Children's Privacy Policy

At Paws Source, we are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all our users, including children. Our services focus on pet care, nutrition, and veterinary guidance, and we understand that children may visit our website or use our app with their pets. This Children's Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information collected from children under the age of 13.

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy. If you are a parent or guardian, please review this policy to understand how we protect your child's information.

1. Our Commitment to Children's Privacy

We recognize the importance of protecting children's privacy online. Our website and services are not directed specifically at children under the age of 13. However, we may inadvertently receive personal information from children. In such cases, we adhere to the following principles:

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.
• We limit the collection of data to what is strictly necessary for the service requested.
• We provide parents with clear controls over their child's information.

2. Information We May Collect

We do not design our services to solicit personal information from children. However, if a child interacts with our platform, the following types of information may be collected:

Information Provided by the Child

• Account Information: If a child creates an account without parental permission, we may collect a username, email address, and date of birth. We require users to confirm they are at least 13 years old or have parental consent during registration.
• Pet Profiles: Children may create profiles for their pets, including the pet's name, species, breed, and photos. We do not collect the child's personal address or phone number through pet profiles.
• Communications: If a child contacts our support team, we may collect their name and email address to respond to inquiries.

Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Data: We may collect browser type, device type, IP address, and pages visited for analytics and security purposes. This data is anonymized and not linked to specific children.
• Cookies: We use essential cookies to ensure the functionality of our website. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party analytics on pages where children are likely to be present without parental consent.

3. Parental Consent

We require verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from a child under 13. Consent may be obtained through:

• A credit card transaction that serves as a verification method.
• A signed consent form submitted via mail or email.
• A phone call or video call to our designated privacy contact.

If we discover that we have collected personal information from a child without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

4. How We Use Information

Any information collected from children with parental consent is used solely for the following purposes:

• To provide and improve our pet care services.
• To communicate with parents regarding their child's account or requests.
• To send educational pet care content if opted in by the parent.
• To comply with legal obligations and protect the safety of our users.

We do not sell, trade, or rent children's personal information to third parties. We do not use children's information for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling.

5. Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect children's personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest.
• Restricted access to personal information for authorized personnel only.
• Regular security audits and updates to prevent unauthorized access.

While we strive to protect children's information, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We encourage parents to monitor their children's online activities and teach them about online safety.

6. Parents' Rights & Choices

Parents and guardians have the right to:

• Review: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about their child.
• Delete: Request the deletion of their child's personal information at any time.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for the collection or use of information, which may result in the inability to use certain services.
• Opt-Out: Prevent the use of their child's information for direct marketing or communications.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to verified parental requests within 30 days.

7. Third-Party Links & Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. This policy does not apply to those external sites. We encourage parents to review the privacy policies of any third-party services their children may access. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Children's Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify parents of material changes via email or a prominent notice on our website. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was most recently revised.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Children's Privacy Policy or the information we hold about your child, please contact our Privacy Team: