Children's Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 24, 2025 | Effective Date: October 24, 2025

1. Introduction

Paws Source ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of all users, including children. This Children's Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information from visitors under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction) who use our website, mobile applications, or pet care services.

Our platform is not designed for or directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information (PII) from children under 13 without prior verifiable parental consent, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and applicable international regulations.

2. Information We May Collect

While Paws Source is not intended for children under 13, we recognize that children may occasionally visit our site with adult supervision. In such cases, we may only collect the following minimal information:

  • Parent/guardian contact information (email, phone number)
  • Pet profile data (name, species, breed, age) provided by the parent
  • Non-personal technical data (device type, IP address, cookies) for site functionality

We do not collect:

  • Children's names, addresses, or photos
  • Behavioral tracking or targeted advertising data
  • Location data from minor accounts

3. Parental Consent & Control

Before we collect any information from a child under 13, we require verifiable parental consent. This may include:

  • Signing a digital consent form
  • Providing a valid credit card for verification (no charges applied)
  • Identity verification through third-party services

Parents and guardians have the right to:

  • Review the information collected about their child
  • Refuse further collection or use of the child's data
  • Request deletion of their child's information
  • Revoke consent at any time by contacting our privacy team

4. How We Use Information

Any information collected from or about children under 13 is used strictly for:

  • Providing requested pet care services or educational content
  • Communicating with the parent/guardian regarding account status
  • Ensuring platform safety and compliance with legal obligations
  • Improving our website's usability and content quality

We never sell, trade, or rent children's information to third parties. We do not use behavioral profiling or targeted advertising directed at minors.

5. Data Security

Paws Source implements industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect children's data, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure. We encourage parents to monitor their child's online activity and report any unauthorized data collection.

6. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Children's Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we will notify parents through email or a prominent notice on our website. Continued use of our services after such notice constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

7. Contact Us

If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, or if you have questions about this policy, please contact us immediately:

  • Email: privacy@pawssource.com
  • Phone: (800) 555-PAWS (7297)
  • Mailing Address: Paws Source Privacy Office, 123 Care Lane, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

We aim to respond to all parental requests within 15 business days.