Rescue Angels UK Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 16th 2026
Organisation: Rescue Angels UK
Contact: hello@rescueangelsuk.org
Rescue Angels UK is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers. We help vulnerable dogs, and sometimes cats, by sourcing suitable rescue placements and helping to fund or arrange safe transport to trusted rescues, where they can receive care and go on to find loving homes.
This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information about our supporters, donors, volunteers, transporters, rescue partners, fundraisers and anyone who contacts us.
1. Who is responsible for your information?
Rescue Angels UK is responsible for deciding how personal information is used and protected. This is sometimes called being the “data controller”.
The persons responsible for data protection matters are the Directors:
Subject line: The Directors
Email: hello@rescueangelsuk.org
We will review this policy at least once a year, or sooner if our work, systems or legal responsibilities change.
2. The information we may collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect and use:
Contact details
Your name, address, email address, phone number and social media contact details.
Supporter and donation information
Details of donations, sponsorship, fundraising activity, event participation, payment references, correspondence and communication preferences. We do not normally store full bank card details, as these are handled by payment providers.
Volunteer, transporter and rescue partner information
Information needed to assess, manage and support volunteer roles, transport arrangements and rescue placements. This may include contact details, availability, references, experience, vehicle or licence information, insurance details and emergency contact details.
Animal rescue and transport information
Information connected to dogs or cats we are helping, including surrender or transfer details, transport arrangements, rescue placement information and relevant contact details for surrendering owners, rescues, vets, foster carers or transporters.
Messages and enquiries
Information you provide when you contact us by email, phone, website form, social media message or post.
Photographs, videos and stories
Images, videos, testimonials or rescue stories where these are shared with us or where we have permission to use them.
Website and social media information
Basic technical information, such as website usage data, cookies, analytics information, or information you make available when interacting with us on Facebook or other social media platforms.
Sensitive information
We will only collect sensitive personal information, such as health information or accessibility needs, where it is necessary and relevant, for example to support a volunteer safely, manage an emergency, or meet a legal or safeguarding responsibility.
3. How we collect information
We may collect information when you:
- contact Rescue Angels UK;
- donate, fundraise or sponsor an activity;
- volunteer or apply to volunteer;
- offer transport, foster support or rescue support;
- take part in an event;
- complete a form;
- communicate with us through social media;
- provide photographs, videos or stories;
- interact with our website or online fundraising pages.
We may also receive information from rescue partners, transporters, foster carers, vets, local authorities or other people involved in helping an animal safely reach rescue.
4. Why we use your information
We use personal information to:
- respond to enquiries;
- arrange rescue placements and transport;
- manage donations, fundraising and sponsorship;
- keep financial and administrative records;
- support and communicate with volunteers;
- work with trusted rescues, transporters and foster carers;
- promote our work, where appropriate;
- send updates or fundraising information where permitted;
- manage events and community fundraising;
- protect animal welfare;
- deal with complaints, concerns or incidents;
- meet legal, insurance, accounting and regulatory responsibilities;
- keep our organisation, volunteers, supporters and animals safe.
5. Our lawful basis for using information
We will only use personal information where we have a lawful reason to do so. Depending on the situation, we may rely on:
Consent
For example, when you agree to receive certain communications, allow us to use a photo or story, or give permission for specific information to be used.
Legitimate interests
For example, to manage our rescue work, communicate with supporters, keep records, coordinate volunteers, respond to enquiries, or promote the work of Rescue Angels UK in a reasonable and respectful way.
Contract or pre-contract steps
For example, where we need information to arrange services, bookings, event participation or agreements with suppliers or partners.
Legal obligation
For example, where we must keep financial records, respond to lawful requests, or meet accounting, tax, insurance or regulatory requirements.
Vital interests
For example, in an emergency where information may be needed to protect someone’s life or safety.
We will not use personal information in a way that people would not reasonably expect.
6. Fundraising and marketing communications
We may contact supporters about Rescue Angels UK news, fundraising, events, appeals and ways to help.
Where required, we will ask for your consent before sending marketing or fundraising emails or messages. Every fundraising or marketing email will include a way to unsubscribe or change your preferences.
We may contact existing supporters where we believe they would reasonably expect to hear from us, but we will always respect requests to stop receiving communications.
We will not sell your personal information to other organisations.
7. Sharing personal information
We only share personal information where necessary and appropriate.
This may include sharing information with:
- trusted rescue centres;
- transporters and foster carers;
- vets or animal welfare professionals;
- volunteers and administrators who need the information;
- payment and donation platforms;
- website, email, cloud storage or social media providers;
- accountants, insurers, legal advisers or professional support services;
- local authorities, regulators, the police or the ICO where required by law or necessary for safety.
We will only share the information needed for the relevant purpose.
8. Photos, videos and rescue stories
We may use photographs, videos or stories to show the work of Rescue Angels UK and encourage support.
Where a person is clearly identifiable, we will seek consent where appropriate, especially for promotional use. If you ask us to remove an image or story involving you, we will do our best to remove it from our own channels, although we may not be able to control copies already shared by others or by social media platforms.
We will be especially careful with sensitive rescue stories and will avoid sharing personal details that could identify private individuals unnecessarily and may use stock imagery on occasions to protect individuals or organisations.
9. How long we keep information
We will keep personal information only for as long as we need it.
Retention will depend on the type of information and why it is held. For example:
- donation and financial records may need to be kept for accounting and legal purposes;
- volunteer records may be kept while someone is active and for a reasonable period afterwards;
- rescue and transport records may be kept where needed for animal welfare, insurance, safeguarding, legal or operational reasons;
- marketing preferences may be kept so we know whether you have opted in or opted out;
- general enquiries may be deleted when no longer needed.
UK company accounting records are generally kept for six years from the end of the financial year they relate to, and we will follow any legal record-keeping duties that apply to our structure.
10. Keeping information secure
We will take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or accidental disclosure.
This may include:
- limiting access to people who need the information;
- using password protection and secure systems;
- keeping software and devices up to date;
- using appropriate back-up arrangements;
- avoiding unnecessary sharing of personal information;
- deleting information securely when it is no longer needed;
- reminding volunteers and administrators of their data protection responsibilities.
11. Your rights
You have rights over your personal information. These may include the right to:
- ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
- ask us to correct inaccurate information;
- ask us to delete information in certain circumstances;
- ask us to restrict how we use your information;
- object to certain uses of your information;
- withdraw consent where we rely on consent;
- ask us to transfer your information in certain circumstances;
- complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
To exercise your rights, please contact:
hello@rescueangelsuk.org
We may need to confirm your identity before responding to certain requests.
12. Data breaches
If we become aware of a personal data breach, we will assess what has happened, take steps to reduce any risk, and record the incident.
If the breach is likely to result in a risk to people’s rights or freedoms, we will report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office where required. If the breach is likely to result in a high risk to affected individuals, we will also tell those individuals where required.
13. Cookies and website data
If our website uses cookies or analytics tools, we may collect limited technical information about how visitors use the site. This helps us understand how people find and use our website.
Where required, we will ask for consent before using non-essential cookies.
A separate cookie notice may be added to our website if needed.
14. Social media
If you interact with Rescue Angels UK through Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms, those platforms may also collect and use your personal information under their own privacy policies.
We are responsible for how we use information sent directly to us, but we are not responsible for how social media platforms use your data.
15. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will be available on our website or on request.
16. Contact us
For questions about this policy or how we use personal information, please contact:
Rescue Angels UK
Email: hello@rescueangelsuk.org
Postal address: Suite 3, Perl House, 30 The Downs, Altrincham. WA14. 2PX
You can also contact the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information.