Privacy Policy
CARA VETERINARY GROUP
PRIVACY POLICY
Version: 2.0
Last Revision Date: 12 June 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
Cara Veterinary Group is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in a transparent, secure and lawful manner.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, retain and protect personal data when you:
• Register as a client
• Use our veterinary services
• Contact us by telephone, email, website or social media
• Visit our website
• Subscribe to marketing communications
• Apply for employment opportunities
Cara Veterinary Group acts as a Data Controller in respect of personal data processed in connection with our veterinary services and business operations.
2. CONTACT DETAILS
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Cara Veterinary Group
Unit 233, Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2
Ballycoolin, Dublin 15
Email: info@caravetgroup.com
Telephone: (01) 885 3253
3. PERSONAL DATA WE COLLECT
We may collect and process the following categories of personal information:
Client Information
• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Client account number
• Billing information
• Payment history
• Insurance information
Patient Information
• Pet name
• Species
• Breed
• Date of birth
• Medical history
• Treatment records
• Clinical notes
• Vaccination records
Website Information
• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Website usage data
• Cookie preferences
Employment Information
Where applicable, we may collect information from job applicants and employees in accordance with our Employee Privacy Notice.
4. HOW WE COLLECT PERSONAL DATA
Personal data may be collected:
• Directly from you
• Through our website
• Through online forms
• Through email correspondence
• Through telephone conversations
• Through appointment bookings
• Through veterinary consultations
• Through third-party service providers acting on our behalf
• Through social media interactions
5. PURPOSES OF PROCESSING
We process personal data for purposes including:
Veterinary Care
• Providing veterinary services
• Maintaining patient records
• Managing treatment plans
• Processing prescriptions
• Communicating regarding patient care
Business Administration
• Managing client accounts
• Processing payments
• Maintaining business records
• Managing insurance claims
• Responding to enquiries
Marketing Communications
Where consent has been provided, we may send:
• Newsletters
• Practice updates
• Promotional offers
• Service information
You may withdraw consent at any time.
Website Administration
• Website functionality
• Website analytics
• Security monitoring
• Performance improvement
6. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
Cara Veterinary Group processes personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:
Contract
Where processing is necessary to provide veterinary services requested by you.
Legal Obligation
Where processing is required by law or regulatory obligations.
Legitimate Interests
Where processing is necessary for legitimate business purposes including:
• Patient care
• Client communication
• Service improvement
• Business administration
• Fraud prevention
• Security management
Consent
Where consent has been provided for marketing communications or other optional activities.
7. CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS
As part of our duty of care to patients, Cara Veterinary Group may contact clients regarding:
• Appointments
• Vaccinations
• Treatment plans
• Clinical follow-up
• Prescriptions
• Billing matters
These communications are generally processed under our legitimate interests and contractual obligations relating to patient care.
Marketing communications will only be sent where appropriate consent has been obtained or another lawful basis applies.
8. SHARING PERSONAL DATA
We may share personal data with carefully selected third-party service providers where necessary for the operation of our business.
These may include:
• Veterinary software providers
• Appointment booking providers
• Communication service providers
• Website hosting providers
• IT support providers
• Payment processing providers
• Professional advisers
• Regulatory authorities where required
All third parties are required to protect personal data and process it in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
9. DATA SECURITY
Cara Veterinary Group implements appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data from:
• Unauthorised access
• Unauthorised disclosure
• Accidental loss
• Alteration
• Destruction
Security measures may include:
• Access controls
• Password protection
• Encryption
• Staff training
• Secure storage systems
• Security monitoring
10. DATA RETENTION
Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected.
Retention periods are determined based on:
• Legal obligations
• Regulatory requirements
• Professional standards
• Business requirements
• Potential legal claims
Further details are contained within our Data Retention Policy.
11. COOKIES AND WEBSITE ANALYTICS
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, security and user experience.
Non-essential cookies are only placed on your device where you have provided consent through our cookie consent mechanism.
We may use analytics tools such as Google Analytics or similar services to understand website usage and improve our services.
You may manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings and our website cookie controls.
12. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Where personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA), appropriate safeguards will be implemented in accordance with GDPR requirements.
13. YOUR RIGHTS
Under GDPR you may have the right to:
• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate personal data
• Request erasure of personal data
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission
Requests should be submitted to info@caravetgroup.com.
14. DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION
If you are dissatisfied with how we process your personal data, you may contact:
Data Protection Commission
21 Fitzwilliam Square South
Dublin 2
D02 RD28
Website: www.dataprotection.ie
15. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
Cara Veterinary Group reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The most current version will always be available on our website and upon request.