Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 28th March, 2025

At Lebelletzu Purebred Shih Tzus (“we,” “us,” or “our”), we continue to prioritize your privacy and the protection of your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains, in precise detail, how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at https://lebelletzu.com (the “Site”), create an account, or make purchases (including puppy reservations or associated products/services) through our platform. We also explain our relationships with Stripe (our payment processor), Squarespace (our hosting and website platform), and Google Analytics (our analytics tool), giving you a complete view of your data’s lifecycle.

By reading and consenting to this policy, you confirm your awareness of—and agreement with—our data practices. If you have questions or concerns about how your data is collected or used, please contact us at privacy@lebelletzu.com.

1. Scope

Applicability

This Privacy Policy covers all personal data we collect through:

  • Our primary website, https://lebelletzu.com, built and hosted on Squarespace.

  • Any account or login feature integrated into our Site (e.g., user profile creation, password recovery).

  • Any payment mechanisms, including direct credit card or invoice-based transactions managed by Stripe.

  • Our communication channels (contact forms, emails, phone interactions) related to the Site and its offerings.

Legal Framework

We strive to comply with relevant privacy and data protection laws (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) but do not provide legal advice. For questions about your specific jurisdiction, consult a legal professional.

Acceptance

By using our Site and services, you acknowledge that you have reviewed this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our Site and refrain from providing personal information.

2. Data Collection and Use

We gather various types of personal data to:

  • Provide high-quality Shih Tzu puppies and associated services

  • Issue invoices and process payments

  • Offer optional email updates (e.g., new-litter announcements)

  • Improve user experience and security

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Creation and Login
When creating an account, we require a valid email and secure password (hashed on our systems), plus your name if needed. Additional data—like your home address or phone number—may be requested for shipping or purchase logistics. All account data is stored in Squarespace, accessible only to authorized staff who use strong security practices (including two-factor authentication, where feasible).

Payment Information
If you purchase a puppy or related services, Stripe primarily handles the transaction. You may be asked for credit card details (number, expiration, CVC), billing address, etc. We do not store full card data; instead, we keep only minimal transaction details (e.g., last four digits, date/time, unique Stripe ID) for record-keeping or dispute resolution. Stripe is PCI-DSS-compliant, reducing our need to handle sensitive payment data directly.

Contact Forms, Email, and Other Communication
Data provided via contact forms or emails (e.g., name, email, phone number, inquiries) is used to respond to your requests and may be linked to your account if you make a purchase later. We retain these communications to ensure continuity and verify any agreements.

Email Updates on New Litters
If you “opt in” for puppy announcements, we collect your name and email to send notices about new litters. We do not otherwise send general marketing emails unless you request them. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in our emails or contacting us directly.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information (Analytics)

Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to see how visitors engage with our Site. This includes details like IP addresses, browser types, device info, pages viewed, and time spent on each page. The data is generally aggregated—e.g., “60% of traffic is mobile”—and not tied to you personally unless you create an account or consent to advanced tracking. If required, IP anonymization may be enabled. For more information, please refer to Google’s Privacy Policy.

User-Provided Data Collection in Analytics
We may pass a hashed identifier (like an encrypted email) to Google Analytics for advanced audience insights. This helps us understand visitor journeys without exposing actual email addresses. We do this only with your consent, typically obtained at registration or via a cookie banner. If you do not consent, we will not use hashed identifiers.

2.3 Additional Data Usage Context

Improving Our Services
We review direct inputs and analytics to refine processes (e.g., if many visitors abandon checkout, we might simplify payment steps).

Legal or Regulatory Requirements
Certain data may be retained to fulfill legal obligations, respond to court orders, or comply with regulations about animal sales.

Fraud Prevention and Security
We use account details, IP addresses, and minimal transaction logs to detect suspicious activities (like multiple failed logins or unusual purchase patterns).

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

3.1 Overview of Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device to enhance site functionality or measure performance. They include:

  • Session cookies (expire after your browsing session)

  • Persistent cookies (remain for a set duration or until you remove them)

  • First-party cookies (set by our domain)

  • Third-party cookies (e.g., Google Analytics cookies)

3.2 Why We Use Cookies

  • Site Functionality: Let you stay logged in, manage cart items (if applicable).

  • Preferences: Remember settings or announcements preferences.

  • Analytics: Gather usage metrics via Google Analytics.

  • No Advertising Trackers: We do not deploy unrelated third-party ad trackers.

3.3 Managing or Disabling Cookies

You can adjust your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when they are used. Disabling them may affect certain site functions (e.g., logging in, completing purchases). Where required by law, you will see a cookie banner letting you opt in or out of non-essential cookies.

3.4 Web Beacons and Other Tech

We may use web beacons in emails to track open rates or see if you clicked a link. This does not store personally identifiable info unless you proceed to submit data on our Site.

4. Payment Processing

Stripe Integration and Data Retention

Payments on our Site are securely processed through Stripe. Stripe is PCI-DSS-compliant (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), meaning your payment information is encrypted, tokenized, and stored on Stripe's secure servers. We do not store your full credit card details or CVV/CVC codes.

We only retain minimal transaction data necessary for record-keeping and customer support, such as:

  • Transaction ID

  • Date and time of the transaction

  • Last four digits of your card

  • Amount and currency used

Stripe may request further authentication, such as 3D Secure verification, to ensure the safety of your payment. In the case of refunds or chargebacks, we rely on Stripe's tokenized data without needing to store or re-enter your card information. For more information, please review Stripe’s Privacy Policy.

5. Data Storage via Squarespace

Platform and Responsibilities

Our website is built on and hosted by Squarespace, which provides the infrastructure for our Site. As our data processor, Squarespace stores your data on its secure servers, employing advanced security measures such as:

  • SSL/TLS Encryption: Data transmitted between your browser and our Site is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS). You can verify this with the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.

  • Firewall Protection: Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to stored data.

  • Intrusion Detection and Monitoring: Squarespace monitors for suspicious activity to maintain system integrity.

  • Data Redundancy: Backups are regularly maintained to protect against accidental data loss.

While we manage how your data is used within the Squarespace platform, Squarespace remains responsible for the security of its infrastructure. If a security breach affecting your data occurs within Squarespace’s environment, we will notify you promptly and provide information on steps you may need to take. You can learn more by reviewing Squarespace’s Privacy Policy.

6. Accessing, Editing, and Deleting Your Data

User Access and Control

If you have created an account on our Site, you can log in at any time to:

  • View the personal information you have provided.

  • Update or correct any inaccuracies.

  • Adjust your communication preferences, including email notifications.

We recommend keeping your login credentials confidential. If you believe your account has been compromised, immediately change your password and contact us at privacy@lebelletzu.com.

Data Removal Requests

If you would like to request the deletion of your personal data, please email us at privacy@lebelletzu.com. Upon receiving your request, we will:

  1. Verify your identity to ensure the security of your account.

  2. Remove or anonymize any data that is not legally required for business or compliance purposes.

  3. Confirm via email once your data has been deleted or anonymized.

Note that we may retain certain information as required for:

  • Accounting and Tax Compliance: Transactional data may be kept for regulatory purposes.

  • Legal Obligations: Data required for ongoing legal matters or investigations.

  • Animal Welfare Regulations: Records relating to Shih Tzu puppy lineages may be retained to comply with applicable regulations.

We aim to complete data deletion requests within 30 days, except in cases where legal or operational constraints apply.

7. Data Security

Our Security Measures

We implement a combination of technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data. These include:

  • SSL/TLS Encryption: All data transmitted to and from our Site is encrypted using secure protocols.

  • Trusted Platforms: Squarespace’s infrastructure is continuously updated and monitored for security vulnerabilities. Similarly, Stripe ensures PCI-DSS compliance for all payment transactions.

  • Access Controls: Only authorized personnel with specific responsibilities have access to your data. Where applicable, we use two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional protection.

  • Data Monitoring and Incident Response: We monitor for unauthorized access attempts and maintain a detailed incident response plan. In the event of a breach, we will promptly notify affected users and comply with all relevant legal obligations.

Limitations

While we employ industry-standard security measures, no online system is completely immune to threats. Cyberattacks, phishing attempts, and compromised networks are outside our direct control. You acknowledge that by using our Site, you accept the inherent risks of data transmission over the internet.

To protect your data, we recommend:

  • Using strong, unique passwords.

  • Enabling multi-factor authentication where possible.

  • Avoiding accessing sensitive accounts on public or unsecured networks.

For any questions or concerns regarding our data security practices, contact us at privacy@lebelletzu.com.

8. Third-Party Links

Our Site may link to external websites or resources (e.g., social media, veterinary sites). We do not endorse their content or privacy practices and are not responsible for their actions. If you leave our domain, their privacy policies apply. Social media features (like an Instagram feed) may collect data according to the platform’s policies.

9. Children’s Privacy

We do not target users under 13 (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction) and do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a child has submitted data without parental consent, contact us at privacy@lebelletzu.com; we will remove the child’s info unless legally required to keep it.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to servers in countries with different privacy regulations (e.g., servers in the United States). We use recognized safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where necessary, or we may seek explicit consent if no adequacy decision applies.

11. Your Rights and Choices

Overview of Rights

Depending on local laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), you may have rights to:

  • Access your data

  • Rectify inaccurate details

  • Erasure (be forgotten)

  • Restrict or Object to certain processing

  • Portability (request a copy in machine-readable format)

  • Withdraw Consent for data uses based on consent (e.g., analytics or marketing)

To exercise these rights, email privacy@lebelletzu.com. We typically respond within 30 days unless an extension is warranted by the nature or volume of requests.

12. Retention Periods

We keep personal data as long as necessary for the purposes outlined here or as required by law. For example:

  • Accounts: Maintained until you request deletion or after extended inactivity.

  • Transaction Records: Held for tax/audit (often 3–7 years).

  • Communications: May be stored indefinitely if relevant to ongoing transactions or lineage records; otherwise, you can request removal.

Backup media might contain residual data until overwritten or destroyed, but access to backups is restricted.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes. An updated “Last Updated” date will appear at the top. If major revisions occur, we may also notify you (e.g., via a banner on our Site or email). Continuing to use our Site after updates means you accept the revised policy.

14. Disclaimers

  • No Legal Warranty: This policy is not legal advice. For specific situations, consult an attorney.

  • Third-Party Liability: We select providers like Squarespace and Stripe based on security credentials but cannot guarantee their performance. If they experience a breach, we will cooperate to mitigate harm.

  • Accuracy of User-Provided Info: You are responsible for providing correct data (e.g., shipping details).

  • Evolving Legislation: Privacy laws change; we update our practices accordingly but cannot promise our policy always mirrors the latest standards in every jurisdiction.

15. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please reach out:

  • Email: privacy@lebelletzu.com

  • Mailing Address: Lebelletzu Purebred Shih Tzus, PO Box 405 NORTHAMPTON, WA 6535

  • Phone: +61 429 088 544 (Mostly for puppy-related queries; for privacy issues, email is preferred.)

We appreciate your trust and strive to respond promptly—usually within a few business days.

16. Summary of Key Points

  1. Data Collection: We collect details when you create an account, submit forms, or pay via Stripe, plus analytics (possibly with hashed identifiers).

  2. Your Rights: You may access, correct, or delete your data, opt out of cookies/marketing, and withdraw consent for certain processing.

  3. Security Measures: We use HTTPS encryption, trusted infrastructure (Squarespace, Stripe), and controlled internal access.

  4. Retention: We keep data as long as needed for legal or operational purposes, then delete or anonymize it upon your request.

  5. No Unnecessary Ads: We do not run targeted ads or sell personal data to third parties.

  6. Policy Updates: We post revisions to this page, with a new date. Major changes may prompt direct notices.

Continuing to use our Site indicates you understand these points. Full details are provided above to illustrate precisely how your data is handled.

17. Extended Conclusion and Final Remarks

Although this Privacy Policy is extensive, it is slightly more concise than previous versions. We have retained all major components while reducing nested headings for clarity. By remaining transparent, we seek to build and maintain your trust, ensuring that data privacy stays central to our relationships with visitors, prospective buyers, and existing customers.

In breeding certified purebred Shih Tzus, we uphold high standards of care for both the puppies and the people who purchase them. Your personal information is treated with the same dedication and responsibility. Should you have suggestions or wish to verify any aspect of this policy, contact us anytime. Regularly reviewing this policy is encouraged—especially when we add new functionalities, revise our Site structure, or implement changes mandated by law.

Thank you for reading our Privacy Policy and for placing your trust in Lebelletzu Purebred Shih Tzus.

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. We are not legal professionals, and this Privacy Policy should not be construed as legal advice. For concerns regarding local laws or unique situations, consult a qualified lawyer.

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