Privacy Policy

PRIVACY NOTICE POLICY

 Effective date: 09/02/2025       Last updated: 09/02/2025

1. Introduction

At Paws of Hope Bulldog Rescue, we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all individuals who interact with us, including those who surrender dogs for rehoming, those who adopt dogs, our volunteers, veterinary practices, and other stakeholders. This Privacy Notice document outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We take data privacy seriously and are dedicated to ensuring that personal information is handled responsibly, securely, and transparently. This document outlines our policies on data collection, processing, sharing, retention, and your rights concerning your data.

 

2. Data controller

Paws of Hope Bulldog Rescue is the data controller responsible for processing personal data under this Privacy Notice. If you have any questions regarding our use of personal data, you can contact us at:

Email: enquiries@pawsofhope.uk

 

3. Personal data we collect

We collect and process various types of personal data depending on your relationship with our charity:

(a) Individuals surrendering a dog:

• Name, address, email, and telephone number

• Details of the dog (name, age, breed, medical history, behavioural traits, and reason for rehoming)

• Rehoming circumstances and background

• Veterinary history and treatment records (if applicable)

• Any additional information necessary to ensure the welfare of the dog

(b) Individuals adopting or fostering a dog:

• Name, age, address, email, and telephone number

 

• Home environment details (e.g., property details, garden size, security, other pets, family composition)

• Lifestyle and work patterns to assess suitability for adoption

• Previous experience with dog ownership

• Vet details (if applicable)

(c) Volunteers:

• Name, age, address, email, and telephone number

• Emergency contact information

• Checks, references, and any relevant certifications

• Training records and role-related information

(d) Veterinary practices and third-party service providers:

• Practice name, address, email, and telephone number

• Contact details of relevant personnel

• Agreements, invoicing, and payment records (where applicable)

 

4. How we collect personal data

We collect personal data through:

• Direct interactions (e.g., completing forms, email communications, phone conversations, in-person visits)

• Third-party references (e.g., veterinary professionals, previous owners)

• Automated technologies, such as website cookies

 

5. Purpose and legal basis for processing data

We process personal data for the following reasons:

(a) Facilitating dog rehoming

• Assessing the suitability of individuals surrendering or adopting dogs

• Matching dogs with appropriate homes

• Ensuring the welfare of surrendered and adopted dogs

• Legal basis: Legitimate interests in ensuring successful rehoming and animal welfare

(b) Volunteer management

• Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers

• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies

• Maintaining records of volunteer contributions

• Legal basis: Performance of a contract and legitimate interests in managing volunteers

(c) Collaboration with veterinary practices

• Coordinating veterinary care for dogs in our rescue

• Sharing relevant details for medical treatment and welfare

• Legal basis: Legitimate interests in ensuring animal health and welfare

(d) Compliance with legal obligations

• Retaining records for legal, regulatory, and tax purposes

• Responding to legal requests from authorities

• Legal basis: Compliance with legal obligations

 

6. Data sharing and confidentiality

We may share personal data with:

• Adopters: Limited details about a dog's medical and behavioural history

• Veterinary practices: Information necessary for treatment and care

• Regulatory authorities: If required by law or to protect the welfare of individuals and animals

We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties. Any data shared externally is done so with strict confidentiality agreements in place.

 

7. Data retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. The retention periods are:

• Individuals surrendering dogs: Data permanently retained after the rehoming process concludes

• Adopters and foster carers: Data permanently retained after adoption

• Volunteers: Data retained for 6 years after the end of involvement

• Veterinary Practices and Service Providers: Data is retained as long as the professional relationship is active

Once the retention period expires, personal data is securely deleted or anonymised.

 

8. Data security

We implement robust security measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Encrypted storage systems

• Access controls and authentication protocols

• Regular security audits and staff training

 

9. Your rights under UK GDPR

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Right to access – Request a copy of your personal data

• Right to rectification – Correct inaccurate or incomplete data

• Right to erasure – Request deletion of your personal data under certain conditions

• Right to restrict processing – Limit the way your data is processed

• Right to data portability – Transfer your data to another organisation

• Right to object – Object to how your data is processed

To exercise these rights, contact us at enquiries@pawsofhope.uk 

 

10. Changes to this privacy notice

We may update this Privacy Notice periodically to reflect changes in data protection laws or our processing activities. The latest version will always be available on our website.

If you have any questions or require further clarification, please use the contact details provided above to reach out to us.