1. Introduction
SF Vet Hospital (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information when you visit our website at https://sfvethospital.com, contact our clinic, or use any service we offer. By using this website or providing your information to us, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
SF Vet Hospital is located at 2001 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at (415) 907-7576 or staff.sfvh@gmail.com.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you contact us, register as a new client, request an appointment, complete a form on our website, or interact with us by phone, email, text message, or in person, you may provide:
- Your name, contact information, and address
- Your pet’s name, species, breed, age, weight, and health history
- Payment information when paying for services or products
- Any messages, questions, or other information you share with us
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we and our service providers may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity, including IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on the website, and referring website.
2.3 Communication Platforms
We use third-party platforms to manage appointment requests, new client registrations, text messaging, email communication, and reviews. When you communicate with us through these channels, the information you share may also be processed by the platforms we use.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to provide veterinary care, schedule appointments, respond to inquiries, send appointment reminders and product refill request acknowledgments, process payments, maintain client records, improve our website and services, send marketing communications you have consented to receive, and comply with legal obligations.
4. SMS and Text Message Communications
If you provide your mobile phone number and consent to receive text messages from SF Vet Hospital, we may send you appointment reminders, care updates, and other communications related to your pet’s care. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text messaging is offered in accordance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
You can opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message we send. For help, reply HELP or contact us at (415) 907-7576.
5. Cookies and Similar Technologies
5.1 Types of Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to operate the site and improve your experience. We use the following cookie categories:
- Essential cookies: Required for the website to function. Always active.
- Statistics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the website. Opt-in only.
- Marketing cookies: Used for advertising, remarketing, and measuring ad campaign performance. Opt-in only.
5.2 Cookie Consent
When you visit our website for the first time, you will see a consent banner that allows you to accept or reject Statistics and Marketing cookies. You can update your preferences at any time through the consent banner controls.
5.3 Global Privacy Control and Universal Opt-Out
Our website recognizes the Global Privacy Control (GPC) and other universal opt-out mechanisms. If your browser sends a GPC signal, we will treat that signal as a valid opt-out of the sale or sharing of your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, in accordance with applicable law.
5.4 Online Advertising and Remarketing
We use online advertising platforms to promote our services to people who may be interested in veterinary care in San Francisco. This includes remarketing, which shows ads to people who have previously visited our website. Advertising audiences are limited to a local radius around our clinic.
You can manage your advertising preferences and opt out of personalized advertising through:
- Google ad settings: https://www.google.com/settings/ads
- Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out: https://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp
6. Third-Party Service Providers
We rely on third-party service providers to operate our website, communicate with clients, schedule visits, accept payments, and run our practice. We reference these providers by functional category only:
- Website hosting and content delivery providers
- Web analytics and tag management providers
- Online form and appointment booking providers
- Online retail and product fulfillment providers
- Email and text messaging service providers
- Practice management and client communication platforms
- Payment processing providers
- Advertising and conversion tracking platforms
- Social media platforms
- Review and reputation management platforms
7. AI-Assisted Tools
SF Vet Hospital uses AI-assisted communication tools as part of our standard practice operations. These tools include voicemail transcription, automated call categorization, automated appointment reminders, chatbot and automated phone attendant assistance, and review response suggestions.
7.1 No Medical Decisions by AI
AI-assisted tools do not make any veterinary medical decisions. All clinical judgments, care recommendations, and decisions about your pet are made by licensed veterinarians and their teams.
7.2 Call Recording
For quality assurance, training, and recordkeeping, calls to and from SF Vet Hospital may be recorded. Because we are located in California, we follow California Penal Code Section 632, which requires the consent of all parties before recording a confidential communication. By continuing a call after notice that the call may be recorded, you consent to the recording.
7.3 Automated Communications
Some communications you receive from us, including appointment reminders, follow-up messages, and review request invitations, may be automated.
7.4 AI Interaction Disclosure
If you interact with a chatbot or automated phone attendant on our website or phone line, you may be interacting with an AI-assisted tool rather than a member of our staff. You can always request to be transferred to a person at any point.
7.5 Your Rights Regarding AI-Assisted Tools
You can request not to have your communications processed by AI-assisted tools where it is technically feasible. You can also request a copy of any AI-generated transcript or summary related to your communications with us by contacting staff.sfvh@gmail.com.
8. Data Protection and Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is fully secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8.1 Data Breach Notification
If we become aware of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by applicable law.
9. Your Privacy Rights
SF Vet Hospital respects all applicable US state consumer privacy laws. Because we are based in California, this section focuses on the rights provided under California law.
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (Cal. Civ. Code Section 1798.100 et seq.), California residents have the following rights: right to know and access, right to delete, right to correct, right to portability, right to opt out of sale and sharing, right to limit use of sensitive personal information, and right to non-discrimination and non-retaliation.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at staff.sfvh@gmail.com or (415) 907-7576. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by the applicable statute. We may need to verify your identity before responding.
10. Sharing of Personal Information
We share personal information with our service providers as needed to operate our practice, communicate with clients, deliver services, and meet legal obligations. We do not sell personal information for money. However, under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, certain disclosures of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising (including remarketing through advertising platforms and social media platforms) may be considered “sharing” or “sale.”
The categories of personal information that may be shared for cross-context behavioral advertising include identifiers (such as device identifiers and IP address), internet and electronic network activity information, and inferences drawn from this information.
You have the right to opt out of this sharing at any time. See the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” section at the bottom of this Privacy Policy and the consent banner on our website.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
12. Links to External Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of any linked third-party website.
Our social media pages, including any Facebook, Instagram, or other Meta-operated platforms, are subject to the privacy policies and terms of those platforms in addition to ours.
13. Data Retention
We keep personal information for as long as needed to provide veterinary services, comply with legal and recordkeeping obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website and services after the effective date constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
15. Website Design and Management
This website is designed and managed by VSA Vet Media Inc. on behalf of SF Vet Hospital. VSA Vet Media Inc. is not a veterinary practice and does not provide veterinary advice. As part of its services, VSA Vet Media Inc. helps configure and operate the website. Information collected through the website may be processed by VSA Vet Media Inc. as a service provider acting on behalf of SF Vet Hospital, in accordance with applicable law.
16. Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise any privacy right, contact us at:
SF Vet Hospital
2001 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 907-7576
Email: staff.sfvh@gmail.com
Website: https://sfvethospital.com