Information We Collect

WoofSpots collects information to provide better services to our users. We collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password (encrypted), and user profile data when you create an account
• Business Information: For business owners claiming listings - business name, contact information, verification documents, and subscription details
• Contest Submissions: Pup's name, your name, email address, optional daycare name, city, state, photo, and caption
• Lost & Found Pet Reports: Pet details, contact information, location, and photos to help reunite pets with owners
• Email Communications: Email address for newsletter, contest notifications, and service updates
• Payment Information: Processed securely through Stripe - we do not store full card details
• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and interaction data for analytics and abuse prevention

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Contest Administration: To manage contest entries, voting, and prize distribution
• Communication: To send contest updates, winner announcements, and optional newsletter content
• Fraud Prevention: IP tracking for rate limiting and preventing abuse (e.g., vote manipulation)
• Service Improvement: To understand how users interact with our platform and improve our services

Email Marketing & Consent

When you submit a contest entry, you may opt-in to receive:

• Contest winner announcements
• Future contest notifications
• Dog care tips and resources

You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email we send.

Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored securely on Vercel's infrastructure with industry-standard encryption. We retain contest data for the duration of the contest period and winner announcement. Email addresses are retained until you unsubscribe. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

IP Tracking & Rate Limiting

We track IP addresses to prevent voting abuse and ensure fair contest results. This includes:

• Rate limiting voting to 10 votes per hour per IP address
• Detecting and blocking automated voting scripts
• IP data is stored temporarily and not used for any other purpose

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

• UploadThing: For secure photo uploads
• Resend: For sending email notifications
• Vercel: For hosting and database services
• Stripe: For secure payment processing and subscription management

These services have their own privacy policies governing their use of your information.

Data Retention

We retain different types of data for varying periods based on business and legal requirements:

• Account Data: Retained for the lifetime of your account and 30 days after deletion
• Contest Submissions: Retained for the duration of the contest, winner announcement period, and up to 1 year for historical records
• Email Communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with tax and accounting regulations
• IP Address & Usage Logs: Retained for 90 days for security and fraud prevention purposes
• Lost & Found Reports: Retained for 6 months or until the pet is found, whichever comes first

Data may be retained longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as dispute resolution or legal compliance.

International Data Transfers

WoofSpots operates primarily in the United States. If you are accessing our services from the European Union or other regions with data protection laws, please note that your personal data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

We ensure that such transfers are conducted in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including using Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission where required. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your data to countries outside your country of residence.

GDPR Rights for EU Users

If you are a resident of the European Union, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions
• Right to Data Portability: You can request to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your personal data in certain circumstances
• Right to Object: You can object to our processing of your personal data for direct marketing or based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we process your data based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address provided in the Contact Us section below. We will respond to your request within 30 days as required by law.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data
• Request deletion of your personal data
• Opt-out of email communications at any time
• Withdraw contest submissions (contact us before voting period ends)

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

Last Updated: November 2025

Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact us through our website.