Privacy Policy

Introduction

Cat Grooming Directory ("we," "our," or "us") operates the catgroomingdirectory.com website. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you understand how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.

This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection and use of your information when you use our website and services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you use our services, you may voluntarily provide us with:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, and phone number when requesting quotes or contacting groomers
• Location Information: City, state, and zip code to find groomers near you
• Cat Information: Your cat's name, breed, age, coat type, and temperament to help groomers prepare for appointments
• Business Information: For groomers claiming or adding listings, including business name, address, and contact details

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, version, and operating system
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or source
• Date and time of your visit

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Deliver relevant advertisements
• Improve our website performance

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Connect You with Cat Groomers: Share your contact and cat information with groomers when you request quotes or inquiries
• Improve Our Services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance our website functionality and user experience
• Communicate with You: Send confirmations, respond to inquiries, and provide customer support
• Send Relevant Communications: With your consent, send newsletters, grooming tips, or promotional offers
• Display Advertising: Show relevant advertisements through Google AdSense and similar services
• Maintain Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or other harmful activities

Information Sharing

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Cat Groomers

When you request quotes or contact a groomer through our platform, we share your contact information and cat details with the relevant groomer(s) to facilitate your inquiry.

With Service Providers

We work with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, processing data, or delivering services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

With Advertisers

We share anonymized, aggregated data with advertising partners. We do not sell your personal information to advertisers. However, advertising partners may collect information through cookies for targeted advertising purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
• Government requests
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Enforcement of our Terms of Service

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and cannot be disabled
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website
• Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure ad effectiveness
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Google AdSense

We display advertisements through Google AdSense, which uses cookies to serve ads based on your visits to our site and other sites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.

How to Manage Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can delete existing cookies, allow or block cookies, and set preferences for certain websites. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Third-Party Services

Our website integrates with the following third-party services:

• Google Analytics: Website analytics and traffic analysis
• Google AdSense: Display advertising network
• Vercel: Website hosting and infrastructure

Each of these services has their own privacy policies governing their use of data. We encourage you to review their policies.

Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Maintain business records

Quote requests and lead information are retained for up to 2 years. Contact form messages are retained for up to 1 year after resolution.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access Your Data: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correct Your Data: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Delete Your Data: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
• Opt Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@catgroomingdirectory.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Children's Privacy

Cat Grooming Directory is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top
• Sending an email notification for significant changes (if applicable)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.