Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2025

Your privacy is important to me. This Privacy Policy explains how your personal data is collected, used, and protected when you visit https://adoptacatdontshop.org/ (the “Website”).

By using this Website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for this Website under GDPR is:

RL Jose-Mutoc
Email: bethceleb@gmail.com
Location: Germany

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your GDPR rights, please contact me at the email above.

2. Data Collected

2.1. Data You Provide Voluntarily

Comments

When visitors leave comments, WordPress automatically collects:

• Name (if provided)
• Email address (if provided)
• IP address
• Browser user agent (for spam detection)

Contact Form Submissions

If you contact me through a form, I collect:

• Your name
• Your email address
• Any message you include

This information is used solely to respond to your inquiry.

2.2. Data Collected Automatically

Cookies

The Website uses cookies for:

• Basic functionality
• Analytics
• Spam protection
• Remembering your comment info (optional)

You can disable cookies in your browser at any time.

Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics or Jetpack Stats)

If enabled on your site, analytics tools may collect:

• Device type
• Pages visited
• Duration on pages
• Referral sources
• General geographic data (not precise location)

All data is aggregated and anonymized.

Server Logs

Your hosting provider automatically collects:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Date and time of access
• Pages visited
• Error logs

These logs are used for security, troubleshooting, and site maintenance.

3. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

Your data is collected for the following purposes:

Purpose	Legal Basis
Displaying comments	Consent
Responding to messages	Legitimate Interest / Contract
Preventing spam (e.g., Akismet)	Legitimate Interest
Website analytics	Consent
Site security and server logs	Legitimate Interest

4. Use of Third-Party Services

The Website may use the following third-party providers:

WordPress / Automattic

Hosting integration, stats, and spam protection.

Akismet

Used to filter and detect spam comments.
Automatically checks IP address, comment content, and email information.

Google Analytics (if installed)

Tracks anonymous website usage statistics.
You can opt out at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/

Hosting Provider

Automatically collects server logs for security.

Each provider processes data according to their own Privacy Policies.

5. How Long Data Is Stored

Data Type	Retention Period
Comments	Indefinitely unless deleted
Contact form messages	12 months
Analytics data	14–26 months (depending on provider settings)
Server logs	30–90 days (varies by host)
Cookies	Until deleted or expired

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Request data portability
• Restrict processing
• Object to data processing
• File a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise your rights, email: bethceleb@gmail.com

7. Children’s Privacy

This Website is not intended for children under 16.
No personal information is knowingly collected from minors.

8. Security

Reasonable technical measures are implemented to protect your personal data.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

9. Links to Other Websites

This Website contains links to external sites (such as shelters or partner organizations).
I am not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external websites.

10. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated occasionally.
The latest version will always be posted on this page.

Terms of Use

1. Content Ownership

All text, images, and original content on Adopt A Cat, Don’t Shop are owned by the Website owner unless otherwise stated.
You may not copy, reproduce, or republish material without permission.

2. No Veterinary or Professional Advice

Content is based on personal experience with cat adoption.
It is not veterinary, medical, or professional advice.
Always consult a licensed veterinarian for health concerns.

3. External Links

The Website may link to external websites, but I do not control them and am not responsible for their content or policies.

4. Affiliate Disclosure (If Applicable Now or Later)

Some posts may contain affiliate links.
If you click these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

5. Limitation of Liability

Use this Website at your own risk.
I am not liable for any damages or losses arising from use of the Website or reliance on its content.

Cookies Policy

Last updated: December 2025

This Cookies Policy explains how Adopt A Cat, Don’t Shop (“the Website”) uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize visitors, improve functionality, and analyze website traffic.

By continuing to browse the Website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your preferences, improve user experience, and provide analytics information.

Cookies may be:

• Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser)
• Persistent cookies (stored until they expire or you delete them)
• First-party cookies (set by this site)
• Third-party cookies (set by external services like analytics or anti-spam tools)

2. How We Use Cookies

The Website uses cookies for the following purposes:

2.1. Essential Cookies

These are required for the site to function properly, such as:

• Security and spam protection
• Commenting features
• Basic site performance

You cannot opt out of essential cookies.

2.2. Analytics Cookies

(Used only if you have analytics enabled — Google Analytics, Jetpack Stats, or similar.)

These cookies help us understand:

• Which pages are most visited
• How users arrive on the site
• How long visitors stay
• Whether users return

All analytics data is aggregated and anonymized.

2.3. Functionality Cookies

These remember your settings or preferences, for example:

• Remembering your name/email when commenting
• Display preferences
• Language or region (if supported by your browser)

2.4. Third-Party Cookies

Some features on this Website rely on external services that may set their own cookies.

These include:

• Akismet (spam protection for comments)
• WordPress / Automattic features
• Embedded content such as YouTube videos, Instagram posts, or map widgets

Embedded content from other websites behaves the same way as visiting those external sites directly.

3. Types of Cookies We May Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Examples
Essential	Site security, comment system	WordPress cookies, Akismet
Analytics	Usage statistics	Google Analytics, Jetpack Stats
Functionality	Remembers preferences	Comment auto-fill
Third-Party	Media embeds or social content	YouTube, Instagram

The specific cookies used may change over time as the Website evolves.

4. Managing Cookies

You can control or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings.

How to disable cookies

Choose your browser below for instructions:

• Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Edge

(Users can search “How to clear cookies in [browser]” for detailed guides.)

Please note:

• Disabling cookies may affect how the Website functions.
• Analytics cookies require your consent to run under GDPR.

5. Cookie Consent Banner

If you are visiting from the EU/EEA, a cookie banner may appear allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize cookie preferences

The Website honors your choices and will not load analytics or marketing cookies unless you consent.

If you change your mind, you can clear cookies in your browser and reload the page.

6. Third-Party Privacy Policies

Because third-party tools may set their own cookies, you can review their privacy policies here:

• WordPress/Automattic Privacy Policy
• Akismet Anti-Spam Policy
• Google Analytics Privacy & Data Protection
• Embedded Media (YouTube, Instagram, etc.)

All third-party providers are responsible for their own GDPR compliance.

7. Updates to This Cookies Policy

This Cookies Policy may be updated occasionally.
The latest version will always be posted on this page with the “Last Updated” date shown at the top.

Contact

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or Terms of Use, please contact:
Email: bethceleb@gmail.com
Website: https://adoptacatdontshop.org/