Helpaw is a free app for reporting lost and found pets in Poland. Owners report a missing pet, and finders and neighbours help it get back home. The app is available for iPhone.
Minimum age
Helpaw is intended for people aged 16 and over. On the App Store it is rated 16+. When creating an account, users declare that they are at least 16 years old (Terms of Service, section 3.2). If we learn that an account belongs to someone younger, we promptly delete the account and its data (Privacy Policy).
Why 16+
Chat. Users can message each other privately, including people they do not know — this is how a finder contacts an owner.
Location. Reports show a place on the map, and alerts about pets nearby use the user's approximate location. Published coordinates are rounded to about 110 m.
User content. Photos, descriptions and comments are added by other people.
How we keep users safe
Zero tolerance for objectionable content and abusive users — this is stated in the Terms of Service.
Reporting: any report, comment or message can be flagged for moderation with one tap. We act on reports within 24 hours by removing the content and blocking accounts that break the rules.
Blocking: a user can be blocked — their comments disappear from view and they can no longer send messages.
Word filter: comments and messages are checked against a list of offensive terms before they are saved.
Photos are checked automatically to make sure they show an animal.
Phone numbers are not public: only signed-in users can see them, after tapping "Show number".
Guests (no account) can only browse reports — they cannot post, comment or send messages.
No ads and no tracking. We do not show advertising and do not use the Advertising Identifier.
How to restrict access on a child's iPhone
In Settings, open Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, then the App Store restrictions for apps, and set an age limit below 16+ (for example 13+). Apps rated 16+ will then not be available on that device. Option names may differ slightly between iOS versions.
If your child already has an account
The account can be deleted in the app (My profile → Settings → Delete account), or write to us and we will delete it promptly. Details: Account deletion.
Contact
For safety, moderation and personal data questions: info@helpaw.pl