Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us at The Zoological Society of Milwaukee. This Privacy Policy describes the personal information collected by or on behalf of The Zoological Society of Milwaukee through this website and related online services (collectively, the “Site”) and at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and how personal information is used, protected, and shared. If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us as set forth below.  This Privacy Policy only covers the privacy practices of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee- please note that the Milwaukee County Zoo is a separate organization that has their own, separate privacy policy linked on their website.

Privacy laws and guidelines are part of a constantly changing environment. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this Privacy Policy at any time. All changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Site. Material changes will be conspicuously posted on the Site or otherwise communicated to you.

I. Collection of Information by The Zoological Society of Milwaukee

Personal Information. You can visit the Site without submitting personal information, which is information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household (“Personal Information”).  We collect any Personal Information that you choose to provide to us, which can include information about you and your children such as first and last name, birth date, driver’s license information, allergies & behavioral conditions, pertinent medical conditions, phone number, e-mail address, password, mailing address, and number of children.  We will collect, use, and share such Personal Information pursuant to this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

Personal Information is required in certain circumstances, for example, to create an online account, sign up for a membership or buy a zoo pass, to purchase classes or camps, to contact us via our Feedback Form or opportunity Interest Form, receive or request information from us (e.g., newsletters), and respond to communications from us.

In most circumstances, we do not want to receive Personal Information from you that is sensitive in nature, such as information pertaining to health, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, social security number, and other similar information. In limited circumstances we may request certain sensitive information about you or your children, such as dietary restrictions, sensory issues, etc.  You are not required to provide that information to us, and if you do so we will only use and share it for the purpose of attempting to accommodate the specific concern which you have noted (e.g., providing an allergen friendly meal).

Accounts. When you set up an account with us, we will collect your e-mail address, password, first and last name, phone number, and mailing address. This data is used to populate a profile within your account.

Payment and Donation. When you make a purchase or donation online, we use a PCI-compliant payment processor to help us facilitate payment. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee does not receive your credit card, debit card or other financial information when you make a payment- such information is provided directly to our payment processor.  However, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee receives information about your purchase or donation, as well as your contact information and may keep a record of your purchases and donations.

Sponsoring an Animal / Donations. Certain type of donations, such as sponsoring an animal, may permit you to have your name (or the recipient’s name if making a donation on behalf of an individual, which may include a child’s name if the donation is made on their behalf) publicly displayed as an appreciation of such donation on a digital board and/or in hard-copy form on a wall at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  Only provide us the name of another person if you have permission to have their name publicly displayed (or permission from the parent of the applicable child).  If your name (or your child’s name) is publicly displayed on one of our signs, but you would like to request removal of that name, please contact us as set forth at the end of this Privacy Policy.  Your name may also appear on our list of donors, unless you contact us to request otherwise.

Online Forms.  When you fill-out an online form on our Site, for example, when booking a class, we collect any information you choose to provide.  We use and share the information that you provide when filling-out online forms for the purposes for which you provided that information, as described in this Privacy Policy, to solicit donations, and to contact you about products, services and support opportunities that we believe may interest you.

Marketing Communications; Opt-Out.  If you provide your e-mail address to us, you understand that we may send you emails, including marketing emails. We may use third-parties or service providers to deliver communications to you. You may opt-out of such marketing emails by using the unsubscribe link in the email or contacting us at dataentry@zoosociety.org with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line. To opt-out of other communications (e.g., postal marketing and telemarketing), please contact us as set forth below. Opting out of marketing communications does not opt you out of non-marketing communications, such as emails about your account, membership, or transactions.

Feedback.  When you provide comments or feedback about us, the content on the Site, or our services (“Feedback”), we will not treat that Feedback as confidential and we may use that Feedback for any purpose in our sole discretion so long as it does not personally identify you. Feedback will be used without attribution or compensation to you.

Careers and Internships. If you submit job or internship application materials online to work with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, you will be redirected from our Site to a website operated by a third-party service provider. You may be required to create an account with that vendor. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policy posted on that vendor’s website since this Privacy Policy does not describe how that third party will use and share your Personal Information. When we receive your application materials, we only use and share that information to evaluate your qualifications to work or intern with us or our affiliates.

Data Automatically Collected.

Account Activity. We may collect data about how you use (i) your online account, and (ii) the Site when you are logged into your account. We may combine data automatically collected from you with other Personal Information about you.

Cookies & Other Tracking Technologies.

What types of online tracking mechanisms do we use?  We may use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags and other tracking technologies (collectively “Cookies”) on our Site.

What are cookies and web beacons / pixel tags? A cookie is a small text file that our Site saves onto your computer or device when you use the Site that provides us certain information about your activities. Cookies allow the Site to remember your actions and preferences and recognize you or your browser. Web beacons / pixel tags are small graphics on a webpage that monitor your activity when viewing a webpage.

Why do we collect Cookies? We use Cookies to:

• make our Site function properly;
• provide personalized experiences;
• tailor our interactions with you;
• help with our marketing efforts;
• provide us with valuable data and statistics about the usage and effectiveness of our Site and to help us improve our Site; and
• help us improve our services.

What type of information do Cookies collect? The Cookies on our Site may collect information such as:

• the IP addresses assigned to the computers and other devices you use;
• your internet service provider;
• the device ID number;
• approximate geographic location;
• the Site pages visited or clicked on;
• the date and time you visited the Site, and the amount of time spent on the Site;
• your operating system, browser type, search requests, and other similar information;
• the websites you access before and after visiting the Site, and
• data related to how and when you use the Site.

We may combine information from Cookies with Personal Information, including data obtained from other sources.

How long do Cookies last? A Cookie can either be a “session” Cookie or a “persistent” Cookie. Session Cookies exist only for so long as you are visiting the applicable Site and are typically deleted when you exit your web browser. Persistent Cookies exist for a set period of time, for example, up to several months or years. Each time you visit a Site that has implemented a persistent Cookie, the persistent Cookie is renewed and that Cookie will remain active until its predetermined expiration date. You can manually delete persistent Cookies through your browser settings.

First-party versus third-party Cookies. Cookies may either be “first-party” or “third-party” Cookies. A first-party Cookie allows your web browser to talk to the actual website that you are visiting (i.e. this Site). A third-party Cookie allows your web browser to talk to a third-party website, such as the source of an ad that appears on the website you are visiting or a third-party analytics provider. We do not have control over how information gathered by third-party Cookies is used by third parties.

How do you manage Cookies or opt-out? Most browsers automatically accept Cookies. You can disable this function by changing your browser settings, but disabling cookies may impact your use and enjoyment of the Site. Not all features or functions of the Site may work properly if you disable Cookies. You cannot disable all Cookies, such as Cookies that are essential to the functioning of the Site.

CALIFORNIA’S “DO-NOT-TRACK” REQUIREMENT. WE CURRENTLY DO NOT RESPOND TO “DO NOT TRACK” REQUESTS.

Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to collect and process information about your use of the Site. Google sets Cookies on your browser or device, and then your web browser will automatically send information to Google. Google uses this information to provide us with reports that we use to better understand and measure how users interact with our Site.

To learn more about how Google uses data, visit Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s page on “How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps.” You may download the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on for each web browser you use, but this does not prevent the use of other analytics tools. To learn more about Google Analytics cookies, visit Google Analytics Cookie Usage on Websites.

Online Behavioral Advertising. We use third parties and/or service providers to provide interest-based advertising services. These services may serve advertisements on our behalf that are customized based on predictions about your interests generated from your visits to websites (including this Site) over time and across different websites. The data collected may be associated with your Personal Information. These advertisements may appear on the Site and on other websites, and may be sent to you via email.

We use Google Ads to serve ads across various websites. Google uses Cookies to collect data about your visits to the Site to generate targeted advertisements to you on other websites that you visit. To opt-out of this type of advertising by Google, to customize your ad preferences, or to limit Google’s collection or use of such data, visit Google’s Safety Center and Google’s Ad Settings and follow Google’s personalized ad opt-out instructions. Opting out will not affect your use of the Site.

To change your preferences with respect to certain online ads or to obtain more information about ad networks and online behavioral advertising, visit National Advertising Initiative Consumer opt-out page or the Digital Advertising Alliance Self-Regulatory Program. Changing your settings with individual browsers or ad networks will not necessarily carry over to other browsers or ad networks. As a result, depending on the opt-outs you request, you may still see our ads. Opting-out of targeted advertising does not opt you out of all ads, just those targeted to you.

Video Content.  The Site contains videos and embedded content provided by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee and other parties, including visible content and/or feeds scripts embedded in the Site’s code. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee and such other parties may collect data about how you interact with such content. For example, YouTube may collect usage data on videos embedded on the Site. Even if you do not watch videos, YouTube may still collect certain information about your interactions with our Site if you are signed into your YouTube account or Google account when accessing our Site.  YouTube, LLC is owned by Google. Please see Google’s Privacy Policy for more information.

II. How We Use Personal Information

We use the Personal Information we collect for the following purposes:

As Stated or Agreed to at the Point of Collection. We may use Personal Information for the purposes stated or agreed-to (or as is obvious) at the point of collection. For example, we use Personal Information to respond to your questions, comments, or complaints. We may also use Personal Information as requested or consented to by you.

Administration. We use Personal Information for administrative purposes, such as managing your account, facilitating transactions, to inform our business strategies, and to understand the Site’s demographics and user preferences.

Site Management. We use Personal Information for Site management, such as troubleshooting problems, improving the content and functionality of the Site, statistical and other analyses of the Site, and to customize the Site to you and our users.

Advertising and Communications. We may use Personal Information to notify you of new services or programs, to notify you of new features of our Site, to notify you of changes to any online terms we post or this Policy, and for other similar communications.  We may use your Personal Information to solicit donations and contact you about support opportunities we think may interest you.

To Protect Our Rights. We may use Personal Information to protect our legal rights or interests, or those of other parties, including to bring a legal action against you or anyone who may be causing harm to us, our Site, or to other users of the Site. We may also use Personal Information to seek business, financial or legal advice, and to respond to other legal requests.

III. Retention of Personal Information

We will keep Personal Information for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is permitted or required by law.

IV. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share Personal Information with the following parties, in compliance with applicable laws:

Milwaukee County. We may share Personal Information with Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee County Zoo. We may share Personal Information with the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Employees and Affiliates. We may share Personal Information with our employees and affiliates who have a need to know the information for our business purposes.

Third-Parties and/or Service Providers. We may share Personal Information with third parties and/or service providers that provide services for us. For example, we may share Personal Information with vendors to help us host and manage the Site; improve the content and functionality of the Site; perform data analysis and statistical analysis; troubleshoot problems with the Site; provide payment processing services; provide email services; and support or provide the security of the Site.

Government Officials / Law Enforcement. We will cooperate with law enforcement and other governmental agencies, and may disclose Personal Information: (i) if we believe in good faith we are legally required to disclose that Personal Information, (ii) if we are advised to disclose Personal Information by our legal counsel, or (iii) when necessary to identify, contact or bring a legal action against someone who may cause or be causing harm to, or interfering with the legal rights of, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee or any other party.

Professional Advisors. We may share Personal Information with our professional advisors, such as our attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and business advisors, in their capacity as advisors to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.

Other Users. By submitting a copyright infringement notice, counter-notice or other similar notification, you consent to having that communication forwarded to any person or entity to whom the notice or counter-notice relates to, in order to facilitate a prompt resolution of the copyright infringement claim. Copyright infringement notices and/or counter-notices from you will be treated in accordance with our DMCA Policy.

Change in Control.  We may disclose Personal Information in connection with a sale, merger, reorganization, or other similar transaction, or in the event of a bankruptcy, receivership or a similar transaction (and with respect to due diligence related to the foregoing).

Other. We may share Personal Information with third parties and/or service providers when explicitly requested by or consented to by you, or for the purposes for which you disclosed the Personal Information to us as indicated at the time and point of the disclosure (or as was obvious at the time and point of disclosure).

V. Requests for Access to Your Information, or Corrections to Errors or Changes in This Information

If you wish to have access to Personal Information about you in our records, please contact us with your request at the mailing address or e-mail address located under the “Contacting Us” paragraph. You may also request that we update Personal Information about you, or request correction of any factual errors that you believe may exist regarding this information.

VI. Third Party Sites

The Site may contain links to other sites. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee is not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of any linked sites or for the privacy policies or practices of any other third parties. This Privacy Policy does not apply to any third-party websites or to any data you provide to third parties. You should read the privacy policy for each website that you visit.  For example, when you apply for a job or volunteer position, apply for an internship, apply for financial aid, or fill-out a support form, you are directed to a third-party website (e.g., SmartSheets or BetterImpact) and it is that third-party’s privacy policy that applies to their use and disclosure of any Personal Information you provide.

VII. Security

We use commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to help secure Personal Information against loss, misuse, and alteration appropriate to the type of Personal Information processed. If a breach of your Personal Information occurs, we will notify you of the breach if required under applicable law.

NO DATA TRANSMISSION OVER THE INTERNET OR DEVICE CAN BE GUARANTEED TO BE 100% SECURE. WHILE WE STRIVE TO PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AND YOU PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK.

VIII. Access from Outside the United States

If you access the Site from outside the United States, please be aware that Personal Information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States. Certain governmental authorities may not consider the level of protection of Personal Information in the United States to be equivalent to that required in other jurisdictions.

VIV. Children

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization, and does not knowingly solicit or collect any Personal Information from children online who are under the age of thirteen. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee memberships available on the Site require a valid driver’s license, and are not available to children under the age of thirteen.

X. Social Media

We are active on social media, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram (“Social Media”). Anything you post on Social Media is public information and will not be treated confidentially. We may post (or re-post) on the Site and our Social Media pages any comments or content that you post on Social Media. Your use of Social Media is governed by the privacy policies and terms of the providers that own and operate those websites and not by this Policy. We encourage you to review those policies and terms.

The Site may allow you to connect and share data with Social Media platforms. These features may require us to use cookies, plug-ins, and application programming interfaces provided by such Social Media platforms to facilitate those communications and features. The Site may use advertising networks and services offered by Social Media platforms to deliver advertising content. Use of these services requires Social Media platforms to implement cookies or pixel tags to deliver ads to you while you access the Site.

XI. Personal Information Collected From Third-Party Sources

We may obtain Personal Information from various third-party sources, such as from the Milwaukee County Zoo, and we may combine that data with other Personal Information we collect. This enhances our existing data about our users, improves our ability to contact you, and enhances our marketing capabilities.

XII. Contacting Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, or any requests for access to or changes to information about you, please e-mail us at Membership@zoosociety.org.