📌The short version: We respect your privacy. We collect only the minimum data needed to run this site; we never sell your information, and we are transparent about how we use it. Read below for full details.
Who We Are
This Privacy Policy applies to lowmaintenancepet.com (“the Site”, “we”, “us”, “our”), an independent pet care blog written by Mina, helping busy people find and care for low-maintenance pets.
If you have any questions about this policy, you can reach us at the contact details at the bottom of this page.
What Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways:
| Type | What We Collect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter signup | Email address, first name (optional) | To send you pet care tips and updates |
| Comments | Name, email, comment content | To display your comment on the site |
| Shop purchases | Email, billing details (via WooCommerce) | To process your order |
| Analytics | Page views, traffic source, device type | To understand how visitors use the site |
| Contact form | Name, email, message | To respond to your inquiry |
Cookies
This site uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your experience. We use:
- Essential cookies — required for the site to function (login, cart, session)
- Analytics cookies — to understand traffic patterns (Google Analytics or similar)
- Affiliate cookies — set when you click affiliate links (e.g. Amazon Associates) to track referrals
- Email marketing cookies — set by our email provider (e.g. Mailchimp, MailerLite)
If you are in the EU or the UK, non-essential cookies (analytics, affiliate, email) are only set after you give consent through the banner shown on your first visit. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time through the cookie settings link in the footer.
You can also disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features may stop working properly.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Send newsletters and pet care content you subscribed to
- Process and fulfil shop orders (printable products)
- Respond to messages sent through the contact form
- Improve the site content and user experience
- Comply with legal obligations
We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
Legal grounds for using your data (EU and UK visitors)
- Consent — newsletters and non-essential cookies
- Contract — processing an order you placed
- Legitimate interests — analytics, security and fraud prevention
- Legal obligation — tax and accounting records
Third-Party Services
We work with the following third-party services that may process your data according to their own privacy policies:
- Google Analytics — website traffic analysis
- Mailchimp / MailerLite — email newsletter delivery
- WooCommerce / Stripe / PayPal — payment processing
- Amazon Associates — affiliate program
- Pinterest — social media and traffic
- WordPress.com / hosting provider — site infrastructure
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these services directly.
Affiliate Disclosure
lowmaintenancepet.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may also partner with other affiliate programmes. This means we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you — when you purchase through our links.
How long we keep your data
- Newsletter data — until you unsubscribe, then deleted within 30 days
- Comments — retained while the comment remains visible on the site
- Contact form messages — up to 12 months
- Order records — retained as required by tax and accounting law
- Analytics data — for the retention period set in Google Analytics
How we protect your data
The site runs over HTTPS, access is protected, and payment details are handled entirely by our payment providers — we never store card numbers. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable measures to protect what you give us.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- The right to access the personal data we hold about you
- The right to correct inaccurate data
- The right to delete your data (“right to be forgotten”)
- The right to unsubscribe from our emails at any time
- The right to withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.
If you are a California resident: you have the right to know what personal information is collected, to delete it, to correct it, and to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioural advertising. We honour Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals. We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.
If you are in the EU or UK, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
Children’s Privacy
This site is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us, and we will delete it promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we’ll update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.
Questions about this Privacy Policy? contact@lowmaintenancepet.com