Help & Support
Everything you need to know about HugsyAlert
Beta: Telegram required
HugsyAlert delivers alerts via Telegram (a free app) as its primary channel. Helpers can also receive alerts via email or push notification. Coming later: a dedicated iOS/Android app, SMS, and phone calls.
Documentation
Getting Started
Add Your Pets
Navigate to the Pets page and add your pet's information including name, breed, and medical details.
Invite Helpers
Add trusted contacts who will receive emergency alerts. Helpers can connect via Telegram (free) or email. Telegram connect links are single-use and expire after 15 minutes — regenerate one when your helper is ready. Email invite links are valid for 7 days.
Set Up Check-Ins
Configure your check-in interval. If you miss a check-in, your helpers will be alerted.
Alert flow
HugsyAlert watches for missed check-ins and tries to reach the people you chose:
- Reminder sent to you via your available channels (Telegram or push)
- Still no response? Helpers are alerted to stand by
- Active helpers are alerted on their available channels (Telegram, email, or push)
- Escalation continues until you check in or a helper confirms they are responding
HugsyAlert is a best-effort backup-plan tool, not an emergency service, medical alert system, insurer, pet-care provider, or rescue service. Alert delivery and helper response can't be guaranteed. In an emergency, contact local emergency services directly.
You can also trigger a manual emergency from Settings → Emergency Controls, or by typing "help" or "emergency" in the chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CPoL (Conversational Protocol of Life) work?
CPoL lets you adjust your monitoring level through natural conversation. Tell it you're going hiking and it'll increase check-in frequency. Say you're on vacation and it'll relax the schedule.
What happens if I miss a check-in?
The system waits for a grace period, then sends you a reminder. If you still don't respond, your helpers are notified via Telegram with your pet's care instructions.
How do I connect a helper via Telegram?
Add a helper from the Helpers page — if they have an email address, they'll get an invite email with a connect button (valid 7 days). You can also click "Link Telegram" from their menu and send them the generated deep link directly — those Telegram connect links are single-use and expire after 15 minutes, so generate one when your helper is ready to tap it.
Is my data secure?
Yes. HugsyAlert uses Firebase Authentication, encrypted connections, and follows security best practices. Sensitive details like addresses and access codes are shared directly via Telegram and never stored in the app.
Contact Support
Telegram
Send /help to the HugsyAlert bot for quick assistance
Response Time
HugsyAlert is built and supported by one person. I read every message and usually reply within a day or two — faster for anything safety-critical.
Official channels & staying safe from scams
Human support inbox
For questions, reports, and beta feedback: support@hugsyalert.com. This is the only address where a human reads and replies.
Automated system senders
HugsyAlert sends automated emails from these addresses — they are all legitimate:
- notifications@hugsyalert.com — safety alerts, check-in reminders, and digests (replies route to support)
- alerts@hugsyalert.com — health and system alerts (no-reply)
- emergency@hugsyalert.com — emergency fallback notifications (no-reply)
- noreply@hugsyalert.com — invites, verification, and waitlist emails (no-reply)
We also contact you through the HugsyAlert bot you connected from inside this app. We will never ask for your password, your check-in or invite codes, or payment in a direct message.
If someone messages you claiming to be HugsyAlert from anywhere else — a different email, a random Telegram account, or a number you don't recognize — treat it as suspicious. We can't verify or vouch for messages sent outside these channels.
Report a suspicious message
Got an unexpected message that mentions HugsyAlert, or a Telegram DM that worries you? Don't reply with personal details. Block and report the account in Telegram, then forward what you saw to support@hugsyalert.com. Safety-critical reports get priority.
System Status
HugsyAlert is in beta and doesn't publish a live status page yet. Core components: the web app (Vercel), data & check-in monitoring (Firebase), and alert delivery (Telegram + email). The check-in monitor runs around the clock.
If alerts seem delayed or something looks wrong, send /help to the HugsyAlert bot — that's the fastest way to reach me. Safety-critical reports get priority.