Information Governance & Data Protection Policy
Privacy Notice & Privacy Statement
Destitute Animals Shelter (DAS) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a fair, transparent and secure manner. We collect and process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable data protection legislation.
Destitute Animals Shelter is the Data Controller for the personal information we collect. Responsibility for data protection within the charity rests with the Finance & Administration Manager.
What Information We Collect
We may collect personal information when you:
- Apply for employment.
- Apply to adopt or foster an animal.
- Register as a volunteer.
- Make a donation or support our fundraising activities.
- Contact us with an enquiry.
- Subscribe to receive updates or newsletters.
- Enter our Paw Draw or Lottery.
- Visit our website.
The information we collect may include:
- Name, address, telephone number and email address.
- Date of birth where appropriate.
- Emergency contact or next of kin details.
- Employment or volunteering information.
- Adoption or fostering information.
- Donation records.
- Any other information relevant to the service you are requesting.
Where you provide us with personal information about another individual, such as an emergency contact or next of kin, you should ensure they are aware that you have shared their information with us.
How We Use Your Information
We only collect and use personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- To fulfil a contract with you, for example when processing an adoption application or employment.
- To comply with our legal obligations.
- Where it is in our legitimate interests to administer and improve the services and activities of the charity.
- Where you have given your consent, for example to receive marketing or fundraising communications.
Your information may be used to:
- Process applications for employment, volunteering, adoption or fostering.
- Administer your relationship with the charity.
- Maintain accurate animal welfare and adoption records.
- Contact you regarding services you have requested.
- Respond to enquiries.
- Manage donations and fundraising activities.
- Maintain health and safety, including emergency contact information where necessary.
- Improve our services and website.
We will only send you marketing or fundraising communications by email where you have given your consent. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us.
We will never sell your personal information to third parties.
How Long We Keep Your Information
We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to meet our legal, regulatory and operational requirements.
Different categories of information are retained for different periods in accordance with our Data Retention Policy. Once information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or destroyed.
Our Website
When you visit our website, we may collect technical information such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address and information about how you use our website through cookies.
Cookies help us to improve your browsing experience, remember your preferences and maintain the security of our website. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Further information is available in our Cookie Policy where applicable.
Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites and encourage you to read their privacy notices before providing any personal information.
Keeping Your Information Secure
We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect it against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, disclosure, alteration or destruction.
Where we use trusted third-party service providers to support our operations, we ensure that appropriate contractual and security measures are in place to protect your information.
International Transfers
Where possible, your personal information is processed within the United Kingdom or countries that provide an adequate level of data protection. If information is transferred outside the UK, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK data protection legislation.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of your personal information where appropriate.
- Request that we restrict the processing of your information.
- Object to certain types of processing.
- Request the transfer of your personal information where applicable.
- Withdraw your consent where processing is based on consent.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your information has been handled unlawfully.
More information about your rights can be found on the ICO website.
Contact Us
If you would like to access, update or correct your personal information, withdraw your consent, make a complaint, or have any questions about how we use your information, please contact:
Finance & Administration Manager
Destitute Animals Shelter
1 Northolt Drive
Bolton
BL3 6NJ
Email: accounts@destituteanimalshelter.org.uk
If you remain dissatisfied after contacting us, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
