Last updated: March 2026
Questions? hello@vetscouter.com
VetScouter exists to help pet owners make confident, informed decisions about veterinary care. Our moderation policy is designed to protect three groups equally: pet owners (who deserve honest, trustworthy information), veterinary practices (who deserve protection from fake or malicious content), and individual staff members (who deserve protection from harassment).
We do not edit review content. When a review is reported, our only options are to keep it or remove it. A practice disagreeing with a review is not sufficient grounds for removal.
To write a review on VetScouter, you must be at least 18 years old, have had a direct, first-hand experience with the practice, be writing about your own experience, and have no conflict of interest with the practice (see Section 3).
Reviews must be independent. The following people are not eligible to review a practice: the practice owner or co-owner, any current or former employee, immediate family members of any of the above, and anyone who received or was offered a material benefit in exchange for writing a review.
For practices: We prohibit cherry-picking (inviting only satisfied clients), offering incentives for reviews, asking employees or their families to review, or using a third party to generate reviews. Practices found to be manipulating their reviews will receive a Consumer Alert notice on their profile.
We will not remove a review solely because: the practice disagrees with the reviewer’s account; the review is negative or critical; the review cannot be verified; a pet had a poor outcome including death; the review mentions a specific staff member by name in a professional context; the practice has disputed the review or threatened legal action; or the review is emotionally charged.
Clinical details: Reviewers may describe their own pet’s diagnosis or treatment. Practices responding to reviews are strictly prohibited from referencing clinical or medical details about the case in a public response — doing so may constitute a breach of client confidentiality.
Misconduct allegations: If you believe a veterinary professional has engaged in serious misconduct, we encourage you to report it to your state veterinary licensing board in addition to leaving a review.
Naming staff: Naming a vet or staff member in a professional capacity is legitimate. Personal information, threats, or content targeting them as private individuals is not.
Verified practice owners may post one public response per review. Responses must be civil, professional, and constructive. Responses must not reference clinical details, include personal attacks, reveal private information, threaten legal action, or offer incentives to edit or withdraw the review.
Reviews must be written in the reviewer’s own words, based on their own experience. Prohibited: AI-generated reviews, copied reviews from other platforms, and reviews submitted on behalf of another person. By submitting a review, you affirm it reflects your own genuine, first-hand experience.
Once published, your review is visible to anyone who visits the practice’s profile. Pet name and pet type fields are optional. You may contact us at hello@vetscouter.com at any time to edit or delete your review. Do not include personal information about staff members that they have not made publicly available.
Every review has a Report link. Click it to open a report email, or send directly to hello@vetscouter.com with the review ID or profile link, the specific policy section you believe has been violated, and any supporting evidence. We aim to review all reports within 3 business days.
We operate a three-stage dispute process:
Submit a report as described in Section 10. We will respond within 3 business days.
If you disagree with Stage 1’s outcome, submit one reconsideration request with additional evidence. We will respond within 5 business days.
Our Stage 3 decision is final. We are unable to enter into further correspondence about the same review after a final decision has been issued.
We do not charge any fee for the dispute process and do not accept payment to remove or promote any review.
Section 230: VetScouter is a platform hosting reviews written by users. Under 47 U.S.C. § 230, platforms are generally not liable for user-generated content. We never modify review content — our only interventions are to publish or remove a review.
Anti-SLAPP: Many US states have anti-SLAPP statutes that allow defendants in defamation suits over reviews to seek early dismissal and recover attorney’s fees. VetScouter will not take down a review solely because a practice has threatened legal action.
FTC Endorsement Rules: Under FTC guidelines (16 CFR Part 255), any material connection between a reviewer and a practice must be clearly disclosed. VetScouter prohibits undisclosed incentivised reviews.
We’re happy to discuss how this policy applies to a specific situation.
hello@vetscouter.com