GDPR Compliance – Ongoing Friendship LLC

Introduction

Ongoing Friendship LLC is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all our supporters, donors, volunteers, and website visitors. As part of this commitment, we fully adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users located in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).

Our GDPR compliance ensures that any personal data we collect is handled lawfully, transparently, and securely. We understand that privacy is a fundamental right. This page provides detailed information about the types of personal data we collect, how we process it, your rights under GDPR, and how you can exercise these rights.

Personal Data We Collect

We only collect the personal data necessary to provide our services, communicate with supporters, and facilitate donations. This includes:

• Identity Information: Name, date of birth (if provided for adoption applications), and gender (if provided for records)

• Contact Information: Email address, phone number, mailing address

• Financial Information: Payment details used to process donations (collected securely via our payment processor)

• Volunteer and Adoption Information: Any data included in applications for volunteering or adoption

• Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device type, and website usage information collected via cookies and analytics

We do not collect unnecessary personal data, and all data is kept strictly for the purposes stated above.

Purpose of Data Collection

Ongoing Friendship LLC collects and processes personal data for the following purposes:

• Donation Processing: To securely process and manage donations, issue receipts, and communicate donation confirmations

• Communication: To provide updates about our programs, newsletters, events, and initiatives

• Volunteer & Adoption Management: To process applications, verify eligibility, and maintain records for volunteers and foster/adoptive families

• Legal Compliance: To meet legal obligations under U.S. and EU law, including financial record-keeping and reporting

• Website Functionality: To enhance user experience, analyze website performance, and improve services

We do not use personal data for unrelated purposes.

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

Under GDPR, processing personal data must have a legal basis. For Ongoing Friendship LLC, the legal bases include:

• Consent: When you voluntarily provide personal data (e.g., donations, newsletter subscriptions)

• Contractual Necessity: To fulfill services or agreements, such as adoption or volunteer programs

• Legal Obligation: To comply with financial record-keeping and reporting requirements

• Legitimate Interests: To improve our operations, prevent fraud, and ensure website functionality

Sharing and Disclosure of Personal Data

We respect your privacy and do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. Personal data may only be shared under the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted partners (such as payment processors, IT services, and analytics providers) who process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements

• Legal Requirements: When required by law or in response to lawful requests from public authorities

• Protecting Rights: When necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Ongoing Friendship LLC, our staff, or the cats in our care

All third-party service providers are contractually obligated to adhere to GDPR standards.

Data Retention

Ongoing Friendship LLC retains personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including legal and reporting requirements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of data:

• Donation records: retained for 7 years for accounting and tax purposes

• Volunteer and adoption records: retained for the duration of engagement and for a minimum of 5 years for safety and regulatory compliance

• Marketing and newsletter records: retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion

• Website analytics and technical logs: retained anonymously for up to 2 years

When personal data is no longer required, we securely delete or anonymize it.

Your Rights Under GDPR

As an EU or EEA resident, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You may request access to the personal data we hold about you

• Right to Rectification: You can request that incorrect or incomplete data be corrected

• Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): You can request deletion of personal data, subject to legal obligations

• Right to Restrict Processing: You may limit how your data is used while retaining its storage

• Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format or transfer it to another organization

• Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your data for marketing or other purposes

• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing

To exercise any of these rights, contact:
Email: support@helpcatsnow.org
Address: 4217 Louisiana Blvd NE, Num 1209, Albuquerque, NM 87109

We will respond to all requests without undue delay and within one month of receipt, as required by GDPR.

Data Security Measures

Ongoing Friendship LLC implements strict technical and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, accidental loss, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption: Secure handling of payment and sensitive information using SSL encryption

• Access Control: Only authorized personnel have access to personal data

• Regular Monitoring: Systems are regularly monitored for vulnerabilities and unauthorized access attempts

• Staff Training: All staff are trained on GDPR compliance and data protection best practices

International Data Transfers

For users outside the U.S., your personal data may be transferred to and stored in the United States. We ensure that international transfers comply with GDPR requirements and that adequate safeguards are in place to protect your personal data.

Updates to This Policy

Ongoing Friendship LLC reserves the right to update this GDPR Compliance Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with the date of the latest revision. We encourage visitors and supporters to review this page regularly to stay informed.

Last Updated: December 17, 2025