provider.
Does Happy Pet List conduct background checks on providers?

Solo pet care providers can choose an optional background check through Checkr. Providers who clear the check can receive a Background Checked badge. Verification is separate from paid membership.

Businesses and nonprofits can pursue separate organization verification through their EIN or 501(c)(3) status. This does not mean every team member has been individually background checked. Ask businesses about their own staff screening practices.

While we take meaningful steps to verify the providers on our platform, no screening process can guarantee outcomes. We encourage all pet parents to read provider profiles carefully, ask questions, and trust their instincts when choosing the right care for their pet.

Joining as a Pet Parent

Why should I create a free pet parent account?
Creating an account lets you save providers, stay organized, and help grow a trusted community of pet care professionals.

Questions for Pet Professionals

Listings & Badges

How do I claim or update my listing?
You can claim your listing at any time and update your information as your business evolves.
What is the difference between Silver and Gold memberships?
  • Claimed: A free basic listing.
  • Silver: A paid membership with additional listing features.
  • Gold: A paid membership with an expanded profile and additional visibility and promotion features.

Neither paid tier automatically grants verification. See the membership comparison for current features and pricing.

What is the Founding Gold Membership?

The Founding Gold Membership is a limited-time opportunity for pet professionals who join during our early growth phase.

Founding Gold members receive lifetime preferred pricing and are recognized as early supporters helping shape a trusted, compassionate pet care community.

This special status is available for a limited time during launch.

Do I pay service fees or a percentage of my earnings?
No. You keep 100% of the revenue you earn from clients who find you through Happy Pet List.

Value & Visibility

Why should I join Happy Pet List?
Pet parents come here already looking for trusted care—without competing ads, confusing algorithms, or crowded marketplaces.
Will Happy Pet List replace my website or social media?
No. It complements what you already use. Gold members can link to their website and social channels.
Can I offer special promotions to pet parents?
Yes. Gold members can highlight special offers directly on their profile.

Background Checks

Who can choose a background check?

Solo hands-on pet care providers, including dog walkers, pet sitters, dog hosts, and drivers, can choose an optional background check to pursue a Background Checked badge. A paid membership does not by itself mean the provider is background checked.

Pet care businesses with a team of employees or contractors who perform services are handled differently. If your business operates with a team, select "I run a Pet Care Business or Team" upon signing up to add your business profile.

What kind of background check is offered?
Happy Pet List uses a criminal background check that includes a national criminal database search, county-level criminal records, sex offender registry, and global watchlist screening. This is the same standard used by leading pet care and home services platforms.
Why does Happy Pet List require a background check?
Pet parents trust our providers with their pets and often their homes. A background check helps us maintain a safe, trusted community for everyone.
Who conducts the background check?
Background checks are conducted by Checkr, a leading accredited background screening company. Your personal information is submitted directly through Checkr's secure platform — Happy Pet List never stores your Social Security Number or sensitive personal data.
How much does the background check cost?
Any applicable one-time background check fee or promotion is shown before you choose to proceed. Background check fees are separate from recurring membership payments.
Is the background check fee refundable?
Review the fee and refund disclosures shown before payment, along with the background check terms. A check result does not itself change your paid membership tier.
How long does the background check take?
Most background checks are completed within 1–5 business days.
What happens after I pass my background check?
Clearing the check can grant a Background Checked badge. Your Silver or Gold membership is determined separately by your paid subscription; passing a check does not automatically grant or upgrade a paid membership.
What happens if my background check comes back with a "consider" result?
A "consider" result means something was found in your record that requires manual review by the Happy Pet List team. You will be notified by email and given the opportunity to provide clarification before a final decision is made.
What if my background check is denied?
If your background check results in a denial, you will receive a formal adverse action notice by email explaining the reason and your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), including the right to dispute the findings directly with Checkr.

Payments, Changes & Support

Can I upgrade, downgrade, or cancel my membership?
Yes. You're always in control of your membership.
What if my business information changes?
You can update your profile at any time.

General Questions

What is Happy Pet List's mission?
To make it easier for pet parents to find trusted care, help pet professionals be seen and respected, and support better care for pets.
How does the Happy Pet List Charity Fund work?

Every star rating you give a pet care provider on Happy Pet List contributes to the Stars & Treats Fund. When you recommend a provider who joins HPL, you earn bonus stars too.

Each January, our community votes on which animal charities receive the fund. Happy Pet List makes the donation in the spring, around National Pet Day.

Your ratings, your community, your impact. 🐾

How do I contact support?
Email us anytime at support@happypetlist.com.