If you suddenly discover a paw-print sticker on your mailbox, you might wonder whether it’s a secret neighborhood code—or even a warning from burglars.
But there is a much more ordinary explanation.
In the United States, the U.S. Postal Service has actually used paw-print stickers as part of its PAWS Program, designed to warn mail carriers about dogs in the area and reduce dog attacks. USPS announced versions of the program in several regions beginning in 2020.
🐕 What do the stickers mean?
The USPS program used different colors:
🟠 Orange paw: a dog is known to live at that address.
🟡 Yellow paw: a dog is known to live at the next delivery address, giving the carrier an early warning. À propos de l’USPS
The idea is simple: a mail carrier sees the paw symbol and knows to be especially alert when approaching the property—particularly when delivering a package to the door.
🚨 Is it a burglar code?
There is no reliable evidence that the USPS paw-print program is a secret burglar marking system.
In fact, USPS itself publicly described the stickers as a dog-bite prevention measure, not a security code. À propos de l’USPS
So if you see one, there’s no reason to assume that criminals marked the house.
🔴 But what about the RED sticker in this viral image?
That’s an important detail.
The sticker shown in the image is red, whereas the documented USPS PAWS system used orange and yellow stickers. À propos de l’USPS
So we cannot say from this photograph alone that the red sticker is an official USPS PAWS sticker. It could simply be a decorative sticker, a locally used warning, or another type of decal.
🤔 Why are stickers only on some mailboxes?
That actually makes sense if they’re being used as dog warnings.
A carrier doesn’t need the warning on every mailbox—only where a dog is known to be present or nearby. USPS documentation specifically says the stickers were placed where a dog was known to be in the immediate area. À propos de l’USPS
🐾 The real reason is less mysterious than the internet suggests
Mail carriers encounter dogs regularly, and dog attacks are a genuine occupational safety issue. USPS continues to run its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign; its 2026 materials say more than 5,200 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2025. À propos de l’USPS
So the next time you see a paw on a mailbox, don’t automatically think “burglars.” In places where the USPS program is used, it may simply be a warning saying:
“Be careful—there may be a dog here.” 🐕📬
Would you leave the sticker on your mailbox or remove it? 👇