Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for VetDirect.ca

Effective Date: October 8, 2024

At VetDirect.ca ("VetDirect," "we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at vetdirect.ca (the "Site"), use our mobile veterinary services, or interact with our clinic services in Calgary, Okotoks, and surrounding areas. By using our Site or services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site or use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our compassionate pet care services, including in-clinic and mobile veterinary visits. The types of information we may collect:

Personal Information

- Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address (for scheduling appointments or sending service confirmations).

- Pet Information: Details about your pet(s), such as name, breed, age, medical history, and vaccination records (to deliver tailored veterinary care).

- Payment Information: Billing details, including credit card numbers or other payment methods (processed securely through third-party providers).

- Appointment and Service Data: Preferences, notes from visits, and communication history.

 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit the Site or use our online booking tools:

- Device and Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, time spent on the Site, and referral sources.

- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tools to enhance your experience, analyze Site usage, and remember preferences. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from service partners (e.g., payment processors) or publicly available sources to verify details or improve our services.

We do not collect sensitive information (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, or health data beyond what's necessary for pet care) unless explicitly provided for service delivery.

 2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

- To schedule, manage, and provide veterinary services, including mobile visits and clinic appointments.

- To process payments and send invoices or receipts.

- To communicate with you about your appointments, pet health updates, or promotional offers (with your consent where required).

- To improve our services, analyze trends, and personalize your experience on the Site.

- To comply with legal obligations, such as health and safety regulations for veterinary practices.

- For internal operations, like training staff or resolving disputes.

 3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it in limited circumstances:

- Service Providers: With trusted third parties who assist us, such as payment processors (e.g., Stripe), email service providers (e.g., Mailchimp), or IT support vendors. These parties are contractually obligated to protect your data.

- Legal Requirements: If required by law, such as in response to a court order, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.

- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

- With Your Consent: For any other purpose with your explicit approval.

We ensure that any shared information is limited to what's necessary and protected under appropriate agreements.

 4. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. This includes encryption for sensitive data (e.g., payment information), secure servers, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by applicable laws, such as Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

5. Cookies and Tracking

Our Site uses cookies to:

- Maintain your session during booking.

- Track Site performance and user behavior (anonymously, where possible).

- Deliver targeted ads on third-party sites (if you opt-in).

You can opt out of non-essential cookies via our cookie banner or browser settings. For more details, see our Cookie Policy (linked on the Site footer).

We do not respond to "Do Not Track" signals from browsers, as the standard is still evolving.

6. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such collection, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided information should contact us at the details below.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Under applicable privacy laws (including PIPEDA), you may have the right to:

- Access, correct, or delete your personal information.

- Withdraw consent for certain uses (e.g., marketing emails).

- Opt out of data sharing or targeted advertising.

- Request information about disclosures.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in Section 10. We will respond within 30 days. Note that some requests may be limited by legal obligations (e.g., retaining medical records for pet care compliance).

You can unsubscribe from emails via the "Unsubscribe" link or manage preferences in your account settings.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above, or as required by law (e.g., 7 years for financial records under Canadian tax laws). Pet medical records are kept indefinitely or until you request deletion, subject to veterinary regulations.

 9. International Data Transfers

VetDirect operates in Canada, and your data is primarily stored and processed here. If we transfer data internationally (e.g., to U.S.-based cloud providers), we ensure equivalent protections through contracts compliant with PIPEDA.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the revised version on the Site with an updated effective date. Significant changes will be notified via email or a Site banner. Continued use of our services after updates constitutes acceptance.

 11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact our Privacy Officer:

- **Email**: admin@vetdirect.ca

- **Phone**: (403) 909-7484

- **Mail**: VetDirect, 184 North Railway St. Okotoks Alberta , Canada T1S 0E2

We are dedicated to resolving privacy issues promptly and transparently. You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for further assistance.

Thank you for trusting VetDirect with your pet's care and your personal information.