Last updated: 2026-10-15
AOW is a little social world made for animals. Every post, every live stream and every comment here is seen by lots of animals and their families. So that everyone can feel safe and at home, please help us keep these ten promises.
This is the short version, with just the key points of each rule. To see what counts as a breach, what doesn't and what happens next, tap "Read more" after each rule or see the AOW Community Guidelines (full version).
World only shows posts with a real animal in them. A post without an animal (for example, only an ornament, a view or a meal) is published as usual but is not placed in World; this is not a breach and is not recorded as one.
Contents
Ten Promises
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Rule 1
Be Kind to Animals
Don't post or live stream anything that shows animals being abused, hurt, frightened or deliberately provoked. Don't show practices that put animals in danger, and don't promote things like dog fighting or cockfighting. Rescue stories and vet visits are welcome: please blur anything graphic and explain what happened.
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Rule 2
No Sexual or Crude Content
This includes nudity, sexual innuendo, and crude jokes or pictures.
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Rule 3
No Violence or Gore
This includes images of people or animals being hurt, self-harm, and words that encourage violence.
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Rule 4
Be Kind to Each Other
No harassment, insults or personal attacks. Don't discriminate against anyone, don't gang up on people online, and don't share anyone's private information.
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Rule 5
No Ads or Spam
Don't post ads or spam in posts, comments or messages, don't leave contact details to pull people onto other platforms, and don't post things like cash-back or red packet offers, or "side jobs" that involve fake orders. If you run a business and want to promote it, please use AOW's promotion tools.
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Rule 6
No Scams, and No Selling Animals
Don't pretend to be another person or an organisation, don't trick people out of money or accounts, and don't run fake fundraisers. Don't sell or rehome animals, or post paid breeding (stud) offers, in posts, comments or messages. Only breeders and rescue organisations approved by AOW may list animals for sale, stud or adoption, and only in their AOW store.
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Rule 7
Follow the Law
Don't post anything illegal, and don't buy or sell protected wildlife or banned items.
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Rule 8
Respect Other People's Work and Rights
Don't use other people's photos, videos or music without permission, and don't infringe anyone's trademarks or likeness.
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Rule 9
Protect Young People
Minors can't appear on a live stream on their own, and nothing that could harm minors is allowed.
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Rule 10
Keep It Real
Don't make things up or post fake calls for help. Check-ins need a photo of your own animal, taken right then: no toys, no photos of screens and no one else's photos.
What Happens If a Rule Is Broken
- RemovalPosts and comments that break the rules are removed. After you post, AI takes a first look: anything that clearly breaks the rules is removed automatically, and anything it isn't sure about goes to one of our team.
- Giving poolIf a post is removed, the amount we put into the giving pool for it is taken back.
- Reduced reachYour first breach in the last 90 days gets a reminder only. The second time, your posts are shown lower in recommendations for 7 days, though your followers still see them as usual. The third time, they are shown lower for 30 days, and your posts can't be boosted during that time. From the fourth time on, our team decides whether to mute or suspend the account. Each breach stops counting after 90 days. Animal cruelty, harm to minors, scams and selling animals, and anything illegal skip these steps and go straight to our team.
- MutedFor a set time you can't post, comment or go live. Everything else works as usual.
- Live streaming banFor a set time you can't start a live stream.
- Account suspensionYou can't post, go live, like, comment, check in or send messages, and you can't follow, vote or tip. You can still browse, use insurance, shop in the AOW Shop, and book or message local stores. Withdrawals need a manual review by AOW support.
We tell you every time we take action: which post or comment it was, which rule it broke, why (we write a short explanation), and when. If you think we got it wrong, you can appeal in the app under Settings → Account status, and we'll reply within 48 hours.