Change of Mind Return Policy Print
Written by Melanie   

 

 

 


Animal Welfare Code of Practice

Breeding dogs and cats 

9.1.1 Standards

  1. 9.1.1.1  Puppies and kittens must not be re-homed before they are 8 weeks of age.

  2. 9.1.1.2  Dogs and cats must not be re-homed to people less than 18 years of age.

  3. 9.1.1.3  No dog or puppy, cat or kitten may be sold unless vaccinated in compliance with the requirements of Section 8.2 of this Code.

  4. 9.1.1.4  All dogs and cats re-homed must be microchipped, and treated to remove gastrointestinal parasites prior to release.

  5. 9.1.1.5  No dog or cat suspected of being sick, injured or diseased may be sold under any circumstances.

  6. 9.1.1.6  At the time of purchase, clients must be offered accurate written information at no charge which concerns the care of animals purchased.

  7. 9.1.1.7  If within 3 days a dog or cat is not acceptable to the purchaser for any reason, the breeder is required
    to take the dog or cat back and refund 50% of the purchase price of the animal. This guarantee must be provided in writing to the purchaser at the point

    of sale. 


 

Link: Department of Primary Industries Animal Welfare Code of Practice  The Above can be found on page 24. 

We are more than willing to go above and beyond for our clients and as a result we offer:

Refunds for change of mind within 3 days of collection will be offered minus $250 fee per kitten or $200 per adult rescue cat (where the adult cats have been sold at $550) to contribute to the cost of my time, transfer of microchip, veterinary consultations/testing, pet insurance transfer and reprint of contracts and relevant paperwork. This is based on the fact that I can likely rehome the kitten/s quickly. As new, non custom made products will be refunded in full (eg Carry Boxes, beds with tags, litter trays etc) Consumed/opened and custom made products will not be refunded and will be deducted from the refund offered. The Cat/s must be returned to us at the buyers expense within the 3 days with all paperwork. 

Refunds for change of mind within 14 days of collection will be offered minus $550 fee per kitten or $300 per adult rescue/retired breeding cat (where the adult cats have been sold at $550) to contribute to the cost of my time, transfer of microchip, veterinary consultations/testing, pet insurance transfer and reprint of contracts and relevant paperwork. Based on the fact that I can likely rehome the kitten/s quickly. As new, non custom made products will be refunded in full (eg Carry Boxes, beds with tags, litter trays etc) Consumed/opened and custom made products will not be refunded and will be deducted from the refund offered.  The Cat/s must be returned to us at the buyers expense within the 14 days with all paperwork. 

Refunds for change of mind after 14 days of collection and prior to 6 months old will be at a flat rate of $250 per kitten. As new, non custom made products may be refunded at our discretion (eg Carry Boxes, beds with age, litter trays etc) depending on their condition. Consumed/opened and custom made products will not be refunded and will be deducted from the refund offered. Rescue cats will not be refunded after 14 days. 

If a kitten or adult rescue cat is being returned due to an illness or health condition the health guarantee in your folder will apply and all relevant documentation must be provided as per that document.

We ask that people please keep in mind that one can't buy a new car, use it for a few days/weeks/months or years and return it to the car yard and expect a refund simply due to change of mind. Just like you can't go and purchase an item of clothing, wear it out to dinner and then return it to the shop for a refund. According to Australian consumer law we are under no obligation to offer a full refund for kittens/cats because people have simply changed their mind. Our refund policy goes above and beyond what the law requires. 

"Generally, a store does not have to give a refund or replacement if a customer simply changes their mind about a product. Under the Australian Consurmer Law, the customer is only entitled to a refund or replacement for a major problem with a product covered by consumer guarantees" (https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/products-and-services/business-practices/store-policies/change-of-mind 

We offer the above terms and conditions as we believe this to be the ethical way to operate under these unexpected circumstances and want to do right by both our customers and what is in the best interest of the kittens we breed and any rescue cats we place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please understand that when we place our babies in a new home we assume that the new owners have contemplated the decision to purchase a kitten for a considerable period of time. We assume that given our waiting list this is not a rushed decision and that you intent to keep the kitten permanently, catering for the cats needs throughout the various life stages.

We do understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise that mean the owners can not keep the kitten or cat they have purchased from us. While we would hope the decision to surrender a kitten or cats is also carefully considered. I do feel a deep responsibility for any cat that I have sold and I would be devastated to think that any kitten for cat ends up in a rescue facility or in the hands of someone that may not have the cats best interests at heart. I do also often have people on a waiting list interested in taking on Older Cats as they don't feel able to care for a high energy kitten. As a result our Health Guarantee that is signed at the time of collection stipulates that the kitten or cat must be returned to us regardless of age. The kitten or cat is not to be on sold or given away. 

There are numerous costs and considerable time involved in rehoming any cat or kitten. Phoning up and discussing the cat or kitten involved with potential new owners in itself can take up considerable time. Usually, like we do with all new kitten customers, we arrange for any potential new owner to come and meet the cat or kitten. This first meeting will usually take between 30 - 40 minutes. Allowing me to meet the interested party and ask some relevant questions to determine if they are a suitable home. They will also want to meet the cat and ask some questions of their own. I cover off some basic requirements to ensure the family has considered some basics prior to bringing the kitten/Cat home. (Eg Scratching pole, Dietary requirements, Litter/litter trays) and how to prepare for a new cat.

Sometimes I might need to meet a few  different families/people till the right home is found. Certain cats won't suit homes with young children, other cars, dogs or families with busy lifestyles. I can spend anywhere between 30 mins to 3 hours just meeting people to determine which family will best suit the cat I am placing. 

Once the right home is confirmed a collection date is agreed upon. At collection I spend between 50 mins and 1 hour 15 mins going though information regarding the types of food the kitten/cat will require including wet, dry and foods suitable for human consumption depending on the life stage of the cat being placed. I spend time with them to discuss different brands of foods, litter and litter trays based on what the cat was familiar with in the previous home. I discuss in detail flea and worming treatments, appropriate methods of play as well as covering off beds, bowls, grooming requirements, the best possible ways to help a stressed cat adjust to a new environment and hot to introduce to other pets in the home if relevant, along with a variety of other important information.  

All the cats we place go with a 4 month health guarantee, so any cat must be vet checked by our vet prior to going to a new home. Inthe case of cats living in the same home as other cats we haven't bred we do require additional testing/quarantine conditions away from other boarding cats and kittens here with us. There are a variety of conditions that are contagious despite vaccination and to air on the side of caution we have to assume that any cat that has been in contact with another cat not bred by us could harbour illness/disease. Most cats will spend at least 2 weeks here till all required vet checks, details, testing, vaccinations, flea and worming treatments and paperwork is completed. Some cars will require rehabilitation and re-socialisation and often in the case of mature cats they can take anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months to adjust to the environment here and be iin a position where they are ready for visitors to come and meet them. 

We ensure that all medical treatments flea and worming treatments, Dental cleans and vaccinations are up to date. 

In the case of kittens that have been returned the Petplan insurance policy will be cancelled and reissued into the new owners name once a new home has been confirmed.

All relevant paperwork will be typed up specifically to suit the particular rescue cats requirements and to inform the new owners of all relevant dates for future vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, dietary requirements, microchip numbers and medical history. All certificates are supplied where possible. 

We offer a 24 hours/7 Day a week held within the first week of collection to ensure any questions or concerns new owners might have are dealt with promptly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 November 2020 05:43