Pets As Therapy (PAT)

Data Privacy & Security Policy Statement

Updated February 2026

1. Introduction

Pets As Therapy values and respects the trust you place in us. When you support our work—whether by volunteering, donating, fundraising, or following our updates—we are committed to protecting your personal information and being open, honest and transparent about how we use it.

This Privacy Statement explains how we collect, use, store and protect your information, and outlines the rights you have over your data. By engaging with us—through our website, social media, fundraising platforms, events, or direct communication—you agree to your information being used as described in this Statement.

2. Who We Are

Pets As Therapy
Registered Charity 1112194
Registered Charity Scotland SC038910
Company Limited by Guarantee (5311186)
Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Registered office: Hampden House, Monument Business Park, Warpsgrove Lane, Chalgrove, Oxford OX44 7RW
Tel: 01865 671440
Email: info@petsastherapy.org       

3. What Personal Data We Collect

Depending on how you engage with us, we may collect:

• Name and contact details
• Postal address, email address, phone number
• Date of birth (where relevant)
• Gift Aid status
• Volunteer application information, including references and details about your pet
• Donation history and event participation
• Newsletter preferences
• Photographs and stories you choose to share
• Technical information, such as IP address, cookies, pages visited and browsing preferences

We only collect what we need, and we always aim to minimise the data we hold.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Process volunteer applications
• Support our volunteers and manage therapy visits
• Process donations, Gift Aid and fundraising activities
• Keep you updated on PAT news, campaigns, events and ways to support us
• Provide information you request
• Deliver products or resources you have purchased or asked for
• Administer surveys, competitions and feedback
• Improve our website and services
• Ensure your safety and that of others during PAT activities
• Meet legal obligations (e.g., financial, safeguarding, regulatory requirements)

We do not sell or share your personal information for other organisations’ marketing.

5. Research, Profiling and Wealth Screening

To better understand our supporters and ensure our fundraising is relevant, appropriate, and respectful, we may use publicly available information to carry out research, profiling, or wealth screening.

This may include information from:

• Companies House
• Charity Commission registers
• Electoral roll
• News media and other published sources
• Publicly accessible social media

We do not access bank accounts, private financial information or credit records.

This activity is carried out under legitimate interests, and only where it does not override your rights or interests. You may object at any time by contacting us.

6. Direct Marketing & the Charitable Purpose Soft Opt‑In

We want to keep you informed about how your support makes a difference—and we promise to always communicate in a way that is respectful, relevant and unobtrusive.

From 5 February 2026, under changes to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), charities may use the charitable purpose soft opt‑in. This means we may send you relevant emails or SMS messages without separate consent, but only if:

• We collected your contact details directly from you
• You expressed interest in or supported PAT’s charitable purposes
• The message we send directly furthers our charitable work
• We offered an opt‑out at the time of collection and include one in every message

If these conditions are not met, we will only contact you electronically where we have your explicit consent.

You may withdraw consent or opt out of marketing at any time.

7. When We Share Your Data

We will only share your information when:

• We are required to do so by law
• It is necessary to protect you, the public, our volunteers, or our beneficiaries
• We work with trusted partners who process information on our behalf (e.g., donation platforms, mailing services)

All partners must comply with UK GDPR and are contractually required to keep your information secure and use it only as instructed by us.

We never sell your data.

8. How We Store and Protect Your Information

Your data is stored securely within the UK.
We use physical, technical and organisational safeguards, including encryption, password protection and secure cloud‑based systems. Paper records are kept securely and destroyed when no longer needed.

We only keep your information for as long as necessary for the purpose we collected it for, or to meet legal requirements. When no longer required, it is securely deleted or destroyed.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Request corrections
• Request deletion
• Limit how your data is used
• Object to processing, including direct marketing and profiling for marketing purposes
• Withdraw consent
• Request data portability (where applicable)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@petsastherapy.org or 01865 671440. We may need to verify your identity before making changes.

10. Cookies

We use cookies on our website to analyse usage, improve performance and enhance your experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

11. Fundraising Standards

Pets As Therapy follows the revised Code of Fundraising Practice (2025). We commit to:

• Respectful and ethical fundraising
• Clear identification of fundraisers
• Transparency about donation handling and platform fees
• Giving supporters meaningful choice over how they are contacted
• Protecting vulnerable people

12. Keeping This Statement Up to Date

Data protection law continues to evolve. Some ICO guidance is under review following the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. We will update this Statement when new guidance is finalised to ensure our information remains accurate and compliant.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about your data or how we use it, reach out anytime:
Email: info@petsastherapy.org       
Phone: 01865 671440
Address: Hampden House, Monument Business Park, Warpsgrove Lane, Chalgrove, Oxford OX44 7RW