Editorial Policy
This page explains how PetAcu creates and maintains content, how clinic listings are labelled, and how we keep advertising and product sales separate from what we publish.
1. Purpose and scope
PetAcu is an educational resource and directory about veterinary acupuncture. It is not a substitute for a veterinarian. Our aim is to help people understand a topic, ask better questions and find qualified practitioners.
2. Who writes our content
Content is prepared by the PetAcu editorial team at 9stars Wisdom Tech Co., Ltd., led by Dr. Frank Li. The team researches acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese patent medicines and has experience writing and publishing books on these subjects.
Veterinary review. A page is described as reviewed by a veterinarian only if it names the licensed veterinarian and the date of review. Unless a page says so, it has been prepared and checked by our editorial team and has not been reviewed by a licensed veterinarian.
3. Sources we use
We base content on sources such as:
- veterinary acupuncture and TCVM textbooks and course materials
- point-location standards such as the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations, where a species chart follows them
- peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews
- statements from professional bodies and credentialing organisations
- a clinic’s own website and public registries, for directory facts
Where we rely on a single source or a small study, we say so. Important claims should be traceable to a reference listed on the page.
4. Traditional theory and clinical evidence
Acupuncture has a long tradition, and the evidence for specific uses in animals varies. We keep these apart on the page:
- Traditional use: what TCM or TCVM practitioners have historically used a point or method for.
- Research findings: what studies report, with their limits.
- Practical safety notes: where care is needed and when to see a veterinarian first.
We do not promise cures, recovery rates or guaranteed outcomes, and we avoid words such as “proven”, “heals” or “repairs” unless a cited source supports them. We do not give herb or drug doses.
5. Urgent conditions
Guides about conditions that can be emergencies, such as sudden paralysis, show an emergency notice near the top. Acupuncture and home care must not delay veterinary diagnosis or surgery when a veterinarian recommends it.
6. Updates and corrections
- Guides show their author and the date they were last reviewed.
- We review guides periodically and update them when important new information appears.
- To report an error, use our Contact page. We correct confirmed errors promptly and mark significant corrections on the page.
7. Clinic directory listings
Listings use these labels:
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Listed | The clinic appears in the directory. Credentials have not been confirmed by PetAcu. |
| Claimed | The owner has asked to manage the profile. This is not verification. |
| Credential verified | We checked a stated credential against a public source. The source and date are shown. |
| Featured / Sponsored | Promotional placement, if offered. It never implies verification or quality. |
- We show a credential badge only where we can name the source and the date we checked it.
- Our aim is to list only clinics that offer acupuncture, and we ask clinics to confirm the services they provide.
- We check hours and contact details against the clinic’s own sources and ask clinics to keep them current. Always confirm with the clinic before you visit.
- We do not write our own reviews or star ratings. If we show a third-party rating, we name the platform, the number of reviews and the date we looked, and we link to it.
- Clinics cannot buy a verification label or change our written assessment.
8. Advertising, affiliate links and our own products
Paid placement, affiliate links and our own products are labelled, and they do not change what we write or which clinics are verified. See our Affiliate and Product Disclosure.
9. Images
We use images we created or are licensed to use. We do not use stock photos to represent a specific clinic or practitioner. Charts and illustrations show their source where applicable.
10. Contact
Questions about this policy: [email protected].