Privacy Policy for Barks ‘n Bubbles

Last Updated: July 14, 2025

Barks ‘n Bubbles (referred to as “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and manage your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

By using our website at www.barksnbubbles.com.au or engaging with our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect?

We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide our dog grooming services and to manage our business operations. The types of personal information we may collect include:

  • Contact Details: Your name, email address, phone number, and physical address.
  • Payment Information: Details related to payments for services (though typically processed by secure third-party payment gateways, we may store transaction records).
  • Dog Information: Your pet’s name, breed, age, temperament, known allergies, medical history (relevant to grooming safety), and any specific grooming instructions or preferences.
  • Communication Records: Records of your correspondence with us (e.g., emails, phone calls, messages through our booking system).
  • Usage Data: Information about how you use our website (e.g., IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on site) collected through cookies and analytics tools (as detailed in our Cookie Policy).

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information in several ways:

  • Directly from You: When you book an appointment (online or over the phone), fill out forms, communicate with us via email, phone, or in person, or sign up for our newsletter.
  • Automatically: When you visit our website, certain information about your device and Browse activity may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies (please refer to our separate Cookie Policy for more details).
  • From Third Parties: In limited circumstances, we might receive information from third parties, such as referrals, or if a payment processor provides us with transaction details.

3. Why We Collect and How We Use Your Personal Information

We collect and use your personal information for the following primary purposes:

  • To Provide Grooming Services: To schedule and confirm appointments, perform grooming services, and tailor services to your dog’s specific needs and health conditions.
  • To Manage Bookings and Payments: To process your appointments through our GrooMore booking system and handle financial transactions.
  • To Communicate with You: To send appointment reminders, service updates, respond to your inquiries, and provide customer support.
  • To Improve Our Services: To understand client needs, gather feedback, and enhance our service offerings and website functionality.
  • For Marketing Purposes (with consent): To send you promotional materials, offers, or newsletters about our services that we believe may be of interest to you. You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
  • To Comply with Legal Obligations: To meet our legal, regulatory, and safety obligations, including record-keeping and tax requirements.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information to third parties only in the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers: To trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business and providing our services, such as our booking system (GrooMore), payment processors, website hosting, and analytics providers. These third parties are obligated to protect your information and only use it for the specific services they provide to us.
  • With Your Consent: Where you have given us explicit consent to share your information.
  • Required by Law: When we are legally required to do so, for example, in response to a court order or subpoena.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of the transaction.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes implementing physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. However, no data transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, maintain business records, and comply with our legal obligations. When your personal information is no longer needed, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it.

7. Your Rights: Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request that it be corrected if it is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. To make such a request, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

8. Making a Privacy Complaint

If you believe that we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles or acted inconsistently with this Privacy Policy, you may lodge a complaint with us using the contact details below. We will investigate your complaint and respond to you within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or relevant laws. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, or if you wish to make a request or complaint, please contact us: