Last updated: May 3, 2026
Privacy Policy
Pup Finder, Inc. ("Pup Finder", "we", "us") respects the privacy of pet owners and finders. This policy explains what we collect, why, and what we never do.
How your information is protected
Owner-controlled by design. The five things worth knowing before you sign up.
You decide what's visible
Profile fields are optional. Show only what you want a finder to see.
Your phone number isn't printed on the profile
It's behind Call and Text buttons — but tapping them uses the finder's normal dialer or SMS app, so they will see your number when you connect.
Finder location is opt-in
Nothing is shared until the finder taps a button and approves it in their browser.
Edit or disable any time
Update your profile, swap photos, or pause the tag from your dashboard.
No background pet tracking
There is no GPS in the tag. We do not monitor location between scans.
Privacy FAQ
Straight answers about what's visible, what's shared, and what stays yours.
Can someone see my phone number?+
Your phone number is not printed on the public pet profile — it sits behind Call and Text buttons. Tapping those buttons opens the finder's normal phone dialer or SMS app, which means anyone who calls or texts you will see your real number. Pup Finder does not currently provide a masked or relay number. If you'd rather not share your personal number, use a secondary line (for example a Google Voice number) on your profile.
Does Pup Finder track my pet's location?+
No. There is no GPS in the tag and nothing tracks your pet in the background. A location only exists when a finder scans the tag and chooses to share theirs.
When is finder location shared?+
Only when the finder taps a clearly labeled button on the scan page and approves their browser's location permission. If they decline, no coordinates are collected — they can still type a landmark or cross streets.
Can I hide parts of my pet profile?+
Yes. Profile fields are optional. Add only the details you want a finder to see — for example, you can skip medical notes, the reward message, or emergency contact entirely.
Can I disable a pet profile?+
Yes. From your dashboard you can mark a profile inactive so the public scan page stops serving it. You can re-enable it at any time.
What information should I avoid posting publicly?+
Treat the public profile like a printed tag anyone could read. Don't include your home address, gate or alarm codes, full date of birth, or other private personal details. Vet name, neighborhood, and a contact button are usually enough.
Does Pup Finder replace a microchip?+
No. Microchips are permanent identification read by vets and shelters. Pup Finder is a faster recovery layer for everyday finders. The strongest protection uses both.
Who can see my pet's profile?+
Anyone who has the tag's QR link can open the public profile while it's active. The profile is meant to be read by a finder — but it is not gated, so don't post anything you would not put on a printed tag.
1. The short version
- We never silently track location — finders must tap a button and grant browser permission.
- We never sell personal data.
- Owners can export or delete their data at any time from the account page.
- Finders can refuse location and still help by typing a landmark.
2. Information we collect from owners
When you create an account we collect your name, email address, phone number, and a hashed password. We collect any pet profile information you choose to add — pet name, breed, color, age, photo, medical notes, temperament notes, reward message, and emergency contact. We collect billing information through our PCI-compliant payment processor; we never store full card numbers.
3. Information we collect from finders
Nothing — unless the finder taps a clearly labeled button and grants the browser's location permission. If granted, we collect: latitude/longitude at the moment they tap, an optional name/phone/note they type, the user-agent of their device, and the timestamp of the scan. If they decline location, only the optional fields and timestamp are stored.
4. How we use information
- Owner contact info is used to deliver SMS alerts and account emails.
- Finder location is forwarded once via SMS to the registered owner with a Google Maps link, then stored in the owner's scan history.
- Pet profile is shown on the public finder page when a tag is scanned.
- Aggregate, de-identified statistics may be used to improve the product.
5. SMS consent
By providing your phone number you consent to receive transactional SMS alerts (scan notifications, account verification, lost-mode confirmations). Standard message and data rates apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time; STOP disables alerts but does not delete your account. We do not send marketing SMS.
6. Data we do not collect
- Background location of finders or owners.
- Contacts, photos, or files outside of what you upload.
- Cookies for advertising or cross-site tracking.
- Biometric data.
7. Data retention
Pet profiles, scan events, and account records are retained while your account is active so you can review history. When you delete your account, profile and contact data are deleted within 30 days; scan logs older than 24 months are de-identified before deletion. Backups are purged on a 90-day rotation.
8. Sharing
We share data with vetted sub-processors strictly to operate the service: SMS delivery (Twilio), database and storage hosting (Supabase / AWS), email delivery (Resend), and payment processing (Stripe or Paddle). Each is bound by a data processing agreement. We do not sell or rent personal data.
9. Your rights
You can access, export, correct, or delete your data at any time from the account page or by emailing support@pupfinder.app. California (CCPA) and EU/UK (GDPR) residents have additional rights including portability and objection; contact us to exercise them.
10. Children
Pup Finder is not intended for users under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
11. Security
All traffic is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+). Passwords are hashed with bcrypt. Database access is restricted by row-level security policies tied to your authenticated user. We perform regular vulnerability scans.
12. Changes & contact
If we change this policy materially we will notify account holders by email. Questions? Email support@pupfinder.app or write to Pup Finder, Inc., 1100 Congress Ave, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701.