Breeder Badges and Profile Icons
At Pets4Homes, we want to ensure that responsible breeders and sellers are easily recognisable. Our Breeder Profile Badges allow you to demonstrate your commitment to animal welfare, transparency, and safety to potential buyers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our Breeder Profile Badges
We have introduced three distinct badges to help buyers identify the quality and accountability of your adverts at a glance:
| Badge | What it means | How to obtain it |
|---|---|---|
| Verified Identity | Confirms that we have securely verified your identity, providing a clear signal that you are a real, accountable seller. | Visit the My Account section and click the 'I want to verify my ID' button. |
| Council Licensed | Shows buyers that you meet all local authority regulations and maintain documented standards of care. | Ensure your licence has been uploaded to your profile and approved by our Trust & Safety team. See our Breeding Licences on Pets4Homes page for more information. |
| Trusted by New Pet Owners | Highlights your excellent review history and proven record of rehoming well-cared-for pets. | This is currently earned by collecting verified reviews through Pet Payments. |
The badges will be shown on your Breeder profile as below.
Additional profile icons
Alongside our main badges, you may see other icons or labels on the platform that help increase trust and visibility:
- Blue IDV Tick: This icon is displayed once you have successfully completed our Identity Verification process. Visit the My Account section and click the 'I want to verify my ID' button.
- Licensed Breeder Label: For those with a valid breeding licence, this icon links directly to your Breeder Profile Page. Further details are available on the Licensed Breeder page.
Breeder Badges: Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve received some thoughtful questions following the launch of our new Breeder Profile Badges. We’ve grouped the most common ones here with clear answers for you.
How do I get the Verified Identity badge, and what does it actually prove?
This badge confirms that we have securely verified your identity. It gives buyers a clear signal that you are a real, accountable seller, which helps build trust from the moment they view your profile.
To initiate the process, go to the my account section and click the 'I want to verify my ID' button.
What does the Council Licensed badge mean, and how do you check it?
The Council Licensed badge shows buyers that you meet local licensing requirements and maintain documented standards of care. It is designed to make compliance more visible.
We understand the nuance that while licensing is important, it is not the only marker of quality. This is exactly why we are taking a "multi-badge" approach, so your profile can reflect different forms of trust and accountability beyond just a licence.
How do I earn the 'Trusted by New Pet Owners' badge, and why is it linked to Pet Payments?
Right now, the only way to earn this badge is by obtaining verified reviews through Pet Payments, as it is the only way we can reliably verify a review.
We know some responsible breeders prefer other payment methods, and we respect that choice. However, without verification, reviews can quickly become unfair or emotional (for example, from someone you felt was not the right fit for a puppy). Those types of reviews would not reflect the care and judgement you bring to placing your litter, and could undermine trust in the entire review system.
Need assistance with your badges?
If you believe your profile should display a specific badge but it isn't showing, please contact our Trust and Safety team at support@pets4homes.co.uk.