Cookie policy

A cookie is a small text file a website asks your browser to keep, so the site, or a service it uses, can recognize your browser later. Local storage is a similar space in your browser where a site can keep a setting; unlike a cookie, it is not sent to a server with every request. We treat both the same way in this policy.

"First party" items are set by woofwagnation.com itself. "Third party" items are set by another company's service, here Google or Microsoft, and only if you allow it.

Strictly necessary. These remember choices you make on the site, such as your cookie answer and your light or dark theme. They stay in your browser, are never sent to us, and do not track you. The law does not require consent for them, and the site sets them only when you make the choice they record.

Analytics. These come from Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity and help us understand which pages are useful and where the site is hard to use. They are off until you accept in the cookie banner.

Maps. Directory pages can show an embedded Google Map. Google sets its own cookies when the map loads, so the map is also off until you accept.

If you refuse, ignore the banner, or your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, none of the analytics or map items is set. We do not use advertising or marketing cookies, and we do not allow ad networks to place cookies on woofwagnation.com.

• wl-cookie-consent (local storage, set by woofwagnation.com): remembers whether you accepted or refused, so the banner does not ask again on every page. It lasts until you change your choice or clear your browser's site data.
• theme (local storage, set by woofwagnation.com): remembers whether you chose light, dark or system theme with the theme toggle. It is only set if you use the toggle, and lasts until you change it or clear your browser's site data.

The durations below are the defaults published by Google and Microsoft. They can change if the provider changes them.

• _ga (Google Analytics): tells visits from the same browser apart, using a random identifier. It lasts 2 years.
• ga followed by our property ID (Google Analytics): keeps track of the current session for our site. It lasts 2 years.
• _clck (Microsoft Clarity): keeps a random Clarity user ID and preferences for this site. It lasts 1 year.
• _clsk (Microsoft Clarity): links several page views into one Clarity session recording. It lasts 1 day.
• CLID (Microsoft Clarity): identifies the first time Clarity saw this browser on any site that uses Clarity. It lasts 1 year.
• ANONCHK (Microsoft Clarity): checks whether the MUID cookie is passed to other Microsoft services; Microsoft states it is always set to 0 for Clarity. It lasts 10 minutes.
• MR (Microsoft Clarity): tells Microsoft whether to refresh the MUID cookie. It lasts 7 days.
• MUID (Microsoft Clarity): identifies unique browsers visiting Microsoft sites and services. It lasts 1 year.
• SM (Microsoft Clarity): used to synchronize the MUID across Microsoft domains. It lasts until you close the browser.

Google explains how it uses information from sites that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. Microsoft's privacy statement is at privacy.microsoft.com.

When you accept, the Google Maps embed on directory pages loads from Google and may set Google cookies and send your IP address to Google. The exact names and lifetimes are set by Google and can change; Google describes them in its own cookie and privacy documentation at policies.google.com. If you do not accept, you see a link to open the place in Google Maps instead, and nothing loads from Google until you click it.

Some of our links go to other websites, and those sites set their own cookies when you arrive there, not while you are on woofwagnation.com.

• Stores we link to, such as Amazon. When you reach the store, it sets its own cookies so it can credit Woof Wag Nation with a commission if you buy. Those cookies are covered by the store's cookie and privacy policies. Our affiliate disclosure explains how these links work.
• Social media and other links. If you follow a link to Facebook, YouTube, a source we cite or a place in the directory, that site's cookie policy applies.

You can change your answer at any time. Choose Cookie settings in the footer of any page to open the banner again, then accept or refuse.

If you switch analytics and maps off, they stop loading from your next page view. Cookies they already set stay in your browser until they expire or you delete them; we cannot delete another company's cookies for you, but your browser can (see below). If you switch them on, they load from your next page view.

If your browser or a browser extension sends a Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a refusal of analytics and maps. The tools do not load and their cookies are not set, whatever the banner shows. The signal also counts as a request to opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information under the US state laws that recognize it. See our privacy policy for more.

Every major browser lets you see, block and delete cookies and site data. The settings are usually under Privacy or Security:

• Chrome: Settings, Privacy and security, Third-party cookies, and Delete browsing data.
• Safari: Settings (or Preferences), Privacy, Manage Website Data.
• Firefox: Settings, Privacy and Security, Cookies and Site Data.
• Edge: Settings, Cookies and site permissions.
• Phones: in the settings of the browser app you use.

Blocking all cookies and site data does not stop woofwagnation.com from working. The site will simply ask your cookie question again, and forget your theme choice, on your next visit.

Google offers a browser add-on that stops Google Analytics on every site, at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

If we add, remove or change a cookie or a similar item, we will update this policy and the date at the top before the change goes live. If a new item needs your consent, we will ask for it in the banner before it is set.

Questions about cookies or this policy can go through the contact form. We reply within one business day.

This policy is also available in Spanish. If the two versions differ, the English version controls.