Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Little Paws Grooming (“we”, “us”) is a dog grooming studio at 123 Example Street, Toronto ON  M5V 1A1. We are responsible for the personal information we collect. Our Privacy Officer, [Name], is accountable for how we handle it and is the person to contact with any question or concern (see Contact us).

2. What we collect through our booking form

When you request an appointment, we ask only for what we need to book and care for your dog:

When you send the form, we also receive:

• the page you were on, the date and time, and which button brought you to the form;
• any campaign tags in the link you followed (for example utm_source=newsletter), which describe our campaigns, not you, and tell us which emails or ads are working;
• simple spam checks, such as a hidden field that only automated bots fill in; and
• your IP address and browser details, which our website host and booking system record in standard security logs.

Please don’t include sensitive information about yourself in the notes field. Details about your dog’s health are welcome: they help us keep your dog safe.

3. How we use it

• To reply to your request and to book, confirm, reschedule or cancel appointments.
• To send appointment confirmations and reminders by email or text message, as part of the service you asked for.
• To keep a grooming record for your dog (coat notes, preferences, anything to watch for) so future visits go smoothly.
• If you opted in, to send occasional grooming tips and offers.
• To keep our website and booking form secure and free of spam.
• To meet our legal, tax and accounting obligations.

We won’t use your information for any other purpose without asking you first.

4. Your consent and choices

By sending the booking form, you agree to us using your information as described in this policy. You can withdraw that consent at any time by contacting us; if you do, we may not be able to book or provide appointments.

Marketing messages are strictly opt-in. We send tips and offers only if you tick the box on the booking form. Every marketing email or text message tells you how to unsubscribe, and we act on unsubscribe requests within 10 business days, as Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) requires. Appointment confirmations and reminders are part of your booking, so they continue while you have an appointment with us.

5. Who we share it with

We share your information only with service providers who help us run the business, only as much as they need, and only under agreements that require them to protect it:

• LeadConnector (HighLevel, also known as GoHighLevel): our booking and customer-management system. It stores booking requests and client records and sends our appointment emails and text messages.
• Our website host, [Host name]: runs this website and keeps short-term security logs.

Some of these providers store or process information outside Canada, including in the United States. While it’s there, it is protected by our agreements with them, but it may also be accessible to courts, law enforcement and national security authorities in that country.

We may also disclose information when the law requires it (for example, a court order) or in an emergency that threatens someone’s life, health or security. We never sell or rent personal information.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

This website doesn’t use cookies for advertising, and it sets no optional cookies unless you agree.

Strictly necessary

If we offer optional tools, we save your choice in your browser’s local storage (under the name lpg-consent) so we don’t ask on every page. It holds only your choices and the date you made them, and it expires after 12 months.

Optional (off unless you switch them on)

• Live chat (LeadConnector / GoHighLevel): lets you message us from the website. Once switched on, it sets its own cookies to keep your conversation going.
• Analytics (LeadConnector / GoHighLevel): counts visits and shows us which campaigns bring people to the site. Once switched on, it sets its own cookies.

Tools you haven’t switched on aren’t loaded at all. When we use optional tools, a “Cookie preferences” link appears at the bottom of every page so you can change your choices, and you can always delete cookies and site data in your browser’s settings.

7. How long we keep it

• Booking requests that don’t become an appointment: 12 months, then deleted.
• Client and grooming records: while you’re a client and for 2 years after your last visit.
• Invoices and payment records: 6 years, as the Canada Revenue Agency requires.
• Proof of your marketing consent: for as long as we send you messages, plus 3 years.

When information is no longer needed, we delete it or make it anonymous.

8. How we protect it

• This website uses HTTPS encryption, and the booking form only sends information over encrypted connections.
• Only staff who need client records can access them, using individual accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• We choose reputable service providers that are bound by confidentiality and security obligations.
• If a privacy breach creates a real risk of significant harm, we will notify you and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, as PIPEDA requires.

9. Your rights

You can ask us:

• what personal information we hold about you, how we’ve used it and who we’ve shared it with, and for a copy;
• to correct anything that’s inaccurate or incomplete; and
• to stop using your information for marketing, or to withdraw your consent more generally.

We’ll respond within 30 days, free of charge. If you’re not satisfied with our answer, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca (opens in a new tab) or toll-free at (800) 282-1376.

10. Children

Appointments are booked by adults. We don’t knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you think a child has sent us their details, contact us and we’ll delete them.

11. Changes to this policy

If we make important changes, such as adding a new tracking tool, we’ll update this page and the “last updated” date, and ask for your consent again where needed.

12. Contact us