Privacy & Cookie Policy

Who we are

Who Owns Your Vet? (whoownsyourvet.co.uk) is an independent, community-driven website that helps UK pet owners identify the ownership of veterinary practices. We are the data controller responsible for any personal data processed through this site.

What data we collect

We collect as little data as possible. Specifically:

• Postcode — if you enter one in the search box to find nearby practices. It is sent to Postcodes.io to convert to approximate coordinates. It is not stored by us.
• Approximate location — if you grant your browser permission to share your location with the site. This is used only in your browser to sort search results and is not transmitted to us.
• Analytics data — we measure how the site is used in two ways. Privacy-friendly, cookieless analytics (PostHog, hosted in the EU) run for every visitor: they set no cookies, store nothing on your device, and count visitors using an anonymous hash that can't identify you. Separately, Google Analytics (which does set cookies) only runs if you accept. See the cookies section below.
• Server logs — our hosting provider (Netlify) records the IP address and user-agent of each request for security and abuse prevention. These logs are retained for a short period and are not used for analytics.
• Submissions — if you submit a practice or correction through our form, we process the details you provide for the purpose of updating the site.
• Newsletter email — if you subscribe to our updates, we collect your email address to send occasional emails about UK veterinary ownership. Sign-ups are handled by Netlify Forms and stored in our Netlify dashboard. We use it only for these updates, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we never sell or share it.

Lawful basis

• Consent — for Google Analytics cookies (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and PECR reg. 6), and for sending the newsletter where you opt in by subscribing (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and PECR reg. 22). You can withdraw newsletter consent at any time by unsubscribing.
• Legitimate interests — for security logging, operating the search functionality, and our cookieless analytics, which store nothing on your device and process no personal data (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)).

Cookies & local storage

We do not set any cookies until you give consent. When you first visit the site you'll see a banner asking whether to allow Google Analytics cookies. Until you accept, no analytics cookies are set and Google receives only anonymous, cookieless signals. Our own analytics (PostHog) are cookieless by design — they run without a banner because they store nothing in your browser and can't identify you.

Cookies set only with your consent

Browser storage (not cookies)

We use your browser's localStorage to remember:

• Your cookie choice — so the banner doesn't reappear on every visit.
• Your location — if you enter a postcode or share your location, we store it locally to keep your search results in order. It never leaves your device except to be geocoded.
• Your comparison list — practices you've selected to compare.

This data lives only in your browser. You can clear it at any time via your browser settings.

Changing or withdrawing consent

You can change your choice at any time using the Cookie preferences link in the footer. Choosing "Reject" stops analytics cookies from being set and clears any that are present on your next visit when their expiry is reached.

Third parties

• Google (Analytics) — receives usage data only with your consent. Google's privacy policy.
• PostHog — provides our cookieless analytics, hosted in the EU. It receives anonymous usage data (no cookies, no personal data) and is served through our own domain. PostHog's privacy policy.
• Postcodes.io — receives postcodes you enter, to return coordinates. No personal data is sent.
• Netlify — hosts the site, logs requests for security purposes, and (via Netlify Forms) processes newsletter sign-ups and feedback submissions on our behalf. Netlify's privacy policy.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Have inaccurate data corrected.
• Have your data erased.
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior lawful processing).
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Since we don't keep accounts or persistent records linked to you, most of these rights are exercised directly by you in your browser (clearing storage, withdrawing consent). For anything else, contact us using the submission form.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.