Harbour Hounds Privacy Policy

Harbour Hounds Privacy Policy (GDPR)

Effective Date: 18 July 2026

At Harbour Hounds, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Irish data protection laws.

By using our website or booking our services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Who We Are

Harbour Hounds provides professional dog walking, daycare, home boarding and pet sitting services.

For the purposes of data protection legislation, Harbour Hounds is the Data Controller of the personal information you provide to us.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us using the details provided on our website.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following information when you contact us, complete a booking form or use our services:

Personal Information

  • Name

  • Address

  • Email address

  • Telephone number

  • Emergency contact details

Pet Information

  • Dog's name

  • Breed

  • Age

  • Sex

  • Veterinary details

  • Vaccination records

  • Medical conditions

  • Medications

  • Behavioural information

  • Feeding routines

  • Exercise requirements

  • Emergency care instructions

Booking Information

  • Booking dates

  • Services requested

  • Payment information

  • Collection and drop-off details

Website Information

When you visit our website, limited technical information may be collected automatically, such as:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Pages visited

  • Cookies (where applicable)

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide the services you have requested.

  • Communicate with you regarding bookings.

  • Safely care for your dog.

  • Contact you in an emergency.

  • Arrange veterinary treatment if required.

  • Process payments.

  • Improve our services.

  • Meet our legal obligations.

We will never sell your personal information.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information because:

  • It is necessary to fulfil our contract with you.

  • We have a legal obligation to retain certain records.

  • We have a legitimate interest in operating and improving our business.

  • You have provided your consent where required (for example, marketing emails or social media photographs).

Sharing Your Information

Your personal information will only be shared where necessary.

This may include:

  • Veterinary practices in an emergency.

  • Payment providers.

  • Professional advisers where legally required.

  • Government authorities if required by law.

We never sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

Information is stored securely, and access is limited to those who need it to provide our services.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to provide our services and meet legal obligations.

Generally:

  • Client records are retained for up to six years after your last booking.

  • Financial records are retained in accordance with Irish tax legislation.

  • Marketing consent records are retained until consent is withdrawn.

Your Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal information.

  • Request correction of inaccurate information.

  • Request deletion of your information where applicable.

  • Restrict how your information is processed.

  • Object to certain processing activities.

  • Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

  • Request a copy of your information in a portable format.

  • Lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission if you believe your information has been handled unlawfully.

Cookies

Our website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand how visitors use our website.

Where required, you will be asked for your consent before non-essential cookies are placed on your device.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

Photographs & Social Media

With your permission, we may take photographs or videos of your dog during walks, daycare or boarding.

Images may be used:

  • To provide updates to you.

  • On our website.

  • On our social media channels.

  • In promotional material.

You can withdraw your consent for photography at any time by contacting us.

Third-Party Services

We may use trusted third-party providers to operate parts of our business, including:

  • Google Forms

  • Email providers

  • Payment providers

  • Website hosting

These providers process information on our behalf and are expected to comply with applicable data protection laws.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be available on our website.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact Harbour Hounds using the contact details provided on our website.