Overview
This Privacy Policy explains how PawSafe (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects information when you visit our website at pawsafe.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about the data we handle.
By using PawSafe, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
Information We Collect
Information you provide directly
- Contact form submissions: When you submit an enquiry to a provider through PawSafe, we collect your name, email address, and message content. This information is forwarded to the relevant provider and may be retained by PawSafe for fraud prevention and platform improvement.
- Provider applications: When you apply to be listed as a provider, we collect your name, email, phone number, location, service details, and bio. This is used to create your listing and contact you about your application.
- Account information: If you create an account on PawSafe, we collect your email address and password (stored in encrypted form). We do not store passwords in plain text.
Information collected automatically
- Analytics data: We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use PawSafe. This includes pages visited, time on site, device type, and general geographic region (country/city level). This data is anonymized and does not identify individual users.
- Cookies: We use cookies to maintain session state (keeping you logged in), remember preferences, and collect analytics data. See the Cookies section below for more detail.
- Log data: Our servers automatically record IP addresses, browser type, referring URLs, and pages accessed. This data is used for security monitoring and is not shared with third parties.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Operate and improve the PawSafe directory
- Route contact form enquiries to the correct provider
- Review and process provider applications
- Send transactional emails (application confirmations, enquiry notifications)
- Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
- Comply with applicable legal obligations
- Analyse platform usage to improve user experience
We do not use your information to:
- Send unsolicited marketing emails without your consent
- Sell or rent your data to third parties
- Build advertising profiles or serve targeted ads
- Share your contact details publicly without your permission
How We Share Information
With providers: When you submit a contact form for a specific provider, your name, email address, and message are shared with that provider so they can respond to your enquiry.
With service providers: We use trusted third-party services to operate PawSafe, including web hosting and email delivery. These providers process data only on our behalf and are contractually prohibited from using it for other purposes.
For legal reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of PawSafe, its users, or the public.
We do not sell personal data. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for their marketing or commercial purposes.
Cookies
PawSafe uses the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for the website to function. Includes session cookies that keep you logged in. Cannot be disabled without breaking the site.
- Analytics cookies: Google Analytics 4 cookies that help us understand how the site is used. Anonymous — they do not identify you personally. You can opt out via your browser settings or by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Preference cookies: Store your preferences (such as remembered search filters) to improve your experience.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling all cookies may affect certain features of PawSafe.
Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:
- Contact form submissions: Retained for up to 12 months for fraud prevention, then deleted.
- Provider application data: Retained for the duration of the provider’s listing plus 24 months.
- Account data: Retained until account deletion is requested.
- Analytics data: Retained per Google Analytics’ default retention settings (14 months).
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable privacy law including:
- Access: The right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: The right to request correction of inaccurate data.
- Deletion: The right to request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
- Opt-out: The right to opt out of marketing communications at any time.
- Portability: The right to receive your data in a portable format.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@pawsafe.com. We will respond within 30 days.
California residents: Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have additional rights regarding the collection and sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. For more information or to submit a CCPA request, contact us at the address below.
Children’s Privacy
PawSafe is not directed at children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), hashed password storage, and restricted access controls.
No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Third-Party Links
PawSafe may contain links to provider websites and other third-party sites. This Privacy Policy applies only to PawSafe. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites and encourage you to review their policies before providing any personal information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated via a notice on the PawSafe homepage. Continued use of PawSafe after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
Privacy questions or requests
For any privacy-related questions, data requests, or to exercise your rights, contact us:
📧 privacy@pawsafe.com
🌐 pawsafe.com/contact
We aim to respond to all requests within 30 days.