Privacy Policy

Last updated: 13 August 2026. PawsField ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal data. This policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect information when you use pawsfield.co.uk, in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who we are and how to contact us

PawsField is a UK-focused directory for dog-field and dog-exercise locations. If you have any privacy questions, want to exercise your rights, or wish to make a data request, contact us at hello@pawsfield.co.uk. We aim to respond within one month as required by data protection law.

What data we collect

We may collect: (1) contact details you provide, such as email address, when you submit forms or contact us; (2) message content and listing information sent by field owners; (3) technical and usage data such as browser type, pages viewed, approximate location, referral source and device identifiers; (4) consent choices for cookies and analytics; and (5) limited operational logs for security and troubleshooting.

How we use your data

We use personal data to operate and improve the directory, respond to support and listing enquiries, maintain security, measure website performance, and prevent abuse. We do not sell personal data. We only process information where we have a lawful basis and where processing is necessary and proportionate to the purpose.

Lawful basis for processing

Under UK GDPR, our lawful bases include: consent (for optional analytics cookies and marketing-style updates where applicable), legitimate interests (to run and improve the website, prevent fraud, and maintain service quality), and contract (where processing is required to respond to listing submissions or service-related requests).

Cookies and similar technologies

PawsField uses essential cookies/local storage items for core functionality, including saving your cookie preference choice. We also use optional analytics technologies to understand site performance and user behaviour in aggregate.

Essential cookies: required for features such as remembering cookie consent decisions and basic site operation. These cannot be switched off via our banner because the site relies on them.
Analytics cookies: used only when you accept analytics through the cookie banner.

Location finder

If you search with a UK postcode, the postcode is sent to Postcodes.io so it can return approximate coordinates for distance sorting. If you choose ‘Use my location’, your browser supplies coordinates to the page; PawsField uses them in your browser to rank listings and does not add them to the page URL or our directory data. You can instead search by town or county.

Optional analytics

If analytics consent is granted, we may load Google Analytics and Ahrefs Web Analytics to understand page popularity, traffic source and interactions such as searches and operator-link clicks. These providers may process IP-related and device-level data under their policies. PawsField sends these events only after consent and does not include email addresses or precise location coordinates. You can decline through the banner or clear your stored consent choice.

Data sharing

We may share limited personal data with trusted service providers who help us run the site (for example hosting, form handling, and analytics providers). These providers act under contractual controls and must process data securely and only for agreed purposes. We may also disclose data when legally required, such as to comply with court orders or regulatory obligations.

International transfers

Some providers may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, we rely on recognised safeguards (such as adequacy decisions or approved contractual safeguards) to protect personal data during transfer.

Data retention

We keep personal data only as long as necessary. Contact enquiries are typically retained for up to 24 months to support follow-up and service quality. Operational security logs are retained for shorter periods unless needed for investigations. Analytics data is retained according to configured reporting windows. If retention is no longer necessary, data is deleted or anonymised.

Your rights

You have the right to request access to your personal data, rectification of inaccurate data, erasure ("right to be forgotten"), restriction of processing, data portability, and objection to certain processing based on legitimate interests. Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting prior lawful processing. To exercise rights, email hello@pawsfield.co.uk.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, please contact us first so we can resolve it. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to reduce the risk of unauthorised access, loss or misuse. No online system is completely risk-free, but we continuously review our controls and provider choices.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected on this page with an updated revision date.