People Helping Pets (“PHP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing free vaccine clinics and pet care resources to underserved and underrepresented neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois. We are committed to protecting the privacy of everyone who visits our website and engages with our programs.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it. By using our website, you agree to the practices described below.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information only when you voluntarily provide it to us through the following channels:
Newsletter Signups
When you sign up for our newsletter, we collect:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Your preferred language (English or Spanish), if provided
Donation Processing
When you make a donation through our website, we (or our third-party payment processor) collect:
- Your name and billing address
- Payment card information (processed securely by our payment provider — we do not store card numbers)
- Email address for donation confirmation and receipts
- Donation amount and date
Contact Forms
When you submit a message through our contact form, we collect:
- Your name
- Your email address
- The content of your message
Volunteer Signups
When you express interest in volunteering with PHP, we collect:
- Your name and contact information (email and/or phone number)
- Availability and relevant skills or experience you choose to share
- Emergency contact information, if applicable
Analytics and Website Usage
Our website is hosted on WordPress.com, which automatically collects certain technical information when you visit, including:
- IP address and general geographic location
- Browser type and device information
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Referring website or search engine
This data is collected through cookies and similar technologies. It is used in aggregate to help us understand how visitors use our site and improve our content.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To send you our newsletter and updates about upcoming events and clinics
- To process and acknowledge your donations and provide tax receipts
- To respond to your inquiries submitted through our contact form
- To coordinate volunteer opportunities and communicate with volunteers
- To improve our website and better understand community needs
- To comply with applicable legal obligations
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
- Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party vendors (such as payment processors and email newsletter platforms) who assist us in operating our website and programs. These vendors are contractually required to protect your information and may only use it to provide services on our behalf.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
- Organizational Safety: We may share information if we believe it is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of PHP, our volunteers, or the public.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to support basic site functionality and analytics. WordPress.com may also set cookies as part of its hosting platform.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some features of the site. For more information on how WordPress.com handles data, please review the WordPress.com Privacy Policy at automattic.com/privacy.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Donation records are retained in accordance with nonprofit accounting and IRS requirements. You may request deletion of your information at any time (see Section 7).
6. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. Our website uses SSL/TLS encryption (indicated by “https” in your browser). However, no method of internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to:
- Opt out of our newsletter at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction or deletion of your personal information
- Withdraw consent for any processing based on your consent
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the information listed in Section 9.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and 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 promptly delete it.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us:
People Helping Pets
Chicago, Illinois
Email: admin@phpchi.org
Website: peoplehelpingpets.org