Affiliate Disclosure

Affiliate Disclosure for DogServ

Effective Date: 09.06.2025
Last Updated: 09.06.2025

FTC Compliance Statement

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” DogServ provides this disclosure regarding our affiliate relationships and advertising practices.

What This Disclosure Covers

This disclosure applies to all content on DogServ, including:

  • Product reviews and recommendations
  • Blog posts and articles
  • Email newsletters and communications
  • Social media posts and content
  • Videos and other multimedia content
  • Any links to external websites or products

Affiliate Relationships

Definition of Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based advertising model where we earn commissions by promoting products or services from other companies. When you make a purchase through our affiliate links, we may receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Our Affiliate Partnerships

DogServ participates in affiliate programs with various companies, including but not limited to:

  • Amazon Associates Program: We earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links
  • Pet product retailers: Various dog food, toy, and accessory companies
  • Training and educational platforms: Online courses and training programs
  • Veterinary and health services: Pet insurance and health-related services
  • Technology providers: Software and apps related to dog care

When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase:

  1. You are redirected to the retailer’s website
  2. Your purchase is tracked using cookies or unique identifiers
  3. We earn a commission if you complete a qualifying purchase
  4. You pay the same price – affiliate commissions do not increase your cost
  5. In some cases, you may receive exclusive discounts through our links

Our Editorial Standards

Honest Reviews and Recommendations

We are committed to providing honest, unbiased reviews and recommendations. Our affiliate relationships do NOT influence our editorial content in the following ways:

We Promise:

  • To only recommend products we genuinely believe will benefit dog owners
  • To provide balanced reviews that include both pros and cons
  • To disclose any limitations or drawbacks of products
  • To prioritize our readers’ interests over commission potential
  • To test products when possible before recommending them

Editorial Independence:

  • Our product recommendations are based on research, testing, and expert knowledge
  • We will clearly state when we have not personally tested a product
  • Negative reviews are published when warranted, regardless of affiliate status
  • We maintain the right to remove affiliate relationships that conflict with our values

Research and Testing Process

When reviewing products, we:

  • Research product specifications, ingredients, and safety information
  • Read customer reviews and feedback from multiple sources
  • Consult with veterinarians and dog training professionals when appropriate
  • Test products personally when possible
  • Consider factors like price, quality, safety, and effectiveness

Disclosure Practices

Clear and Conspicuous Disclosure

We make our affiliate relationships clear through:

On Individual Posts:

  • Affiliate disclosures at the beginning of articles containing affiliate links
  • Clear labeling of affiliate links within content
  • Statements like “This post contains affiliate links” prominently displayed

On Product Recommendations:

  • Clear indication when links are affiliate links
  • Disclosure statements near or before affiliate links
  • Visual indicators (such as asterisks or special formatting) for affiliate links

In Email Communications:

  • Affiliate disclosures in newsletters containing product recommendations
  • Clear identification of sponsored or affiliate content

Language We Use

You will see disclosures using language such as:

  • “This post contains affiliate links”
  • “As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases”
  • “We may earn a commission if you purchase through this link”
  • “Affiliate Link” or “Ad” labels on specific links
  • “This is a sponsored post” for paid partnerships

Types of Compensation

Commission-Based Earnings

  • Percentage Commissions: We earn a percentage of qualifying sales
  • Fixed Fees: Some programs pay fixed amounts per sale or action
  • Performance Bonuses: Additional compensation for meeting sales targets

Free Products and Services

Occasionally, we receive:

  • Free products for review purposes
  • Complimentary services to test and evaluate
  • Preview access to new products or services

When we receive free products:

  • We clearly disclose this in our reviews
  • Free products do not guarantee positive reviews
  • We maintain editorial independence regardless of compensation
  • Paid Partnerships: Some content may be sponsored by companies
  • Clear Labeling: Sponsored content is clearly marked as such
  • Editorial Control: We maintain control over sponsored content to ensure quality and honesty

What This Means for You

No Additional Cost

Affiliate commissions never increase your purchase price. In many cases, you may receive:

  • Exclusive discounts through our affiliate links
  • Special promotions not available elsewhere
  • Access to member-only deals and offers

Honest Recommendations

Our affiliate relationships allow us to:

  • Continue providing free, high-quality content
  • Test and review products thoroughly
  • Maintain independence from any single company or brand
  • Focus on serving dog owners rather than generating revenue from subscriptions

Supporting Our Mission

When you purchase through our affiliate links, you help support:

  • Free educational content about dog care
  • Honest product reviews and recommendations
  • Community resources for dog owners
  • Continued operation and improvement of our website

Product Categories We Cover

Our affiliate relationships span various categories relevant to dog owners:

Food and Nutrition

  • Dog food brands and formulations
  • Treats and training rewards
  • Supplements and vitamins
  • Feeding accessories and bowls

Training and Behavior

  • Training tools and equipment
  • Online courses and programs
  • Books and educational materials
  • Professional training services

Health and Wellness

  • Grooming products and tools
  • Health monitoring devices
  • First aid and safety products
  • Veterinary services and consultations

Toys and Enrichment

  • Interactive toys and puzzles
  • Exercise and activity equipment
  • Comfort items and accessories
  • Seasonal and specialty products

Limitations and Disclaimers

No Guarantees

While we carefully research and recommend products:

  • We cannot guarantee specific results from any product
  • Individual dogs may respond differently to products
  • Professional veterinary advice should always be sought for health issues
  • Training results depend on consistency and proper implementation

Product Availability

  • Affiliate links may expire or become inactive
  • Product availability and pricing may change
  • Promotions and discounts are subject to retailer terms
  • International availability may vary

Third-Party Responsibility

  • We are not responsible for third-party website policies or practices
  • Customer service issues should be directed to the retailer
  • Return and refund policies are determined by individual retailers
  • Product warranties and guarantees are provided by manufacturers

Changes to Affiliate Relationships

Adding New Partners

We may add new affiliate partnerships that align with our mission to help dog owners. New partnerships will be governed by this disclosure.

Ending Partnerships

We reserve the right to end affiliate relationships that:

  • Conflict with our editorial standards
  • Do not serve our readers’ best interests
  • Violate our quality or ethical standards

Updating Disclosure

This disclosure may be updated to reflect:

  • Changes in affiliate programs
  • New FTC guidelines or requirements
  • Evolution of our business practices
  • Feedback from our community

Contact Information

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or this disclosure:

Email: hello@dogserv.com
Subject Line: “Affiliate Disclosure Question”

Questions We Can Answer:

  • Specific details about our affiliate relationships
  • Information about how products are selected for review
  • Clarification about our editorial policies
  • Feedback about our disclosure practices

Response Time: We aim to respond within 48 hours during business days.

Your Rights as a Consumer

FTC Protection

The FTC requires affiliate disclosures to protect consumers. You have the right to:

  • Clear and honest information about affiliate relationships
  • Unbiased product recommendations regardless of commission potential
  • Transparency about any compensation we receive

Making Informed Decisions

We encourage you to:

  • Research products independently before purchasing
  • Read multiple reviews from various sources
  • Consult with veterinarians for health-related products
  • Consider your dog’s specific needs and circumstances

Final Note: This affiliate disclosure demonstrates our commitment to transparency and compliance with FTC guidelines. Our goal is to help dog owners make informed decisions while supporting our ability to provide free, high-quality content about dog care and training.

This disclosure is updated regularly to reflect current affiliate relationships and FTC requirements. Please check back periodically for updates.