Privacy Policy
Dogwood Lodge Pet Retreat ("Dogwood Lodge", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information.
We operate in accordance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Nova Scotia privacy legislation. By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Who We Are
Dogwood Lodge Pet Retreat is a privately owned pet care facility located at 1665 Hardscratch Road, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, B5A 5J3. We provide dog boarding, daycare, grooming, training, and retail services.
For privacy-related enquiries, contact us at:
📧 hello@dogwoodretreat.ca
📞 1-888-844-5408
2. Information We Collect
We collect personal information in the following ways:
Your name, email address, phone number, home address, and details about your dog (name, breed, age, vaccination records, veterinary contact, behavioural notes, feeding instructions, and medical information). This information is collected and stored through our booking platform, KennelBooker.
Your name, email address, phone number, and the content of your message — submitted via our website enquiry forms (training, EasyPay, adoption, careers). This information is sent to us by email and stored on our website server.
We collect anonymised usage data including pages visited, device type (mobile, tablet, or desktop), and the source that referred you to our site (e.g. Google, Facebook, or direct). We also track engagement with our Journal articles, including scroll depth, likes, and shares. This data is anonymised and not linked to individual identities.
Your name (if you choose to display it), your pet's name and details, and any tribute text or photos you submit. Premium memorial payments are processed by Square. We do not store payment card details.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Process and manage your bookings and provide our services
- Administer your dog's care during their stay
- Communicate with you about your bookings, enquiries, and appointments
- Send transactional emails (booking confirmations, vaccination reminders, enquiry responses)
- Send marketing communications through KennelBooker, where you have opted in
- Process payments for services and Heartwood premium upgrades
- Improve our website and services using anonymised analytics
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
4. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect or process your data:
5. Cookies
Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enable certain features and improve your experience. These include:
- Essential cookies — required for the website to function (e.g. remembering your article likes)
- Analytics cookies — used by Google Analytics to understand site usage (anonymised)
- Advertising cookies — used by the Facebook Pixel for advertising measurement
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
6. Data Retention
Client booking records, dog profiles, and vaccination records are held in KennelBooker for as long as you remain an active client. Enquiry form submissions are retained on our servers for up to 12 months. Heartwood memorial data is retained indefinitely unless you request removal. Anonymised website analytics data is retained for up to 26 months.
7. Your Rights
Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Withdraw consent to our use of your information (subject to legal obligations)
- Request deletion of your personal information where we have no legal obligation to retain it
- Opt out of marketing communications at any time via the unsubscribe link in any email
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@dogwoodretreat.ca. We will respond within 30 days.
8. Children's Privacy
Our website is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
9. Security
We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. Our website uses HTTPS encryption. Payment processing is handled by Square and KennelBooker, both of which maintain their own security standards. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page reflects when it was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of those changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
Ready to book?
Our booking is handled securely through KennelBooker.