SMS Text Messaging Policy
Last updated: July 12, 2026
Pet Friend LLC provides animal shelter management software. Shelters and rescues that use Pet Friend can send text messages to people who have explicitly asked to receive them — for example, an adoption applicant who wants an update on their application.
This page describes exactly how that consent is collected and how it can be withdrawn.
We only text people who opted in
We do not send marketing texts, and we do not buy, rent, or import phone lists. A phone number is only ever texted if the person who owns it affirmatively opted in.
Consent is collected on the shelter’s public adoption application form. The form shows an unchecked box — it is never pre-selected — alongside this disclosure:
I agree to receive text messages from [Shelter Name] about my adoption application and the animal I applied for. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of adoption.
Submitting the form without ticking that box records no consent, and no text is ever sent to that number. Consent is not required to adopt an animal or to use any part of the service — declining simply means the shelter contacts the applicant by phone or email instead.
We store the exact wording the person agreed to, together with the date, time, and IP address of the submission, so that consent can be evidenced for any individual message.
What messages are sent
- Updates on the status of an adoption application you submitted
- Reminders for appointments you scheduled with the shelter
- Care reminders relating to an animal you adopted or are fostering
These are transactional messages about a relationship you started with the shelter. We do not send promotional or marketing texts.
Message frequency
Frequency varies. Messages are sent when something actually happens — typically when your application status changes or an appointment is approaching. Most people receive only a handful of messages in total.
Message and data rates
Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile plan. Pet Friend and the shelter do not charge you for these messages.
How to stop receiving texts
Reply STOP to any message to opt out immediately. You may also reply STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT.
Opting out is recorded against your phone number straight away, and no further messages are sent to it — including through any other channel. You can opt back in at any time by replying START.
Reply HELP to any message for help, or contact the shelter directly.
Your phone number is not shared or sold
Phone numbers collected for text messaging are not shared with or sold to third parties for marketing or promotional purposes. Numbers are held in the individual shelter’s own database and are used only to send the messages described above. They are passed to our messaging provider solely to deliver those messages, and to no one else.
Questions
Contact the shelter that you applied to, or reach us at petfriend.io/contact.
See also our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.