Terms of Service | The Pet Keeper Project

THE PET KEEPER PROJECT — PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

The Pet Keeper Project was built to keep pets in homes, support families in crisis, and strengthen the bond between neighborhoods, shelters, and local businesses. Protecting your privacy is part of that mission. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have when you use our website, mobile app, or any related services.

If you have questions, you can contact us at petkeeperproject.com

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in a few different ways depending on how you use the platform.

1.1 Information You Provide
This includes:
• Account details like your name, email, phone number, city, and zip code
• Pet information like name, age, breed, photo, temperament
• Profile details for volunteers, pros, landlords, or businesses
• Housing details if you list a rental
• Service listings and descriptions
• Messages you send through the platform
• Posts, comments, reviews, photos, and contributions in the community forum
• Payment information processed through our third-party partners
• Documents for verification, such as trainer certificates, landlord references, or professional credentials

If you request help, you may also provide:
• Details about the challenge you are facing
• Financial information for grants or micro-funding
• Emergency or health-related information about your pet

1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you use the platform, we automatically collect:
• Device information (browser type, operating system, device model)
• IP address and general location (city-level or zip code-level only)
• Log data such as pages viewed, time on site, clicks, searches, and service interactions
• App diagnostics like crash reports and load times
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies for analytics and personalization

We do not track you across other websites, and we do not sell your browsing data.

1.3 Location Information
To protect safety and privacy, we only collect location in two ways:
• A zip code you enter
• Optional city-level geolocation for matching services nearby

We never show exact addresses publicly. Heatmaps and activity maps always display information at the neighborhood or regional level.

1.4 Information from Partners
Shelters, nonprofits, trainers, and verified service providers may share information about:
• Training completions
• Adoption status
• Verified professional credentials
• Outcomes tied to service requests or grants

When a partner shares information, they are required to follow privacy laws and obtain any necessary consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to operate the platform, improve services, and build the community safety net we’re known for.

We use data to:
• Create and manage your account
• Match pet owners with volunteers, professionals, or local businesses
• Support vet triage, training, and service bookings
• Connect renters with pet-friendly housing
• Show you relevant listings, resources, and local offers
• Moderate the forum and keep the community safe
• Process payments, grants, and donations
• Improve our features, user flow, and app performance
• Track real-world outcomes like pets kept in homes
• Provide customer support and technical help
• Run surveys, impact studies, and optional feedback programs
• Enforce our terms and prevent fraud or misuse

We may also use aggregated and de-identified data to understand trends, measure impact, and improve our prevention model. This information never identifies you personally.

3. How We Share Information

We only share information when it is necessary for the platform to function, when you give permission, or when required by law.

3.1 Sharing with Other Users
Depending on how you use the platform, your profile may be visible to others. For example:
• Pet owners, volunteers, and service providers can see each other’s public profiles
• Landlords may view renter profiles and pet badges
• Users can see posts or questions you submit to the forum
• Reviews, ratings, and badges appear publicly

You control what you add to your profile, and you can edit or remove most information at any time.

3.2 Volunteers and Service Providers
If you request help, the information you submit may be shared with:
• Local volunteers
• Trainers, vets, or contractors
• Verified service providers
• Nonprofit administrators handling grants or foster placements

We only share the details needed to respond to your request.

3.3 Partners and Shelters
We may share limited information with:
• Shelters uploading adoptable pets
• Housing partners verifying renters
• Trainers or vets confirming course completion
• Community organizations coordinating support

Partners must comply with our privacy standards.

3.4 Vendors and Technology Providers
We work with third-party companies for:
• Payments and payouts
• Secure document storage
• Identity or credential verification
• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Cloud hosting and database services
• Customer support tools
• Email and notification systems

These vendors are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide.

3.5 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by:
• Law
• Court order
• Government request
• To protect the safety of people or animals
• To investigate misuse, fraud, or security issues

We do not share information with law enforcement without a valid legal process unless someone is in immediate danger.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tools to:
• Log you in
• Remember preferences
• Improve our design and features
• Measure what works and what doesn’t

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features may not work as intended.

5. Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as needed for:
• Your use of the platform
• Legal obligations
• Grant or donation reporting
• Fraud prevention or dispute resolution
• Platform analytics and safety

If you delete your account, we remove or de-identify your personal information except where legally required to keep it.

6. Data Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your data, including:
• Encrypted transmission (HTTPS)
• Encrypted storage for sensitive data
• Role-based access controls
• Limited employee access
• Regular security reviews
• Backup and recovery systems

No platform is perfectly secure, but we work hard to protect your information and will notify you of any significant breach as required by law.

7. Children’s Privacy

The Pet Keeper Project is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children without parental consent. If we learn that we have collected information from a minor without approval, we will delete it.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights such as:
• Access your data
• Update or correct your information
• Delete your account
• Request a copy of your information
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Limit certain data uses
• Object to data processing
• Request that we not sell or share your personal data (we do not sell data)

Requests can be sent to petkeeperproject@gmail.com. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9. Nonprofit and For-Profit Data Use

The Pet Keeper Project uses a dual-structure model. Some features are provided by a nonprofit entity and others by a for-profit company that supports platform operations.

Your data may be shared between these two entities for:
• Grant reporting
• Program evaluation
• Service matching
• Fraud prevention
• Impact measurement
• Platform improvements

We do not share personal information with outside advertisers, brokers, or data sellers.

10. International Users

If you access the platform outside the United States or Canada:
• Your data may be stored or processed in the US
• Local laws may differ from those in your region
• We follow GDPR principles for EU users and provide equivalent rights

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect new features or legal requirements. If changes are significant, we’ll notify you through the app or email. The updated policy will include a new effective date.

12. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about privacy,
contact us at:

The Pet Keeper Project
Email: petkeeperproject@gmail.com