Health Tested
The breeder has documented their health-testing practices and, where applicable, attached records to individual animals.
Standards & Screening
BreederHQ is a software platform for breeders. We don’t inspect breeding programs or rate breeders. What we do is surface what each breeder has documented about their program, show identity confirmation where Stripe Identity has returned a result, and give buyers a way to report concerns. This page explains what the badges on a breeder profile mean and what to do if something doesn’t feel right.
What each badge means
You’ll see these badges on breeder profiles, breeding programs, and animal listings. Each one is grounded in something the breeder has documented or that BreederHQ has confirmed.
Quick Responder
The breeder commits to replying to inquiries within 24 hours.
Experienced
Five or more years operating a breeding program.
Lifetime Take-Back
The breeder commits to taking the animal back at any point in its life if the buyer can no longer keep it. See the breeder's placement policies for the specific terms.
Return Policy
The breeder offers a defined return window. The specific terms are listed on their profile under Placement Policies.
What BreederHQ surfaces
- Identity confirmation (when present). Where a breeder has completed Stripe Identity, we surface the result Stripe returned. We don’t independently verify identity ourselves.
- Published practices and policies. Health practices, registrations, take-back commitments, return windows, and reservation-fee policies are shown as the breeder published them.
- Buyer testimonials. Where present, testimonials are submitted through BreederHQ and tied to real buyer accounts.
BreederHQ doesn’t inspect breeding programs, review uploaded documents, or rate breeders. The breeder’s published placement policies (return windows, take-back commitments, contracts, and reservation-fee policies) govern your transaction. Read those carefully on the breeder’s profile before sending an inquiry or paying any reservation fee.
Reporting concerns
If a breeder is misrepresenting their program, has acted in bad faith, or has violated our Acceptable Use Policy:
- Use the Report Breeder action on the breeder’s profile.
- Our team reviews every report.
- For urgent concerns about animal welfare, contact your local animal control authority first. They can act faster than we can.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Health Tested badge mean?↓
Breeders earn the Health Tested badge by listing the health practices their program follows and, where applicable, attaching health-testing records to individual animals. Where a record is attached, you'll see it referenced on the animal's listing page.
What does Quick Responder mean?↓
Quick Responder is awarded to breeders who consistently reply to inquiries within 24 hours. It is set by the breeder and reflects their stated standard for buyer communication.
What does Experienced mean?↓
The Experienced badge is shown on breeders with five or more years operating their breeding program.
What about Lifetime Take-Back and Return Policy badges?↓
These badges reflect the breeder's published placement policies. Lifetime Take-Back means the breeder commits to taking the animal back at any point in its life if the buyer can no longer keep it. Return Policy means the breeder offers a defined return window. The specific terms are listed on the breeder's profile under Placement Policies.
How do I report a concern about a breeder?↓
Every breeder profile has a Report Breeder action. If you believe a breeder is misrepresenting their program, has acted in bad faith, or has violated our Acceptable Use Policy, use that action and our team will review. For urgent concerns about animal welfare, contact your local animal control authority first.
Are reviews and testimonials moderated?↓
Testimonials shown on a breeder's profile are submitted directly through BreederHQ. We require basic identity context for the reviewer and do not allow breeders to remove negative reviews unilaterally. We do moderate for abusive language and removed disputes.
Where can I learn more about how BreederHQ surfaces identity and credentials?↓
BreederHQ's role is limited to (1) surfacing identity confirmation that Stripe Identity has returned for the breeder, where the breeder has completed it, and (2) displaying credentials and information the breeder has provided. The breeder's published placement policies (return windows, take-back commitments, health practices, and contracts) are what govern your transaction. See our Trust & Verification help article for the full framework, and read the breeder's policies carefully on their profile before sending an inquiry or paying any reservation fee.
Questions we didn’t answer? Visit the Help Center.