We Commit to Your Privacy

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Search A Vet's online vet consultation service. Whether you are accessing our platform as a pet owner seeking veterinary advice or as a veterinarian providing consultations. By using our service, you consent to collecting, using, and disclosing your personal information as described in this policy.

Please take the time to review this Privacy Policy carefully to understand how we collect, use, and protect your data. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our privacy practices.

What Information Do We Collect

At Search A Vet, we may collect the following types of information

Personal Information

With your consent, we may collect your personal data. It could be different for pet parents and veterinarians. However, our respect for your privacy, handling your data in a protected way, and adherence to applicable laws – remain the same – for all pirates involved. Here’s what we collect from both: 

For Clients

We may collect these details from a pet owner to register their account with us.

For Vets

We take the information from Vets when they subscribe to our service and provide their listing to the site. However, this information doesn’t enable us to identify a veterinarian or judge their qualifications. Instead, it is kept safe as “Personal Information” –  under applicable data protection law. 

i. Account and Profile Data

When you make an account on our site or app, we gather its information. It may include details about your bookings, orders, or subscriptions. This also includes payment information such as debit or credit card transaction details.

Additionally, we may collect information or data you provide when engaging in interactive features on our platform. Such as participating in surveys or promotions. 

ii. Customer Service

When you interact with us or our customer support team, we may collect any Personal Information you voluntarily provide – to address your inquiry, investigate or resolve issues, or communicate with you effectively. 

This may include Personal Information shared during phone conversations, written correspondence (such as letters, emails, chat messages, or texts), interactions on our social media pages, raising support tickets, or providing feedback. 

The information you provide may contain your name, contact details, details about your use of our services, or interactions with other users. We are committed to utilizing this information solely to enhance your customer experience and provide you with the support you need.

Technical Information

When you use our website or mobile application, we automatically collect certain technical information about your device and browsing activity. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and usage data. We use this information to analyze trends, administer our platform, and enhance user experience.

i. Log files

Log files serve as a record of each time someone visits our website. Capturing essential details about your interaction with our platform. These files contain information regarding your operating system, including the date, time, and duration of your visit. They help us analyze trends, administer the site, track user movements, and gather demographic information for aggregate use.

Log files play a crucial role in ensuring our website's functionality, security, and optimization, allowing us to improve your browsing experience continuously. Rest assured, the data collected in log files is used solely for internal purposes and is treated with the utmost confidentiality and security.

ii. Device Identifiers

Device identifiers include various methods, such as identifying your IP address. Your IP address serves as a unique identifier assigned to your device when connecting to the internet. We utilize IP addresses for several purposes, including identifying repeat visitors to our platform and preventing fraudulent activities. 

By tracking IP addresses, we can analyze visitor traffic patterns, detect suspicious behavior, and safeguard the security of our services.  We handle IP addresses with the utmost confidentiality and only use them for legitimate business purposes outlined in our Privacy Policy.

iii. Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer when you visit our sites. Serving to identify your device's IP address each time you interact with our platform. These cookies may be either session cookies, which expire once you close your web browser, or persistent cookies, which remain on your computer until deleted. We utilize cookies to collect and store specific information, including your preferences, to enhance and personalize your browsing experience. 

Additionally, cookies enable us to gather aggregated statistical data, similar to the information obtained through log files. You have the option to disable or block cookies in your browser settings.

iv. Analytics

Analytics involves the collection and analysis of statistics concerning visitors to our site. Providing valuable insights into user behavior and preferences. This data contains various sources, including information about search engine referrals, display advertisements, pay-per-click (PPC) networks, and email marketing campaigns.

By utilizing analytics tools, we gather detailed metrics such as website traffic, page views, click-through rates, and conversion rates. These analytics help us assess the effectiveness of our marketing strategies, optimize our website performance, and improve user engagement.  

Third-party Policy 

Search A Vet engages with third-party services and partners to enhance the functionality and efficiency of our platform. When sharing data with third parties, we prioritize protecting your privacy and adhering to strict confidentiality standards. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third parties to understand how they collect, use, and protect your information.

i. Sensitive Data

Sensitive data may include information such as medical records, financial details, or personally identifiable information (PII). In the handling of sensitive data, we acknowledge the importance of maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and security. When engaging with third-party services or partners, we ensure that any sensitive data shared remains protected and is only used for the intended purposes outlined in our Privacy Policy.

ii. Children's Information

We are committed to protecting the privacy of children online and comply with all relevant laws and regulations governing the collection and use of children's information. Our services are not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18 without parental consent. Under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar regulations, we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without verifiable parental consent. Parents or legal guardians who believe their child has provided us with personal information without their consent should contact us promptly.

GDPR Protection Rights

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals in the European Union (EU) have specific data protection rights regarding their personal information. These rights include

The Right to Access 

You have the right to obtain confirmation from us as to whether or not personal data concerning you is being processed, and, where that is the case, access to the personal data and certain related information.

Right to Rectification

You have the right to request the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you and to have incomplete personal data completed.

Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)

You have the right to request the erasure of personal data concerning you under certain circumstances, such as when the data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or processed.

Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data under certain circumstances, such as when you contest the accuracy of the data or the lawfulness of processing.

Editorial Guidelines

i. Mission and Priorities

Our editorial mission and priorities are centered around providing accurate, reliable, and informative content to our users. We aim to empower pet owners with valuable insights and resources to ensure the health and well-being of their beloved pets. We prioritize content that is relevant, timely, and evidence-based, reflecting our commitment to delivering trustworthy information that meets the needs of our diverse audience.

ii. We Ensure Transparency 

Transparency is a core value in our editorial process. We believe in openly communicating with our audience about the sources, methodologies, and motivations behind our content. To ensure transparency, we clearly disclose any conflicts of interest, sponsored content, or affiliations that may influence our editorial decisions. Additionally, we provide opportunities for user feedback and engagement, welcoming constructive criticism to improve the quality and integrity of our content.

iii. Diversity Policy

We recognize the importance of representing diverse perspectives, voices, and experiences within our platform. Our diversity policy encompasses efforts to feature content reflecting the rich backgrounds, cultures, and identities in our global community. We strive to amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives, promoting a more inclusive and equitable environment for all our users.

iv. Fact-Checking Standards

Fact-checking is a fundamental aspect of our editorial process. We employ rigorous fact-checking standards to verify the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in our content. Our team of experienced editors and subject matter experts meticulously scrutinize sources, cross-reference data, and corroborate claims to ensure that our content is based on credible and authoritative information.

v. Correction Policy

We prioritize transparency and accountability in our corrections process, openly acknowledging mistakes and providing explanations for the corrective actions taken. By upholding a commitment to accuracy and accountability, we strive to maintain the trust and confidence of our audience.