Privacy Policy
Last updated: 14 April 2026
1. Who we are (Data Controller)
PawFellowship is an independent community platform operated by a sole trader based in the United Kingdom.
- Email: [email protected]
The platform operator is the data controller for personal information collected through PawFellowship, and is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2. Information we collect
We collect information you provide directly when you:
- • Create an account (name, email address, password)
- • Complete your profile (location, bio, phone number, profile photo)
- • Add pets to your profile (pet name, type, breed, health information)
- • Send messages, RSVP to Paw Dates, or make care requests
- • Leave or receive reviews
We also automatically collect certain technical information (IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited) through cookies and similar technologies when you use the platform.
3. How we use your information and our lawful basis
Under UK GDPR, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. The table below sets out what we do with your data and the basis we rely on:
| Purpose | Lawful basis |
|---|---|
| Providing your account, Paw Dates, care requests, and messaging features | Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)) |
| Sending transactional emails (care request updates, Paw Date updates, password resets) | Performance of a contract (Article 6(1)(b)) |
| Displaying your public profile to other members | Performance of a contract / Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(b) and (f)) |
| Improving and securing the platform | Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)) |
| Complying with legal obligations | Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c)) |
| Optional analytics (with your consent) | Consent (Article 6(1)(a)) |
4. What we share
We do not sell your personal data. We share information only in the following circumstances:
- • With other members — to facilitate Paw Dates, care requests, and communication (name, general location, profile information, reviews)
- • With Google — if you consent to analytics cookies, anonymised usage data is shared with Google Analytics. See Google's Privacy Policy
- • When required by law — to comply with legal obligations or protect our legal rights
Some processors (such as Google and our hosting provider) may transfer data outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (such as UK adequacy decisions or Standard Contractual Clauses).
5. Your rights under UK GDPR
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- • Right of access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- • Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- • Right to erasure — request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances
- • Right to restrict processing — request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances
- • Right to data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format and transfer it to another controller
- • Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests
- • Right to withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent (e.g. analytics cookies), you may withdraw it at any time
You can delete your account and associated data at any time from your profile settings. For other data requests, contact us and we will respond within one month.
6. Right to complain to the ICO
If you believe we have not handled your personal data in accordance with the law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection:
- Website: ico.org.uk
- Helpline: 0303 123 1113
- Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns before you contact the ICO. Please contact us first.
7. Data retention
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, your personal profile data is removed promptly. Some data (anonymised transaction records) may be retained for up to 7 years for legal and accounting purposes as required by law.
8. Cookies
We use cookies to operate the platform and, with your consent, for optional analytics. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time. See our Cookie Policy for full details.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by email or by a prominent notice on the platform. The date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised.
10. Contact
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, please contact us or write to us at the registered address above.