Your privacy is important to us.  To protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our information practices.  We urge you to read this policy very carefully because it contains important information on

– who we are

– how and why we collect, store, use and share personal data

– your rights in relation to your personal data, and

– how to contact us and supervisory authorities in the event that you have a complaint.

Who we are

Paula’s Pet Services collect, use and are responsible for certain personal data about you.  When we do so we are regulated under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which apply across the European Union (including the United Kingdom) and we are responsible as ‘controller’ of that personal data for the purposes of those laws.

Paula’s Pet Services privacy promise

Paula’s Pet Services are dedicated to safeguarding your privacy. We will only collect, store and use your personal data for specific purposes as outlined below in accordance with GDPR. We use your personal data to support and develop our connection with you. We will never share your personal data with third parties (unless required by law) and your data is always protected. You may contact Paula’s Pet Services at any time with any privacy queries or concerns and, to see the personal data you have given us and request modification. Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This can include name, email address, address, etc.

How we use your personal data

All the data we gather via our website or through communication with you is used to operate and expand the service we offer you and to personalise our service. How we use your personal data is dependent on the legal basis for processing your data. We are dedicated to using your personal data only for

– processing your orders for services correctly

– development and expansion of the business and the measurement of advertisements

– technical management of our website

– reviewing our systems

– providing you with information about the services we offer 

– letting you know about newsletters, products, offers, competitions, industry news etc.

The personal data we collect and use

– personal data you provide to us

When you register on our website or through other methods of communication to enquire about services, we ask for data such as your name, postcode, telephone/mobile numbers, email address and the nature of your enquiry etc. Paula’s Pet Services keeps a record of this information.

– personal data you provide about third parties

If you give us data about another person, you confirm that the other person has appointed you to act on their behalf and agree that you:

– shall consent on their behalf to the processing of their personal data;

– shall receive any data protection notices on their behalf; and- shall consent on their behalf to the transfer of their personal data abroad

Legal basis for processing data

Paula’s Pet Services lawful basis for processing data are:

– Consent – clients that consent to signing up for company information, newsletters, products, offers, competitions, industry news etc.

– Legal obligation – tax purposes

– Contract – clients that place an order of services with Paula’s Pet Services

Sharing of personal data

We do not share your personal data with third parties; however, it is stored on relevant systems such as cloud systems, our website, Mailchimp, and accounting systems which are GDPR compliant. If we are required by law to share any data, we will check with each party concerned to ensure they are happy for that to happen. An example of this would be if HMRC requested an audit.

We store sensitive data for as long as services are in progress and you remain an active client. Email addresses provided via Mailchimp are stored until consent is withdrawn (re-consent is requested every 2 years). Data required for tax and legal purposes are held for 7 years as a requirement by law.

Personal data that we process for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.

In addition to personal data, our website uses Google Analytics to ensure we are meeting client needs. Google Analytics stores usage data which may include your IP address, geographical location, referral source, length of visit and page views – although a lot of this is aggregated data. The legal basis for this is legitimate interest for the basis of ensuring we are meeting client needs.

How we protect data

We have appropriate security measures in place to prevent personal data from being accidentally lost, or used or accessed in an unauthorised way.  We limit access to your personal data to those who have a genuine need to know.  Those processing your data will only do so in an authorised manner and are subject to a duty of confidentiality.  We will also use technological and organisational measures to keep your data secure.

Indeed, while we will use all reasonable efforts to secure your personal data, in using the website or email you acknowledge that the use of the internet is not entirely secure and for this reason we cannot guarantee the security or integrity of any personal data that is transferred from you or to you via the internet.  We are not responsible for any damages which you, or others, may suffer as a result of the loss of confidentiality of such data. If you have any particular concerns about your data, please contact us in writing.

We take every precaution to safeguard your data. All personal data stored by us is kept on a server in a secure environment. The computer on which data is accessed is password protected, data held in the cloud is password protected and held on encrypted systems and third-party software have their own security systems. The smart phone on which data is stored is accessed using fingerprint recognition and a pin number. Physical data is held in locked storage within secure premises.  The main methods of contact are: letter, email, telephone, SMS and Messenger.

The risks of a breach are minimal due to the precautions mentioned above being taken, and close monitoring is undertaken to ensure security systems are always up to date. Breaches will be identified, reported, managed, and resolved according to the ICO guidelines.

How you can help us protect your data

Please bear in mind that whenever you willingly divulge personal data online in non-protected situations – for example on message forums, through email, or in chat spaces – that data can be collected and used by others. In short, if you post personal data online that is accessible to the public, you may receive unsolicited communications from other parties in return.  Also remember to close your browser window when you have finished using the computer.  This is to ensure that others cannot access your personal data and communications. If you share a computer with someone else or are using a computer in a public place like a library or internet café, we cannot confirm or warrant the security of any data you communicate to us, and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your communication, we make our best effort to ensure its security on our systems.