Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Hay Hutch (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information when you visit our website https://thehayhutch.com (the “Site”). It also explains your choices and rights regarding the information we hold about you.

By using the Site you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not access or use Hay Hutch.

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about visitors to our Site, including:

A. Personal Information
“Personal Information” is data that can identify you directly or in combination with other information. We collect it only when you voluntarily provide it. This may include:

  • Contact Data: Your name, email address, and phone number when you subscribe to our newsletter, sign up for updates, submit a question, or otherwise get in touch.
  • Account Data: If you create an account on Hay Hutch, we may collect a username, password, and profile details you choose to share.
  • Communication Data: Records of correspondence, support requests, or messages we exchange with you — for example, if you contact us.
  • Transaction and Billing Data: If you purchase products or services through the Site, we collect information needed to process orders and payments. We use reputable third-party payment processors and do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
  • User Contributions: Content you post publicly on the Site such as comments, reviews, forum posts, or photos.

B. Non-Personal Information
This is information that does not identify you individually. It is collected automatically as you use the Site and may include:

  • Usage Data: Details about your visits to the Site, pages viewed, time spent on pages, referral sources, and other traffic data (often aggregated).
  • Device Data: Technical information about the device you use to access the Site, such as IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.

C. Information Collected Through Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tools to collect information about how you interact with Hay Hutch.

  • Cookies: Small files placed on your device to remember preferences and improve your experience. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, but some parts of the Site may not function properly without them.
  • How We Use Cookies:
    • To remember your preferences and settings for future visits.
    • To compile aggregate statistics about Site usage and performance.
    • For analytics and advertising, including retargeting (see the “Advertising” section below).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use information we collect for a variety of purposes related to operating Hay Hutch and serving our community of guinea pig owners, including:

  • To Provide and Maintain the Site: To present content, enable interactive features, and ensure the Site functions as intended.
  • To Process Transactions: To fulfill orders, process payments, handle refunds, and manage shipment details for any purchases you make.
  • To Communicate with You: To respond to inquiries, send confirmations, account notices, and other service-related messages.
  • For Marketing and Promotions: With your consent, to send newsletters, updates, and offers about guinea pig care products and resources. You can opt out at any time.
  • To Personalize User Experience: To tailor content and recommendations based on general usage patterns and interests.
  • To Improve Our Site: To analyze behavior and feedback so we can improve articles, tools, and services for Hay Hutch readers.
  • For Legal and Security Purposes: To detect and prevent fraud, enforce our terms, and protect the safety and rights of our community and our Site.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (For EEA and UK Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, our legal basis for processing your personal data depends on the context and type of data. Common bases include:

  • Performance of a Contract: Processing necessary to fulfill our agreement with you (for example, to deliver a product you purchased).
  • Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate operations, such as running the Site, marketing, and preventing misuse, provided those interests do not override your rights.
  • Consent: Where you have given clear permission (for example, to receive marketing emails).
  • Legal Compliance: Processing necessary to meet a legal obligation.

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share information in limited circumstances, such as:

  • With Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help operate the Site or provide services (e.g., hosting, email delivery, payment processors, analytics). They are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for permitted purposes.
  • For Business Transfers: If Hay Hutch is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction.
  • For Legal Reasons: When required by law, to respond to legal requests, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or those of our users.
  • With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes if you explicitly agree.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your Personal Information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

5. Advertising

We may work with third-party advertising partners to display relevant ads. These providers may use information about site visits (but not your name, address, email, or phone number) to show ads that may interest you.

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Site. Google Analytics collects data via cookies. For details, see Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • Opt-Out: You can opt out of Google’s advertising features and customize ad settings at http://www.google.com/settings/ads. The Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on is also available.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no internet transmission or storage system is completely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary to serve the purposes outlined in this Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Retention periods vary based on the type of data and the reason for collection.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights related to your personal data, including:

  • Access and Portability: Request copies of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
  • Restrict Processing: Request limits on how we use your personal data in certain situations.
  • Object to Processing: Object to our processing of your personal data, for example for direct marketing.
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. We will respond in a timely manner and in accordance with applicable law.

9. International Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside your country, where data protection laws may differ. We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is handled securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. “Do Not Track” Signals

Hay Hutch does not currently respond to Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Site is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 16 without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

12. Third-Party Links

The Site may include links to other websites not operated by Hay Hutch. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites. Please review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised policy on this page and update the “Last Updated” date. Please review this page periodically for any changes.