Last Updated: May 2025
Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit or interact with our website. By using our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
Information We Collect
Comments
When visitors leave comments on our site, we collect:
- The data shown in the comments form (name, email address, website)
- Visitor’s IP address
- Browser user agent string to help with spam detection
An anonymised string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
Media
If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.
Account Information
For users who register on our website, we collect and store the personal information provided in their user profile.
Log Data
We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Referral source
- Length of visit and pages viewed
- Other statistics
How We Use Cookies
Comment Cookies
If you leave a comment on our site, you may opt in to saving your name, email address, and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.
Functional Cookies
If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices:
- Login cookies last for two days
- Screen options cookies last for a year
- If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks
- If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed
If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.
Cookie Management
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
Embedded Content From Other Websites
Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves exactly as if you had visited the other website directly.
These websites may:
- Collect data about you
- Use cookies
- Embed additional third-party tracking
- Monitor your interaction with the embedded content, including tracking your interaction if you have an account and are logged in to that website
We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of websites you visit.
Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties except in the following circumstances:
- When required by law
- To protect our rights
- With third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website
- With your consent
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.
Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.
Data Storage and Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
How Long Do We Retain Your Data
- Comments and their metadata are retained indefinitely to facilitate automatic approval of follow-up comments
- For registered users, we store the personal information provided in their user profile until the account is deleted
- Server logs containing IP addresses and user activity are typically retained for 1 year
Your Data Protection Rights
You have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions
- Restriction: Request limitation on how we use your data
- Data Portability: Request an exported file of the personal data we hold about you
- Objection: Object to our processing of your personal data
This does not include data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.
To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@furbuddys.co.za.
International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, which may have different data protection laws.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by an updated “Last Updated” date, and the updated version will be effective as soon as it is accessible.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
- Email: info@furbuddys.co.za