Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 2023

1. Introduction

Welcome to Ark Wildlife Shop, your trusted source for ethical wildlife care products for over 35 years. Just as we meticulously select sustainable products for your garden sanctuary, we are committed to handling your personal information with integrity, transparency, and respect. This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors of birdcaressales.com and customers who purchase our bird feeders, wildlife food, nesting materials, and related products.

2. Information We Collect

To provide you with the best possible service and support our mission of creating thriving ecosystems, we collect several types of information:

Personal Information You Provide

• Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number, and shipping/billing address when you place an order or create an account.
• Payment Information: Credit/debit card details or PayPal information processed through secure third-party payment processors. We do not store complete payment card details on our servers.
• Communication Records: Correspondence when you contact our wildlife-loving support team at [email protected].
• Preferences: Your product interests, newsletter subscription choices, and communication preferences.

Information Collected Automatically

• Device & Browser Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and referring URLs.
• Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on site, products viewed, and shopping cart activity.
• Location Data: General geographic location (country/region level) to provide appropriate shipping options and product recommendations.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely for legitimate business purposes aligned with our ethical mission:

• Order Fulfillment: To process and ship your purchases of bird food, feeders, and wildlife care products.
• Customer Service: To respond to your inquiries and provide support for your wildlife care journey.
• Communication: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and (with your consent) our newsletter featuring wildlife care tips and special offers on bird food bundles and seasonal items.
• Website Improvement: To enhance your shopping experience, optimize our website, and develop new ethical products.
• Security: To protect against fraudulent transactions and unauthorized access, maintaining the same vigilance we apply to protecting nesting birds.
• Legal Compliance: To meet our legal obligations and enforce our terms and conditions.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information to third parties. We only share data under these specific circumstances:

Service Providers

We work with trusted partners who assist in our operations:

• Payment Processors: Secure payment providers like PayPal and card processors to handle transactions.
• Shipping Partners: Logistics companies to deliver your ethically sourced products worldwide (excluding Asia and certain remote regions).
• IT & Analytics Services: Providers who help us maintain our website and understand how customers interact with our wildlife care offerings.

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Ark Wildlife Shop, our customers, or the public.

5. Data Storage and Security

• Secure Storage: Your personal data is stored on secure servers with limited access.
• Payment Protection: We never store your complete payment card details on our servers. All payment information is processed through PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways.
• Data Retention: We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
• International Transfers: As we serve a global community of wildlife lovers (with some regional limitations), your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your personal information:

• Access & Correction: You can access and update your account information through your account settings or by contacting us.
• Marketing Communications: You can opt-out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link in every email or by contacting us.
• Data Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal obligations we may have to retain information.
• Cookie Preferences: You can manage cookie settings through your browser controls (see Section 7 for details).
• Do Not Track: Our website does not currently respond to “Do Not Track” signals, but you can adjust your tracking preferences through cookie settings.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Like a bird bath attracts wildlife, cookies help make your experience with our website more functional and enjoyable:

What We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic functions like adding items to your cart and secure checkout.
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website, allowing us to improve navigation and product presentation.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences (like currency or region) to personalize your experience.
• Advertising Cookies: Used to show you relevant wildlife care products on other websites, based on your browsing history on our site.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your shopping experience, such as the ability to add items to your cart or complete a purchase.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website and products are designed for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately so we can take appropriate action.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other sites, such as wildlife conservation organizations or related resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new “Last Updated” date. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.