Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 29, 2025
Last Updated: August 29, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to PetFellow.org ("PetFellow," "we," "us," or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information about our users ("you"). Our mission is to build a trusted community for pet lovers, and that trust begins with respecting your privacy.

This policy applies to all information collected through our website and services (collectively, the "Services"). By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in a few different ways to provide and improve our Services.

A. Information You Provide to Us Directly:

• Account Information: When you create an account, you provide us with personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, and a password.
• Profile Information: You may choose to add more information to your public profile, such as a bio, profile photo, and details about your pets (e.g., name, breed, age, photos).
• User Content: We collect the content you create on the platform, including posts, comments, messages to other users, and listings for adoption, products, or services.
• Communications: If you contact us directly for support or other inquiries, we will collect the information you provide in your communications.

B. Information from Third Parties:

• Login with Facebook: If you choose to register or log in using your Facebook account, we will receive certain profile information from Facebook, such as your name, email address, and public profile picture, as permitted by you and by Facebook's policies. We do not receive your Facebook password.

C. Information We Collect Automatically:

• Location Data: With your explicit permission, we may collect your device's precise location (using GPS, Wi-Fi, or cellular triangulation). We ask for this permission to provide location-based features, such as showing you nearby veterinarians, shops, or adoption opportunities. You can disable this at any time in your device settings.
• Usage Data: We automatically collect information about your interaction with our Services, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages you visit, the time and date of your visit, and the links you click on.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to operate and personalize the Services. Cookies help us understand how you use the site and remember your preferences. You can control the use of cookies at the individual browser level.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Maintain Our Services: To manage your account, facilitate bookings, process transactions, and enable social features.
• To Personalize Your Experience: To use your location data (with your consent) to show you relevant local content, such as nearby vets, shops, foster homes, and pets available for adoption.
• To Communicate With You: To send you service-related announcements, security alerts, and support messages via email, SMS, or push notifications.
• To Send Timely Notifications: With your consent, we send notifications to help you get the most out of our Services. A key purpose is to notify you as early as possible about time-sensitive events, such as when a newly rescued animal needs a home in your area.
• For Safety and Security: To verify accounts, monitor for fraudulent or harmful activity, and enforce our Terms of Service.
• To Improve Our Services: To analyze usage trends and feedback to understand what features are popular and how we can make our platform better.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it in the following limited circumstances:

• With Other Users: Your public profile information, pet profiles, posts, and listings are visible to other users of the platform as part of the community experience.
• With Service Providers You Book: When you book an appointment with a veterinarian, caregiver, or foster home, we share necessary information (such as your name, contact details, and pet information) with them to facilitate the service.
• With Third-Party Vendors: We work with vendors and service providers who help us operate our platform, such as payment processors (e.g., SSL Commerz, bKash), cloud hosting providers (e.g., AWS), and notification services (e.g., Pusher). These providers only have access to the information necessary to perform their functions and are contractually obligated to protect it.
• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid request from a public authority (e.g., a court or government agency).
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5. Your Choices and Data Rights

You have control over your personal information.

• Account Information: You can review and update your account and profile information at any time by logging into your account settings.
• Location Services: You can grant, deny, or revoke permission for us to access your device's location at any time through your device or browser settings.
• Notifications: You can manage your email, SMS, and push notification preferences in your account settings.
• Account Deletion: You can request to delete your account at any time. When you delete your account, we will remove your public profile and de-identify or delete your personal information in accordance with our data retention policies.

6. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. We use encryption, firewalls, and secure socket layer (SSL) technology to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: hello@petfellow.org