VACAY SITTERS (PTY) LTD
PRIVACY POLICY
Last Updated: 21 January 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Vacay Sitters (Pty) Ltd (“Vacay Sitters”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and Personal Information of all users (“Users”) of its website and mobile applications (collectively, the “Platform”).
1.2 This Privacy Policy explains how Vacay Sitters collects, uses, stores, processes, shares, and protects Personal Information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) and other applicable South African laws.
1.3 This Privacy Policy applies to all Clients, Sitters, Walkers, and any other persons who access or use the Platform.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 “Personal Information” has the meaning assigned to it in POPIA and includes any information relating to an identifiable, living natural person.
2.2 “Processing” means any operation or activity concerning Personal Information, including collection, storage, use, disclosure, updating, or deletion.
2.3 Capitalised terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the meanings assigned to them in the Vacay Sitters Terms and Conditions.
3. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
3.1 Account & Identity Information
- Full name and surname
- Profile photograph
- Identity number (where legally required)
- Age verification details
3.2 Contact Information
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
- Physical address or general location
3.3 Booking & Service Information
- Booking requests and confirmed bookings
- Service type (pet sitting, house sitting, dog walking)
- Dates, times, and locations of Services
- Client instructions and preferences
3.4 Pet & Property Information
- Pet name, breed, age, size, health notes, and behavioural information
- Home access details voluntarily provided by Clients
3.5 Communications & Content
- In-app messages between Users
- Reviews, ratings, photos, and feedback
3.6 Location & Activity Data
- Limited GPS or location data during Dog Walking Services
- Time-stamps and activity markers for operational and safety purposes
3.7 Payment & Transaction Data
- Transaction references and payment confirmations
- Bank account details for Sitter payouts
- Payment method metadata processed via third-party gateways
4. HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
- to create and manage User accounts;
- to facilitate bookings and payments;
- to enable communication between Clients and Sitters;
- to support safety, dispute resolution, and customer support;
- to comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
- to improve the Platform and user experience;
- to prevent fraud, misuse, or unlawful activity.
5. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
- User consent;
- performance of a contract (Bookings);
- compliance with legal obligations;
- legitimate business interests that do not override User rights.
6. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
6.1 Vacay Sitters may share Personal Information between Clients and Sitters to enable Bookings, with service providers such as payment processors and hosting providers, or where required by law.
6.2 Vacay Sitters does not sell Personal Information to third parties.
7. LOCATION DATA & DOG WALKING SERVICES
7.1 For Dog Walking Services, Vacay Sitters may collect limited location and activity data to confirm service delivery, support safety, and resolve disputes.
7.2 Location data is processed only for the duration necessary and is not used for marketing purposes.
8. STORAGE & SECURITY
8.1 Vacay Sitters takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect Personal Information.
8.2 While reasonable safeguards are implemented, no system can guarantee absolute security.
9. DATA RETENTION
9.1 Personal Information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes set out in this Policy or comply with legal obligations.
9.2 Data may be anonymised and retained for analytical or statistical purposes.
10. USER RIGHTS UNDER POPIA
- request access to Personal Information;
- request correction or deletion;
- object to Processing in certain circumstances;
- withdraw consent where applicable.
Requests may be submitted to helpdesk@vacaysitters.co.za.
11. COOKIES & TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
11.1 The Website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve functionality and user experience.
12. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
12.1 The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. Vacay Sitters is not responsible for third-party privacy practices.
13. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
13.1 The Platform is not intended for use by persons under the age of 18.
14. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
14.1 Vacay Sitters may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via the Platform or by email where appropriate.
15. CONTACT DETAILS
Vacay Sitters (Pty) Ltd
Email: helpdesk@vacaysitters.co.za
Website: https://vacaysitters.co.za