Privacy Policy

Introduction

Highland Pet Hospital & Wellness Center and Animal Emergency Clinic of McLean County ("we," "us," or "our") are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Schedule an appointment or use our services
• Register as a client
• Contact us via phone, email, or our website
• Subscribe to our newsletter or communications
• Fill out forms on our website

This information may include:

• Name and contact information (address, email, phone number)
• Pet information (name, species, breed, medical history)
• Payment and billing information
• Emergency contact information
• Communication preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Operating system and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of visits

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our veterinary services
• Process appointments and manage client relationships
• Maintain medical records for your pets
• Process payments and billing
• Send appointment reminders and follow-up communications
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Send newsletters, updates, and promotional materials (with your consent)
• Comply with legal obligations and professional standards
• Improve our website and user experience
• Detect and prevent fraud or security issues

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

• Payment processing services
• Appointment scheduling and reminder systems
• Laboratory and diagnostic services
• Email and communication platforms
• Website hosting and maintenance

Veterinary Referrals

We may share medical information with other veterinary professionals or specialists when necessary for your pet's care and treatment.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to valid legal requests, such as:

• Court orders or subpoenas
• Regulatory or licensing board inquiries
• Public health reporting requirements
• Law enforcement investigations

Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure data storage and encryption
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments
• Employee training on data protection
• Secure payment processing systems

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Medical records are retained in accordance with Illinois veterinary practice requirements and professional standards.

Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

Marketing Communications

You may opt out of receiving promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or by contacting us directly. Please note that you may still receive transactional communications related to your services.

Medical Records

You have the right to request copies of your pet's medical records in accordance with Illinois state law and veterinary practice regulations.

Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and personal information, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: