Privacy Statement

Pioneers for Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (PAWS) is committed to controlling the collection, use and disclosure of personal information provided by its supporters.

What is personal information?

Personal information is information such as your name, residential address, phone number, e-mail address, donation history to PAWS, credit card or banking information. Personal information is collected by PAWS only when you specifically and knowingly choose to provide it to us, such as when you make a donation to PAWS, or request information about PAWS or our programs, or purchase merchandise. We may also obtain personal information from third parties. This information is used for one time mailing purposes and is not collected or maintained by PAWS unless you choose to make a donation.

Publicly available information, such as a public directory listing of your name, address, telephone number and electronic address, is not considered personal information.

Collection and Use of Personal Information

PAWS collects and uses your personal information primarily for the purpose of issuing a tax receipt, communicating to you information about our programs or events, and soliciting donations.

Your personal information may also be used to communicate with you about donations we are unable to process, or problems with your monthly donation account.

Personal information will be shared with PAWS. Information shared with PAWS will only be used for the purposes listed above.

If you have not requested that we do not disclose your information to other organizations, your name, address and telephone number (but no other personal information) may be traded or sold to other charities or not-for-profit organizations for the purpose of sending you a direct mail appeal in the mail to support their organization. Some of our donation coupons and other vehicles for making a donation to PAWS contain a check off box to allow you to request that your name and address not be given to other organizations. Individuals who do not check the box are assumed to consent to the transfer of this information (name and address only) to third parties. You have the option at any time to tell us not to share your personal information with other charities.

Information collected by PAWS through surveys is used by PAWS for marketing purposes and is not disclosed to third parties. The only information we may share with third parties is aggregated demographic information, which is not linked to any personal information that can identify any individual person.

From time to time, PAWS may ask individuals to sign protest cards or petitions. PAWS does not record personal information from these sources. Protest card or petitions are forwarded to the intended recipient as outlined on the protest card or petition.

Disclosure

To enable us to more efficiently send out tax receipts, record donations or solicit donations, PAWS may share your personal information with selected third parties who are acting on our behalf as co-agents, suppliers or service providers. Such third party service providers are provided only with such information as is necessary in the circumstances. Information provided to third parties may be used only for the purpose stipulated and is subject to strict terms of confidentiality.

Accuracy

PAWS will try to ensure that information about you is accurate, complete and up-to-date. However, please inform PAWS of any change of name, address or other information.

Security

PAWS is committed to protecting your privacy. Security measures such as locked cabinets, restricted access and the use of passwords and encryption have been adopted to protect your personal information against loss or theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying or modification. Our employees are trained to respect your privacy at all times and those employees with access to your personal information shall use your personal information strictly in accordance with the PAWS Privacy Policy and privacy laws.

Access

If you have any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information by PAWS, or if you simply want to know whether we have your personal information on file, you may contact our PAWS Privacy Compliance Officer. Except in limited circumstances, as specifically provided by applicable privacy legislation, PAWS can tell you whether we hold personal information about you.