Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions our community asks most. If you can't find what you need, the contact page lists the right inbox for everything from venue corrections to press inquiries.
Is GoPaw really free?
Yes. Browsing venues, reading and writing reviews, joining events, tracking your pet's health, and using the map are all free. We sustain the service through limited display advertising and a small number of clearly labelled sponsored placements. We do not sell user data.
Which cities does GoPaw cover?
Hong Kong only, for now. The directory covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the major outlying islands (Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau, Discovery Bay, Mui Wo). We are not active in Macau or mainland China.
Where do your venue ratings come from?
Ratings on GoPaw are user-generated. Every review is left by a real, signed-in user. We moderate for spam and impersonation but do not edit ratings or content. Where a venue is brand new and has no reviews yet, we display a placeholder rating drawn from public sources until at least three GoPaw reviews are submitted.
How do you decide which venues are 'pet-friendly'?
We confirm pet policy directly with each venue at first listing — usually by phone or email — and re-check when users report a discrepancy. 'Pet-friendly' on GoPaw means the venue has confirmed it welcomes pets in some part of its premises (terrace, full dining room, on-leash, in-carrier, etc.). The exact policy is visible on every venue page.
Can my venue pay to be listed higher?
No. Editorial venue position is determined by rating, recency, and category. We do offer a small number of clearly labelled 'Sponsored' placements which appear with a 'Sponsored' tag and are excluded from our editorial guides.
How do I submit a new venue?
Two ways: in the app, open the Map screen and tap 'List a Place', then fill in the venue details. Or email contact@gopaw.io with the name, address, and pet policy. Submissions are reviewed within five working days.
Why was my review removed?
Reviews are removed if they violate our community guidelines — spam, abuse, impersonation, off-topic content, or reviews left by people with a clear conflict of interest (owners, employees, competitors). We will email you the reason at the address linked to your account.
I'm a venue owner — what do I do if a review is unfair?
Email contact@gopaw.io with the venue name, the review text, and the reason you believe it is inaccurate. We do not delete negative reviews simply because they are negative, but we do remove provably false claims, off-topic complaints, and reviews from people who never visited.
Can I take my dog on the MTR?
Only assistance dogs (registered guide and hearing dogs) are permitted on the MTR. Pet dogs are not allowed, even in carriers. See our guide on dogs and Hong Kong public transport for the full rules across MTR, buses, ferries, taxis, and trams.
Which beaches in Hong Kong allow dogs?
Officially, dogs are not permitted on gazetted public beaches during the bathing season (March or April through October). Outside that window, enforcement relaxes considerably. There are also several unofficial dog-friendly beaches (Cheung Sha west end, parts of Tai Long Wan, Tap Mun) used year-round. Our pet-friendly beaches guide covers the full map.
Do I need a licence for my dog in Hong Kong?
Yes. Dogs over five months of age must be licensed with the AFCD. The licence requires a microchip and a current rabies vaccination, lasts three years, and currently costs HK$80. Most vets handle the entire process in a single visit.
How do I delete my GoPaw account?
Open the app, go to the Profile tab, tap the Settings icon, and choose 'Delete Account'. The deletion is permanent and removes your account, pet profiles, posts, comments, reviews, saved venues, and event RSVPs. See our account deletion page for the full list of what is removed.
Does GoPaw show advertising?
Yes, the website shows display ads served by Google AdSense. Ads are limited, clearly delineated, and never inserted between paragraphs of editorial content in a way that compromises readability. Sponsored content is always labelled.
What languages does the app support?
The mobile app is available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. The website is currently English-first; Traditional Chinese SSR pages are being rolled out gradually.
I have a press inquiry — who do I contact?
Email press@gopaw.io with the publication, the topic, and your deadline. We respond to journalists within 24 hours during the working week.