Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Big Paws Dog Walking ("we", "us", or "our") is a small, locally operated pet care business based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We provide dog walking, dog sitting, and cat sitting services to clients in our local community.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our clients, their household members, and their pets. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and your rights under applicable Canadian privacy laws — including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Ontario's applicable legislation.
By using our services, contacting us, or submitting information through our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you inquire about or book our services, we may collect:
- Your full name and home address (required for service delivery)
- Contact information: phone number and email address
- Emergency contact name and phone number
- Pet information: name, breed, age, weight, temperament, medical conditions, dietary needs, and veterinary contact details
- Information about your pet's behavioural history, including reactivity or training notes
- Key or access code information necessary to enter your home for scheduled visits
- Payment information (processed securely through our payment provider)
- Any other information you voluntarily share with us
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- Your IP address and browser type
- Pages visited and time spent on our site
- Device type and operating system
- Referring website or search terms
This information is used for basic website analytics and does not identify you personally.
2.3 Photos and Videos
With your explicit consent, we may take photos or short videos of your pet during walks or visits for purposes such as sharing on our social media pages, providing you with updates, or for business marketing. You may withdraw this consent at any time by notifying us in writing.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected, which include:
- Scheduling, confirming, and delivering dog walking and pet sitting services
- Communicating with you about your bookings, updates, and service changes
- Contacting your emergency contact or veterinarian if required in an urgent situation
- Processing payments and issuing receipts
- Maintaining service records and pet care notes
- Sending occasional service updates or promotions (with your consent)
- Complying with legal obligations
We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making or profiling.
4. Legal Basis and Consent
Under PIPEDA, we collect, use, and disclose your personal information with your knowledge and consent. By booking our services or submitting your information, you consent to this Privacy Policy.
You may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. If you withdraw consent, we may be unable to continue providing services to you. Please contact us to discuss any concerns.
5. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share it only in the following limited circumstances:
- With your veterinarian or emergency contact, in the event of a pet emergency
- With payment processors, solely to complete transactions
- With service providers who assist us in operating our website (e.g., hosting providers), under strict confidentiality obligations
- As required by law, court order, or regulatory authority in Ontario or Canada
Any third party who receives your information is bound by obligations no less protective than those set out in this policy.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Typically:
- Active client records are retained for the duration of our service relationship
- Pet care notes are retained for up to two (2) years following your last booking
When information is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymised.
7. Security of Your Information
We take the security of your personal information seriously. We use reasonable physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
In the event of a privacy breach that poses a real risk of significant harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as required under PIPEDA.
8. Your Privacy Rights
As an Ontario resident, you have the right to:
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Withdraw consent to the collection or use of your information (subject to legal exceptions)
- Request that we stop using your information for direct marketing purposes
- File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you believe your privacy rights have been violated
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 11. We will respond within 30 days of receiving a written request, as required under PIPEDA.
9. Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your browsing experience and collect basic analytics. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect certain website functionality.
We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information without your knowledge.
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Big Paws Dog Walking
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
- Website: www.priv.gc.ca
- Toll-free: 1-800-282-1376
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.