This Privacy Policy explains how Cat Aquarium ("Cat Aquarium", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you visit our website, browse products, place an order, or contact us. We wrote this policy to be clear and practical, while still being detailed enough to answer common questions. If you have questions, email contact@cataquariums.com.
Effective date: February 15, 2026
1) Scope
This policy applies to information collected through our website and through communications with us (for example, via email). It does not apply to third-party websites or services that may be linked from our site. If you follow a link to a third party (for example, a shipping tracker, payment provider, or social network), their privacy practices apply.
2) Key definitions
Personal information (or personal data) generally means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked (directly or indirectly) with a particular person or household. For example, a name, email address, shipping address, or certain device identifiers may be personal information.
Processing means any operation performed on information, such as collecting, storing, using, sharing, or deleting it.
Service provider means a company that processes information on our behalf to help us operate the site, process payments, ship orders, or provide support.
3) Information we collect
We collect information in three main ways: (a) information you provide directly, (b) information collected automatically when you use the site, and (c) information we receive from service providers involved in payment, shipping, or fraud prevention.
3.1 Information you provide
Depending on how you use the site, you may provide:
- Contact information such as your name, email address, phone number (if provided), and shipping address.
- Order information such as the items purchased, quantities, order total, and related notes.
- Support communications such as the content of emails, messages, and any photos or attachments you choose to send (for example, to report damage or request help).
3.2 Information collected automatically
When you browse our site, we (and service providers that help us operate the site) may automatically collect certain technical and usage information, such as:
- Device and browser data (for example, device type, operating system, browser type, language settings).
- Log data (for example, IP address, approximate location derived from IP, referral URLs, date/time of visits, pages viewed, clicks and interactions, and error logs).
- Performance data (for example, page load times and diagnostics that help us fix bugs and improve reliability).
Some of this information is necessary to deliver web pages to your browser and keep the site secure. Some is used to understand how the site is performing so we can improve it over time.
3.3 Cart and session information
Our site uses browser storage (for example, local storage) to support essential functionality such as saving items in your cart. This information is stored on your device and is used so the site can function as expected when you navigate between pages.
3.4 Information from service providers
If you place an order, we may receive limited information from payment and fulfillment partners. For example, a payment processor may confirm whether a payment was approved and may provide risk signals used for fraud prevention. We do not receive your full payment card number. The exact information shared depends on the provider and the method you choose at checkout.
3.5 Information you choose to share publicly
If we offer public-facing reviews or social features in the future and you choose to post content publicly, the information you submit may be visible to others. We recommend avoiding posting sensitive information. (At present, our site primarily uses direct contact via email.)
4) How we use information
We use information for the following business purposes:
- To provide and operate the site, including maintaining functionality, reliability, and security.
- To process orders, including verifying purchases, arranging shipment, and providing order updates.
- To provide customer support, including responding to questions, troubleshooting, and handling returns, refunds, and replacements.
- To communicate with you about your purchase, important service messages, and responses to your inquiries.
- To improve our products and services by understanding how the site is used and identifying what we can do better.
- To prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents, and to protect our customers and our business.
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms and policies.
5) Legal bases (where applicable)
Depending on your location, certain laws may require us to explain the legal bases for processing personal information. When applicable, we process information based on one or more of the following:
- Contract necessity (for example, processing an order and delivering a product).
- Legitimate interests (for example, improving the site, preventing fraud, and supporting customers) when those interests are not overridden by your rights.
- Consent (for example, where required for certain optional cookies or marketing communications).
- Legal obligation (for example, responding to lawful requests or maintaining records for tax and accounting).
6) Cookies, local storage, and similar technologies
We use a limited set of technologies that help the website function and help us understand performance.
6.1 Essential storage
We may store information on your device using local storage to remember cart contents and certain site preferences. You can clear this data through your browser settings. If you clear local storage, your cart may reset.
6.2 Analytics and performance
We may use analytics tools to understand how visitors use the site and to improve performance. These tools may collect information such as pages visited, time spent, clicks, and device/browser details. Where required by law, we will seek consent for non-essential analytics cookies.
6.3 Do Not Track and similar signals
Some browsers provide “Do Not Track” signals. There is not currently a consistent industry standard for interpreting these signals, so our site may not respond to them in a uniform way. You can control many tracking technologies through your browser and device settings.
6.4 Managing cookies
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. Note that disabling certain cookies or storage may affect site functionality.
7) How we share information
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as needed to operate the site, process orders, and provide support.
7.1 Service providers
We may share information with vendors and service providers that perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, shipping and logistics, analytics, website hosting, customer support tools, and fraud prevention. These providers are permitted to use information only to provide services to us and in accordance with applicable agreements.
Examples of sharing that may occur include sending your shipping details to a logistics provider, sending order identifiers to a payment processor for confirmation, or sharing limited device/network signals for fraud detection.
7.2 Legal and safety
We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, respond to lawful requests, protect our rights and property, protect customers and the public, or address fraud and security issues.
7.3 Business transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality and security protections.
8) International data transfers
Your information may be processed in countries other than where you live, including countries that may have different data protection laws. Where required, we take steps intended to ensure appropriate protections for cross-border transfers (for example, contractual protections with service providers).
9) Data retention
We keep personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including for legal, accounting, dispute resolution, and security purposes. Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and why we need it.
For example, order records may be retained for longer periods to comply with tax and accounting requirements. Support emails may be retained to maintain context for ongoing support and quality assurance. Technical logs may be retained for shorter periods for security monitoring and troubleshooting.
10) Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. These may include access controls, least-privilege practices, and monitoring for suspicious activity. However, no website, transmission method, or storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.
You can help protect your information by using strong passwords for your email account, being cautious with email links and attachments, and keeping your devices updated and protected.
11) Your choices and privacy rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as the right to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of your information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. You may also have the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
11.1 How to submit a request
To request access, correction, or deletion, email contact@cataquariums.com and include the email address used for your purchase or inquiry. For security, we may need to verify your identity before responding.
11.2 Limits on requests
Some requests may be limited where we have a legal obligation or legitimate need to retain information (for example, records required for tax, accounting, warranty, or fraud prevention). If we cannot fulfill a request, we will explain why to the extent permitted by law.
11.3 California privacy notice (if applicable)
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under state law, such as the right to request information about categories of personal information collected and disclosed, and the right to request deletion (subject to exceptions). We do not sell personal information as that term is commonly defined in privacy laws.
11.4 EEA/UK notice (if applicable)
If you are in the EEA or the UK, you may have rights such as access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection, as well as the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority. You can contact us using the email above to exercise your rights.
11.5 Additional information about categories of data
For clarity, the categories of personal information we may collect can include identifiers (such as name and email), commercial information (such as products purchased), internet or network activity (such as page views and interactions), and inferences drawn from usage (such as which pages or products may be most relevant to visitors). We use these categories for operating the site, fulfilling orders, providing support, and improving the customer experience.
11.6 Authorized agents
In some jurisdictions, you may designate an authorized agent to submit a request on your behalf. If an authorized agent submits a request, we may require proof of authorization and may still ask you to verify your identity directly for security reasons.
12) Communications
If you contact us, we will use your information to respond. We may also send transactional emails related to your orders (such as confirmations and shipping updates). Transactional communications are necessary for providing the service and cannot always be opted out of while an order is active.
If we send marketing communications in the future, you will be able to opt out using the instructions in the message, or by contacting us.
13) Children’s privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please email contact@cataquariums.com and we will take appropriate steps to address it.
14) Third-party links
Our site may link to third-party websites (for example, shipping tracking tools). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their policies before providing information.
15) Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of the policy. The latest version will always be posted on this page.
15.1 Material changes
If we make a material change to this policy (for example, a meaningful change to how we use or share personal information), we may provide additional notice on the website or via email where appropriate. Continued use of the site after a policy update means you accept the updated policy to the extent permitted by law.
16) Contact
If you have questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, contact us at contact@cataquariums.com.
Mailing address:
11026 Westlake Dr
Charlotte, North Carolina 28273