Welcome to the website of Out of the Woods Rescue Melbourne Ltd (OOTW). By using our website, you agree to the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.

About us

This website is operated by OOTW, a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). You can find our mission, values and vision here on our website. 

Use of website

By accessing this website, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions and all applicable laws. You must not:

• use the website for any unlawful or unauthorised purpose
• interfere with the website’s operation or security
• post or transmit any defamatory, harmful, obscene or otherwise objectionable content.

Intellectual property

All content on this site – including text, images, logos, videos, documents and policies – is the property of OOTW or used with permission. Content may not be copied or reproduced without written consent, except for personal, non-commercial use with attribution.

Donations and payments

All donations made to Out of the Woods Rescue Melbourne Ltd via our website or other official channels are in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated. 

OOTW accepts donations in the form of one-off or recurring financial donations, gifts in kind (such as material items or services) and bequests. By submitting a payment, you confirm:

• that the information you provide is accurate
• that all donations are voluntary and, unless otherwise specified, non-refundable.

Please refer to our Refunds and Returns Policy for specific conditions relating to refunds following adoption.

Donations are used to support the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals in our care. While donors may request for funds to be allocated toward a specific purpose (e.g., a particular animal or medical procedure), OOTW retains full discretion over the use of all donations to ensure they are directed where most needed to further our charitable purpose.

OOTW is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), we are also endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), which means all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. This means your donation receipts can be used to claim a tax deduction.

We do accept anonymous donations, but cannot provide a receipt in such cases.

All online donations are processed via a secure payment system. However, users should be aware that data transmission over the internet carries inherent risks, and while we take reasonable steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Please refer to our Refunds and Returns Policy for specific conditions relating to refunds following adoption.

If you have any questions about your donation, or need assistance with a receipt, please contact us directly at admin@outofthewoodsrescue.org.au.

Returns & Refunds Policy (Merchandise)

You may return eligible items within 14 days of receiving your order.
To qualify for a refund or exchange, returned items must be:

• Unused or unworn, and in the same condition as received
• Free from damage, stains, odours, or signs of wear
• In the original packaging, with all tags and labels attached (if applicable)
• Accompanied by proof of purchase (receipt or order confirmation)


To initiate a return, please contact us at on our contact form within the 14-day return window. Include:

• Your name
• Order number
• Item(s) you wish to return
• Reason for return (optional, but helps us improve)

We will provide instructions and a return address.
 Customers are responsible for return postage costs unless the item arrived damaged or incorrect. We recommend using a tracked postage service, as we cannot guarantee receipt of items without tracking.


Once your return is received and inspected, we will notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. Approved refunds will be processed to the original payment method within 5–10 business days.

Privacy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Please review our Privacy Policy for information on how we collect, store, and use your personal data in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and Victorian privacy laws.

Third party links

This website may contain links to external websites. These are provided for convenience only. OOTW is not responsible for the content, availability or privacy practices of third-party sites.

Limitation of liability

We make every effort to ensure the content on our site is accurate and current, but we do not guarantee it. Use of this site is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused through its use.

We do not warrant that this website is error-free or free from viruses.

Animal listings and adoption

Animals listed for adoption are subject to approval. Submitting an adoption application does not guarantee adoption.

Our decisions are guided by policies including:

• Adoption Terms and Conditions
• Indoor-Only Cat Policy
• Single Kitten Adoption Policy

OOTW reserves the right to decline any application that does not align with the best interests of the animal or our policies.

Changes to these terms

OOTW may update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The most current version will always be available on this page. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of any changes.

Governing law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any disputes relating to these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.

For more information about our organisational structure and governance, please refer to our Governing Document (Constitution) available via the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Contact us

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact:

Out of the Woods Rescue Melbourne Ltd
Email: admin@outofthewoodsrescue.org.au
ABN: 82686938189
Registered in Victoria, Australia.