1. Introduction
Welcome to Pet Rescue NZ. We understand that your privacy is paramount, especially when dealing with sensitive matters like pet rehoming. Pet Rescue NZ (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates www.petrescue.org.nz (the “Website”), providing an independent digital platform for Kiwis to connect and find new homes for companion animals.
We are fully committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring our practices comply with the Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand). This policy is designed to give you full clarity on what happens to your data when you interact with our family-run platform.
2. Scope of This Policy
This policy governs all interactions on the Website, including:
- Standard visitors browsing available pets.
- Registered users maintaining a profile.
- Sellers or families listing an animal for rehoming.
- Potential adopters communicating with listing owners via our internal tools.
Please note that once you leave our Website via an external link, this policy no longer applies. We encourage you to review the privacy terms of any third-party site you visit.
3. Personal Information We Collect
3.1 Information You Provide Directly
To provide a safe rehoming environment, we collect information at various touchpoints:
3.2 Information Collected Automatically
We use standard web technologies to collect technical data such as your IP address, device type (mobile vs desktop), and browser version. This helps us ensure the Website displays correctly for you and helps us identify and block malicious login attempts.
4. Purpose of Collection
We do not collect data "just because." Every piece of information has a purpose:
- Functionality: To allow you to log in, save listings, and manage your posts.
- Safety: To moderate listings and prevent fraudulent activity or "pet flipping."
- Communication: To allow potential adopters to contact you securely without exposing your email address immediately to the public.
- Improvement: To see which parts of our site Kiwis find most useful so we can build a better platform.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Under NZ law, we process your data because:
- You have given us Consent by registering.
- It is necessary to perform the Service you requested (e.g., publishing your pet's profile).
- We have a Legitimate Interest in keeping the platform secure for all animals and users.
6. Data Storage and Retention
Your data is stored on secure, encrypted servers provided by reputable third-party hosting companies. We do not keep your data forever. If your account becomes inactive for a significant period (typically 2 years) or if you request account deletion, we will remove your personal identifying information, keeping only anonymized records for statistical purposes.
7. Disclosure of Personal Information
We only share data when essential, such as with our hosting providers or if we are legally compelled by a New Zealand court or law enforcement agency (e.g., in cases of animal welfare investigations).
8. Google AdSense & Advertising
As a family-run site with no government funding, we use Google AdSense to help cover our server costs. Google uses cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits. This helps keep the ads relevant to you. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings.
9. Cookies
Cookies are small files that help us remember you. We use them for:
- Authentication: Keeping you logged in as you move between pages.
- Preferences: Remembering your search filters.
- Analytics: Understanding site traffic patterns.
10. User-Generated Content & Media
Warning: When you upload a photo of your pet, ensure it does not contain sensitive background information (like your home address visible through a window). Photos often contain "EXIF data" (metadata) which can include the GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken. We recommend stripping this data before uploading, or using our built-in tools where available to protect your privacy.
11. Children’s Privacy
Pet Rescue NZ is an adult-oriented platform. Users must be at least 13 years old to use the site. If we find a child has provided us with personal data, we will delete it immediately upon discovery.
12. Data Security
We use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption for all data transmission. While we work hard to protect your data, the internet is never 100% secure. We urge you to use a unique, strong password for your Pet Rescue NZ account.
13. International Data Transfers
While we are a New Zealand entity, some of our technical infrastructure (like cloud storage) may be located in Australia or the USA. By using the site, you acknowledge and consent to these standard technical transfers.
14. Your Rights Under the Privacy Act 2020
You are in control. You have the right to:
- Access: Ask us for a copy of the data we hold about you.
- Correction: Ask us to fix anything that is wrong.
- Erasure: Request that we close your account and delete your data.
Please email your requests to support@petrescue.org.nz. We aim to respond to all valid requests within 20 working days.
15. Platform Role & Limitations
Remember, we are a listing platform. We do not personally inspect the homes or the animals. Your safety and the safety of the animal depend on your own due diligence. Never share your full home address or financial details in a public comment.
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may refine this policy as the platform grows. If we make big changes, we will post a notice on the homepage. Your continued use of the site means you agree to the latest version.
