Code of Conduct (COC)

The Code of Conduct outlines rules and policies which are to here to ensure a safe, even playing field for all users. We want to help ensure that the site is fun, enjoyable and accessible for all users involved.

• DO NOT Harass Other Users - Please refrain from harassing, targeting or spamming other users of the site, or encouraging others to do so by proxy. Fur Affinity strives to allow users freedom of expression, but asks users refrain from making comments, journals, statements or from posting material which is racist, bigoted, offensively targets a philosophy, religion, gender or sexual preference. Comments which are overly aggressive, threatening, personally insulting or needlessly abusive are likewise prohibited. Disruptive behavior or mob tactics meant to interfere with the normal flow of the community will be met with zero tolerance.
• DO NOT Bring Personal Drama to the Site - We understand not all users are going to get along, but we ask that users keep their personal quarrels, disagreements or volatile personal issues within the confines of private communications (e.g. notes, email, IM).
• DO NOT Share, Post or Distribute Confidential Information - This includes phone numbers, addresses or private information. 
• DO NOT Discuss or Engage in Unlawful Activity - This includes illegal activity such as piracy, streaming copyright content, vandalism, threats of violence, gambling and games of chance (incl. raffles involving the exchange of real money), or discussion/usage of controlled substances. You will receive one (and only one) warning to leave such content off the site. Further, users admitting or found to be engaging in bestiality or pedophilia will be removed from the site.
• DO NOT Abuse Policies or Exploit the Site - Users agree not to abuse site policies or loopholes in policy wording. Additionally, if you discover an exploit in site coding please contact staff with the details immediately via Trouble Ticket. We take issues of this nature seriously, and will work to correct them as swiftly as possible once they are brought to our attention.
• DO NOT Post Links to Malware/Abusive Sites - Materials which may harm other users' computers, contain malicious content or would allow others to inappropriately access software or web sites are prohibited.
• DO NOT Lend, Transfer, Sell Accounts - Your account is yours and yours alone, and you may not provide access to your account to any individual other than the account's rightful owner. This does not apply to group/collaboration accounts. If you wish to transfer your account to another user please contact staff via Trouble Ticket to approve the transfer. Accounts found to have been sold to another user will be closed.
• DO NOT Impersonate, Harass or Defame Fur Affinity Users, Staff or its Moderators
  

Consequences

Violating the Code of Conduct may result in action taken against your account, including but not limited to the following:

• Temporary Suspension - Suspension times will vary based on A) the severity of the offense, B) the user's history and number of prior warnings or violations and C) any previous suspensions. After three suspensions your account will be permanently closed.
• Permanent Suspension - Repeated and continued violations of site policy can result in a permanent suspension of your account without warning or notice. Some offenses warranting immediate permanent suspension, include but are not limited to: hacking, fraud, severe racial remarks, posting real nudity, account creation abuse, posting viruses or URLs to viruses.
  

Fur Affinity is not obligated to send you a warning before these actions occur. We assume no liability for losses of any kind due to suspension, temporary or permanent.

Dealing With Harassment or Stalking

Fur Affinity is a community with hundreds of thousands of users. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to get along, and some may run into other issues. If you encounter fellow users being obnoxious or being aggressive we suggest you do the following:

• Remove Yourself from the Situation - Take a break, step away from the computer and give yourself time to cool down. In situations like this, we encourage users NOT to respond to aggressors if at all possible. Commenting out of haste or anger, or retaliating against offending users, can result in action being taken against yourself as well as the user who originally harassed you. Harassment can go both ways.
• Block the User – The Block feature is your first line of defense against aggressors or those who make you feel uncomfortable. If you feel you are being targeted, harassed or abused in any way we first and foremost encourage users to block the offending user.
  Note: If you have blocked a user DO NOT contact them. Commenting towards users you have blocked may be viewed as harassment.
• Hide the Comments - Hide the offending user's comments or shout from your page(s), and if necessary, report it to site staff via a Trouble Ticket and move on. If harassment or suspicious behavior continues after you have blocked the user and/or hid harassing comments please open a Trouble Ticket.
  Note: If you want to report a harassing shout(s) DO NOT delete it before an admin is able to see it. We can not review shouts which have been removed by the user.