This Privacy Policy describes how Love A Pet (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit or use www.loveapet.ie (“the Website”).

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) and the Irish Data Protection Act.

By using the Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

Love A Pet

• Website: www.loveapet.ie

• Email: hello@loveapet.ie

• Location: County Kerry, Ireland

We act as the Data Controller for the personal data we collect about you.

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Address (if provided for verification or billing)

• Pet advertisement details

• Pet microchip numbers (required by law)

• Account login details

• Communication history (emails, messages, enquiries)

If you make a payment, your payment information is processed securely by our payment provider. We do not store credit card details.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device information

• Pages visited

• Time and date of visit

• Referring website

• Cookie preferences

• Analytics data (e.g., page views, user activity)

Full details are in our Cookie Policy.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Payment processors

• Advertising platforms

• Security and fraud-prevention services

• Social media platforms (if you interact with our pages)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

3.1 To Provide and Manage Our Services

• Create and manage your account

• Allow you to publish and edit pet advertisements

• Verify legal microchip requirements

• Communicate with you about your listings

3.2 Legal Compliance

• Compliance with Irish pet sale regulations

• Responding to legal requests from authorities

• Fraud prevention and misuse monitoring

3.3 Improve Website Functionality

• Website performance and security

• Analytics and user experience improvements

3.4 Marketing & Communications

• Send updates about your account or adverts

• Send optional promotional emails (only with your consent)

• Display relevant adverts on the Website or partner platforms

• You may opt out of marketing at any time

4. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

We process your data based on:

Contract

To provide the services you sign up for (creating ads, account access, payments).

Legal Obligation

To comply with Irish regulations requiring microchip verification and responsible advertising.

Legitimate Interest

To improve our website, prevent fraud, and maintain service quality.

Consent

For:

• Marketing emails

• Non-essential cookies

• Certain analytics and advertising tracking

• You may withdraw consent at any time

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share your data with trusted third parties, including:

• Website hosting providers

• Analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics)

• Advertising partners (e.g., Google Ads, social media platforms)

• Payment processors

• Security and fraud-prevention services

• Law enforcement, if legally required

These partners only process data on our instructions and must meet GDPR standards.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary:

• Account information: while your account is active

• Advert information: for legal compliance and auditing

• Microchip data: as required by Irish law

• Analytics data: typically 26 months (varies by provider)

• Communication records: for service and legal purposes

You may request deletion of your account at any time.

7. Security of Your Data

We implement technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encrypted connections (HTTPS)

• Secure servers and firewalls

• Access controls

• Limited staff access

• Regular security monitoring

However, no online service can be 100% secure.

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights:

• Right to Access – request a copy of your data

• Right to Rectification – correct inaccurate information

• Right to Erasure – request deletion (in certain cases)

• Right to Restrict Processing

• Right to Data Portability

• Right to Object (e.g., marketing)

• Right to Withdraw Consent

• Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Data Protection Commission (Ireland)

To exercise your rights, email us at hello@loveapet.ie

9. Children’s Privacy

Our Website is not intended for individuals under 18.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

10. International Data Transfers

Some partners (e.g., Google, Meta) may store data outside the EU.

We ensure GDPR-level protection through:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)

• Adequacy decisions

• Additional security measures

11. Cookies

• We use cookies to operate the Website and improve your experience.

• For full details, please read our Cookie Policy.

12. Third-Party Links

• Our Website may contain links to external websites.

• We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

• Please review their policies before submitting data.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

• We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

• Changes will be posted on this page with the updated date.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions or wish to exercise your GDPR rights, please contact:

• hello@loveapet.ie

• www.loveapet.ie