Privacy Policy

Last updated: 4 July 2026

1. Who I am

Safe Hands Home & Pet Sitting is operated by Simon Thevasagayam as a sole trader. In this policy, “Safe Hands”, “I”, “me” and “my” refer to Simon Thevasagayam trading as Safe Hands Home & Pet Sitting.

Website: safehandshomeandpet.co.uk
Email: hello@safehandshomeandpet.co.uk

I am the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

2. What personal information I collect

I may collect: your name, address, email address and telephone number; booking dates and service requirements; property access and security information that you choose to provide; emergency contact details; information about your pets, their routines, behaviour, veterinary contacts, medication and care instructions; communications and records of enquiries; invoices and payment records; photographs, reviews or testimonials where you have given permission; and website technical information such as IP address, browser/device information and cookie or analytics data where applicable.

Please only provide another person’s contact details, such as an emergency contact, where you are authorised to do so.

3. How I collect information

I collect personal information directly from you when you contact me, complete a website enquiry form, speak with me, complete a handover form or care plan, make a booking, pay for services, provide a review, or correspond with me during a booking.

The website is hosted by Squarespace. Website enquiry forms are processed through Squarespace and delivered to the business email account; depending on the final form configuration, copies may also be stored within Squarespace services.

4. Why I use your information and my lawful bases

I use personal information to respond to enquiries, assess availability, prepare quotes, arrange meet-and-greets, provide booked services, follow pet and home-care instructions, communicate updates, handle emergencies, administer bookings and payments, keep business and tax records, manage complaints or legal claims, protect the security of clients, pets and property, and improve the service.

Where processing is necessary to take steps at your request before a booking or to perform a booking, I rely on the lawful basis of contract. Where I must keep records or disclose information to comply with law, I rely on legal obligation. For proportionate business administration, security, fraud prevention, service improvement and the establishment or defence of legal claims, I may rely on legitimate interests. For optional marketing uses such as publishing your review or identifiable pet photographs on social media or the website, I rely on consent where appropriate; you can withdraw that consent at any time for future use.

5. Who I may share information with

I do not sell personal information. I may share information only where reasonably necessary with: veterinary practices or emergency animal-care providers; a client-nominated emergency contact or key holder; insurers, professional advisers or legal representatives; payment providers and banks; IT, email and website service providers such as Squarespace; and public authorities where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect vital interests.

Where an emergency involves an animal and you cannot be reached, relevant care information may be shared with a veterinary professional so that advice or treatment can be sought.

6. International data transfers

Some technology providers used to operate the website or business may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, I will rely on an appropriate legal transfer mechanism or safeguards provided by the relevant service provider. Squarespace states that it uses mechanisms including the UK International Data Transfer Addendum and other recognised transfer safeguards for relevant transfers.

7. How long I keep information

I keep information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, taking account of legal, tax, insurance and dispute-resolution needs.

As a working retention guide: enquiries that do not lead to a booking are normally deleted or anonymised after 12 months; active client records are kept for the duration of the client relationship; completed booking, contractual and incident records may be retained for up to 6 years where needed for legal claims or insurance purposes; and financial and tax records are retained for the period required by HMRC. Access codes and security details are deleted or securely destroyed when no longer needed for the booking or ongoing client relationship.

8. Security

I take reasonable steps to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure. This includes limiting access to information, using password-protected devices and accounts, and avoiding unnecessary retention of keys, access codes and security information.

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, so absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

9. Your data protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, correct inaccurate information, request deletion, restrict or object to certain processing, receive certain information in a portable format, and withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis. These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal conditions or exemptions.

To exercise a right, email hello@safehandshomeandpet.co.uk. I may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

10. Complaints

Please contact me first if you have a concern about how your personal information is handled. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection.

11. Cookies and website analytics

The website uses cookies and similar technologies. Some are necessary for the website to operate. Analytics or performance cookies are used only in accordance with the cookie settings and consent choices implemented on the website. Please read the separate Cookie Policy for more detail.

12. Changes to this policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be published on the website with an updated “last updated” date.