diff --git a/prisma/schema.prisma b/prisma/schema.prisma
index f83d920..a52d71a 100644
--- a/prisma/schema.prisma
+++ b/prisma/schema.prisma
@@ -36,6 +36,38 @@ model Warning {
   @@index([ownerId, createdAt(sort: Desc)])
 }
 
+enum VerificationRequestStatus {
+  PENDING
+  APPROVED
+  REJECTED
+}
+
+// Self-service verification request (Gitea #10). Reviewing is a fixed
+// 4-item checklist, not free-form moderator judgment alone — all four must
+// be true to approve; any false auto-rejects with an itemized note. The
+// owner is notified via an automated "PawFeed Team" DM either way
+// (src/lib/team-pet.ts) — see admin.reviewVerificationRequest.
+model VerificationRequest {
+  id      String                    @id @default(cuid())
+  pet     Pet                       @relation(fields: [petId], references: [id], onDelete: Cascade)
+  petId   String
+  message String                    @db.VarChar(1000) // requester's own justification
+  status  VerificationRequestStatus @default(PENDING)
+
+  meetsAuthenticity        Boolean? // real/notable pet — impersonation risk is the actual point of the badge
+  meetsCompleteProfile     Boolean? // real name, bio, avatar set
+  meetsGoodStanding        Boolean? // no active ban, no open warnings
+  meetsEstablishedPresence Boolean? // account has existed a while and actually posted
+
+  reviewNote String?   @db.VarChar(1000)
+  reviewedBy String?   // ownerId of the moderator who decided
+  reviewedAt DateTime?
+  createdAt  DateTime  @default(now())
+
+  @@index([status, createdAt(sort: Desc)])
+  @@index([petId])
+}
+
 model InviteCode {
   id         String    @id @default(cuid())
   code       String    @unique
@@ -144,6 +176,8 @@ model Pet {
   adComments  AdComment[]  @relation("AdComments")
   adReposts   AdRepost[]   @relation("AdReposts")
 
+  verificationRequests VerificationRequest[]
+
   @@index([ownerId])
   @@index([speciesId])
   @@index([breedId])
@@ -652,7 +686,7 @@ model AdRepost {
 
 model ModerationLog {
   id          String   @id @default(cuid())
-  action      String   @db.VarChar(50)  // DELETE_POST | DELETE_COMMENT | BAN_USER | UNBAN_USER | DELETE_IMAGE | DISMISS_REPORT | CREATE_AD | UPDATE_AD | DELETE_AD | GRANT_ROLE | REVOKE_ROLE | WARN_USER | VERIFY_PET | UNVERIFY_PET | DELETE_ACCOUNT
+  action      String   @db.VarChar(50)  // DELETE_POST | DELETE_COMMENT | BAN_USER | UNBAN_USER | DELETE_IMAGE | DISMISS_REPORT | CREATE_AD | UPDATE_AD | DELETE_AD | GRANT_ROLE | REVOKE_ROLE | WARN_USER | VERIFY_PET | UNVERIFY_PET | DELETE_ACCOUNT | APPROVE_VERIFICATION_REQUEST | REJECT_VERIFICATION_REQUEST
   targetType  String   @db.VarChar(20)  // POST | COMMENT | USER | IMAGE | AD | REPORT | PET
   targetId    String
   reason      String?  @db.VarChar(500)
diff --git a/src/app/(app)/pets/[petId]/edit/page.tsx b/src/app/(app)/pets/[petId]/edit/page.tsx
index c50953a..d9b66e5 100644
--- a/src/app/(app)/pets/[petId]/edit/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(app)/pets/[petId]/edit/page.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useState, useEffect } from "react";
 import { useRouter, useParams } from "next/navigation";
 import { useQuery, useMutation, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { toast } from "sonner";
+import { BadgeCheck } from "lucide-react";
 import { useTRPC } from "@/trpc/client";
 import { useActivePet } from "@/context/ActivePetContext";
 import { PetForm } from "@/components/pet/PetForm";
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@ import { Separator } from "@/components/ui/separator";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton";
 import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
+import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
 import {
   Select,
   SelectContent,
@@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ export default function EditPetPage() {
   const { activePetId, setActivePet } = useActivePet();
   const [deleteDialogOpen, setDeleteDialogOpen] = useState(false);
   const [dmPolicy, setDmPolicy] = useState<"EVERYONE" | "FOLLOWERS_ONLY">("EVERYONE");
+  const [verificationMessage, setVerificationMessage] = useState("");
 
   const {
     data: pet,
@@ -57,6 +60,22 @@ export default function EditPetPage() {
     ...trpc.pets.byId.queryOptions({ petId }),
   });
 
+  const { data: verificationRequest } = useQuery(
+    trpc.pets.getVerificationRequest.queryOptions({ petId })
+  );
+
+  const requestVerificationMutation = useMutation({
+    ...trpc.pets.requestVerification.mutationOptions(),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      toast.success("Verification request submitted.");
+      setVerificationMessage("");
+      void queryClient.invalidateQueries({
+        queryKey: trpc.pets.getVerificationRequest.queryKey({ petId }),
+      });
+    },
+    onError: (err) => toast.error(err.message),
+  });
+
   // Sync dmPolicy from fetched pet
   useEffect(() => {
     if (pet?.dmPolicy) setDmPolicy(pet.dmPolicy as "EVERYONE" | "FOLLOWERS_ONLY");
@@ -161,6 +180,53 @@ export default function EditPetPage() {
         </div>
       </div>
 
+      {/* Verification */}
+      <Separator className="my-8" />
+      <div className="space-y-3">
+        <h2 className="text-sm font-medium">Verification</h2>
+        {pet.isVerified ? (
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-1.5">
+            <BadgeCheck className="h-4 w-4 fill-blue-500 text-background" />
+            This pet is verified.
+          </p>
+        ) : verificationRequest?.status === "PENDING" ? (
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+            Your verification request is pending review.
+          </p>
+        ) : (
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            {verificationRequest?.status === "REJECTED" && verificationRequest.reviewNote && (
+              <p className="text-xs text-destructive">
+                Previous request was rejected: {verificationRequest.reviewNote}
+              </p>
+            )}
+            <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+              We look for: a real, notable pet where impersonation would be plausible
+              (breeder, shelter, media pet), a complete profile, good standing, and an
+              established, active presence.
+            </p>
+            <Textarea
+              placeholder="Why should this pet be verified?"
+              value={verificationMessage}
+              onChange={(e) => setVerificationMessage(e.target.value)}
+            />
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="sm"
+              disabled={requestVerificationMutation.isPending || !verificationMessage.trim()}
+              onClick={() =>
+                requestVerificationMutation.mutate({
+                  petId: pet.id,
+                  message: verificationMessage.trim(),
+                })
+              }
+            >
+              Request verification
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+        )}
+      </div>
+
       {/* Destructive zone */}
       <Separator className="my-8" />
       <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
diff --git a/src/app/p/[secret]/layout.tsx b/src/app/p/[secret]/layout.tsx
index 997d34c..6482169 100644
--- a/src/app/p/[secret]/layout.tsx
+++ b/src/app/p/[secret]/layout.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import {
   Ticket,
   Scale,
   ScrollText,
+  BadgeCheck,
 } from "lucide-react";
 
 interface AdminLayoutProps {
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ export default async function AdminLayout({ children, params }: AdminLayoutProps
     notFound();
   }
 
-  const canSeeAuditLog = myRole === "BOOTSTRAP" || myRole !== "SUPPORT";
+  const isModeratorOrAbove = myRole === "BOOTSTRAP" || myRole !== "SUPPORT";
 
   const base = `/p/${secret}`;
 
@@ -56,7 +57,12 @@ export default async function AdminLayout({ children, params }: AdminLayoutProps
     { href: `${base}/invites`, label: "Invites", Icon: Ticket },
     { href: `${base}/moderators`, label: "Moderators", Icon: ShieldCheck },
     { href: `${base}/legal`, label: "Legal", Icon: Scale },
-    ...(canSeeAuditLog ? [{ href: `${base}/log`, label: "Audit Log", Icon: ScrollText }] : []),
+    ...(isModeratorOrAbove
+      ? [
+          { href: `${base}/log`, label: "Audit Log", Icon: ScrollText },
+          { href: `${base}/verification`, label: "Verification", Icon: BadgeCheck },
+        ]
+      : []),
   ];
 
   return (
diff --git a/src/app/p/[secret]/verification/page.tsx b/src/app/p/[secret]/verification/page.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1598ec0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/p/[secret]/verification/page.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useState } from "react";
+import Link from "next/link";
+import { useInfiniteQuery, useMutation, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { useTRPC } from "@/trpc/client";
+import { Loader2, ChevronDown, BadgeCheck, CheckCheck } from "lucide-react";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Textarea } from "@/components/ui/textarea";
+import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogHeader, DialogTitle, DialogFooter } from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger, SelectValue } from "@/components/ui/select";
+
+type RequestStatus = "PENDING" | "APPROVED" | "REJECTED";
+
+type ChecklistKey =
+  | "meetsAuthenticity"
+  | "meetsCompleteProfile"
+  | "meetsGoodStanding"
+  | "meetsEstablishedPresence";
+
+// Mirrors the criteria discussed for Gitea #10 — shown to moderators as a
+// fixed checklist, not free-form judgment. All four checked → approved;
+// any unchecked → rejected with an itemized note built from these labels.
+const CHECKLIST: { key: ChecklistKey; label: string; hint: string }[] = [
+  {
+    key: "meetsAuthenticity",
+    label: "Echtheits-/Verwechslungsrisiko",
+    hint: "Bekannter Züchter, Tierheim, Medien-Tier o. Ä. — Verwechslung wäre plausibel",
+  },
+  {
+    key: "meetsCompleteProfile",
+    label: "Vollständiges Profil",
+    hint: "Echter Name, Bio, Avatar gesetzt",
+  },
+  {
+    key: "meetsGoodStanding",
+    label: "Sauberer Stand",
+    hint: "Kein aktiver Ban, keine offenen Verwarnungen",
+  },
+  {
+    key: "meetsEstablishedPresence",
+    label: "Etablierte Präsenz",
+    hint: "Account existiert schon eine Weile und hat gepostet",
+  },
+];
+
+type ChecklistState = Record<ChecklistKey, boolean>;
+
+const EMPTY_CHECKLIST: ChecklistState = {
+  meetsAuthenticity: false,
+  meetsCompleteProfile: false,
+  meetsGoodStanding: false,
+  meetsEstablishedPresence: false,
+};
+
+export default function AdminVerificationPage() {
+  const trpc = useTRPC();
+  const qc = useQueryClient();
+  const [status, setStatus] = useState<RequestStatus>("PENDING");
+  const [reviewTarget, setReviewTarget] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [checklist, setChecklist] = useState<ChecklistState>(EMPTY_CHECKLIST);
+  const [note, setNote] = useState("");
+
+  const { data, fetchNextPage, hasNextPage, isFetchingNextPage, isLoading } = useInfiniteQuery(
+    trpc.admin.listVerificationRequests.infiniteQueryOptions(
+      { status, limit: 20 },
+      { getNextPageParam: (p) => p.nextCursor, initialCursor: undefined }
+    )
+  );
+
+  const requests = data?.pages.flatMap((p) => p.requests) ?? [];
+
+  const reviewMutation = useMutation(
+    trpc.admin.reviewVerificationRequest.mutationOptions({
+      onSuccess: () => {
+        void qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: trpc.admin.listVerificationRequests.queryKey() });
+        setReviewTarget(null);
+        setChecklist(EMPTY_CHECKLIST);
+        setNote("");
+      },
+    })
+  );
+
+  function openReview(requestId: string) {
+    setReviewTarget(requestId);
+    setChecklist(EMPTY_CHECKLIST);
+    setNote("");
+  }
+
+  const allChecked = Object.values(checklist).every(Boolean);
+  const missingLabels = CHECKLIST.filter((c) => !checklist[c.key]).map((c) => c.label);
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-6">
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3">
+        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-zinc-100">Verification Requests</h1>
+        <Select value={status} onValueChange={(v) => setStatus(v as RequestStatus)}>
+          <SelectTrigger className="w-40 bg-zinc-900 border-zinc-700 text-zinc-100">
+            <SelectValue />
+          </SelectTrigger>
+          <SelectContent className="bg-zinc-800 border-zinc-700">
+            <SelectItem value="PENDING">Pending</SelectItem>
+            <SelectItem value="APPROVED">Approved</SelectItem>
+            <SelectItem value="REJECTED">Rejected</SelectItem>
+          </SelectContent>
+        </Select>
+      </div>
+
+      {isLoading ? (
+        <div className="flex justify-center py-12">
+          <Loader2 className="h-5 w-5 animate-spin text-zinc-500" />
+        </div>
+      ) : requests.length === 0 ? (
+        <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-2 py-16 text-zinc-500">
+          <CheckCheck className="h-8 w-8" />
+          <p className="text-sm">No {status.toLowerCase()} requests.</p>
+        </div>
+      ) : (
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          {requests.map((req) => (
+            <div
+              key={req.id}
+              className="flex items-start gap-3 rounded-xl border border-zinc-800 bg-zinc-900 px-4 py-3"
+            >
+              <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-2 flex-wrap">
+                  <Link
+                    href={`/pets/${req.pet.id}`}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    className="text-sm font-medium text-zinc-100 hover:underline"
+                  >
+                    {req.pet.name}
+                  </Link>
+                  {req.pet.isVerified && (
+                    <Badge className="bg-blue-700 text-blue-100 text-[10px]">
+                      <BadgeCheck className="h-3 w-3 mr-1" />
+                      Verified
+                    </Badge>
+                  )}
+                  <span className="text-xs text-zinc-600 font-mono">{req.pet.ownerId}</span>
+                  <span className="text-xs text-zinc-600">
+                    {new Date(req.createdAt).toLocaleString()}
+                  </span>
+                </div>
+                <p className="text-sm text-zinc-300 mt-1 leading-snug">{req.message}</p>
+                {req.status !== "PENDING" && req.reviewNote && (
+                  <p
+                    className={`text-xs mt-1 ${
+                      req.status === "APPROVED" ? "text-blue-400" : "text-red-400"
+                    }`}
+                  >
+                    {req.status === "APPROVED" ? "Genehmigt" : "Abgelehnt"}: {req.reviewNote}
+                  </p>
+                )}
+              </div>
+              {req.status === "PENDING" && (
+                <Button
+                  size="sm"
+                  variant="outline"
+                  className="border-zinc-700 text-zinc-300 hover:text-zinc-100 shrink-0"
+                  onClick={() => openReview(req.id)}
+                >
+                  Review
+                </Button>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          ))}
+
+          {hasNextPage && (
+            <div className="flex justify-center pt-2">
+              <Button
+                variant="outline"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={() => void fetchNextPage()}
+                disabled={isFetchingNextPage}
+                className="border-zinc-700 text-zinc-300"
+              >
+                {isFetchingNextPage ? (
+                  <Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin mr-2" />
+                ) : (
+                  <ChevronDown className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />
+                )}
+                Load more
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Review dialog — the checklist itself decides the outcome */}
+      <Dialog open={!!reviewTarget} onOpenChange={(o) => { if (!o) setReviewTarget(null); }}>
+        <DialogContent className="bg-zinc-900 border-zinc-800 text-zinc-100 max-w-md">
+          <DialogHeader>
+            <DialogTitle>Review request</DialogTitle>
+          </DialogHeader>
+
+          <div className="space-y-3">
+            {CHECKLIST.map((c) => (
+              <label key={c.key} className="flex items-start gap-3 cursor-pointer">
+                <input
+                  type="checkbox"
+                  checked={checklist[c.key]}
+                  onChange={(e) =>
+                    setChecklist((prev) => ({ ...prev, [c.key]: e.target.checked }))
+                  }
+                  className="mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 accent-blue-500"
+                />
+                <span>
+                  <span className="block text-sm text-zinc-100">{c.label}</span>
+                  <span className="block text-xs text-zinc-500">{c.hint}</span>
+                </span>
+              </label>
+            ))}
+          </div>
+
+          <div
+            className={`rounded-lg border px-3 py-2 text-xs ${
+              allChecked
+                ? "border-blue-700 bg-blue-950/30 text-blue-300"
+                : "border-red-800 bg-red-950/20 text-red-300"
+            }`}
+          >
+            {allChecked
+              ? "Wird genehmigt — alle Kriterien erfüllt."
+              : `Wird abgelehnt — fehlend: ${missingLabels.join(", ")}`}
+          </div>
+
+          <Textarea
+            placeholder="Zusätzliche Notiz (optional)…"
+            value={note}
+            onChange={(e) => setNote(e.target.value)}
+            className="bg-zinc-800 border-zinc-700 text-zinc-100 placeholder:text-zinc-500"
+          />
+
+          <DialogFooter className="gap-2">
+            <Button variant="ghost" className="text-zinc-400" onClick={() => setReviewTarget(null)}>
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              onClick={() =>
+                reviewMutation.mutate({
+                  requestId: reviewTarget!,
+                  ...checklist,
+                  note: note.trim() || undefined,
+                })
+              }
+              disabled={reviewMutation.isPending}
+              className={allChecked ? "bg-blue-700 hover:bg-blue-600" : "bg-red-700 hover:bg-red-600"}
+            >
+              {reviewMutation.isPending && <Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 animate-spin mr-2" />}
+              {allChecked ? "Approve" : "Reject"}
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </DialogContent>
+      </Dialog>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/team-pet.ts b/src/lib/team-pet.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7cd614
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/team-pet.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+import "server-only";
+import type { PrismaClient } from "@prisma/client";
+import { TRPCError } from "@trpc/server";
+import { notify } from "@/lib/notify";
+
+/**
+ * Ensures the "PawFeed Team" system pet (owned by the env-bootstrapped
+ * ADMIN_OWNER_ID) exists, creating it on first use. Shared by
+ * admin.startTeamConversation and sendTeamMessage below — previously this
+ * lookup/create logic lived only inline in startTeamConversation.
+ */
+export async function ensureTeamPet(prisma: PrismaClient): Promise<{ id: string }> {
+  const adminOwnerId = process.env.ADMIN_OWNER_ID;
+  if (!adminOwnerId) {
+    throw new TRPCError({
+      code: "PRECONDITION_FAILED",
+      message: "ADMIN_OWNER_ID is not configured.",
+    });
+  }
+
+  let teamPet = await prisma.pet.findFirst({
+    where: { ownerId: adminOwnerId, name: "PawFeed Team" },
+    select: { id: true },
+  });
+
+  if (!teamPet) {
+    // Ensure the Owner row + at least one Species exist before creating
+    // the pet — same FK requirements as any normal pet.create.
+    await prisma.owner.upsert({
+      where: { id: adminOwnerId },
+      update: {},
+      create: { id: adminOwnerId },
+    });
+    const species = await prisma.species.findFirst({ select: { id: true } });
+    if (!species) {
+      throw new TRPCError({
+        code: "PRECONDITION_FAILED",
+        message: "No Species rows exist — run the seed script first.",
+      });
+    }
+    teamPet = await prisma.pet.create({
+      data: {
+        ownerId: adminOwnerId,
+        speciesId: species.id,
+        name: "PawFeed Team",
+        bio: "Offizieller Support-Account von PawFeed.",
+      },
+      select: { id: true },
+    });
+  }
+
+  return teamPet;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sends an automated message from the "PawFeed Team" system pet to a target
+ * pet — reuses the normal Conversation/Message model (same as any pet-to-pet
+ * DM) and fires the standard MESSAGE notification, so it shows up in the
+ * recipient's inbox/notifications exactly like a real message would.
+ */
+export async function sendTeamMessage(
+  prisma: PrismaClient,
+  targetPetId: string,
+  body: string
+): Promise<void> {
+  const teamPet = await ensureTeamPet(prisma);
+  if (teamPet.id === targetPetId) return;
+
+  const [petAId, petBId] = [teamPet.id, targetPetId].sort();
+  const conversation = await prisma.conversation.upsert({
+    where: { petAId_petBId: { petAId, petBId } },
+    update: {},
+    create: { petAId, petBId },
+  });
+
+  await prisma.$transaction([
+    prisma.message.create({
+      data: { conversationId: conversation.id, senderPetId: teamPet.id, body },
+    }),
+    prisma.conversation.update({
+      where: { id: conversation.id },
+      data: { updatedAt: new Date() },
+    }),
+  ]);
+
+  notify(prisma, { recipientPetId: targetPetId, type: "MESSAGE", actorPetId: teamPet.id });
+}
diff --git a/src/trpc/routers/admin.ts b/src/trpc/routers/admin.ts
index 2fa0de9..aa1100f 100644
--- a/src/trpc/routers/admin.ts
+++ b/src/trpc/routers/admin.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import { buildDataExport } from "@/lib/gdpr-export";
 import { uploadExport } from "@/lib/data-export-storage";
 import { sendMail } from "@/lib/mail";
 import { deleteOwnerAccount } from "@/lib/delete-account";
+import { ensureTeamPet, sendTeamMessage } from "@/lib/team-pet";
 
 const DATA_EXPORT_TOKEN_TTL_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 7 days
 
@@ -530,6 +531,117 @@ export const adminRouter = router({
       return pet;
     }),
 
+  // ─── Self-service verification requests (Gitea #10) ──────────────────────────
+  listVerificationRequests: protectedProcedure
+    .input(
+      z.object({
+        status: z.enum(["PENDING", "APPROVED", "REJECTED"]).default("PENDING"),
+        cursor: z.string().nullish(),
+        limit: z.number().min(1).max(50).default(20),
+      })
+    )
+    .query(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
+      await assertAdmin(ctx.prisma, ctx.userId, AdminRoleType.MODERATOR);
+      const requests = await ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.findMany({
+        where: { status: input.status },
+        include: {
+          pet: { select: { id: true, name: true, avatarKey: true, isVerified: true, ownerId: true } },
+        },
+        orderBy: { createdAt: "desc" },
+        take: input.limit + 1,
+        ...(input.cursor ? { skip: 1, cursor: { id: input.cursor } } : {}),
+      });
+      const hasNext = requests.length > input.limit;
+      const items = hasNext ? requests.slice(0, input.limit) : requests;
+      return { requests: items, nextCursor: hasNext ? items[items.length - 1]!.id : null };
+    }),
+
+  // The checklist IS the decision — there's no separate approve/reject
+  // action. All four true → APPROVED + Pet.isVerified flips on. Any false →
+  // REJECTED with an itemized note built from the unmet items, so a
+  // moderator can't approve on vibes and can't reject without saying why.
+  reviewVerificationRequest: protectedProcedure
+    .input(
+      z.object({
+        requestId: z.string().min(1),
+        meetsAuthenticity: z.boolean(),
+        meetsCompleteProfile: z.boolean(),
+        meetsGoodStanding: z.boolean(),
+        meetsEstablishedPresence: z.boolean(),
+        note: z.string().max(500).optional(),
+      })
+    )
+    .mutation(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
+      const callerRole = await assertAdmin(ctx.prisma, ctx.userId, AdminRoleType.MODERATOR);
+
+      const request = await ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.findUnique({
+        where: { id: input.requestId },
+        select: { petId: true, status: true },
+      });
+      if (!request) throw new TRPCError({ code: "NOT_FOUND" });
+      if (request.status !== "PENDING") {
+        throw new TRPCError({ code: "BAD_REQUEST", message: "This request was already reviewed." });
+      }
+
+      const allMet =
+        input.meetsAuthenticity &&
+        input.meetsCompleteProfile &&
+        input.meetsGoodStanding &&
+        input.meetsEstablishedPresence;
+
+      const missing: string[] = [];
+      if (!input.meetsAuthenticity) missing.push("Echtheits-/Verwechslungsrisiko nicht erkennbar");
+      if (!input.meetsCompleteProfile) missing.push("Profil unvollständig");
+      if (!input.meetsGoodStanding) missing.push("Kein sauberer Stand (Ban/offene Verwarnung)");
+      if (!input.meetsEstablishedPresence) missing.push("Keine etablierte Präsenz");
+
+      const reviewNote = allMet
+        ? (input.note ?? null)
+        : [`Fehlende Kriterien: ${missing.join(", ")}`, input.note].filter(Boolean).join(" — ");
+
+      await ctx.prisma.$transaction([
+        ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.update({
+          where: { id: input.requestId },
+          data: {
+            status: allMet ? "APPROVED" : "REJECTED",
+            meetsAuthenticity: input.meetsAuthenticity,
+            meetsCompleteProfile: input.meetsCompleteProfile,
+            meetsGoodStanding: input.meetsGoodStanding,
+            meetsEstablishedPresence: input.meetsEstablishedPresence,
+            reviewNote,
+            reviewedBy: ctx.userId,
+            reviewedAt: new Date(),
+          },
+        }),
+        ...(allMet
+          ? [ctx.prisma.pet.update({ where: { id: request.petId }, data: { isVerified: true } })]
+          : []),
+        ctx.prisma.moderationLog.create({
+          data: {
+            action: allMet ? "APPROVE_VERIFICATION_REQUEST" : "REJECT_VERIFICATION_REQUEST",
+            targetType: "PET",
+            targetId: request.petId,
+            reason: reviewNote,
+            moderatorId: ctx.userId,
+            moderatorRole: callerRole,
+            ipAddress: ctx.ip,
+          },
+        }),
+      ]);
+
+      // Best-effort — the review itself already succeeded and is persisted;
+      // a failed notification must not roll that back or fail the request.
+      await sendTeamMessage(
+        ctx.prisma,
+        request.petId,
+        allMet
+          ? "Gute Nachrichten — dein Verifizierungsantrag wurde genehmigt! Der Verifizierungs-Haken ist jetzt auf deinem Profil sichtbar."
+          : `Dein Verifizierungsantrag wurde leider abgelehnt.\n\n${reviewNote}\n\nDu kannst jederzeit erneut einen Antrag stellen, sobald die fehlenden Punkte erfüllt sind.`
+      ).catch(() => {});
+
+      return { success: true, approved: allMet };
+    }),
+
   // ─── Admin-triggered GDPR Art. 17 erasure ("right to be forgotten") ──────────
   // Reuses the same deleteOwnerAccount() the self-service /api/account/delete
   // route calls, so both paths stay in sync. `confirmation` must equal the
@@ -583,50 +695,13 @@ export const adminRouter = router({
     .mutation(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
       await assertAdmin(ctx.prisma, ctx.userId);
 
-      const adminOwnerId = process.env.ADMIN_OWNER_ID;
-      if (!adminOwnerId) {
-        throw new TRPCError({
-          code: "PRECONDITION_FAILED",
-          message: "ADMIN_OWNER_ID is not configured.",
-        });
-      }
-
       const targetPet = await ctx.prisma.pet.findUnique({
         where: { id: input.targetPetId },
         select: { id: true },
       });
       if (!targetPet) throw new TRPCError({ code: "NOT_FOUND" });
 
-      let teamPet = await ctx.prisma.pet.findFirst({
-        where: { ownerId: adminOwnerId, name: "PawFeed Team" },
-        select: { id: true },
-      });
-
-      if (!teamPet) {
-        // Ensure the Owner row + at least one Species exist before creating
-        // the pet — same FK requirements as any normal pet.create.
-        await ctx.prisma.owner.upsert({
-          where: { id: adminOwnerId },
-          update: {},
-          create: { id: adminOwnerId },
-        });
-        const species = await ctx.prisma.species.findFirst({ select: { id: true } });
-        if (!species) {
-          throw new TRPCError({
-            code: "PRECONDITION_FAILED",
-            message: "No Species rows exist — run the seed script first.",
-          });
-        }
-        teamPet = await ctx.prisma.pet.create({
-          data: {
-            ownerId: adminOwnerId,
-            speciesId: species.id,
-            name: "PawFeed Team",
-            bio: "Offizieller Support-Account von PawFeed.",
-          },
-          select: { id: true },
-        });
-      }
+      const teamPet = await ensureTeamPet(ctx.prisma);
 
       if (teamPet.id === input.targetPetId) {
         throw new TRPCError({ code: "BAD_REQUEST", message: "Cannot message the Team pet itself." });
diff --git a/src/trpc/routers/pets.ts b/src/trpc/routers/pets.ts
index 88f9df4..80ba01e 100644
--- a/src/trpc/routers/pets.ts
+++ b/src/trpc/routers/pets.ts
@@ -237,4 +237,42 @@ export const petsRouter = router({
           : b.name,
       }));
     }),
+
+  // ─── Self-service verification requests (Gitea #10) ──────────────────────────
+  requestVerification: protectedProcedure
+    .input(z.object({ petId: z.string().min(1), message: z.string().min(1).max(1000) }))
+    .mutation(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
+      await assertPetOwnership(ctx.prisma, input.petId, ctx.userId);
+
+      const pet = await ctx.prisma.pet.findUnique({
+        where: { id: input.petId },
+        select: { isVerified: true },
+      });
+      if (!pet) throw new TRPCError({ code: "NOT_FOUND" });
+      if (pet.isVerified) {
+        throw new TRPCError({ code: "BAD_REQUEST", message: "This pet is already verified." });
+      }
+
+      const existingPending = await ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.findFirst({
+        where: { petId: input.petId, status: "PENDING" },
+      });
+      if (existingPending) {
+        throw new TRPCError({ code: "BAD_REQUEST", message: "A request is already pending." });
+      }
+
+      return ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.create({
+        data: { petId: input.petId, message: input.message },
+      });
+    }),
+
+  /** Most recent verification request for this pet, if any — drives the status UI on the edit page. */
+  getVerificationRequest: protectedProcedure
+    .input(z.object({ petId: z.string().min(1) }))
+    .query(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
+      await assertPetOwnership(ctx.prisma, input.petId, ctx.userId);
+      return ctx.prisma.verificationRequest.findFirst({
+        where: { petId: input.petId },
+        orderBy: { createdAt: "desc" },
+      });
+    }),
 });