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Last revised: 11th March 2025.
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) affects all businesses across the EU and there has been mandatory compliance since the 25th May 2018.
Village Vets (“We”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
Our Privacy Policy is intended to describe to you how and what data we collect, and how and why we use your personal data. It also describes options we provide for you to access, update or otherwise take control of your personal data that we process. This policy explains how and for what purposes we use the information collected about you via this website. Please read this privacy policy carefully. By using this website and any Veterinary Services we offer via this website, you are agreeing to be bound by this policy in respect of the information collected about you via this website.
If at any time you have questions about our practices or any of your rights described below, you may reach out by contacting us at marketing@villagevets.ie. This inbox is monitored and managed so that we can deliver an experience that you can confidently trust.
We collect information to provide the best possible experience when you utilise our veterinary services (including our website). Much of the personal data we collect is provided directly by you when you:
(1) Register as a client with us
When you register as a client, we collect essential billing and contact details, including your name, address, phone number, and email.
As part of our duty of care to your animal(s), we rely on Legitimate Interest as the legal basis for contacting you regarding your pet’s treatment, health, and welfare. This includes essential communications such as appointment reminders, treatment updates, vaccination due dates, and other necessary service-related messages.
You have the right to opt out of any non-essential communications at any time. Opt-out options are available directly via the communication channel in which you received the message (e.g., using the ‘unsubscribe’ link in emails or replying ‘STOP’ to SMS).
(2) Receive communications from us
We use Legitimate Interest as the basis for sending relevant updates, service reminders, and essential veterinary-related communications. These may include information on our services, pet health updates, and necessary clinic notices.
You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time by using the opt-out options provided in the message.
(3) Participate in competitions, surveys, job applications, or promotional activities
When you engage in competitions, surveys, job applications, or other promotions, we may collect additional information relevant to that activity.
Additionally, we collect account-related information to deliver veterinary services effectively, including your Client ID number, purchases, veterinary service history, information requests, insurance details, and other relevant notes related to your interactions with us.
By continuing to use our services, you acknowledge and agree to the processing of your data as outlined above. If you have any questions about how we use your data or wish to exercise your opt-out rights, please contact us directly at marketing@villagevets.ie.
A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
Cookies may not contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal data that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
We use cookies for the following purposes:
(a) authentication and status – we use cookies to identify you when you visit our website and as you navigate our website, and to help us determine if you are logged into our website;
(b) analysis – we use cookies to help us to analyse the use and performance of our website and services; and
(c) cookie consent – we use cookies to store your preferences in relation to the use of cookies more generally.
14. Cookies used by our service providers
14.1 Our service providers use cookies and those cookies may be stored on your computer when you visit our website.
We use Google Analytics. Google Analytics gathers information about the use of our website by means of cookies. The information gathered is used to create reports about the use of our website. You can find out more about Google’s use of information by visiting https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/ and you can review Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
We use a Facebook pixel on our website. Using the pixel, Facebook collects information about the users and use of our website. The information is used to personalise Facebook advertisements and to analyse the use of our website. To find out more about the Facebook pixel and about Facebook’s use of personal data generally, see the Facebook cookie policy at https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/ and the Facebook privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy. The Facebook cookie policy includes information about controlling Facebook’s use of cookies to show you advertisements. If you are a registered Facebook user, you can adjust how advertisements are targeted by following the instructions at https://www.facebook.com/help/568137493302217.
We use Vetstoria to process online appointment bookings. This service uses cookies for Authentication and status. You can view the privacy policy of this service provider at https://www.vetstoria.com/privacy-policy. We use Facebook Messenger as an online chat tool. This service uses cookies for Authentication and status. You can view the privacy policy of this service provider at https://www.messenger.com/privacy
Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies and to delete cookies.The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser, and from version to version. You can however obtain up-to-date information about blocking and deleting cookies via these links:
(a) https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647 (Chrome);
(b) https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefo… (Firefox);
(c) https://help.opera.com/en/latest/security-and-privacy/ (Opera);
(d) https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17442/windows-internet- explorer-delete-manage-cookies (Internet Explorer);
(e) https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and- website-data-sfri11471/mac (Safari); and
(f) https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4468242/microsoft-edge- browsing-data-and-privacy (Edge).
15.2 Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.
15.3 If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
In general we have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
Sharing with trusted third parties
We may share your personal data with trusted third party service providers and veterinary marketing agencies as necessary for them to perform services on our behalf, such as:
Performing analysis of our Veterinary Services (including website) and customers demographics,
Communicating with you, i.e. by way of email,
Customer relationship management,
Providing important and/or urgent health care reminders and updates for your pet.
We only share your personal data as necessary for any third party to provide the services as requested or as needed on our behalf. These third parties (and any subcontractors) are subject to strict data processing terms and conditions and are prohibited from utilising, sharing or retaining your personal data for any purpose other than as they have been specifically contracted for (or without your consent).
We strongly believe in minimising the data we collect and limiting its use and purpose to only that which is:
Delivering, Improving, Updating, and Enhancing Our Veterinary Services
We collect information relating to your purchase, use, and/or interactions with our services to:
Much of the data collected is aggregated or statistical and not linked to any personal data. However, where data is personal or linkable to personal information, it is processed in accordance with GDPR.
Legitimate Interest And Service-Related Communications
Village Vets relies on Legitimate Interest as the legal basis for essential service-related communications, in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. These communications are necessary for the provision of veterinary care and related services, ensuring pet owners receive timely and relevant updates regarding their pet’s health and veterinary needs. This includes:
As a veterinary service provider, we have a duty of care to ensure the well-being of your pet. Upon registering with Village Vets, pet owners have a reasonable expectation of receiving these essential updates, making Legitimate Interest the most appropriate legal basis for processing this data.
These communications are not marketing messages but are essential for responsible pet ownership and healthcare. Opting out may limit our ability to provide you with a full veterinary service experience. If you wish to discuss how this impacts your service, please contact us.
Pet Health Plan Communications
By signing up for the Pet Health Plan, you acknowledge that we have a Legitimate Interest in keeping you informed about your membership. These communications include:
To ensure you receive the full benefits of your membership, we may send these communications via email, SMS, WhatsApp, and post. This includes reminders for covered treatments, changes to plan services, and exclusive discounts and benefits available to members.
While you have the right to object to receiving communications, opting out of Pet Health Plan service communications may impact your ability to receive important updates regarding your membership benefits. Opt-out options are available directly via the communication channel in which you received the message (e.g., using the ‘unsubscribe’ link in emails or replying ‘STOP’ to SMS).
Marketing Communications
Village Vets may also send you communications about additional services or offers under Legitimate Interest. These messages are designed to provide relevant information about products, promotions, or services that align with your pet’s needs.
You have the right to opt out of any non-essential communications at any time. Opt-out options are available directly via the communication channel in which you received the message (e.g., using the ‘unsubscribe’ link in emails or replying ‘STOP’ to SMS).
Compliance with Legal, Regulatory, and Law Enforcement Requests
We cooperate with government, regulatory authorities, and law enforcement to comply with legal obligations. We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:
All data disclosures will be in accordance with GDPR and applicable data protection laws.
How We Secure, Store, And Retain Your Data
We follow generally accepted standards to store and protect the personal data we collect, both during transmission and once received and stored, including utilisation of encryption where appropriate.
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to provide the veterinary services you have requested and thereafter for a variety of legitimate legal or business purposes. These might include retention periods:
If you have any questions about the security or retention of your personal data, you can contact us at marketing@villagevets.ie.
Social Media Policy
Consent and data use will be covered by terms and conditions and privacy notices of each social media platform, to which both parties (you the visitor and Village Vets) both independently agree to.
Targeted Advertising Section
We may use your personal information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. This includes the use of Custom Audiences on Facebook and similar platforms, where we may upload your email address or other data to show you relevant ads. If you prefer not to receive such targeted ads, you can opt out by contacting us at marketing@villagevets.ie or by adjusting your ad preferences on Facebook
Age Restrictions
Our Veterinary Services and website are available only for those over the age of 18. Our Services are not targeted to, intended to be consumed by or designed to entice individuals under the age of 18. If you know of or have reason to believe anyone under the age of 18 has provided us with any personal data, please contact us.
Your Rights
Under the GDPR you have the following rights:
(a) to access your personal data
(b) To be provided with information about how your personal data is processed
(c) to have your personal data corrected
(d) to have your personal data erased in certain circumstances
(e) to object to or restrict how your personal data is processed
(f) to have your personal data transferred to yourself or to another business in certain circumstances.
You have the right to take any complaints about how we process your personal data to the Data Protection Commissioner.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about our Privacy Policy, our practices or our Services, you may contact our Office by email at marketing@villagevets.ie.
Alternatively, you may contact us by either of the following means:
By Mail: Attn: Data Protection Officer, Village Vets Support Office
Unit 37,Dunboyne Business Park,Dunboyne ,Co. Meath,A86 HE42
By Phone: 01 6991333
We will respond to all requests, inquiries or concerns within thirty (30) days.
Village Vets is a trusted multi-location veterinary practice in Ireland, providing compassionate and comprehensive care for pets.