Privacy Policy
Effective date: April 17, 2026  ·  Last updated: April 17, 2026
🐾 The short version

Withers is a business management tool for pet grooming professionals. We collect only what we need to run your salon software — your business info, your clients' contact details, and appointment records. We don't sell your data or your clients' data. Ever. This policy explains exactly what we collect, how we use it, and your rights.

Contents
  1. 1. Who we are
  2. 2. Information we collect
  3. 3. How we use your information
  4. 4. SMS and email communications
  5. 5. How we store and protect data
  6. 6. Data sharing and third parties
  7. 7. Your clients' data
  8. 8. Data retention
  9. 9. Your rights
  10. 10. Cookies and analytics
  11. 11. Children's privacy
  12. 12. Changes to this policy
  13. 13. Contact us

1. Who we are

Withers ("we," "us," or "our") is a software platform designed for pet grooming professionals. Withers provides scheduling, client management, automated SMS and email reminders, payment tracking, payroll management, and online booking tools.

This Privacy Policy applies to your use of the Withers web application, including any associated APIs, services, and communications we send on your behalf to your clients.

In privacy law terms, Withers acts as a data controller for information about our business customers (groomers), and as a data processor for the personal data you enter about your own clients and pets.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you provide about your business

2.2 Information you enter about your clients and their pets

2.3 Information generated automatically

⚠ A note on sensitive pet health data

Information about pet allergies, medical conditions, and behavioral issues is stored in Withers to help groomers provide safe care. This information is treated with extra care and is never used for marketing or shared with third parties.

3. How we use your information

PurposeWhat dataLegal basis
Providing and operating the Withers platformAll account and business dataContract performance
Sending automated appointment reminders to your clientsClient phone / email, appointment detailsYour instruction + legitimate interest
Displaying appointment history and client profilesClient and pet records you enteredContract performance
Generating reports and payroll calculationsAppointment records, payment data, staff dataContract performance
Sending Withers product updates and billing notices to youYour business emailContract performance
Improving the platform and fixing bugsAnonymized usage data and logsLegitimate interest
Preventing fraud and abuseLog data, account activityLegitimate interest
Complying with legal obligationsAs required by lawLegal obligation
We will never:
  • Sell your data or your clients' data to any third party
  • Use your clients' contact information to market to them directly
  • Use pet health data for advertising or profiling purposes
  • Share your business revenue or client data with advertisers

4. SMS and email communications

Withers sends automated SMS messages and emails to your clients on your behalf. This includes appointment reminders, confirmation requests, and follow-up messages you configure in your notification settings.

4.1 SMS messaging

SMS messages are sent via Twilio. By using Withers' SMS reminder feature, you confirm that:

Standard message and data rates may apply to your clients based on their carrier plan. Message frequency depends on your reminder settings — typically 1–2 messages per appointment.

📱 Client opt-out

If a client replies STOP to any SMS from Withers, they will be removed from further automated text messages for your salon. This is handled automatically. You can also manually disable SMS reminders for individual clients in their profile.

4.2 Email communications

Appointment confirmation and reminder emails are sent via Resend on your behalf. Email addresses are used solely for the appointment-related communications you configure. We do not add your clients to any Withers marketing lists.

5. How we store and protect your data

All Withers data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore), a cloud-hosted database with encryption at rest and in transit. Access to your business data is protected by Firebase Authentication and enforced by Firestore security rules that ensure only your authorized account can read or write your records.

5.1 Security measures

5.2 File uploads

Pet photos and documents uploaded to Withers are stored in Firebase Storage (Google Cloud Storage). Uploaded files are accessible only through authenticated requests and are not publicly indexed.

⚠ Your responsibility

You are responsible for keeping your Withers login credentials secure. Do not share your password. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at security@withers.app.

6. Data sharing and third parties

We do not sell your data. We share data with third-party services only where necessary to operate Withers, and only under strict data processing agreements.

ServicePurposeData shared
Google FirebaseDatabase, authentication, file storageAll app data (stored on your behalf)
TwilioSMS deliveryClient phone number, message content
ResendEmail deliveryClient email address, message content
VercelApp hosting and API executionServer logs, request data

We may also disclose data if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of Withers, our users, or the public. We will notify you of any such disclosure where legally permitted to do so.

7. Your clients' data — your responsibility

When you enter your clients' personal information into Withers, you become responsible for how that data is used under applicable privacy laws (such as CCPA, GDPR, or state consumer protection laws). Withers acts as a data processor on your behalf.

As a groomer using Withers, you should:

If a client contacts you requesting deletion of their records, you can remove them from Withers at any time through the client management screen. When you delete a client record, their data is permanently removed from our systems within 30 days.

8. Data retention

We retain your data for as long as your Withers account is active. If you close your account:

You can request early deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at privacy@withers.app. We will confirm deletion within 10 business days.

9. Your rights

Depending on where you are located, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

RightWhat it means
AccessRequest a copy of the personal data we hold about you
CorrectionAsk us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
DeletionRequest that we delete your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
PortabilityReceive your data in a machine-readable format to transfer elsewhere
ObjectionObject to processing based on legitimate interest
RestrictionAsk us to pause processing of your data in certain circumstances
Opt-out of SMSReply STOP to any SMS, or disable in your account settings

To exercise any of these rights, email us at privacy@withers.app. We will respond within 30 days. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

🇺🇸 California residents (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of sale. We do not sell personal information. To submit a request, email privacy@withers.app with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

10. Cookies and analytics

Withers uses minimal cookies necessary for authentication (keeping you logged in) and session management. We do not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or third-party behavioral advertising networks.

We may collect anonymized usage data (such as which features are used most) to improve the product. This data does not include personal identifiers and cannot be traced back to individual users or clients.

11. Children's privacy

Withers is a business software platform intended for adults operating pet grooming businesses. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If you believe a minor's data has been entered into Withers without appropriate consent, please contact us at privacy@withers.app and we will promptly delete it.

Note: client records may include contact information for households with minors. Withers does not use this information for any purpose other than appointment communications initiated by the groomer.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as the product evolves or legal requirements change. When we make material changes, we will:

Continued use of Withers after the effective date of an updated policy constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms. If you disagree with changes, you may close your account at any time.

13. Contact us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your data, we're here to help.

Withers Privacy Team

Email: privacy@withers.app

Security issues: security@withers.app

General support: hello@withers.app

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 5 business days.