Safety & Handling Policy
Effective Date: June 1, 2026
PawSource Safety & Handling Policy
At PawSource, the safety, health, and well-being of every animal, owner, handler, client, contractor, and team member is our highest priority. This Safety & Handling Policy establishes the standards and expectations for participation in all PawSource photography, videography, content creation, licensing, marketing, and production activities.
All participants agree to follow this policy when participating in any PawSource project.
Our Commitment
PawSource is committed to:
Prioritizing animal welfare above production needs.
Creating a safe environment for animals and people.
Using humane and ethical handling practices.
Avoiding unnecessary stress, fear, discomfort, or risk.
Maintaining professional standards during all productions.
Immediately addressing safety concerns when identified.
No photo, video, campaign, or production objective is more important than the safety and well-being of participating animals.
Animal Eligibility
Animals participating in PawSource projects should:
Be in generally good health.
Be free from contagious illnesses.
Be physically capable of participating in planned activities.
Have appropriate temperament for the intended environment.
Meet any project-specific requirements communicated in advance.
Owners are responsible for disclosing any medical conditions, behavioral concerns, or limitations before participation.
Required Disclosures
Owners must disclose:
Aggression toward people or animals.
Previous bite incidents.
Anxiety, fear, or stress triggers.
Mobility limitations.
Medical conditions.
Medication usage that may affect behavior or performance.
Known environmental sensitivities.
Failure to disclose relevant information may result in immediate removal from the project.
Humane Treatment Standards
PawSource prohibits:
Physical punishment.
Fear-based training methods.
Excessive restraint.
Dangerous stunts.
Forced interactions.
Unsafe props or environments.
Any action that places an animal at unreasonable risk.
Animals will never be required to perform actions that exceed their comfort level, training, or physical abilities.
Owner and Handler Responsibilities
Owners and handlers are responsible for:
Maintaining control of their animal.
Following safety instructions provided by production staff.
Bringing appropriate equipment such as leashes, harnesses, carriers, treats, medications, and water.
Monitoring their animal’s behavior throughout the production.
Immediately reporting concerns or incidents.
Owners remain responsible for their animal at all times unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Leash and Control Requirements
Unless specifically directed otherwise within a controlled production environment:
Dogs must remain leashed.
Animals must remain under handler supervision.
Off-leash activities must be approved by PawSource personnel.
Off-leash work may only occur when conditions are deemed safe by production staff.
PawSource reserves the right to require leashes at any time.
Environmental Safety
Before production begins, PawSource may evaluate:
Weather conditions.
Surface conditions.
Noise levels.
Traffic concerns.
Crowd density.
Potential hazards.
Animal comfort factors.
Projects may be delayed, modified, relocated, or canceled if safety concerns arise.
Stress Monitoring
PawSource personnel may pause or stop participation if an animal exhibits signs of:
Fear
Anxiety
Aggression
Exhaustion
Overheating
Distress
Physical discomfort
Examples may include excessive panting, shaking, hiding, growling, snapping, refusal to engage, or other concerning behaviors.
Safety decisions made by PawSource staff are final.
Interactions Between Animals
Not all animals are comfortable interacting with unfamiliar animals.
PawSource may separate animals or modify production plans if:
Tension develops.
Behavioral concerns arise.
Animal comfort levels change.
Environmental factors increase risk.
Forced animal interactions are prohibited.
Children and Family Participation
When children are present:
Parents or guardians must maintain supervision.
Child-animal interactions must remain controlled.
PawSource may modify or discontinue activities if safety concerns arise.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency:
Production may be immediately paused or terminated.
Emergency veterinary care may be recommended.
Emergency medical services may be contacted when necessary.
PawSource personnel may assist in coordinating emergency response efforts.
Owners remain financially responsible for their animal’s veterinary care unless otherwise required by law.
Right to Refuse Participation
PawSource reserves the right to remove, reschedule, postpone, or refuse participation if:
Safety concerns arise.
Behavioral concerns arise.
Required disclosures were not provided.
Environmental conditions become unsafe.
Participants fail to follow safety instructions.
Animal welfare may be compromised.
These decisions are made solely in the interest of safety and animal welfare.
Assumption of Risk
Participation in photography, videography, events, and content creation activities involves inherent risks.
By participating, owners and handlers acknowledge these risks and agree to take reasonable precautions for their own safety and the safety of their animals.
Incident Reporting
Any injury, near miss, behavioral concern, property damage, or safety incident must be reported to PawSource personnel as soon as possible.
Prompt reporting helps protect all participants and improve future safety practices.
Policy Updates
PawSource may update this Safety & Handling Policy periodically. Updated versions will be posted with a revised effective date.
Contact Information
PawSource
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pawsource.com
Questions regarding this Safety & Handling Policy may be directed to PawSource using the contact information above.