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Privacy Policy

Business details

Effective date: 01/01/2026
Who we are: Welly Walks.
Contact: wellywalks25@gmail.com, 07592527941, OX10 9RT.

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What data we collect

We only collect information needed to deliver our services and run the business:

  • Identity & contact details: name, address, phone, email. 

  • Pet details: pet name(s), breed, age, temperament, vaccination status, microchip number (if relevant), vet contact, feeding and exercise needs.

  • Service & booking information: dates/times, pickup/drop‑off instructions, payment status, and communications history (e.g., via website forms or WhatsApp). 

  • Website data: device, IP address, and cookie/analytics data if you accept non‑essential cookies on our Wix site.

Note: If you choose to share any health information about yourself or your pet that reveals medical details, we treat this as special category data and will only process it when necessary and lawful (e.g., vital interests in an emergency, or with your explicit consent).

How we collect your data

  • Online forms: via our Wix website (contact, booking, enquiry forms). 

  • Messaging: through WhatsApp (Business) and SMS. 

  • Direct: phone calls, emails, and paper forms completed during meet‑and‑greets or service delivery.


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Why we use your data (purposes) & our lawful bases

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

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Sharing your data

We do not sell your data. We may share limited data:

​Service providers (processors):

  1. Wix (website host/forms). Wix acts as our data processor and provides GDPR tools for site owners. 

  2. Messaging providers: WhatsApp (for customer communications). If we use WhatsApp, we aim to use WhatsApp Business features and good-practice consent notices. 

  • Accounting/payment tools: [e.g., HMRC records / payment processor if applicable].

  • Veterinary practices: where necessary to safeguard your pet (e.g., emergencies). Vital interests.

  • Legal/insurance: if required to comply with law or to establish/defend legal claims. Legal obligation/legitimate interests.

  • We require processors to protect your data and only act on our instructions, consistent with UK GDPR.


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How long we keep your data

We keep data only as long as necessary:

​Booking & service records: usually [e.g., 6 years] to meet tax/accounting requirements.

  • Pet profiles & contact history: [e.g., 24 months] from your last service, then securely deleted unless you re‑book.

  • Marketing consents: until you withdraw consent or after [e.g., 24 months] of inactivity.

​ICO guidance recommends stating retention periods and deleting data securely when no longer needed.


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How long we keep your data

We take reasonable steps to protect data, including:

  • Secured Wix site (SSL) and protected admin access.

  • Strong device security for mobile/WhatsApp and limited access to customer data. 

  • Minimising paper records and storing them securely when used.

  • Staff/assistants (if any) are briefed on confidentiality and data protection basics.

Small businesses must implement proportionate security and be accountable for data protection practices.


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Your rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your data (get a copy).

  • Rectify inaccuracies.

  • Erase data in certain cases.

  • Restrict or object to processing.

  • Data portability for information you provided.

  • Withdraw consent (for marketing) at any time.

To exercise your rights, contact wellywalks25@gmail.com. We respond within one calendar month, per ICO guidance for SMEs.

Cookies & tracking (Wix site)

We use essential cookies to make the site work. With your consent, we may use analytics/marketing cookies to understand site usage and improve services. You can manage cookies via our banner and your browser settings. For details on Wix’s GDPR tools (including cookie consent).

Using WhatsApp

If you contact us via WhatsApp:

  • We use WhatsApp mainly for scheduling and service messages.

  • You can opt out of WhatsApp and use email/phone instead.

  • We avoid sharing unnecessary personal or sensitive details over chat and will move to email/phone when appropriate.

  • For marketing via WhatsApp, we’ll only message you with your prior consent and you can stop messages at any time.

Good practice is to use WhatsApp Business and provide clear information about purposes, lawful basis and opt‑outs

Complaints

If you’re unhappy with how we handle your data, please contact us first so we can put things right. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk

Changes to this notice

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website and we’ll highlight significant changes. ICO recommends keeping privacy notices up to date and accessible.

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