Privacy Policy

Introduction
Ginger and Tails is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal data, and your rights under UK data protection law.

For the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the data controller is Holly Smart, trading as Ginger and Tails. Ginger and Tails is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Please read this policy carefully to understand how your personal data is handled.

What personal data we collect
We may collect and process the following personal data.

Information you provide to us
This includes information you provide when you enquire about our services, register as a client, make or manage a booking, or contact us by phone, email, website forms or other correspondence.

This information may include your name, postal address, email address, telephone number, emergency contact details, and information relevant to the care of your pet where this is linked to you as the owner.

Website usage data
When you visit our website, we may collect information about how you use it, including through cookies and analytics tools. This may include IP address, browser type, pages visited and time spent on the site. Full details are set out in our Cookie Policy.

Lawful basis for processing your data
Under UK GDPR, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. We rely on the following bases.

Contract
Where processing is necessary to provide pet care services you have requested.

Legitimate interests
Where processing is necessary to run and manage our business, respond to enquiries, maintain records, and improve our services.

Legal obligation
Where we are required to retain certain records for tax, insurance or regulatory purposes.

Consent
Where you have given clear consent, for example for marketing communications or non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time.

How we use your personal data
We use your personal data to provide dog walking, pet visits and pet sitting services, manage bookings and client relationships, communicate with you about enquiries or services, maintain business records, improve our website and services, and comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

We do not sell your personal data.

Sharing your data
We do not share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

We may share personal data with trusted third-party service providers who act as data processors on our behalf where necessary to operate our business. This may include website hosting providers, email and communication services, accounting or invoicing software, and website analytics providers. This may also include advertising and social media platforms, such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Google, where you have provided consent.

All processors are required to handle your data securely and in accordance with data protection law.

International data transfers
Some third-party services we use may store or process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR, such as adequacy regulations or approved contractual protections.

Data security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data. Our website uses SSL encryption, and we regularly review our systems and processes.

While reasonable steps are taken to protect your data, transmission over the internet is not completely secure and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

Paper records, where used, are stored securely and disposed of safely when no longer required.

Data retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Client records are retained while you are an active client. Where services have ended, personal data is securely deleted or anonymised after a reasonable period, unless certain information must be retained for legal, tax or insurance purposes. Financial records are retained in line with HMRC requirements.

You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal obligations.

Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access your personal data, request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data, request erasure of your data where applicable, restrict processing of your data, object to processing based on legitimate interests, request data portability, withdraw consent at any time where consent is relied upon, and lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Requests can be made using the contact details below. Subject access requests are normally provided free of charge.

Cookies
Our website uses cookies. Full details about the cookies we use, including how to manage your preferences, are available in our Cookie Policy.

Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. Please check their privacy policies before submitting personal data.

Changes to this privacy policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page. Please check back periodically for updates.

Last updated: 09.01.26

How to contact us
Questions, comments and requests regarding this Privacy Policy should be addressed to:

Holly Smart
Ginger and Tails
Email: [email protected]
Address: 107 Butt Road, Colchester, CO3 3DG

If you are unhappy with how your data has been handled, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.