Privacy policy
This policy explains what The Pet Times collects, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the control you have over it. In short: we collect as little as we can, we tell you plainly what happens to it, and we never sell your personal data. The longer version below spells out the details, because you deserve specifics rather than vague assurances.
The Pet Times ("The Pet Times," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website at thepettimes.com and any related newsletters, feeds, and services (together, the "Site"). This policy applies to personal information we collect through the Site. It does not apply to third-party websites or services we link to, which have their own privacy practices. By using the Site, you acknowledge the practices described here.
The Pet Times is operated by OKAY LLC (doing business as The Pet Times), located at 2222 W. Grand River Ave, Ste A, Okemos, MI 48864, USA.
Who this policy is for
This policy is written for everyone who visits the Site: casual readers who never share a detail with us, subscribers who sign up for a newsletter, and anyone who emails us with a question, correction, or request. Different sections apply depending on how you use the Site, and we have tried to make clear which is which.
Information we collect
We collect information in three ways: information you give us directly, information we collect automatically as you browse, and information we receive from the service providers who help us run the Site.
Information you give us
- Newsletter sign-ups. When you subscribe, we collect your email address and, if you provide it, your first name. This is the minimum needed to deliver the newsletter you asked for.
- Messages and corrections. When you contact us, we collect your email address and whatever you choose to put in your message. Editorial corrections sometimes include details about an article, which we keep so we can follow up.
- Survey or feedback responses. If we ever run a reader survey, we collect only what you volunteer, and we tell you at the time how it will be used.
Information we collect automatically
- Usage and analytics data. As you read, we collect standard analytics such as pages viewed, time on page, referring links, the search terms that brought you here, approximate location (typically city or region, derived from your IP address), and general engagement patterns. This tells us which articles are useful and which need work.
- Device and technical data. Browser type and version, operating system, screen size, language, and similar technical details that help the Site display correctly.
- Cookies and similar technologies. Small files and identifiers stored on your device, described in the Cookies section below.
Information from partners
Our email platform, analytics provider, and hosting and content-delivery partners process data on our behalf and may report aggregate information back to us, such as open rates or overall traffic trends. We do not buy personal information about you from data brokers.
How we use your information
We use the information above for the following purposes, and no others without telling you first:
- To send the newsletters you asked for, and to improve their content and timing.
- To respond to your messages, corrections, and requests.
- To measure and improve the Site in aggregate, including understanding which topics readers find valuable.
- To keep the Site secure, prevent abuse and fraud, and diagnose technical problems.
- To comply with our legal obligations and enforce our terms.
Where the law requires a legal basis for processing (for example, under UK and EU data protection law), we rely on your consent for newsletters and non-essential cookies, on our legitimate interests for security and aggregate analytics, and on legal obligation where a law compels us to act. You can withdraw consent at any time, as described under "Your choices and rights."
Advertising, affiliate links, and analytics
The Pet Times is partly supported by affiliate links, including through the Amazon Associates program. When an article links to a product and you buy it, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. To make that work, the retailer places a tag on the link (for example, our Amazon tag) and may set its own cookies so it can attribute the sale. Those cookies and the resulting data are controlled by the retailer under its own privacy policy, not ours. We do not receive your name, address, or payment details from these purchases; we generally see only aggregate reporting such as the number of qualifying orders.
We use a privacy-conscious analytics setup to understand traffic, and we do not run intrusive ad networks that build cross-site advertising profiles of you. If that ever changes, we will update this policy and, where required, ask for your consent first.
Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use a limited set of them:
- Essential cookies keep the Site working, remember basic preferences, and help with security. The Site cannot function properly without these.
- Analytics cookies help us count visits and understand how the Site is used, in aggregate.
- Affiliate cookies may be set by retailers when you click a product link, so a purchase can be attributed to us.
You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings, and you can usually set your browser to warn you before accepting one. Some features may work less smoothly if you do. Where required by law, we ask for your consent to non-essential cookies through a banner when you first visit.
How we share information
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share data only in these limited situations:
- Service providers. Companies that host the Site, deliver our email, and provide analytics process data on our behalf under contracts that limit their use of it to providing the service.
- Legal and safety reasons. When we are legally required to, or when it is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of The Pet Times, our readers, or the public.
- Business transfers. If The Pet Times is ever involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this policy.
How long we keep information
We keep personal information only as long as we need it for the purposes described here. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it. Correspondence is kept while it is useful for follow-up and record-keeping, then deleted. Aggregate analytics that no longer identify you may be kept longer to understand trends over time.
How we protect information
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we hold, including access controls and encryption in transit. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to reduce risk and to respond promptly if something goes wrong.
Your choices and rights
You have real control over your information:
- Unsubscribe from any newsletter using the link in its footer. It takes effect promptly.
- Access, correct, or delete the personal data we hold about you by emailing us. We will verify your request and respond within the time the law allows.
- Object to or restrict certain processing, and withdraw consent you previously gave, without affecting processing that already happened.
- Data portability — you can ask for a copy of the information you gave us in a portable format.
If you are in California
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the CPRA, California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect and how we use and disclose it, to request access to and deletion of that information, to correct inaccurate information, and not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. Because we do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, there is no need to opt out of a sale, but you may still exercise your other rights by contacting us at the address below.
If you are in the UK or EU
If you are in the United Kingdom or European Economic Area, you have the rights described above under the UK GDPR and GDPR, and you may lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. We aim to make that unnecessary by resolving concerns directly first.
Children's privacy
The Site is intended for a general adult audience and is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 where local law sets a higher age). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Links to other sites
Our articles link to retailers, studies, veterinary organizations, and other outside resources. Once you follow a link, you are on a site we do not control, governed by that site's own privacy policy. We encourage you to read the policies of any site you visit.
International visitors
The Pet Times is operated from the United States, and information we collect is processed there. If you visit from another country, you understand that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the Site evolves or the law changes. When we make material changes, we will update the "last updated" date at the top and, where appropriate, give more prominent notice. Continued use of the Site after an update means you accept the revised policy.
Contact us
Questions, requests, or concerns about this policy or your data? Reach us through our contact page or by email at [email protected], and we will take care of it. You can also write to us by mail:
OKAY LLC (DBA The Pet Times)
2222 W. Grand River Ave, Ste A
Okemos, MI 48864, USA