Trust & Safety
Honest about what we control.
Committed to what we can.
Tailmate connects neighbours who love animals. We do everything we can to make those connections safe — and we're honest about the limits of what any platform can promise.
How we build trust
Verified identity
Email and phone are verified before any member can book or host. No anonymous accounts.
Double-blind reviews
Neither side sees the other's review until both have submitted — so feedback stays honest, not retaliatory. Reviews are permanent once published.
Meet before you commit
A meet and greet before any sitting is strongly encouraged. Most issues are caught in that 15-minute meeting — before any credits change hands.
Messaging on platform
All communication stays on Tailmate — a clear record for both sides, and your personal contact info stays private until you choose to share it.
No money between members
Members exchange Tail Credits, not cash. This removes the most common source of fraud in peer-to-peer platforms.
Credits reward good behaviour
Poor reviews mean fewer sits over time. Good hosts and sitters build reputations that attract better matches — the community self-regulates.
If something goes wrong
Tail Zen Protection
Tailmate does not provide insurance. Tail Zen Protection is a discretionary goodwill programme — we review eligible claims from confirmed sittings and may reimburse a portion of unexpected costs. It is not a guarantee and does not replace your own home or pet insurance.
Vet care: up to $10,000 CAD after a $500 deductible, for injuries during a confirmed sitting.
Property damage: up to $1,000 CAD after a $250 deductible, for documented damage caused by a guest animal.
Third-party medical: up to $5,000 CAD for verified medical costs if a guest animal injures someone.
Ontario only · Confirmed sittings only · Claims within 14 days · Full terms at tailmate.org/tail-zen
What we can't promise
No platform can guarantee the behaviour of every person on it. Tailmate connects neighbours — we do not employ sitters, background-check every member, or supervise sittings. We give you the tools to make safe choices: reviews, verification, messaging records, and Tail Zen Protection. The final judgment about who to trust with your pet is yours, and it should be.
Does Tailmate do background checks?
We verify email and phone for every member. We do not run criminal background checks at this time. Read reviews carefully, ask questions, and meet in person before confirming a sitting — that is the single most reliable safety step.
What if I feel unsafe or something goes wrong?
Contact us at hello@tailmate.org. For genuine emergencies, call 911 first. We review every report and take action — up to permanent removal — when a member violates community standards.
Can I report or block a member?
Yes. Use the report button on any profile or message thread. All reports are reviewed by our team. You can also block any member at any time to prevent further contact.
Questions about safety or a specific situation?
Write to us at hello@tailmate.org →We're neighbours too.
The team behind Tailmate are Toronto residents and pet owners. We built this because we needed it ourselves. We take every safety concern seriously — not because we have to, but because these are our neighbours and their animals.
If something worries you, tell us. We read everything.
hello@tailmate.org