Cookie Policy | Pet Health Map

Effective Date: 30 June 2026

Last Updated: 30 June 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Pet Health Map ("PHM", "we", "us" or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on the New Zealand version of the PHM platform. PHM is operated by The Cat's Whiskers Co., Ltd. This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy (/en-NZ/privacy) and Terms of Use (/en-NZ/terms).

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your browser or device when you visit a website or use an online service. Cookies and similar technologies may allow a website or service to recognise your browser or device, remember your preferences, maintain your session, understand how you interact with the service, improve performance and protect against misuse. Similar technologies may include local storage, pixels, tags, software development kits, device identifiers and analytics tools.

2. How We Use Cookies

We may use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

to operate PHM and provide core platform functionality;
to keep you signed in and maintain your session;
to remember your preferences and settings;
to understand how users interact with PHM;
to improve platform performance, usability and reliability;
to detect errors, abuse, fraud, security risks or unauthorised activity;
to measure the effectiveness of product features and content. We do not currently use cookies to sell your personal information to advertisers or data brokers.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for PHM to function properly. They may be used for authentication, account login, security, session management, load balancing, fraud prevention and basic platform operation. Because these cookies are necessary for the service to work, they cannot usually be disabled through PHM's cookie controls. You may disable them through your browser settings, but some features may not function properly.

3.2 Preference Cookies

These cookies help PHM remember your choices, such as language settings, display preferences, saved settings or other customisations. If these cookies are disabled, some preferences may not be remembered.

3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how users interact with PHM, such as which pages are visited, which features are used, how users navigate the platform and whether errors occur. We use this information to improve PHM, analyse product performance, troubleshoot issues and make the platform more useful. Where possible, analytics are used in aggregated, de-identified or anonymised form.

3.4 Security and Abuse Prevention Technologies

We may use cookies, logs, device information, IP address data and similar technologies to detect spam, scraping, unauthorised access, suspicious activity, fraud or misuse of PHM. These technologies help protect PHM, our users and listed veterinary clinics.

3.5 Marketing Cookies

PHM does not currently use advertising, retargeting or behavioural marketing cookies on the New Zealand version of the platform. If we introduce marketing cookies in the future, we will update this Cookie Policy and provide any additional notice, consent or choice required by applicable law.

4. Third-Party Cookies and Tools

Some cookies or similar technologies may be placed by third-party service providers that help us operate, secure, analyse or improve PHM. These may include:

authentication providers, such as Google or Apple, when you choose to sign in through their services;
analytics providers that help us understand platform usage;
cloud hosting, security or performance providers;
embedded third-party services, such as maps, clinic websites or external links. Third-party providers may process information in accordance with their own privacy policies and terms, where applicable. We do not control cookies placed by third-party websites that you visit after leaving PHM.

5. Personal Information and Cookies

Some cookies or similar technologies may collect information that can identify you directly or indirectly, such as your IP address, device identifiers, account session data or usage patterns. Where such information constitutes personal information, we handle it in accordance with our Privacy Policy (/en-NZ/privacy), the Privacy Act 2020, the Information Privacy Principles and other applicable laws.

6. Your Choices

You can control cookies in several ways.

6.1 Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to block, delete or manage cookies through browser settings. If you block all cookies, some features of PHM may not work properly.

6.2 Device Settings

Your device may allow you to reset advertising identifiers, limit tracking or manage app-level permissions.

6.3 Platform Controls

Where PHM provides cookie preference settings or consent tools, you may use those controls to manage non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies may remain active because they are required for PHM to function.

7. Marketing Communications and Tracking

If we use cookies or similar technologies to support marketing communications in the future, we will do so in accordance with applicable New Zealand law. Where we send commercial electronic messages, we will provide an unsubscribe facility where required by law.

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified by posting an updated version on PHM with a new effective date and, where appropriate, by additional notice through the Platform or other communication channels.

9. Contact

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies and similar technologies, please contact us (/en-NZ/contact-us) at: Email: [email protected] Company: The Cat's Whiskers Co., Ltd.