1. What data we collect

PetsBigStore operates as an editorial review and affiliate website. We collect only the data we genuinely need to operate and improve the site. Here's a clear breakdown:

We do not collect sensitive personal data such as financial information, health data, or government identification numbers. We do not sell any personal data.

2. How we use it

We use the data we collect for the following purposes:

• Site analytics: Understanding which content is useful, how readers navigate the site, and where we can improve.
• Newsletter communications: Sending you product recommendations, editorial updates, and exclusive deals if you've subscribed. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email.
• Responding to enquiries: If you contact us, we use your name and email to respond.
• Affiliate tracking: Affiliate networks use cookies to attribute purchases to our site. This lets us earn commissions when readers buy through our links.
• Regional personalisation: We use approximate country-level location to surface relevant retailers and pricing (e.g., showing Amazon India links to Indian readers).
• Legal compliance: Where required, to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

We do not use your data for automated profiling, targeted advertising, or selling to data brokers.

3. Cookies & tracking

Our site uses cookies — small text files stored in your browser — to help the site function and to understand how readers use it. Here's what we use:

Essential cookies

These are necessary for the site to function correctly (e.g., session management, security). They cannot be disabled without breaking site functionality.

Analytics cookies (Google Analytics 4)

We use GA4 to understand site traffic and content performance. GA4 anonymises IP addresses before storage. The primary cookies are _ga and _ga_[ID], which persist for up to 2 years. You can opt out of GA4 tracking via Google's Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Affiliate tracking cookies

When you click an affiliate link, the retailer (Amazon, Chewy, etc.) sets tracking cookies in your browser to attribute any resulting purchase to PetsBigStore. These cookies are set by the retailer's domain, not ours, and are governed by the retailer's own privacy policy. They typically persist for 24 hours (Amazon) to 30 days (most others).

Managing cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block third-party cookies while keeping first-party ones. Note that blocking affiliate cookies doesn't affect your purchase price — it just means we won't receive commission credit for the referral.

4. Third-party services

We use the following third-party services that may process your data. Each is governed by their own privacy policy:

• Google Analytics 4 — website traffic analytics. Google Privacy Policy
• Amazon Associates — affiliate tracking across Amazon's global storefronts (IN/US/UK/DE/AU). Amazon Privacy Notice
• Chewy Affiliate Program (via Impact Radius) — affiliate tracking for Chewy purchases. Chewy Privacy Policy
• Zooplus (via Awin) — European affiliate tracking. Awin Privacy Policy
• Petco (via CJ Affiliate) — affiliate tracking. Petco Privacy Policy
• ipapi.co — country-level geolocation from your IP address to show relevant regional product links. No personal data is stored by us from this lookup. ipapi Privacy Policy
• Google Fonts — font delivery via Google's CDN. Your IP is transmitted to Google when fonts load. Google Privacy Policy

5. Your rights

Depending on where you're located, you have various rights over your personal data. We honour these regardless of jurisdiction.

CCPA (California residents): You have the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete it, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

GDPR (EU/UK residents): Our legal basis for processing analytics data is legitimate interests. Newsletter subscriptions are based on consent. You have the right to lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us. We'll respond within 30 days.

6. Data retention

We retain data only as long as necessary:

• Analytics data: Retained in Google Analytics for 14 months, then automatically deleted.
• Newsletter subscriber data: Retained until you unsubscribe, then deleted within 30 days.
• Contact form submissions: Retained for up to 12 months for correspondence purposes, then deleted.
• Server logs: Retained for up to 90 days for security purposes, then deleted.

7. Children's privacy

PetsBigStore is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child under 13 has submitted personal data to us, please contact us immediately and we will delete it promptly.

If you are between 13 and 16 years old and located in the EU, we may require parental consent before processing your data. Please have a parent or guardian contact us on your behalf.

8. How to contact us

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time — for example, if we adopt new third-party services or if applicable laws change. When we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Previous versions of this policy are available on request via our contact page.