Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains what information BreedConnect LLC ("BreedConnect," "we," "us," or "our") collects when you use the BreedConnect website and services (the "Service"), how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Service, you agree to this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
Account information. When you register, we collect your email address, a password (stored only as a secure bcrypt hash — we never store your plain-text password), a display name, your full legal name, and optionally your city and state. We collect your full legal name because our verification program compares it against the owner name printed on your animals' certificates.
Listings and verification information. When you create a listing, we store the details you provide about the animal (species, breed, sex, age, size, pedigree/sire and dam, breeding fee, city and state, and description), the certificate owner name you enter, and your verification checklist attestations.
Match requests. When you send or receive a match request, we store the request, the message you write with it, and its status (pending, accepted, or declined).
Heat tracker entries. If you use the heat cycle tracker, we store the entries you create (pet name, species, heat dates, and cycle length) so we can compute estimated future heat dates for you.
Technical information. Like most websites, our servers automatically record basic technical logs — such as IP address, browser type, pages requested, and timestamps — which we use to operate, secure, and troubleshoot the Service.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To provide and operate the Service — your account, listings, match requests, and heat tracker;
- To run the verification name-match: comparing the certificate owner name on a listing against the full legal name on your account;
- To display your public listings and display name to other users and visitors;
- To keep the Service safe — preventing fraud, misrepresentation, abuse, and violations of our Terms;
- To communicate with you about your account and the Service, and to respond when you contact us;
- To maintain, troubleshoot, and improve the Service.
3. We Never Sell Your Data
BreedConnect does not sell your personal information to anyone, for any purpose. We also do not rent or trade it, and we do not share it with advertisers or data brokers.
4. When We Share Information
- With other users, as part of the Service: your listings — including the animal details you enter — are public and visible to all visitors. Your display name is shown on your listings, and when you send a match request, the listing owner can see your display name and your message. (Your email address and password are never shown to other users.)
- Service providers: we may use a small number of providers that help us run the Service (for example, hosting). They may process information only as needed to provide their services to us.
- Legal requirements and safety: we may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or court order, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of BreedConnect, our users, animals, or the public.
- Business changes: if BreedConnect LLC is involved in a merger, sale, or transfer of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.
5. Cookies
We use a single essential session cookie (bc_session) that keeps you signed in. It is an HttpOnly cookie set by our server and lasts up to 30 days or until you log out. We do not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking cookies.
6. Your Choices
- Listings: you can edit or delete your listings at any time from your account.
- Profile: you can update your display name, legal name, city, and state in your account profile.
- Account deletion: you can delete your account and associated personal information at any time in the app — go to Account → Delete my account and confirm with your password; your listings, uploaded photos and documents, match requests, messages, and heat entries are permanently deleted. You may also email us at Breedconnectapp@gmail.com and we will process your request. Some records may be retained as described in Section 7 (for example, transactional mail logs kept for safety and dispute purposes).
- Questions and requests: you may contact us at the same email address to ask what information we hold about you or to request corrections.
7. Data Retention
We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you ask us to delete your account, we will delete or de-identify your personal information, except for records we reasonably need to keep for legal compliance, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, or safety — for example, basic transaction and server logs. Public listings you created are removed when your account is deleted.
8. Security
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards appropriate to a service of our size: passwords are hashed with bcrypt and never stored in plain text, sessions are managed on our servers with HttpOnly cookies, and access to systems is limited. No internet service is perfectly secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please use a unique password and contact us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
9. Children's Privacy
BreedConnect is intended for adults only. You must be at least 18 years old to use the Service, and the Service is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us information, contact us at Breedconnectapp@gmail.com and we will delete it.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, for material changes, provide reasonable notice through the Service. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.
11. Contact
Questions about this Policy or your information? Contact BreedConnect LLC at Breedconnectapp@gmail.com.