Privacy Policy
Okanagan Animal Eye Care (British Columbia)
Effective Date: Jan 1, 2026
1. Introduction
Okanagan Animal Eye Care (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our clients and the confidentiality of information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information in accordance with British Columbia’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
This policy applies to personal information collected from pet owners, referring veterinarians, and others who interact with our clinic in person, by phone, electronically, or through our website.
2. What Is Personal Information
Under PIPA, “personal information” means information about an identifiable individual. This does not include business contact information used solely for business communication.
Although animals themselves do not have personal information rights, veterinary medical records are often linked to identifiable individuals and are handled with the same level of care and confidentiality.
3. Information We Collect
We may collect the following personal information:
a. Client Information
- Name
- Home or mailing address
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Emergency or alternate contact information
b. Patient (Animal) Information
- Pet name, species, breed, age, and identifying details
- Medical history, diagnostic images, test results, and treatment records
- Referral information from primary care or specialty veterinarians
c. Payment and Billing Information
- Payment details (processed through secure third-party providers)
- Invoices, receipts, and billing history
d. Electronic and Website Information
- Appointment requests or contact form submissions
- Email or electronic communications
4. How We Collect Information
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
- Request or receive veterinary services
- Complete intake, consent, or referral forms
- Communicate with us by phone, email, or online
With your consent, we may also collect information from referring veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, or other professionals involved in your pet’s care.
5. How We Use Personal Information
We collect, use, and disclose personal information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate, including to:
- Provide veterinary ophthalmology care and treatment
- Communicate about appointments, procedures, and follow-up care
- Coordinate care with referring or treating veterinarians
- Maintain accurate medical, legal, and business records
- Process payments and manage billing
- Improve clinic operations and service quality
- Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
6. Consent
We obtain consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information, except where permitted or required by law. Consent may be express or implied, depending on the circumstances and the sensitivity of the information.
You may withdraw consent at any time by providing reasonable notice, subject to legal or contractual restrictions. Withdrawal of consent may limit our ability to provide veterinary services.
7. Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell personal information. We may disclose information in the following circumstances:
a. Veterinary Care Providers
Information may be shared with referring, consulting, or treating veterinarians to support continuity of care.
b. Service Providers
We may share limited personal information with trusted third parties who provide services such as:
- Payment processing
- Practice management software
- Diagnostic laboratories
These service providers are required to protect personal information and use it only for authorized purposes.
c. Legal Requirements
We may disclose personal information when required or authorized by law, including to comply with court orders, regulatory requests, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of individuals or our clinic.
8. Safeguards
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, or theft. Access is restricted to staff and service providers who require the information to perform their duties.
9. Retention and Disposal
Personal information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purposes or as required by law and professional standards. When no longer required, information is securely destroyed or permanently deleted.
10. Access and Correction
Under BC PIPA, you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Requests must be made in writing and may be subject to identity verification and applicable fees, as permitted by law.
11. Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The most current version will be available at our clinic or on our website.
12. Contact Information
For questions, access requests, or concerns regarding privacy, please contact:
Okanagan Animal Eye Care
Address: 2250 Galiano Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone: 250-717-3939
Email: okanagananimaleyecare@gmail.com
SMS Disclosure
By providing your phone number and opting into our SMS program (via express or implied consent), you agree to receive informational text messages from Okanagan Animal Eye Care.
Texting Cadence:
Message frequency may vary based on your interaction with our services.
Message and Data Rates:
Message and data rates may apply. These charges are determined by your mobile carrier, and Okanagan Animal Eye Care is not responsible for such fees.
Privacy Policy:
Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how your information is used and protected.
Opt-Out Instructions:
You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. For help, reply “HELP” or contact us at 250-717-3939 or okanagananimaleyecare@gmail.com.
Note: No mobile opt-in data will be shared with third parties