1. Delete in the app
- Open Homeward Paws and log in.
- Tap Profile in the bottom menu.
- Tap Delete account.
- Read what will happen to your active reports, then confirm.
If you have an active missing or found report, the app asks you to close it or tells you it will be closed for you. Nothing else is needed: Homeward Paws has no subscriptions or payments to cancel.
2. Request deletion without the app
Send an email from the email address you use for Homeward Paws to:
info@homewardpaws.org.za
Use the subject line Delete my Homeward Paws account. You do not need to give a reason.
What happens next
- We reply within 3 working days to confirm the request came from you. If you write from a different address, we will ask you to confirm from your account email.
- We delete your account within 30 days of that confirmation and email you when it is done.
If you can no longer access your account email, contact info@homewardpaws.org.za and we will help you verify your identity another way.
3. What is deleted
- Your account, login details, name, display name and profile photo.
- Your mobile number, WhatsApp setting, home area and saved locations.
- Your animal profiles, their photos, and private microchip, tag and ownership details.
- Your draft reports, followed reports, notification settings and push notification tokens.
- Ownership evidence you uploaded for claims.
- From your published reports and contributions: your name, contact details, photos and exact locations. Active reports are closed and their alerts stop.
4. What we keep, and for how long
| Information | Why | How long |
|---|---|---|
| An anonymous record of each case you were part of: animal type, general area, dates and outcome | So that other people's linked cases and histories stay accurate. It no longer identifies you. | Indefinitely, in anonymous form |
| Moderation, abuse and fraud records | To keep the community safe and prevent repeat abuse | Up to 24 months |
| Server and security logs | Security and troubleshooting | Up to 90 days |
| Backups | Disaster recovery | Overwritten within 30 days |
| Records we must keep by law | Legal obligations | Only as long as the law requires |
Advertising data collected by Google AdMob is controlled by Google. You can reset or delete your advertising ID in your Android settings. Full details are in our privacy policy.
5. Delete some data only
You can keep your account and remove specific information:
- Delete an animal profile, a draft report or a photo directly in the app.
- Close a report you no longer need.
- Ask us to delete anything else by emailing info@homewardpaws.org.za with what you want removed.