Privacy Policy (UK)

Last updated: [22 September 2025]
Controller: Pick Up The Paws.
email: pickupthepaws@gmail.com

We respect your privacy and process personal data in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What data we collect

From website enquiries (contact form or email/phone):

Identity & contact: name, email, phone.
Location: postcode/address (to confirm service area).
Pet information (if provided): name, breed, age, behaviour notes, health considerations, routine.

During meet & greet / onboarding (if you become a client):

Address and key-handling instructions (if we collect/hold keys).
Emergency contacts, regular vet details.
Pet health, vaccination/flea/worming status, behaviour and training information.
Service records (dates/times of walks, notes).
Consents (off-lead permission, transport consent, social media/photo consent).
Current status: We operate an accept/decline cookie banner. Optional cookies are off by default. If we add analytics or marketing tools in future, we’ll update this policy and the banner.

How we collect data

You submit it via our contact form (Wix), email or phone.
You provide it in person during meet & greet or via onboarding forms.

Why we use your data (lawful bases)

To respond to enquiries and provide quotes (Legitimate Interests / steps to Contract).
To deliver dog-walking/pet care services and manage bookings (Contract).
To ensure safety and welfare of pets and staff, including emergency vet care where reasonably necessary (Legitimate Interests / Vital Interests).
To maintain business records, tax and insurance compliance (Legal Obligation).
Photos/social media – only with your explicit Consent.
Direct marketing/newsletters – we do not currently send marketing emails. If this changes, we’ll ask for Consent and provide an unsubscribe option.

Sharing your data

We only share what’s necessary:

Service providers / processors:

Wix.com Ltd. (website hosting/forms).
Email/IT providers: [e.g. Microsoft 365 / Gmail].

Operational sharing (where necessary):

Insurance provider/broker (for a claim).
Professional advisors (accountant/solicitor).
Emergency veterinary practice (if urgent care is needed).
Self-employed walkers/assistants working with us (bound by confidentiality).

Some providers may store data outside the UK/EEA. Where this occurs, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

Sharing your data

We keep data only as long as needed:

Enquiry records: [12 months] if you don’t become a client.
Client records (contracts, bookings, invoices): [6 years] for tax/insurance.
Incident/insurance records: [6 years] (or longer if required).
Key-holding information: for the duration of service and promptly deleted/returned after termination.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures: least-access permissions, secure accounts, and safe key-handling procedures. No system is 100% secure, but we work to protect your data.

Your rights

You have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict or object to processing, and data portability, plus the right to withdraw consent (where used). To exercise rights, contact pickupthepaws@gmail.com