This Privacy Policy explains how Hope For Paws Foundation, Inc. (“Hope For Paws Foundation,” “Hope For Paws,” “Foundation,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, retains, and protects information in connection with the Hope For Paws Foundation Marketplace.
This Policy applies to information collected through Marketplace accounts, auctions, purchases, checkout, shipping, local pickup, customer service, optional SMS alerts, optional charitable contributions, and other Marketplace features that link to this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
The information we collect depends on how you use the Marketplace.
We may collect the categories of information described below.
Account and Contact Information
When you create or use a Marketplace account, we may collect:
- name;
- username or account identifier;
- email address;
- telephone number;
- shipping address;
- billing address;
- account preferences;
- communication preferences;
- SMS consent status;
- saved shipping information;
- account status; and
- other information reasonably necessary to provide your account.
Auction and Marketplace Activity
We may collect information about your Marketplace activity, including:
- bids;
- maximum bids;
- bid timestamps;
- auction wins and losses;
- watchlists;
- purchase history;
- Buy Now activity;
- unpaid auctions;
- shipping and order activity;
- returns and refunds;
- account restrictions; and
- other Marketplace activity.
Private maximum bids are treated as nonpublic Marketplace information.
Order and Transaction Information
When you make a purchase or participate in a transaction, we may collect:
- order number;
- item purchased;
- listing identifier;
- purchase price;
- winning bid;
- Shipping & Handling charges;
- sales tax;
- payment status;
- payment deadline;
- shipping status;
- tracking information;
- return information;
- refund information;
- local-pickup information; and
- communications concerning the transaction.
Payment Information
Marketplace payments are processed through Stripe or another authorized payment processor identified through checkout.
Complete payment-card information is intended to be processed through the authorized payment provider rather than stored directly in the ordinary Marketplace application.
We may receive payment-related information such as:
- payment status;
- transaction amount;
- payment date;
- payment-method type;
- card brand and limited card information, such as the last four digits, when provided by the payment processor;
- billing information;
- payment-processor transaction identifier;
- refund information;
- dispute or chargeback information; and
- fraud or risk indicators.
The payment processor may independently collect and process information under its own privacy policy and terms.
Do not send complete payment-card numbers, card security codes, banking passwords, or other complete payment credentials through ordinary email, text message, social media, or Marketplace messaging.
Shipping and Local Pickup Information
We may collect information needed to deliver or release merchandise, including:
- recipient name;
- shipping address;
- delivery instructions;
- pickup information;
- carrier;
- shipping method;
- tracking information;
- telephone number when required for delivery or pickup; and
- authorized pickup-person information.
Tax-Exemption Information
If you request tax-exempt treatment for a Marketplace purchase, we may collect information needed to review and administer the request, including:
- buyer or organization name;
- exemption type;
- certificate or exemption number;
- issuing state or jurisdiction;
- expiration information, when applicable;
- uploaded exemption certificate or supporting documentation;
- notes or other information submitted with the request; and
- review, approval, denial, or expiration status.
Customer Service and Claims
When you contact Marketplace Support or submit a claim, we may collect:
- emails and messages;
- support requests;
- descriptions of problems;
- photographs;
- shipping-damage photographs;
- return documentation;
- authenticity information;
- refund communications;
- payment-dispute information;
- complaint information; and
- other information you provide.
Optional Charitable Contributions
If you voluntarily make a contribution through features such as Round Up for Rescue or another checkout contribution, we may collect:
- contribution amount;
- date;
- associated transaction;
- donor contact information; and
- receipt or acknowledgment information.
Marketplace merchandise payments and separately identified charitable contributions are treated as separate transaction categories.
SMS Information
If you voluntarily enroll in Marketplace SMS alerts, we may collect:
- mobile telephone number;
- SMS consent status;
- date and time of consent;
- SMS preferences;
- messages sent;
- delivery status where available;
- STOP or other opt-out requests;
- HELP requests; and
- resubscription information.
Providing a telephone number alone does not enroll you in optional Marketplace SMS alerts.
Newsletter and Promotional Email Information
If you sign up for the Marketplace newsletter or other optional promotional email, we may collect:
- email address;
- first name, when provided;
- subscription status;
- signup source or related subscription information;
- subscription date; and
- unsubscribe date, status, or request information.
Merchandise Donor Information
If you donate or offer merchandise to Hope For Paws Foundation, we may collect information reasonably necessary to review, accept, document, or administer the donation, such as your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, information about the donated property, and acknowledgment or receipt information. Merchandise donors do not become Marketplace sellers merely because donated merchandise is later sold through the Marketplace.
2. Information Collected Automatically
When you use the Marketplace, we and our service providers may automatically collect certain technical information.
This may include:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device type;
- operating system;
- device or session identifiers;
- approximate location derived from IP address;
- referring page or URL;
- pages viewed;
- dates and times of access;
- login activity;
- error logs;
- security logs; and
- other technical information associated with Marketplace use.
We may use this information for security, fraud prevention, troubleshooting, analytics, performance monitoring, and Marketplace operation.
3. Cookies and Similar Technologies
The Marketplace may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- keep users signed in;
- maintain shopping carts;
- remember preferences;
- provide checkout functionality;
- protect account security;
- detect fraud;
- maintain session information;
- measure Marketplace performance; and
- understand how Marketplace features are used.
Some cookies are necessary for Marketplace functionality.
Blocking necessary cookies may prevent portions of the Marketplace from working correctly.
If we use optional analytics, advertising, or other tracking technologies requiring additional notice, consent, or opt-out choices under applicable law, appropriate information or choices will be provided.
4. How We Use Information
We may use information to:
- create and maintain Marketplace accounts;
- authenticate users;
- operate Marketplace features;
- administer auctions;
- accept and record bids;
- determine auction winners;
- process purchases and payments;
- calculate shipping and taxes;
- deliver orders;
- administer local pickup;
- process returns and refunds;
- investigate lost or damaged shipments;
- provide customer support;
- send transaction communications;
- administer optional SMS alerts;
- administer optional newsletters and promotional email;
- process optional charitable contributions;
- prevent fraud and abuse;
- protect account and Marketplace security;
- enforce Marketplace rules;
- respond to chargebacks and disputes;
- maintain transaction and organizational records;
- improve Marketplace functionality;
- perform accounting and financial reporting;
- comply with tax and nonprofit obligations;
- establish, exercise, or defend legal claims; and
- comply with applicable law.
5. Fraud Prevention and Security
We may use information to detect, investigate, prevent, or respond to:
- payment fraud;
- account takeover;
- stolen payment credentials;
- shill bidding;
- multiple-account abuse;
- fraudulent chargebacks;
- return fraud;
- suspicious transactions;
- unauthorized access;
- automated abuse;
- cybersecurity incidents; and
- other unlawful or abusive activity.
Marketplace activity may be reviewed, restricted, or preserved when reasonably necessary to protect users, Hope For Paws Foundation, or the integrity of the Marketplace.
6. How We Share Information
We may share information with third parties when reasonably necessary to operate the Marketplace or fulfill another legitimate purpose described in this Policy.
Payment Providers
Payment and transaction information may be provided to Stripe or another authorized payment processor to process payments, refunds, fraud reviews, and payment disputes.
Shipping Carriers and Fulfillment Providers
We may provide carriers and fulfillment providers information reasonably necessary to ship or deliver an order, such as:
- recipient name;
- delivery address;
- telephone number when required;
- email address where appropriate;
- package information;
- tracking information; and
- delivery instructions.
Service Providers
We may use companies that provide services such as:
- website hosting;
- cloud and database services;
- payment processing;
- tax calculation;
- shipping and postage;
- package tracking;
- email delivery;
- SMS messaging;
- analytics;
- authentication;
- cybersecurity;
- fraud prevention;
- customer support;
- accounting; and
- other Marketplace operations.
These providers may receive information reasonably necessary to perform services for Hope For Paws Foundation.
Merchandise Donors and Transaction Participants
Hope For Paws Foundation is the Marketplace seller and administers Marketplace checkout, customer payment, shipping or fulfillment, and customer transaction support. Merchandise donors are not ordinarily provided customer payment information, shipping addresses, or direct fulfillment access merely because merchandise they donated is later sold.
If another authorized transaction participant requires access to information to perform a Marketplace function, we provide only the information reasonably necessary for that purpose.
Professional Advisers
We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to attorneys, accountants, auditors, insurers, tax professionals, consultants, and other professional advisers.
Legal and Safety Disclosures
We may preserve or disclose information when reasonably believed necessary to:
- comply with applicable law;
- respond to valid subpoenas, court orders, warrants, or other lawful process;
- cooperate with lawful governmental or regulatory requests;
- investigate suspected fraud or illegal activity;
- protect users;
- protect Hope For Paws Foundation;
- protect property;
- enforce Marketplace agreements; or
- establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
7. Public Auction Information
Certain limited information may be displayed publicly as necessary to operate Marketplace auctions.
For example, an auction may display:
- masked or anonymized bidder identifiers;
- bid amounts; and
- bid timing.
We do not ordinarily display a bidder's:
- full legal name;
- full email address;
- full telephone number;
- home or shipping address;
- payment information; or
- private maximum bid
on public auction pages.
8. We Do Not Sell Personal Information or Use It for Targeted Advertising
Hope For Paws Foundation does not sell Marketplace personal information, customer contact lists, private maximum bids, or SMS opt-in consent to unrelated third parties.
We do not use Marketplace personal information for targeted advertising based on activity across unaffiliated websites or services.
Information may still be disclosed to service providers and others as described in Section 6 to operate the Marketplace, process transactions, provide communications, protect security, comply with law, or otherwise fulfill the purposes described in this Policy.
SMS opt-in information may be provided to service providers that operate the SMS program on behalf of Hope For Paws Foundation.
9. Communications
We may use contact information to send service or transaction communications concerning:
- bids;
- auction results;
- purchases;
- payments;
- account security;
- shipping;
- tracking;
- returns;
- refunds;
- local pickup;
- policy changes; and
- customer support.
Optional newsletters and other promotional communications are subject to applicable consent and opt-out requirements.
SMS
Optional SMS alerts are governed by the Marketplace SMS / Text Alert Terms.
You may opt out of covered SMS messages using STOP or another available opt-out method.
You may unsubscribe from the Marketplace newsletter or other optional promotional email using the unsubscribe method provided in the message or the Marketplace unsubscribe feature where available.
Even if you unsubscribe from promotional communications, you may continue to receive necessary transactional, security, legal, or account-related communications.
10. Your Privacy Choices
Depending on the Marketplace features available, you may be able to:
- update account information;
- change shipping information;
- manage communication preferences;
- enable or disable optional SMS alerts;
- unsubscribe from promotional email;
- manage certain cookie preferences;
- close your Marketplace account; or
- submit a request concerning personal information.
11. Privacy Requests
You may contact Hope For Paws Foundation with questions or requests concerning your personal information.
Depending on applicable law and the nature of the request, you may be able to request that we:
- provide access to certain personal information;
- correct inaccurate information;
- delete eligible information;
- close an account;
- change communication preferences; or
- provide information concerning our privacy practices.
Some requests may be subject to exceptions or limitations permitted by law.
We may verify your identity before providing, correcting, or deleting personal information to help prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
Where applicable law provides additional privacy rights, Hope For Paws Foundation will honor those rights as required.
12. Account Closure and Deletion
You may request closure of your Marketplace account.
Closing an account does not necessarily cause all historical information to be immediately deleted.
We may retain information when reasonably necessary or legally permitted for:
- completed transactions;
- accounting;
- taxes;
- audits;
- charitable records;
- fraud prevention;
- chargebacks;
- payment disputes;
- returns and claims;
- unpaid obligations;
- Marketplace enforcement;
- security;
- legal claims; and
- compliance with applicable law.
13. Data Retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and for legitimate Foundation requirements.
Different information may be retained for different periods depending on matters such as:
- active accounts;
- completed transactions;
- accounting;
- tax requirements;
- nonprofit records;
- donations;
- audits;
- fraud prevention;
- security;
- returns and refunds;
- chargebacks;
- disputes;
- legal claims; and
- applicable legal obligations.
When information is no longer reasonably needed, it may be deleted, anonymized, aggregated, or otherwise handled according to applicable retention practices.
14. Security
Hope For Paws Foundation uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards appropriate to the nature of Marketplace information.
These safeguards may include measures such as:
- controlled account access;
- authentication;
- encryption in transit;
- secure payment processing;
- access controls;
- security monitoring;
- fraud controls; and
- service-provider security measures.
No website, electronic transmission, database, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You are responsible for protecting your Marketplace login credentials and should promptly notify Hope For Paws Foundation if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
15. Security Incidents
If a security incident affects personal information, Hope For Paws Foundation will investigate and take appropriate steps based on the circumstances.
When applicable law requires notification to affected individuals or government authorities, Hope For Paws Foundation will provide the required notice.
16. Children
The Marketplace is intended for users 18 years of age or older who are legally capable of entering Marketplace transactions.
The Marketplace is not directed to children under 13, and Hope For Paws Foundation does not knowingly permit children under 13 to create ordinary Marketplace accounts or knowingly collect personal information from them through those accounts.
If we learn that personal information has been collected from a child under 13 in circumstances requiring deletion, parental consent, or another action under applicable law, we will take appropriate steps.
17. Third-Party Websites and Services
The Marketplace may contain links to or interact with independent third-party services, including payment providers, shipping carriers, social-media services, or other websites.
Those third parties may collect and process information under their own privacy policies.
Hope For Paws Foundation does not control the independent privacy practices of third parties merely because the Marketplace links to or uses their services.
18. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Hope For Paws Foundation may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in:
- Marketplace functionality;
- service providers;
- information practices;
- security practices;
- communication programs; or
- applicable law.
The updated Privacy Policy will include a revised effective or last-updated date.
If applicable law requires additional notice or consent for a material change, we will provide it.
19. Contact Us
Questions or requests concerning this Privacy Policy may be directed to:
Hope For Paws Foundation, Inc.
Website: hopeforpawsfoundation.org
Marketplace: hopeforpawsfoundation.org/shop
Privacy Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: Hope For Paws Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1009, Madison, MS 39130
We may require reasonable identity verification before responding to account-specific privacy requests.
20. Applicable Privacy Rights
Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to eliminate or restrict a privacy right that applicable law does not permit Hope For Paws Foundation to waive.
If applicable law provides different or additional requirements, those requirements control.