🛡 Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

PETFRIENDS (Pty) Ltd is committed to protecting your personal information and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 ("POPIA").

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you use our website or any related services.

By using our Site, you consent to the practices described in this Policy.

2. What personal information we collect

We collect the following categories of personal information:

2.1 Personal identification details

• Full name
• Email address
• Cell phone number

2.2 Profile & experience information (for sitters)

• Years of pet-sitting experience
• Number of pets owned
• Number of pets previously cared for
• Personal biography
• Personal profile pictures
• Home suburb
• Pet-care services offered

2.3 Reviews and ratings

• Written reviews
• Star ratings

2.4 Booking information (when a booking request is submitted)

When a user submits a booking request, we collect:

• Pet owner's full name
• Pet's name
• Dates and duration of care needed
• The user's message to the sitter
• Any additional instructions or notes

This information is shared only with the sitter selected by the user.

3. How we collect information

We collect information when you:

• Create a sitter profile
• Join our waitlist or contact us
• Submit or respond to a booking request
• Upload profile details or images
• Leave a review
• Interact with our platform
• Communicate with us via the website, email, or forms

4. Why we collect your information (Purpose of processing)

We process personal information to:

1. Create and display sitter profiles
2. Connect pet owners with pet sitters
3. Facilitate booking requests and scheduling
4. Allow sitters to review and respond to booking requests
5. Enable communication between pet owners and sitters
6. Provide customer support
7. Improve platform functionality and safety
8. Maintain records for operational and security purposes
9. Comply with legal obligations

5. Legal basis for processing

Under POPIA, we process your information based on:

• Your consent
• Legitimate business interests (operating a pet-sitting connection platform)
• Performance of services requested by you

You may withdraw consent at any time.

6. Who we share your information with

6.1 Sitters (for bookings)

If you submit a booking request, your booking details (name, pet name, dates, message) are shared only with the sitter you selected.

6.2 Public profile visibility

Sitters' profile information (bio, suburb, photos, experience, services offered) may be visible to pet owners on the Site.

6.3 Service providers

We may share information with trusted service providers who assist with:

• Website hosting
• Email notifications
• Analytics
• Data storage

All providers are required to comply with POPIA.

We do not share your data with advertisers.

7. How we store and protect personal information

We implement appropriate technical and organisational safeguards, including:

• Secure servers
• Encrypted connections (HTTPS)
• Access controls
• Data minimisation
• Restricted staff access

Booking information is accessible only to PETFRIENDS administration and the sitter involved.

We retain data only as long as necessary for operational, legal, or security reasons.

8. Cookies and tracking

The Site may use cookies or analytics tools to improve user experience.

No personally identifying information is collected through cookies.

You may disable cookies through your browser.

9. Children's information

We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

If we become aware that a minor has submitted personal information, we will delete it.

10. Your POPIA rights

You have the right to:

To exercise these rights, contact us at the email below.

11. Updates to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Changes will be posted with an updated "Last Revised" date.