Legal
Privacy policy
This policy outlines the personal data we collect, how we use it, and your available choices.
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how PetzPals (“we,” “us,”, or “our”) collects, uses, and safeguards information when you visit our website, create an account, join the community, or request services through the PetzPals marketplace. By accessing PetzPals, you agree to the practices described below. If you do not agree, please discontinue your use of our services.
We review this policy regularly to keep it clear and transparent. The “Last updated” date in the footer of this page reflects the most recent revision.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information in the following categories:
- Account and profile details: name, contact information, pet preferences, biographies, and profile photos you upload.
- Community contributions: posts, comments, reviews, and direct messages shared through PetzPals features.
- Professional listings: information about pet service providers collected from publicly available directories, trusted partners, and provider websites to create unclaimed profiles that are clearly labelled until a business owner verifies them.
- Service interactions: booking requests, enquiries to service providers, and records of conversations facilitated through our platform.
- Technical information: device identifiers, IP address, browser type, referring URLs, and usage analytics captured via cookies and similar technologies.
We may also receive information from third-party partners such as payment processors, analytics platforms, trade associations, or social login providers when you authorize those connections.
When we assemble unclaimed service profiles, we limit the data shown to contact details that are already public and make the source of the information available on request. Outreach to those contacts is only sent after we document opt-in consent or a lawful basis for the communication.
3. How We Use Your Information
We process personal information to:
- Provide, personalize, and maintain the PetzPals experience, including account management and pet service recommendations.
- Facilitate communication between pet parents, caregivers, and community members.
- Improve website performance, troubleshoot issues, and analyze platform trends.
- Deliver transactional notices, policy updates, community alerts, and marketing messages (where permitted by law and your preferences).
- Protect the safety of our community, detect fraudulent activity, and enforce our Terms of Service.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
Where required by law, we process personal data under the following legal bases:
- Consent: for marketing communications, cookies, and optional features. You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Contractual necessity: to operate accounts, manage bookings, and deliver requested services.
- Legitimate interests: to improve our offerings, protect users, and ensure platform security, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.
- Legal obligations: to comply with applicable laws, tax requirements, and enforcement requests.
5. Sharing and Disclosure
We share information only when necessary to operate PetzPals or when you instruct us to do so:
- With service providers that power hosting, analytics, payment processing, customer support, and security tools.
- With other community members when you post publicly or send enquiries through the directory.
- With professional advisors, auditors, and insurers under confidentiality obligations.
- If required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of PetzPals, our users, or the public.
- In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets where your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as you maintain an account or as needed to provide services, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, or comply with legal obligations. When retention is no longer necessary, we anonymize or securely delete the data.
8. Your Choices and Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information.
- Object to or restrict certain processing, including marketing communications.
- Export a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
To exercise these rights, adjust your account settings or contact us at our support page. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
If you discover an unclaimed PetzPals profile for your business and prefer not to appear in the directory, use the “Report this listing” link on the profile or reach out via the support page to request an opt-out. We log each request, verify the requester’s authority, and hide opted-out listings from public search.
9. International Data Transfers
PetzPals operates with infrastructure that may reside outside your country of residence. When we transfer personal data internationally, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms to protect your information.
10. Security
We employ administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to help protect personal information, including encrypted connections, access controls, and regular security reviews. Despite these efforts, no online service can guarantee absolute security, so please use strong passwords and keep your login credentials confidential.
11. Children’s Privacy
PetzPals is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that a child has provided us with personal information, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided information should contact us.
12. Updates to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. When we make material updates, we will notify you through the website, email, or other reasonable means. Continued use of PetzPals after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your personal information can be sent through the contact form or by emailing the support address listed there. We aim to respond to privacy enquiries within 30 days.
Last updated: March 7, 2024