Privacy policy

Paws To Consider respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit our website, contact us, or use our dog walking and pet care services in Newton, MA. By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described below.

Paws To Consider, we us and our refer to the business providing dog walking and related pet care services in Newton, Massachusetts. You refers to any website visitor, customer, or person who contacts us.

We collect information in three main ways: information you give us, information collected automatically, and information from service-related communications.

Information you provide

We may collect details you share when you call, email, submit a form, or schedule services. This can include:

• Your name

• Phone number

• Email address

• Home address or service location

• Pet name, breed, age, health notes, behavior notes, and care instructions

• Preferred service times and schedule notes

• Entry instructions (such as keypad codes) and emergency contact information

• Billing or payment details (when applicable)

Information collected automatically

When you use our website, certain data may be collected automatically by standard web tools. This can include:

• Device type and browser type

• Approximate location (city or region level)

• Pages viewed, time spent on pages, and referral source

• IP address

• Basic cookies or similar tracking technologies are used for site functionality and analytics

Service communications

When you text, email, or message us, we may keep records of those communications to provide service, confirm schedules, and resolve issues.

We use information to deliver reliable dog walking and pet care and to run our business responsibly. 

Common uses include:

• Scheduling and providing services

• Communicating about visits, updates, and changes

• Creating and maintaining your pet’s care profile and household instructions

• Responding to questions and customer support requests

• Improving our website, services, and customer experience

• Processing payments and sending invoices or receipts when applicable

• Protecting safety, preventing fraud, and enforcing policies

• Meeting legal, tax, or regulatory obligations

We do not sell your personal information.

We share information only when it supports service delivery, safety, or business operations. 

We may share limited information with:

• Team members or contractors who need it to provide scheduled services (for example, your dog’s walking instructions and entry details)

• Service providers that help us run the business, such as scheduling tools, messaging tools, payment processing, or website hosting

• Professional advisors, such as accountants or attorneys, are available when needed.

• Authorities or emergency responders, when we believe it’s necessary to protect a person, a pet, or the public, or to comply with the law

We share only what is needed for the specific purpose.

We may send you visit updates that include photos of your pet. We treat these as private communications. If we ever want to share a photo, testimonial, or story publicly for marketing, we will ask for your permission first. You can say no, and services will not change.

To provide dog walking services, we may collect access instructions such as lockbox codes, alarm steps, or keypad codes. 

We store this information only as long as needed to provide services and maintain safety and continuity of care.

We limit access to entry instructions to people who need them to complete scheduled visits. We expect our team to follow strict rules:

• Keep keys and access details secure

• Do not share access information outside authorized team members

• Do not enter areas of the home not required for pet care

• Lock up and follow the exit instructions after each visit

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies that help the site work correctly and help us understand how visitors use it. 

Cookies can store preferences and support basic analytics.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. If you turn off cookies, some parts of the website may not work as intended.

If you pay for services electronically, payments may be processed through third-party payment providers. 

We do not store your full card details on our own servers when third-party processors handle payment. 

We may keep transaction records for accounting and customer service.

We take reasonable steps to protect your information. We use practical safeguards appropriate for a small service business, such as limiting access to customer profiles, securing devices used for business, and using reputable tools for scheduling and communication.

No method of data storage or transmission is completely secure. While we work hard to protect information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We keep personal information only as long as we need it for:

• Providing services you request

• Maintaining accurate business records

• Handling disputes, billing questions, or safety issues

• Meeting legal and tax requirements

When information no longer serves these purposes, we delete it or anonymize it when practical.

You can request:

• Access to the personal information we hold about you

• Corrections to inaccurate information

• Deletion of certain information, when appropriate

• Updates to communication preferences

To make a request, contact us using the details in the “Contact” section below. We may need to verify your identity before we act on certain requests.

Our services target adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website. If you believe a child provided personal information, contact us, and we will take steps to remove it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the policy on this page with a new effective date. Continued use of the website or services after updates means you accept the updated policy.