Privacy Policy

Effective date: June 1, 2026  ·  Last updated: June 1, 2026

1. Who We Are

PawMatch ("PawMatch," "we," "our," or "us") is a dog breed recommendation service operated at pawmatch.live. If you have questions about this policy, email us at christineshepard81@gmail.com.

2. Information We Collect

PawMatch is designed to collect as little information as possible:

• Quiz answers: Your responses to the 6 lifestyle questions are sent to our server to generate breed recommendations. They are processed in real time and not stored after results are returned.
• Optional free-text input: Any additional notes in the final question. Same handling — processed, then discarded.
• ZIP code (optional): Used only to populate adoption search links. It is not sent to our server or stored anywhere.
• No account information: No name, email, password, phone number, or payment data is collected. No account is required.

Standard web server logs (IP address, browser type, pages visited) are collected automatically by Netlify, our hosting provider. See Section 5 for details.

3. How We Use Your Information

• Your quiz answers are forwarded to Anthropic's Claude AI API to generate personalized dog breed recommendations.
• We do not build user profiles, track behavior over time, or use your answers for any purpose other than generating your results.
• We do not sell, rent, share, or trade your data with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.

4. Data Storage & Retention

• Our servers: Quiz answers are sent to our serverless function, processed, and discarded. We retain no quiz data after your results are returned.
• Your device: If you tap "Save My Results," your breed matches are stored in your browser's localStorage. This data never leaves your device. You can delete it at any time by clearing your browser data or site storage.
• Server logs: Standard access logs retained by Netlify for up to 30 days for security and performance monitoring.

5. Third-Party Services

• Anthropic (Claude AI API) — Processes your quiz answers to generate recommendations. Data is sent under Anthropic's API terms. See Anthropic's Privacy Policy.
• Netlify — Hosts PawMatch. Netlify may collect standard server logs including IP addresses. See Netlify's Privacy Policy.
• Google Fonts — Serves typefaces (Playfair Display, DM Sans). Google may log font requests. See Google Fonts Privacy FAQ.
• Wikipedia API & Dog CEO API — Used to fetch breed photos. No personal data is shared.
• Petfinder, Adopt-a-Pet, ASPCA — Adoption links open in a new tab in your browser. We do not share data with them. Their own privacy policies apply once you click through.

6. Cookies & Tracking

PawMatch does not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or analytics SDKs. We do not run Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any behavioral tracking. localStorage is used solely for the optional result-saving feature on your own device.

7. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

PawMatch is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has used the app and inadvertently shared personal data, please contact us at christineshepard81@gmail.com and we will take prompt action.

8. California Residents (CCPA)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request deletion, and to opt out of sale. PawMatch does not sell personal information. Because we do not retain quiz data on our servers, there is no user data to access or delete from our end. To remove locally saved results, clear your browser's site data.

9. International Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, your quiz answers are processed under the lawful basis of performance of a service (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR) — you submit your answers specifically to receive breed recommendations. We do not retain this data after processing. You have the right to access, rectify, or erase any data we hold about you; contact us at christineshepard81@gmail.com.

10. Security

All data is transmitted over HTTPS. Your Anthropic API key is stored as a server-side environment variable and is never exposed to your browser. We do not store payment information or sensitive personal data.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as PawMatch evolves. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect changes. Continued use of PawMatch after a policy update constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

12. Contact

Questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy:
📧 christineshepard81@gmail.com