Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you choose to provide to us and limited technical information generated when you use our website.

Information you provide

This may include:

• Name and contact information, such as email address and phone number
• City, state, country, or other location information you provide
• Information submitted through adoption, volunteer, contact, or other AWF forms
• Information about your household, pets, experience, availability, or interests when relevant to an application
• Donation-related information that PayPal or another authorized service makes available to AWF
• Messages, questions, comments, or other information you choose to send us

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, our website and analytics services may automatically receive information such as browser type, device information, approximate location, pages viewed, referral source, and general website usage data.

2. How We Use Information

AWF may use information we collect to:

• Respond to questions and requests
• Review adoption or volunteer applications
• Communicate with applicants, adopters, volunteers, donors, and supporters
• Process and acknowledge donations
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve our website
• Understand how visitors use our website and which content is useful
• Maintain organizational, accounting, donation, and program records
• Comply with applicable legal, tax, safety, or reporting obligations
• Protect AWF, our volunteers, our users, and the animals in our care

3. Applications and Website Forms

AWF uses online forms for purposes such as adoption applications, volunteer applications, contact requests, and other program-related communications.

Please provide only information that is reasonably necessary for the purpose of the form. Information submitted through a form may be reviewed by AWF team members or volunteers who need the information to respond to your request or evaluate an application.

4. Donations and PayPal

AWF currently uses PayPal to process online donations. When you choose to donate, you may be redirected to or interact with PayPal’s services.

Payment information is processed by PayPal under its own privacy and security practices. AWF does not receive or store your full payment card number through the PayPal donation process. We may receive donation records and information PayPal makes available to us, such as your name, email address, donation amount, date, transaction information, and any message you choose to include.

Please review PayPal’s own privacy policy for information about how PayPal collects, uses, and protects information.

5. Cookies and Google Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to support website functionality, security, performance, and analytics.

AWF uses Google Analytics to better understand general website usage. Depending on your device, browser, location, and privacy settings, Google Analytics may collect information such as device and browser information, session activity, approximate location, and website interaction data.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Some browsers, devices, and privacy tools may also allow you to limit analytics or tracking.

6. How We Share Information

AWF does not sell personal information.

We may share information only when reasonably necessary, including with:

• AWF staff, volunteers, or program partners who need it for legitimate organizational purposes
• Service providers that help us host, operate, secure, communicate through, or analyze our website
• Payment processors such as PayPal for donation processing
• Professional advisers, accountants, or other service providers when reasonably necessary
• Government authorities or other parties when disclosure is required by law or reasonably necessary to protect safety or legal rights

We ask service providers to handle information only for the services they provide, subject to their agreements, policies, and applicable law.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to maintain appropriate organizational records, to meet legal or accounting obligations, or to address safety, fraud, or dispute concerns.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of record. For example, donation and financial records may need to be kept longer than an unanswered general inquiry.

8. Data Security

AWF uses reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect information submitted through our website. However, no website, email system, or online transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Please avoid sending sensitive information through ordinary email or website forms unless it is necessary for the requested service.

9. Your Choices and Privacy Requests

You may contact AWF to ask about personal information you have submitted to us, to request a correction, or to request deletion when appropriate and when we are not required to retain the information for legal, accounting, safety, or other legitimate purposes.

You may also choose not to provide optional information in our forms. If certain required information is not provided, we may be unable to process an application or respond fully to a request.

10. Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed to children under 13, and AWF does not knowingly seek to collect personal information online from children under 13 without appropriate parent or guardian involvement.

If you believe a child under 13 has submitted personal information to us without appropriate permission, please contact us so we can review the situation.

11. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including adoption platforms, social media, payment services, or other resources.

AWF is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. When you leave our website, the privacy policy of the third party applies.

12. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our website, programs, service providers, or privacy practices change. When we make material updates, we will revise the effective date shown at the top of this page.