Sections
This policy lists the cookies and similar technologies BK9S uses, what each one does, and how to control them.
1What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file a website stores on your device so it can recognize you on later visits. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixels, and software development kits in mobile apps. This policy uses "cookies" for all of them.
Cookies are either first-party (set by BK9S) or third-party (set by a service we use). They are either session cookies (deleted when you close the browser) or persistent (kept until they expire or you delete them).
2Cookies we use
Strictly necessary
Required for the site to work. You cannot turn these off in our settings, though you can block them in your browser, which will break sign-in.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
sb-…-auth-token (local storage) | BK9S | Keeps you signed in and ties requests to your account | Session, or [ 30 days ] with "remember me" |
| [ bk9s_csrf ] | BK9S | Protects forms against cross-site request forgery | Session |
| [ bk9s_consent ] | BK9S | Records your cookie choices so we do not ask again | 12 months |
__cf_bm | Cloudflare | Distinguishes people from bots and protects against abuse | 30 minutes |
__stripe_mid, __stripe_sid | Stripe | Fraud prevention during checkout | 12 months / 30 minutes |
Functional
Remember choices you make so the site works the way you set it. Off by default where the law requires consent.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| [ bk9s_prefs ] | BK9S | Theme, language, dismissed notices, last-viewed pet or organization | 12 months |
| [ bk9s_location ] | BK9S | Remembers the area you searched for nearby vets or rescues, only if you set it | 30 days |
Analytics
BK9S counts visits to our home page anonymously so we can see how much traffic the site gets. This count uses no cookies and stores no IP addresses, names or other personal information — only the page, the date, and a running total. Your browser keeps a small temporary note for the current tab so the same visit is not counted twice; it is deleted when you close the tab.
Advertising
We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. If that changes, we will update this policy and ask for your consent before setting any.
3Third parties
Third-party cookies on our site are set by the vendors named in Section 2. Each has its own privacy policy, linked here:
- Stripe: stripe.com/privacy
- Cloudflare: cloudflare.com/privacypolicy
Embedded content such as maps or videos may set cookies from the provider when it loads. We load embedded content only after you interact with it where consent is required.
4Your choices
On our site
When you first visit from a region that requires consent, a banner lets you accept all, reject all non-essential, or choose by category. Rejecting is 1 click, same as accepting. Change your choices any time at [ Cookie settings link, footer ]. Where consent is not required by law, functional and analytics cookies are on by default and you can turn them off at the same link.
In your browser
Every major browser lets you view, block, and delete cookies. Blocking all cookies will prevent sign-in. Instructions: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge.
In the mobile app
The app uses equivalent local storage and SDKs. Control analytics under [ Settings > Privacy ] in the app, and device-level tracking under your phone's privacy settings.
5Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
We honor the Global Privacy Control signal: if your browser sends it, we treat it as a request to reject non-essential cookies and, for California residents, as an opt-out of sale or sharing. We do not respond to the older Do Not Track header, because there is no agreed standard for it, and our default already sets no advertising cookies.
6Changes
We update this policy when the cookies we use change. The current version and a changelog are at bk9s.org/cookies. Material changes that add a new category of cookie will trigger a fresh consent request.
7Contact
Questions about cookies: privacy@bk9s.org. This policy is part of our Privacy Policy.
♥ Be Kindness ♥
BK9S Cookie Policy, draft v0.1. Prepared for the Legal & Policy Center as a working baseline. Not legal advice. Requires review by licensed counsel and a cookie scan before publication.