Privacy Policy

Last Updated October 1st, 2024

We at Well Groomed Franchise System, Inc. ("Well Groomed Pets," "we," "us," or "our") have created this Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") because we take your privacy seriously and understand that you care about how the information you provide to us is used and shared. This Privacy Policy outlines the information collection and usage practices of Well Groomed Pets in connection with our online services, including those available on https://portal.wellgroomedpets.com (for store owners and staff), https://app.wellgroomedpets.com (for pet parents), and https://marketplace.wellgroomedpets.com (for partners).

This Privacy Policy explains the types of personal information we collect, how we use it, when and how it may be shared, and the rights and choices you have regarding your information. It also details how we communicate with you and how you can submit requests or inquiries about your information. Our goal is to help you understand all of this as part of our commitment to earning and maintaining your trust. By accessing, visiting, or using our Service, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy, and you agree to our Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of our Privacy Policy or Terms of Service, please discontinue use of the Service and stop engaging with Well Groomed Pets immediately.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Please review the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page to see when the Privacy Policy was last modified. Any changes will become effective on the “Last Updated” date indicated. If we make significant changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify users by posting a notice on our website and/or sending an email, or through other means as required by law.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information collected from employees, contractors, job applicants, owners, directors, or officers of Well Groomed Pets.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information to provide and improve our services:

Personal Information

Pet Parents: Information such as full name, addresses, phone numbers, email, and social links. We collect this data when you register on our platform or profile.

Store Owners and Staff: Business names, contact information, and financial details related to payment processing. Additionally, we collect staff information such as names, roles, and contact details.

Partners (Vets, Trainers, etc.): Business names, contact information, and service details.

Automatically Collected Information

We use cookies, analytics, and tracking technologies to collect information about user interactions with our platform (IP addresses, browser types, page interactions, etc.).

This information helps us manage the referral process and optimize the user experience for all our users, including partners and pet parents.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

- Facilitate Referrals: Provide pet parents with information necessary to manage and fulfill referrals (business contact details and information) within a 10-mile radius.
- Enhance User Experience: Analyze user interactions via cookies and tracking tools to optimize our platform’s functionality and improve services.
- Process Payments: Handle credit purchases and automatic recharges through secure third-party payment processors, like Stripe.
- Communicate with Users: Send relevant notifications (e.g., referral updates, billing details) via email, in-app alerts, and SMS through Twilio.

We may also use aggregated and anonymized data for statistical purposes to enhance our business operations without identifying individual users.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement industry-standard practices to ensure your data is protected:

SSL Encryption: All interactions between our portal and users are encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected during transmission.

Cloud Security: Our cloud-based data center employs robust security measures, including firewalls, data access controls, and regular monitoring for suspicious activities.

Third-Party Security: We partner with trusted third-party providers like Google (for email services), Stripe (for payment processing), and Twilio (for SMS), who are also committed to maintaining secure environments.

At Well Groomed Pets, the security of your personal information is a top priority. We safeguard our Service and all related data with technical, administrative, and physical measures to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure. However, no data transmission or storage system can be guaranteed as completely secure. We cannot guarantee the security of our databases or those of third parties with whom we may share information, nor can we guarantee that your data will not be intercepted during transmission over the Internet.

Emails sent to us may not be secure, so please exercise caution when deciding what information to share via email (avoid sending sensitive details like payment card information or government-issued IDs). You are responsible for maintaining the security of your passwords, browsers, and devices. If you have concerns about the security of your interactions with us (e.g., if you believe your account security has been compromised), please contact us using the information provided.

4. Third-Party Sharing

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. However, we do share information with referred pet parents and essential service providers, including:

Payment Processing: Stripe handles all payment transactions for credit purchases and automatic recharges.

Communication Services: Google provides email services for notifications and account verification. Twilio provides SMS services for notifications.

Partners: Information necessary to facilitate referrals and services (e.g., contact details of vets, trainers, etc.).

These service providers only access the data necessary to perform their functions and are bound by confidentiality agreements to ensure the protection of your privacy.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal data as long as necessary for operational and legal purposes:

Pet Parent and Partner Data: Retained while you use our services and for a reasonable period afterward for record-keeping and legal compliance.

Cookies and Tracking Data: Retained based on the duration set by your browser preferences or until you delete them.

You may request deletion of your personal information by contacting us at support@wellgroomedpets.com. We will comply unless the data is needed to fulfill our legal or operational obligations.

6. Your Privacy Rights

California Residents (CCPA)

If you reside in California, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to:

- Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
- Request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
- Opt-out of the sale of your personal information (though we do not sell data).

To exercise your rights, please contact us at support@wellgroomedpets.com. We aim to respond to your request within 30 days.

8. Refund Policy and Payment Terms

All payments for credits are processed securely through Stripe. Credits are used to access referrals, and when your credit balance is low, we will automatically recharge your account if the option is enabled. Refunds on credits are available. To request a refund, contact us at support@wellgroomedpets.com within 30 days of purchase.

Pet Parent Refunds

Refunds related to services provided by store owners (franchisees) are handled directly by the store owners. Pet parents should contact the store owner where the service was provided to request a refund.

9. International Users and GDPR Compliance

We are a U.S.-based business and primarily serve U.S. residents. While we currently comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we are not yet fully compliant with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, if you are located outside of the U.S. and use our services, you consent to the transfer of your data to the U.S. for processing under U.S. law.

We are actively reviewing our practices and may update this policy to comply with GDPR if required.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be communicated via email and in-app notifications. The effective date of the latest version will be clearly indicated at the top of this policy. Continued use of our services after any modifications signifies your acceptance of the updated terms.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us support@wellgroomedpets.com or at: 2034 Lupine, Lake Forest, CA 92610