Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect information you provide directly to us:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Profile Information: Biography, experience, availability, service preferences
• Pet Information: Pet types, breeds, ages, special needs, medical conditions
• Location Data: Address, city, state/region, country for service matching
• Financial Information: Payment methods, billing address (processed securely by third parties)
• Communication: Messages, reviews, support tickets, and other communications

Verification Information (Pet Sitters)

• Identity Verification: Government-issued ID photos
• Background Checks: Criminal background check results
• References: Professional and personal references
• Insurance: Proof of insurance coverage
• Photos: Profile photos, gallery images of your space

Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address
• Cookies: Tracking preferences and site functionality

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Platform Operations: Create accounts, facilitate bookings, process payments
• Matching Services: Connect pet owners with suitable pet sitters
• Safety & Trust: Verify identities, conduct background checks, ensure service quality
• Communication: Send booking confirmations, updates, safety alerts, and customer support
• Marketing: Send promotional emails, service updates (with your consent)
• Legal Compliance: Comply with laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Service Improvement: Analyze usage patterns and improve our platform
• Security: Detect fraud, prevent abuse, and maintain platform security

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

With Other Users

• Pet sitters can see pet owner profiles, pet information, and booking details
• Pet owners can see sitter profiles, photos, reviews, and verification status
• Reviews and ratings are publicly visible on profiles

With Service Providers

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal for secure payment processing
• Background Check Providers: For sitter verification
• Communication Services: Email providers, SMS services
• Analytics: Google Analytics, Vercel Analytics for site improvements
• Cloud Storage: Supabase for data storage and file hosting

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, to protect our rights, or in case of emergency situations involving pet or human safety.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• Encryption: All data transmitted using SSL/TLS encryption
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure Storage: Data stored in encrypted databases with regular security updates
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for sensitive operations

5. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data
• Portability: Export your data in a machine-readable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your information

Note: Some information may be retained for legal compliance, safety reasons, or to complete transactions.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services and maintain your account
• Comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes
• Maintain safety and security records
• Improve our services through data analysis

Inactive accounts may be deleted after 3 years, with 30 days advance notice.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email or through our platform. Your continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us: