Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Hoofs & Paws ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our pet services marketplace platform.

By using our service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, and role (pet owner or provider)
• Profile Information: Address, city, state, zip code, and profile photos
• Pet Information: Pet names, breeds, ages, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, and photos
• Business Information: Business name, description, years of experience, certifications, and insurance information (for providers)
• Payment Information: Payment card details processed through secure third-party payment processors (we do not store full card numbers)
• Booking Information: Service requests, dates, locations, and special instructions
• Communication: Messages sent through our platform

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, and interaction patterns
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and unique device identifiers
• Location Data: General location information based on IP address or provided address
• Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our service

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve our services
• To process bookings and facilitate transactions between pet owners and providers
• To communicate with you about your account, bookings, and our services
• To send you service-related notifications and updates
• To verify provider credentials and maintain platform safety
• To process payments and prevent fraud
• To personalize your experience and provide relevant service recommendations
• To analyze usage patterns and improve our platform
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
• To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including payment processing, email delivery, hosting, and analytics.

4.2 Between Users

When you create a booking, relevant information (name, contact information, pet details) is shared between pet owners and providers to facilitate the service.

4.3 Public Information

Provider profiles, business information, and reviews are publicly visible on our platform to help pet owners find and evaluate providers.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Hoofs & Paws, our users, or others.

4.5 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and authorization systems
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and employee training

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Opt-Out: Opt-out of certain data processing activities
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@hoofsandpaws.com.

7. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our service and hold certain information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our service.

Types of cookies we use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the service to function
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our service
• Preference Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where we are required to retain it for legal or business purposes.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ. By using our service, you consent to the transfer of your information to our facilities and those third parties with whom we share it as described in this policy.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: