Privacy & Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 18 July 2025
Next Review: 18 July 2026

Colne Valley Dogs Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal data. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information when you use our website and services, including the use of cookies.

1. Who We Are

Colne Valley Dogs Ltd provides professional dog walking, pet sitting, training, and related services. We are the “data controller” for the personal data you share with us.

If you have any questions, please contact us:
📧 Email: connect@colnevalleydogs.co.uk
📞 Phone: 07840 782 351
📍 Address: Unit 2 Batley Business Park, Technology Drive, Batley, England, WF17 6ER

2. What Information We Collect

When you use our website or services, we may collect:

  • Your name, address, email address, and phone number

  • Emergency contact details

  • Your dog’s name, breed, age, gender, health and behaviour notes, and preferences

  • Veterinary contact details

  • Service history and payment details

  • Consent for photography and use on social media (if provided)

3. How We Use Your Information

We process your personal data to:

  • Provide our services (e.g., bookings, walk updates, emergency contact)

  • Meet legal and insurance requirements

  • Send service reminders and updates

  • Manage accounts and records

  • Share newsletters (if you opt in)

  • Share photos of your dog online (only with your consent)

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR:

  • Consent – for marketing emails and photos

  • Contract – to provide our services to you

  • Legal obligation – for regulatory or insurance requirements

  • Legitimate interests – for communication and service improvements

5. Sharing Your Data

We never sell your data. We may share it only:

  • With your nominated vet in an emergency

  • With trusted contractors, on a need-to-know basis

  • When legally required (e.g., law enforcement, insurers)

6. Data Security

We keep your information secure by storing:

  • Paper records in locked cabinets, accessible only to authorised staff

  • Digital records on password-protected devices and files

  • Mobile contact details on passcode-protected devices

7. Data Retention

We keep client records for up to 1 year after your last service, unless you ask us to delete them sooner.

8. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the data we hold about you

  • Correct inaccurate or incomplete information

  • Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Restrict or object to processing in certain cases

  • Withdraw consent (e.g., for marketing or photos) at any time

  • Complain to the ICO if you believe your data has been mishandled

For details, visit: ICO – Your Data Rights

9. Photography & Social Media

We may take photos of dogs during walks. We only share them online with your explicit prior consent. All images remain the property of Colne Valley Dogs Ltd.

10. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website. They allow the site to function correctly, remember your preferences, and provide insights into how the site is used.

Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential cookies – Required for basic website functions, such as navigation and security.

  • Performance & analytics cookies (Google Analytics) – Help us understand how visitors use our site, such as which pages are most popular and how users move around the site. This data is collected anonymously and used to improve our website.

  • Functionality cookies – Remember your preferences (such as language or location settings).

  • Social media & marketing cookies – Set by platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or other social networks to enable sharing features and show relevant content.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour. This helps us improve our website.

Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies may come from trusted third parties, such as:

  • Google Analytics (analytics and performance)

  • Facebook/Instagram (social media and marketing, if you interact with our content)

We do not control these cookies directly. Please review the third party’s cookie policies for further details.

Managing Cookies

When you first visit our site, you’ll be asked to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can also:

  • Adjust cookie preferences in your browser settings

  • Delete existing cookies from your device

  • Block future cookies (note: some site features may not work correctly if you do this)

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be posted on our website or sent to you by email.