This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar technologies Connect-a-Pet uses, why, and what choices you have. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which covers our broader data practices.
We keep things straightforward: Connect-a-Pet uses no advertising cookies, no analytics cookies, and no social-media tracking. The only non-essential technology we load is Google Maps, used on our PetMaps and Find-a-Vet pages.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device when you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, and to remember your preferences between visits.
As well as traditional cookies, we also use browser storage (sessionStorage), which works similarly but stores data locally on your device rather than sending it to a server.
2. What We Use
Here is a complete summary of everything we set or load:
| Technology | Type | Category | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
sb-* authentication cookies | First-party cookie | Strictly necessary | Keeps you signed in | Session / rolling refresh |
announcement_dismissed_<id> | First-party sessionStorage | Functional | Remembers that you dismissed a site announcement | Until you close the browser tab |
cap_cookie_consent | First-party storage | Strictly necessary | Records your cookie-banner choice so we don't ask again | Up to 6 months |
| Google Maps Platform | Third-party cookies & storage | Functional (third-party content) | Powers the PetMaps map and Find-a-Vet clinic search | Varies — see Google's policy |
3. Category 1 — Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for Connect-a-Pet to function. The site cannot work without them. Under ePrivacy rules (and CNIL guidance), strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent, but we disclose them here for full transparency.
| Cookie name | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
sb-[project-ref]-auth-token | Connect-a-Pet (via Supabase Auth) | Stores your authentication session token so you stay signed in | Session (renewed automatically via refresh token) |
sb-[project-ref]-auth-token-code-verifier | Connect-a-Pet (via Supabase Auth) | PKCE verifier used during the sign-in flow | Short-lived; cleared after sign-in completes |
cap_cookie_consent | Connect-a-Pet | Remembers your cookie-banner choice so the banner doesn't reappear on every visit | Up to 6 months |
Cookie names beginning sb- are set by the Supabase authentication library. The exact names vary by project configuration but always carry the sb- prefix.
Blocking these cookies will prevent you from signing in or staying signed in to Connect-a-Pet.
4. Category 2 — Functional Storage (Non-Cookie)
This is browser sessionStorage, not a cookie. It is stored entirely on your device and is never sent to our servers.
| Key | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
announcement_dismissed_<id> | sessionStorage | Remembers that you dismissed the site announcement banner, so it does not reappear during the same browser session. | Cleared automatically when you close the browser tab |
5. Category 3 — Third-party Content (Google Maps)
Pages affected: PetMaps, Find-a-Vet, and any address autocomplete fields.
When these pages load, the Google Maps JavaScript API and Google Places API are embedded from Google's servers. This causes your browser to connect to Google, which may result in:
- Cookies and local storage being set by Google on your device.
- Google receiving your IP address, information about your browser and operating system, and details of your map interactions and search queries.
- If you grant browser geolocation permission on the Find-a-Vet page, your device coordinates being sent to Google to find nearby clinics.
Google operates as an independent data controller for the data it collects through its Maps Platform. Connect-a-Pet does not control what Google sets or stores. For full details, see:
What happens if you decline Maps cookies?
See Section 7 — Your Choices below for what "Necessary only" means in practice for the map features.
6. What We Do NOT Use
To be explicit: Connect-a-Pet does not use:
- Analytics cookies or scripts (e.g. Google Analytics, Matomo, Plausible)
- Advertising or retargeting cookies
- Social-media tracking pixels (e.g. Meta Pixel, TikTok Pixel)
- Any cookie that tracks you across other websites
We will maintain this section so you can always see what we don't do.
7. Your Choices
Managing cookies in your browser
You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. Please note that if you block strictly necessary cookies, parts of the site will not work. Guidance for common browsers:
Our consent banner
When you first visit Connect-a-Pet, a cookie banner gives you the following choices:
- Accept — all technologies load, including Google Maps.
- Necessary only — only strictly necessary cookies and functional sessionStorage are active.
You can change your choice at any time using the "Cookie settings" link in the site footer.
Important note on "Necessary only" and Google Maps:
Because Google Maps is the only third-party technology we use, choosing "Necessary only" affects the map features. There are two compliant approaches, and we are confirming with legal counsel which to adopt:
Option A — Maps load as strictly functional content (no separate consent required): On this interpretation, Google Maps is a functional necessity for PetMaps and Find-a-Vet to operate. Maps load regardless of consent choice, but we inform users that Google may set cookies and provide a link to Google's privacy policy on those pages.
Option B — Maps load only with consent: On this interpretation, any third-party technology requires consent. If the user selects "Necessary only", the map is replaced with a notice: "Map features are disabled because you chose 'Necessary only'. [Change your preferences]." This is the more conservative, CNIL-preferred approach.
Google Maps opt-out
Even independently of our banner, you can opt out of Google's advertising and analytics features via Google's privacy controls.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add new features or technologies. Material changes will be notified via a site announcement. The "Last updated" date at the top always reflects the current version.
We have structured this policy with named categories (Strictly Necessary / Functional / Third-party Content) specifically to make it easy to add future categories (e.g. analytics, if ever adopted) without rewriting the document.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us:
Email: [CONTACT EMAIL for privacy requests] Post: [LEGAL ENTITY NAME], [REGISTERED ADDRESS]
For broader privacy questions, please also see our Privacy Policy.
See also our Privacy Policy.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This document is a draft prepared for informational purposes. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Before publishing, please have it reviewed by qualified legal counsel familiar with GDPR, French ePrivacy rules, and CNIL guidance on cookies, including the latest CNIL recommendations on consent mechanisms and the treatment of functional third-party content.