Updated August 2nd 2009
Here are some simple guidelines for you to follow while you are on Doggyspace. They were developed to help everyone to continue to enjoy themselves while they are on the site, and to provide some clarity if any users were in doubt.
We ask that you abide by the community guidelines at all times while you are here. Beyond the general guidelines below there are additional guidelines outlined by the community and the Doggyspace staff that are related to products or services provided throughout the site. We recommend that you take the time to familiarize yourself with them.
Overview
Doggyspace was developed for dog lovers, and their furry friends, and thus why it is called Doggyspace "A Doggy's Place". The point of the site is for members to have fun while visiting the site, and to make many friends that will last you a lifetime, while working together as a community to change the world.
Because Doggyspace is a publicly open community, and members range from the age of 13 and up, it is important to remember that we like to keep a PG standard on the site. The PG rating indicates that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision.
While the above PG rating should be generally understandable, here are some direct guidelines that apply to the entire site.
General Guidelines
1. No profanity, foul or vulgar language, nudity, gory, or suggested content of that nature.
2. No threatening, bashing, demoralizing, slandering, or taunting members of the site.
3. No profane or obscene names or nicknames can be used.
4. No starting, taking part, or inciting an argument (No hostility). This includes sending private message to the user, or other members, as well as putting up polls or threads asking if the another member was wrong, should leave, or if others like that member.
5. No pushing your religion, politics, or social views on other members that do not want to hear it. This goes the same for threads and groups that are not about the topic. This same rule goes for members that do not agree with the posted content. If you do not agree with the group or thread about a political or religious view you need to keep your post polite, or not say anything at all.
Profiles
6. Businesses must have a business profile with the "Biz Tag", otherwise it's spam.
7. Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) on Doggypace must have a NPO profile on Doggyspace that is verified before they can ask for donations, or hold events. This does not mean members cannot post a journal telling their friends about a local shelter that is in need of funds.
8. All personal profiles must be a real animal (ie Dog, Cat), and not a stuffed toy.
Private Messages and Comments
9. No sending private messages or posting comments promoting products or soliciting members (spam). This does not in any way mean you cannot share sites, chip-ins, vote request with friends that want to receive such information, however if you are sending bulk quantity of anything related to the above in such a manner that would qualify your actions as spam or upset the receivers then this would apply to you. If you do not know if your friend's would mind you soliciting them, you can always ask them, or just post whatever it is you want to share in a private journal where all your friends can see it and share it with their friends.
Personal Journals/Threads and Groups
10. Closed threads or other content should not be restarted just to circumvent the system. Same applies with merged or deleted content.
11. Never tag journals, or start threads in groups that have nothing to do with the group. If there is no group for your content, don't tag it at all.
Additional Information
Think about what your about to post to the public as you could be incidentally publishing content that could offend someone that does not share your view or way of life.
If at any point the staff or moderators of Doggyspace feel you have broken any of the guidelines it is within their full discretion to remove, change, delete the content or user from Doggyspace without any warning.
If you're not sure about something contact Doggyspace HQ by using the help link. It's always better to contact us if you really don't know. If we find content that does not fit the above guidelines or it is removed for duplicate content or other reasons by management you should NOT go about adding it back to the site. If you feel a member is abusing a policy please contact us using the report link/button or help link.
Best,
Doggyspace HQ