How we collect, use, and protect your information

1. Who we are and how to reach us

The Big Wag Blog (“The Big Wag,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) publishes pet care journalism, product recommendations, and related content. If you have questions or requests about this policy or your data, email us at thebigwag@gmail.com.

2. Scope of this policy

This policy applies to information collected when you visit our site, subscribe to newsletters, interact with affiliate links, submit forms, or otherwise engage with our services. It does not cover the privacy practices of third parties we link to, including retailers reached through affiliate links.

3. Information we collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Information you provide directly: names, email addresses, newsletter preferences, pet details you share in forms or submissions, and any messages you send us.
• Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages viewed, referring URLs, timestamps, and interactions with site features. We use analytics tools to understand performance and readership trends.
• Cookies and similar technologies: cookies or pixels that help us keep the site secure, remember preferences, measure traffic, and understand when an affiliate link leads to a purchase.
• Information from third parties: analytics providers, email delivery platforms, and affiliate networks may provide aggregated or pseudonymous performance data (for example, that a purchase occurred after a link was clicked).

4. How we use information

• Provide, operate, and improve the site and newsletters.
• Publish and personalize content, including saving your preferences where possible.
• Communicate with you, including responding to inquiries and delivering newsletters you request.
• Measure performance, understand what resonates with readers, and make editorial decisions.
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, abuse, or security incidents.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

We do not sell your personal information for money. Some states consider certain data sharing for analytics or affiliate measurement to be “sharing”; where required, we honor opt-out requests for those purposes.

5. Legal bases for processing (EEA/UK)

Where GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we process personal data based on:

• Consent for marketing emails, optional cookies, and voluntary submissions.
• Legitimate interests to secure the site, measure readership, and operate an affiliate-supported publication without overriding your rights.
• Contract when we deliver newsletters or other services you request.
• Legal obligations such as responding to lawful requests or enforcing our policies.

6. How we share information

• Service providers: hosting, email delivery, security, analytics, and operational vendors who process data on our behalf under contractual safeguards.
• Affiliate partners: when you click an affiliate link, the retailer or affiliate network may receive information that your browser visited from our site and may set their own cookies to attribute purchases. We do not receive your full payment details from these partners.
• Business transfers: as part of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale where permitted by law and with appropriate protections.
• Legal and safety: to comply with law, enforce our terms, or protect our rights, users, or the public.

We currently do not show interest-based advertising and do not knowingly engage in cross-context behavioral advertising. If that changes, we will update this policy and provide required notices and controls.

7. Cookies, analytics, and controls

We use necessary cookies for site operation and optional cookies for analytics and affiliate tracking.

• You can adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies; some features may rely on cookies to work properly.
• Many browsers offer “Do Not Track” signals; while there is no industry standard, we strive to honor legally required opt-out mechanisms and local preferences where feasible.
• Emails may contain pixels that tell us if a message was opened; you can disable images by default in your email client to limit this.

8. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described above, including to maintain records of your marketing preferences and to comply with legal, accounting, or reporting obligations. We may retain limited suppression lists to honor opt-out requests.

9. Data security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is fully secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we ever learn of a breach that affects you, we will notify you consistent with applicable law.

10. International transfers

The site is operated from the United States. If you access it from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home jurisdiction. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, for these transfers.

11. Your rights and choices

• Opt out of marketing emails at any time via the unsubscribe link or by emailing thebigwag@gmail.com.
• Request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information we hold about you.
• Object to or request restriction of certain processing, especially where based on legitimate interests, and withdraw consent where we rely on it.
• If you are in a jurisdiction with additional rights (such as the EEA, UK, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, or Virginia), you may also have rights to data portability and to appeal decisions we make about your requests.

To exercise these rights, contact us at thebigwag@gmail.com. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

12. Children's privacy

Our content is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child provided us information, please contact us so we can delete it.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. If we make material changes, we will post a notice on the site or contact you if required. The “Effective date” above indicates when this version took effect.

14. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, emailthebigwag@gmail.com. We aim to respond promptly and in accordance with applicable law.