Last updated: December 2026
Accuracy is the foundation of everything we publish at Tjwwal Online. Pet owners trust our content to make important decisions about their animals' health, nutrition, and well-being. This Fact-Checking Policy details our rigorous process for verifying claims, statistics, and information before and after publication.
1. Our Commitment
Tjwwal Online is committed to publishing only information that is accurate, current, and supported by credible evidence. We recognize that inaccurate pet care advice can have serious consequences for animal health and welfare. As such, we treat fact-checking as an essential, non-negotiable part of our editorial process.
Our commitment includes:
- Every factual claim in our content is verified against at least two independent, authoritative sources before publication
- All veterinary and medical claims are reviewed by a qualified veterinary professional
- Statistical data is verified against original sources and updated regularly
- Errors are corrected promptly and transparently, with public correction notices
- Our fact-checking process is independent from our writing and editorial review processes to ensure objectivity
2. Sources & Evidence
We use a tiered system to evaluate the quality and reliability of sources:
Tier 1: Primary Sources (Highest Priority)
- Peer-reviewed research published in reputable veterinary and animal science journals
- Clinical practice guidelines from recognized veterinary organizations (AAHA, WSAVA, AAFP, BVA)
- Government agency publications (FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, USDA, CDC)
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Published data from accredited veterinary research institutions
Tier 2: Authoritative Secondary Sources
- Textbooks published by recognized veterinary publishers
- Position statements and white papers from professional veterinary organizations
- Board-certified specialist opinions and published expert consensus
- Institutional guidelines from veterinary schools and teaching hospitals
Tier 3: Supplementary Sources
- Reputable veterinary news outlets (e.g., VIN News, dvm360)
- Published interviews with credentialed veterinary professionals
- Established pet care organizations with evidence-based missions
We do not accept the following as standalone sources: blog posts, social media content, forum discussions, product manufacturer claims, anonymous online sources, or opinion pieces without supporting evidence.
3. Review Process
Our fact-checking review process operates as a distinct stage in our content pipeline, separate from writing and editorial review. This independence ensures objectivity.
- Pre-publication fact-check: Before any article is published, a fact-checker who was not involved in the writing or expert review independently verifies all factual claims, statistics, citations, and recommendations
- Source verification: The fact-checker confirms that all cited sources exist, are accurately represented, and support the claims made in the article
- Cross-referencing: Key claims are cross-referenced against multiple independent sources to ensure consistency and reliability
- Red flag review: Claims that could have direct health or safety implications for pets receive additional scrutiny and must be supported by Tier 1 sources
- Final sign-off: An article cannot be published without the fact-checker's written sign-off confirming that all factual claims have been verified
4. Medical & Veterinary Claims Verification
Given the potential impact on pet health, medical and veterinary claims receive the highest level of scrutiny in our fact-checking process:
- Diagnostic claims: Any description of disease symptoms, diagnostic procedures, or diagnostic criteria must be consistent with current veterinary medical literature and clinical guidelines
- Treatment recommendations: Treatment suggestions must align with established veterinary protocols. We clearly distinguish between standard treatments, emerging therapies, and off-label uses
- Medication information: Drug names, dosages, contraindications, and side effects are verified against veterinary pharmacology references and current prescribing information
- Nutritional claims: Dietary recommendations must be consistent with NRC and AAFCO nutritional standards and supported by peer-reviewed nutrition research
- Emergency guidance: Any advice related to pet emergencies is reviewed against current veterinary emergency and critical care guidelines and always includes a directive to seek immediate veterinary care
- Safety warnings: Lists of toxic foods, hazardous substances, or unsafe practices are verified against ASPCA Poison Control and veterinary toxicology resources
All medical claims must be reviewed and approved by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, DVM, or another qualified veterinary professional before publication.
5. Statistics & Data Verification
Statistical claims require careful verification to ensure accuracy and proper context:
- Source identification: Every statistic must be traceable to its original source. We verify the source's credibility and methodology
- Current data: We use the most recent available data and note the publication year. Data older than 5 years is flagged for additional context or replacement
- Contextual accuracy: Statistics must be presented in proper context. We verify that data is not being cherry-picked, misapplied, or presented in a misleading way
- Methodology awareness: We note any known limitations in the data collection methodology that could affect interpretation
- Comparative data: When comparing statistics across studies or populations, we verify that the comparison is methodologically sound
- Prevalence claims: Statements about disease prevalence, breed-specific conditions, or treatment success rates are verified against epidemiological data from veterinary research
6. Source Requirements
To maintain consistent quality across all content, we enforce the following source requirements:
- Every article must include a minimum of five verifiable sources
- At least 60% of sources must be Tier 1 (primary) sources
- Medical and health articles must include at least one source published within the last 3 years
- All sources must be accessible and publicly verifiable (no paywalled sources without an alternative citation)
- Sources must be cited with enough detail for readers to locate them (journal name, authors, year, DOI or URL where available)
- If a source is unavailable online, we provide a full bibliographic citation including publisher and edition
7. Corrections
When a factual error is identified, whether by our team or by a reader, we follow a structured correction process:
- Immediate review: All reported errors are reviewed within 7 business days of receipt
- Verification: The reported error is verified against authoritative sources
- Correction: If the error is confirmed, the article is updated promptly with the accurate information
- Correction notice: A correction notice is added to the bottom of the article, including the date of correction and a brief description of what was changed
- Notification: For significant factual errors that may have affected reader decisions, we may issue a public correction notice on our website or social media channels
- Root cause analysis: After each significant correction, we conduct an internal review to identify how the error occurred and implement measures to prevent recurrence
Our correction notices are never removed and remain permanently associated with the affected article.
8. How to Report an Error
We welcome our readers to help us maintain the highest standards of accuracy. If you find an error in any Tjwwal Online article, please let us know:
- Email: Send a detailed description of the error to factcheck@tjwwal.online
- Contact form: Use our contact form and select "Report an Error" as the subject
- Include: The article title or URL, the specific claim you believe is inaccurate, and the source supporting your correction (if available)
Our fact-checking team will review your report within 7 business days and respond to confirm our findings. We appreciate your help in keeping Tjwwal Online accurate and reliable.
9. Contact Us
For questions about our fact-checking process, to report an error, or to discuss the accuracy of any Tjwwal Online content, please contact us:
We are committed to transparency and will respond to all fact-checking inquiries within 7 business days.