Fear Free Privacy Policy
Last updated: 12/11/2025
Protecting your private information is our priority. So Fear Free, LLC (“we”, “us”, or “our”) has provided this Privacy Policy to disclose how we collect, use, share, and store your (“you”, “your”, or “member”) personal information and how you can control how we use and share that information.
This Privacy Policy applies to our websites (currently located at fearfree.com, esp.fearfree.com, fearfreepets.com; fearfreehappyhomes.com; and fearfreeshelters.com) (“Sites”); the content, including without limitation, Sites content, course content, audio content, video content, text, publications, photos, images, blogs, resources, tools, special offers, online store, code, and any other materials to which we offer you access and otherwise make available on the Sites as well as email, text, or other electronic messages between you and us (“Content”); and other related services that we provide (collectively, the “Services”).
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our policies and practices regarding your personal information and how we will treat it. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, your choice is not to use our Sites or our Services. By accessing the Sites, receiving Content or engaging with our Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Personal Information/Personal Data
Personal information/personal data (“personal information”) is information that identifies or is reasonably capable of being associated with an identifiable individual. Personal information does not include information about an individual that is publicly available nor does it include deidentified, anonymized, or aggregate information.
2. Personal Information We Collect and How We Collect It
We collect personal information from individuals who directly register with us or otherwise voluntarily provide us with personal information. We also receive personal information from the businesses who register to obtain a membership with us. For example, veterinary professionals and pet professionals provide personal information about the individuals they designate to be eligible to take our courses, download resources and participate in-person and online presentations offered by us. We treat personal information provided by members registering others with access to our Services the same way we treat personal information provided to us directly by the individual him or herself.
Data Categories Collected:
- Registration Data: When you register, we ask you to provide certain information, which includes name, business name, business address, email, phone number, and job title for professionals. For pet owners, we collect email (this information about professionals and pet owners is “Registration Data”), as well as a password for your account.
- Purchase Information/Third-Party Payment Processing: If you subscribe to the Services or purchase other products or services, we may collect some limited information, such as your postal code, shipping address, mobile number, and details of your transaction history. Payment information, such as your credit or debit card information and other financial data that you provide to process your payment is collected directly by third-party payment processors and is never collected or accessed by us and is not stored on our website.
- Course Activity: We keep track of your course activity, which may include your course enrollment, progress, completion, completion dates, test scores, course access, drop-off times, and additional courses selected and consumed.
- Other Services Activity: We collect information that you voluntarily submit when you participate in other Services we provide, such as our member forums, surveys, or other activities.
- Contact Information: If you visit us at events or otherwise communicate with us, we may collect your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number (“Contact Information”).
3. How We Use Your Information
In general, we may use your Registration Data, Contact Information and/or other information or data we receive or collect from you or other sources, as well as data we derive or infer from combinations of the foregoing, for a variety of purposes, such as:
- To present our Sites and Content to you and provide the Services.
- To facilitate the creation of and secure your account on the Services.
- To customize and personalize the Content we deliver to you on the Services.
- To measure and analyze Services usage and enhance the member experience.
- To improve the content of our Sites or our Services, including our marketing.
- To fulfill your requests for certain products and services, such as distributing electronic newsletters.
- To provide you with products or Services that you have purchased.
- To register you for email notifications (account status, renewal dates).
- To register you for email newsletters (updates on new courses, products, events).
- To send you SMS (text) messages about your account, educational content, product offerings, reminders, promotions, or updates, if you have opted in.
- To carry out our obligations and enforce our rights arising from any contracts entered into between you and us.
- For identity management, security, and auditing.
- For any other purpose for which you provide it; or in any other way we may describe before we collect your information.
4. Sharing Your Information With Others
Except as disclosed in this Privacy Policy, we do not share, rent, or sell personally identifiable information you have given us to any third party without your permission.
Directory Information
As part of our services, we make public the directory information of our certified veterinary practices and individuals, and those practices and individuals will be required to opt-in to our online directory.
Sharing with Corporate and Preferred Program Members (CPMs/PPPs)
- We do not sell or give personal contact information of individuals resident in the EEA or Switzerland to other companies for their own marketing purposes without their permission.
- At times, we may supply Registration Information and Contact Information from all other members to our Corporate Program Members (CPM) or Preferred Product Program Members (PPP). Our CPMs and PPPs are carefully selected industry partners and sponsors. They receive your registration information and contact information to provide you with relevant information about their products and services that align with the Fear Free mission.
- Opt-Out of Sharing with CPMs/PPPs: If you do not wish to have your personal contact information shared with our CPMs or PPPs then you can request that we stop such sharing by emailing us at wags@fearfreepets.com.
Sharing with Businesses/Administrators
We do not provide personal information about you to others unless you are registered by a business or organization, or you are added to or associated with a business or organization account, in which case the person(s) designated as team administrator(s) for the account will see your certification completion status as well as a list of all of the Fear Free Continuing Education you have completed.
Sharing with Service Providers and Contractors
We may provide your personal information to service providers or contractors to perform functions on our behalf, including, but not limited to: communicating news; performing Sites or Services development or maintenance; sending postal mail, email, or other communications; processing payments; or assisting us with other marketing and support functions. These companies are authorized to use your personal information only as necessary to provide these services to us. They are not authorized to use your personal information for their own unrelated purposes.
Other Disclosures
We may also disclose an individual’s personal information:
- If you elect to take advantage of certain features or services provided jointly by us and third parties.
- To a person or company who in our reasonable judgment is seeking the information as an authorized agent of the individual.
- If, in our reasonable judgment, it is necessary to enforce compliance with our internal policies or the agreement for our Services or to protect or defend our legal rights or property.
- To protect the safety and security of our users or members of the public, including acting in urgent circumstances.
- To protect against fraud or to conduct risk management.
- To comply with the law, legal process, or legal requests, including, without limitation, a court order or subpoena.
- To another entity as part of a merger, bankruptcy, a sale of assets or all or part of a business, or any other corporate change or re-organization.
- Where the individual consents to such disclosure or disclosure is required or permitted by law.
5. Managing Your Information and Opt-Out Rights
Modification and Retention of Your Registration Data
- Modification: You may modify your Registration Data through the settings section of our Site or by contacting customer support.
- Retention: We will keep your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and processed, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, accounting, or reporting requirements. Upon expiration of the applicable retention period, we will securely destroy your personal information.
- In some circumstances we may anonymize your personal information so that it can no longer be associated with you.
Cancellation or Deactivation of Accounts: Account Deactivation and Deletion Policy
This section defines the standard operating procedure (SOP) for account deactivation and deletion and forms part of our Privacy Policy. It explains how user data is handled when an account is deactivated or permanently deleted, while ensuring that legally required transactional and compliance data is preserved.
This policy is designed to uphold the user’s right to manage their personal data, including the right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’), in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
User account data may be stored and processed across multiple internal and integrated systems, including:
- Learning Management System (LMS) – For course access and learning activity
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System – For account and customer management
- Payment Gateway – For secure payment processing and transaction records
- Website Platform (e.g., WordPress) – For user registration and portal access
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure that critical transactional data is not unintentionally lost, altered, or compromised during any account closure process.
Account Deactivation
Account deactivation is a reversible process that restricts user access while retaining associated data for potential future reactivation and operational continuity.
Effects of Deactivation:
- User access and login capabilities are suspended.
- Active memberships and subscriptions are cancelled.
- Account profile data, course data, user activity, and order history remain securely stored.
- The account may be reactivated upon verified request.
Request Process:
To request account deactivation, users must contact Customer Support at:
Email: wags@fearfree.com
Deactivation requests are typically processed within 30 days of receipt. We will notify you if we require an extension beyond 30 days, should the request be complex or involve unforeseen technical issues.
Account Deletion
Account deletion results in permanent removal or irreversible anonymization of personal data from active systems, subject to legal and operational data retention requirements.
Effects of Deletion:
- Personally identifiable information (PII) such as name, email address, login credentials, and unique identifiers will be permanently removed or anonymized.
- Course records, learning progress, and user-generated content will be permanently erased and will not be recoverable.
- Once deleted, the account cannot be restored, and re-registration will be required for future access.
For your security, we require verification of your identity before processing a deletion request to ensure that no one can maliciously erase your data without proper authorization.
Legal and Transactional Data Retention
Certain data must be retained for accounting, regulatory, audit, and legal purposes. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Customer or business name
- Billing address
- Country
- Email address listed on invoices
- Payment and transaction history
- Invoicing and financial reference data
This retained information is securely stored, and access is limited to authorized personnel only. It is not used for marketing or user engagement purposes once an account has been deleted.
Retained financial and legal records are typically held for a period of seven (7) years following the deletion of request, or as otherwise required by law. This data is segregated and moved to a highly secure, restricted access archive and is solely used for fulfilling our legal and fiscal obligations.
Request Process:
To request account deletion, users must contact:
Email: wags@fearfree.com
Deletion requests are typically processed within 30 days of receipt, subject to identity verification and internal review. We will notify you if we require an extension beyond 30 days, should the request be complex or involve unforeseen technical issues.
Data Handling Across Systems
User data may exist across integrated platforms. Deactivation and deletion actions are coordinated to ensure consistency, data integrity, and the preservation of required transactional records.
| System Type | Purpose | Action During Deletion |
|---|---|---|
| Website Platform | User account and access | Account removal and anonymization |
| LMS | Learning activities and progress | Profile anonymization and access revocation |
| CRM System | Account records | Removal of personal identifiers |
| Payment Gateway | Transaction processing | Retention of financial records as required |
Data Removal Verification and Security (Internal Process Summary)
Once a deletion request is received and verified, authorized personnel execute a coordinated, multi-system removal process. We employ a documented audit trail to confirm that all personally identifiable information (PII) has been irreversibly erased or anonymized across our live operational platforms. We conduct regular audits of our process to ensure the integrity and completeness of data removal.
Security and Record Retention
All retained information is protected using appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Data access is restricted to authorized personnel and monitored through secure logging mechanisms. Retention periods align with applicable legal and operational requirements.
Other Data Subject Rights
In addition to deactivation and deletion, you have the right to request:
- Access: To know what personal data we hold about you (Data Subject Access Request).
- Correction: To have inaccurate or incomplete personal data corrected.
- Restriction: To request the suspension of our data processing activities in certain circumstances.
Please submit any request for access, correction, or restriction to the contact information provided in Section 7.
Contact Information
For requests, concerns, or questions related to account deactivation, deletion, or privacy matters, please contact:
Privacy & Support Team
Email: wags@fearfree.com
This policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in operational practices or legal requirements.
Rights to “Opt Out” of Communications
- Email: You may at any time “unsubscribe” from our non-administrative email communications by following the “opt out” directions to be found at or near the end of the communication.
- SMS (Text Message): You can opt out of SMS at any time by replying “STOP” to any message you receive from us. For help, reply “HELP” or contact us at wags@fearfreepets.com. We do not sell or share your mobile number with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
- Third-Party Sharing: If we have already shared your personal contact information with one of our CPMs or PPPs or other partners, unsubscribing from our communications list will not prevent these third parties from continuing to email or text you. You will have to send an opt-out request to those third parties directly.
6. Security and Content From Other Websites
Protection of Data From Loss
We have implemented security measures designed to reasonably protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the personal information we collect. We use industry-standard security measures, including SSL/TLS encryption to protect data transmissions, and strict access controls. However, despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable. In the unlikely event of a data breach involving personal information, we will notify affected users and regulatory authorities without undue delay in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Data Integrity
We will take steps to ensure that all personal information collected, processed, and/or stored is protected from destruction, corruption, or use in a manner inconsistent with the purpose for which we received it.
Third Party “Linked-To” Websites
The Sites may contain links to third-party websites which are neither operated nor controlled by us. This Privacy Policy does not address the information practices of those third-party websites, and we encourage you to read their respective Terms of Use and Privacy Policies. Fear Free has no responsibility or liability for your experience with, and the data collection and use practices of, such third-party websites.
Do Not Track
Some web browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature. Our Services are not currently set up to respond to those signals.
7. Our Policies Concerning Children
Our Sites are not intended for children under the age of 13. We prohibit registration by, and do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from, anyone under 13 years of age. If you believe that we might have any personal information from a child under 13, please contact our customer support team.
8. Your California Privacy Rights
Pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1798.83, this policy sets forth the rights that apply to the sharing of personal information with third parties that we understand will use the information for their own direct marketing purposes. You may contact us at the email address in Section 10 below to request:
- A list of the categories of personal information that we have shared with third parties for their direct marketing purposes during the immediately preceding calendar year.
- A list of the names and addresses of the third parties that received personal information for their direct marketing purposes during the immediately preceding calendar year.
9. Additional Notice to Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Legal Bases for Collection and Processing of Information
Fear Free, LLC is the Data Controller of your personal information. Our collection and processing are supported by a number of legal bases:
- With Your Consent
- To Fulfill a Contract
- For a Legitimate Interest (e.g., improving services, marketing, and understanding audience interaction). We carry out a balancing test between our legitimate interests and your privacy rights.
- To Comply with Legal Obligations
Your Rights
Under data protection law you have certain rights in relation to the personal information that we hold about you:
- Right to Access Personal Information
- Right to Rectification
- Right to Erasure
- Right to Restriction of Processing
- Right to Data Portability
- Right to Object (including to stop us from using your personal information for direct marketing)
We may ask you for additional information to confirm your identity before disclosing information.
Transfer of Information
We are located in the United States and your personally identifiable information is processed and stored in the United States. We rely on derogations for specific situations as set forth in Article 49 of the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). We strive to apply suitable safeguards, and our vendors are either certified to the EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Frameworks or we use Standard Contractual Clauses or other protective contractual language in our agreements with them.
10. Contact Information
We welcome your questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy, which can be directed to us at:
Fear Free, LLC
4235 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37215 USA
Attn: Privacy
Email Address:
wags@fearfree.com
Please include the words “Privacy Policy Request” in the subject line of your message.
11. Changes to our Privacy Policy
We periodically review this Privacy Policy to ensure it accurately reflects changes in technology, our business practices, and the evolving needs of our members.
We reserve the right to modify or replace this Privacy Policy at any time. We will post the updated version on this page and revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of the policy.
Your continued use of our Services after the posting of any updated Privacy Policy constitutes your unconditional acceptance of those changes. We encourage you to review this page regularly for the latest information on our privacy practices.
