Privacy policy

Last updated: June 28, 2026

Golden Paw Match (goldenpawmatch.com) is a free matching tool that helps older adults and their families find calm senior dogs and cats. This policy explains what we collect, why, and your choices.

1. Who we are

Golden Paw Match is operated by John Shoufler (“we,” “us,” or “our”). We are not a shelter, rescue, or animal welfare agency. We do not approve adoptions, inspect animals, or guarantee listing accuracy.

Contact: support@goldenpawmatch.com

2. Information we collect

Quiz and match preferences (usually not stored on our servers). When you take the compatibility quiz, your answers and match results are kept in your browser’s sessionStorage so the results page can display them. This data is cleared when you close the browser tab unless you sign up for alerts (below). We do not require an account to use the quiz.

ZIP code. You provide a U.S. ZIP code to find pets near you. For match searches, the ZIP is sent to our API to query nearby listings. If you sign up for email alerts, we store your ZIP with your alert preferences.

Email alert signups. If you opt in on the results page, we collect your email address, ZIP code, species preference, and quiz profile fields (mobility, size, training needs, etc.) and store them in our database so we can notify you when strong new matches appear. Alert emails are a planned feature; during early launch you may be subscribed before the first email is sent.

Rehome listings. If you submit a pet through Rehome a pet, we collect the information you enter: pet details, description, caregiver contact email (required), optional phone, and location (ZIP, city, state). This information is stored on our servers and may be shown to adopters searching in your area, including your contact email so interested adopters can reach you directly.

Server logs. Our web server and API keep standard access logs (IP address, browser type, pages or endpoints requested, timestamps) for security, abuse prevention, and debugging. Logs are rotated routinely and are not used to build advertising profiles.

3. How we use information

Score and rank adoptable senior pets and rehome listings for your situation
Display match results and rehome listings to users in relevant areas
Send email alerts you requested (when that feature is active)
Operate, secure, and improve the Service
Respond to support, privacy, and abuse reports
Comply with law and enforce our Terms of Use

We do not sell your personal information. We do not run advertising trackers or behavioral ad networks on this site.

4. Third parties

RescueGroups.org. Shelter pet data is fetched from the public RescueGroups adoptable-pet API based on the ZIP code and search radius you provide. We do not send your email to RescueGroups. Their handling of animal listing data is governed by RescueGroups.org terms and policies.

Shelters and private listers. When you click “Apply at shelter,” you leave our site for a third-party shelter or rescue website. When you contact a private rehome lister, you communicate directly with that person by email. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

Hosting and email providers. The site is hosted on a VPS; email is handled through our mail provider. These vendors process data only to provide infrastructure services to us.

Payment processing (future). If we introduce paid features (such as Pro alerts or promoted rehome listings), payments will be processed by Stripe. We will not store full payment card numbers on our servers. Stripe’s privacy policy will apply to payment data.

5. Cookies and local storage

We do not use advertising cookies. The quiz and results flow uses browser sessionStorage (not cookies) to remember your match results for the current browsing session. If we add optional cookies in the future (for example, to remember accessibility preferences), we will update this policy first.

6. How long we keep data

Email alerts: Until you unsubscribe, ask us to delete your data, or we discontinue the alert product.
Rehome listings: While the listing remains active. We may remove stale, abusive, or fraudulent listings without notice.
Server logs: Typically weeks to a few months, then rotated or deleted.

7. Your choices and rights

You may:

Use the quiz without creating an account or submitting an email
Request access to, correction of, or deletion of alert or rehome data we hold about you
Opt out of alert emails using the unsubscribe link (when emails are sent) or by emailing us
Ask questions about this policy at any time

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA). We do not sell personal information. California residents may request disclosure or deletion by emailing support@goldenpawmatch.com with the subject line “Privacy request.” We will verify and respond within the timeframes required by law.

8. Children

Golden Paw Match is intended for adults and families helping older adults find a pet. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted information to us, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

9. Security

We use HTTPS, access controls, and routine hosting practices to protect data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please use a strong, unique email password for your mailbox if you list a pet or sign up for alerts.

10. International users

The Service is designed for users in the United States (U.S. ZIP codes, U.S. shelter data). If you access the site from outside the U.S., you understand your information may be processed in the United States.

11. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last updated” date. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.

12. Contact

Privacy questions or requests:

Email: support@goldenpawmatch.com