Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Tomshepherds.com (“we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit our website, communicate with us, or engage in our services, including applying for, reserving, or purchasing a puppy.

Tomshepherds is committed to ethical breeding practices and transparency in all operations, including compliance with applicable U.S. laws, federal online privacy standards, and breeder-specific expectations associated with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

By using this website, you agree to the practices outlined below.

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A. Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with Tomshepherds.com, you may provide:

  • Your full name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Home address or state

  • Information about your home, lifestyle, and family (from applications)

  • Payment-related information (collected through secure third-party processors)

  • Any messages or information you voluntarily share

This information is necessary to evaluate puppy applications, process reservations, and maintain responsible breeder records.

B. Information Automatically Collected

When you browse our website, we may collect:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device type

  • Pages you visit

  • Time spent on each page

  • Referral links

  • Basic technical data for security and analytics

This helps us improve website performance and user experience.

C. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to:

  • Analyze traffic

  • Improve functionality

  • Save your preferences

  • Support secure payment or form processes

You may disable cookies in your browser, but some features may not function properly.

2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use personal information to:

  • Process and evaluate puppy applications

  • Communicate about available litters, breeding plans, and adoption updates

  • Process deposits, payments, and contracts

  • Maintain breeder compliance and records per federal expectations

  • Provide customer support

  • Send updates about puppy care, health, and training

  • Improve our website, communication, and customer experience

  • Ensure proper ownership transfer and documentation

We do NOT sell or rent your personal information.

3. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

A. Trusted Service Providers

We may share information with:

  • Payment processors

  • Application form tools

  • Email communication services

  • Website hosting providers

These companies only use your data as needed to provide their service.

B. Legal or Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose information if required by:

  • Federal or state law

  • Court orders, subpoenas

  • USDA–APHIS inspections related to AWA compliance

  • Transfers of ownership or health documentation

C. Puppy Ownership Transfer

If you adopt a puppy from us, your information may be used for:

  • Microchip registration

  • Health certificates

  • Registration paperwork (if applicable)

D. Protection of Rights and Safety

We may disclose information to:

  • Protect our legal rights

  • Maintain accurate breeder documentation

  • Protect animal welfare

  • Ensure the safety of buyers, staff, and puppies

4. HOW WE PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION

We use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your information, including:

  • Secure hosting

  • Trusted payment gateways

  • Limited access controls

  • Data minimization

  • Secure record-keeping for breeder compliance

However, no online system is 100% secure, and you accept this risk when using our site.

5. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Tomshepherds.com is not intended for children under 13 years of age.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors.

If a minor submits information, we will delete it promptly.

6. YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your state of residence, you may have rights to:

  • Access your personal information

  • Request deletion

  • Correct inaccurate information

  • Opt out of email communication

You may exercise these rights by contacting us at:
📧 support@tomshepherds.com

7. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for:

  • Application and sale processes

  • Ethical breeder record-keeping

  • Legal or regulatory compliance

Applications may be kept internally to maintain responsible breeder documentation.

8. THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Our website may contain links to other sites, such as:

  • Payment processors

  • Microchip registration services

  • Transport or nanny providers

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those external websites.

9. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.
Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

Continued use of our website indicates acceptance of any changes.

10. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact:

Tomshepherds
📧 Email: support@tomshepherds.com
🌐 Website: Tomshepherds.com
📍 Location: USA