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 — only if you accept analytics cookies. 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.

Lawful basis

• Consent — for analytics cookies (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and PECR reg. 6).
• Legitimate interests — for security logging and operating the search functionality (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 analytics cookies. Until you accept, no analytics cookies are set and Google receives only anonymous, cookieless signals.

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.
• Postcodes.io — receives postcodes you enter, to return coordinates. No personal data is sent.
• Netlify — hosts the site and logs requests for security purposes. 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.