Frequently asked questions

Help & policies Our story Feeding updates Shipping Exchanges & returns Contact us

Everything customers actually ask us, answered properly. If yours is not here, email support@pawguardian.store and a person will reply within one business day.

The meals

How do I know the meals actually happen?

Every feeding operation we fund is photographed and published in our field journal, with the location, the date and the number of dogs fed. If an operation is not documented, we do not claim it. We would rather publish a smaller honest number than a large unverifiable one.

What counts as one meal?

One portion of food for one dog, priced against what our partners actually pay in the markets where they buy. Food is bought locally and in bulk, in the same city where it is served, which is why the cost per meal is low and why nothing is wasted on shipping dog food across borders.

Where do you feed?

Through independent local feeding partners who already know the streets they work. They run weekly routes with fixed stops, because a dog fed once a month is still a hungry dog. Consistency is the whole point: dogs on an established route learn the schedule and stop taking risks with traffic and with strangers.

Is my purchase a donation? Is it tax-deductible?

No. Paw Guardian is a business, not a registered charity. You are buying a piece of jewelry, and a fixed portion of its price funds the feeding programme. Because it is a purchase rather than a donation, it is not tax-deductible — and we will never imply otherwise to make a sale.

Why sell jewelry instead of just collecting donations?

Because a route that runs every week needs money that arrives every month. Donation drives spike and fade. A product people genuinely want to wear produces predictable revenue, and predictable revenue is what lets a partner promise a stop next Tuesday and keep that promise.

Fit, materials and care

Will it fit my wrist?

Our bracelets use an adjustable sliding knot that moves roughly between 14 cm and 22 cm (5.5–8.7 inches), so one size fits most adults and older children. Slide it open to put on, slide it closed to fit. Chain styles come in fixed lengths listed on the product page.

What are the pieces made from?

Natural stone and glass beads, Miyuki-style glass tiles, waxed polyester cord, and stainless steel or brass hardware with a brushed or plated finish. Materials for each piece are listed on its product page.

Will they irritate sensitive skin?

The cords and stones are inert and are generally well tolerated. Metal components are nickel-free where we can source them that way. If you have a known metal allergy, choose a cord-and-stone style with minimal hardware, or email us and we will tell you exactly what a specific piece contains.

Can I wear it in water?

Yes. Shower with it, swim in it, sleep in it. What shortens a piece's life is chemistry, not water: avoid spraying perfume, hairspray, sunscreen or cleaning products directly onto the stones and cord.

Will the colour fade?

Natural stone keeps its colour indefinitely. Plated metal finishes soften gradually with years of daily wear, which most people find looks better rather than worse. If a finish fails within six months, that is a fault and we replace it.

How do I clean it?

Warm water, a drop of mild soap, a soft cloth, then air-dry. No ultrasonic cleaners, no jewelry dips, no bleach.

Ordering and delivery

How long will my order take?

Dispatch is within one to two business days. Delivery is typically 5–8 business days in the US, 5–9 in the UK and Ireland, 6–12 across the EU, and 10–18 for the rest of the world. Full detail is on our Shipping policy page.

When is shipping free?

On every order of three pieces or more, worldwide, with no minimum spend. Sets count as the number of pieces they contain, so any set of three or more ships free automatically.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, to most countries. Import duties, where they apply, are charged by your own customs authority and are not included at checkout. We declare every parcel honestly — we do not mark orders as gifts.

My tracking has not moved. Is my parcel lost?

Almost certainly not. Tracking often takes 24–72 hours to show its first scan. If nothing has changed for seven consecutive days, email us and we will chase the carrier — in practice we usually just send a replacement rather than make you wait.

Can I change my address or add an item after ordering?

If the parcel has not been packed, yes — email us quickly and we can change almost anything. Once it is packed, we will help you exchange it instead.

Returns and problems

What if I do not love it?

Send it back within 30 days for a full refund, or exchange it for another colour or style. No reason required. The meals your order funded still stand.

What if something breaks?

If a cord snaps, a clasp fails or a charm breaks under normal wear within six months of delivery, send us a photograph and we replace the piece free. You do not need to post the broken one back.

Who pays return postage?

You do if you have changed your mind; we do if the item arrived faulty, damaged or incorrect. Details on the Exchanges & returns page.

The Guardian Club

What do I get each month?

A new hand-strung piece chosen from the current collection, ten more meals funded, and a private set of photographs from the operations your membership paid for.

Can I cancel?

At any time, in one click, with no minimum term and no retention script. You can also pause for up to three months or skip a single month. Give us 48 hours' notice before a renewal date. See the Cancellation & subscription policy.

Gifts and orders for others

Can I send an order as a gift?

Yes. Every piece arrives in a Paw Guardian pouch, ready to give, and we never include pricing in the parcel. Add a note at checkout and we will write it on the card.

Someone gave me a piece and it is not right — can I exchange it?

Yes, and without involving the person who bought it. Email us with their name or the delivery address and we will arrange an exchange or a gift credit.

Working with us

I run a shelter or a feeding programme. Can we work together?

Please write to us at support@pawguardian.store with PARTNER in the subject line. Tell us where you operate, how often you feed, roughly how many dogs are on your route, and whether you can photograph your operations. Documentation is a condition of partnership, because it is the only reason our customers can trust the claim on our product pages.