Budget Pet Products is concerned that (human staff of) consumers are not aware of the questions to ask or the details to look for when purchasing pet products to make sure they are one hundred percent genuine item.
We have heard so many horror stories about pet lovers who are trying to do the right thing by keeping treatment schedules maintained only to be ripped off or given inferior products by callous individuals that can be harmful to our much loved pets.
Budget Pet Products started by two couples sick of paying inflated prices and tired of having to trek all over town to actually find the right products for their much loved moggie managerie & canine clowns.
Whilst operating Budget Pet Products they have learnt a thing or two (Never say no to a hungry cat would be number one). (Number two would be-Always trust in your dog’s judge of character) about recognising legitimate, ridgey ridge, dinky di, true blue, authentic items so use this guide whenever you are purchasing on line:
WHAT ARE GENUINE PRODUCTS?
When the APVMA (previously known as the National Registration Authority (NRA)) registers a chemical product or approves a new label, an approval number is placed on the label.
This number is typically found at the base of the rear panel on the main container. The approval number contains the product number, the pack size identifier and the month and year of initial registration. Typical examples might be
APVMA Approval No. 54321 / 1kg / 0909 or NRA 54321 / 1kg / 0909.
If a product label does not have an APVMA or NRA approval number, the product may not be registered. The PUBCRIS database on the APVMA website (www.apvma.gov.au) contains a listing of all registered chemical products in Australia and provides a useful tool for checking registration details.
Australian companies and individuals who sell agricultural or veterinary chemical products either through a store or online have a responsibility to ensure that these products are registered and have an APVMA/NRA approval number. The penalties for supplying unregistered products are significant.
If you would like to discuss your purchase with the APVMA please follow the link below:
http://www.apvma.gov.au/about/contact/index.php
WHY BUY GENUINE PRODUCTS?
It is vital to ensure you are purchasing authentic products. Some products may not be effectively treating your pet or could have chemicals which are actually harmful to your pet.
Often products may be found for sale or supply online that are either not available in Australia, or appear to be an overseas version of an Australian registered product.
It is an offence to import unregistered products (including overseas versions of an Australian product) or unapproved active constituents into Australia.
The APVMA may issue consent for the importation of unregistered veterinary products or unapproved active ingredients for specific purposes.
The APVMA does not issue a consent to import an overseas version of a product that is registered and available within Australia.
Further information on importation of veterinary products is available on the APVMA website at www.apvma.gov.au/supply/import.php.
Sometimes larger containers or multiple packs of pet medicines/ treatments are unlawfully broken down to smaller packs or even single doses for retail sale. Some examples of this include the supply of individual ampoules of flea treatments or individual worming tablets. Often these smaller packs/ ampoules do not contain the essential usage and safety information contained on the label. Supply of products in unapproved pack sizes and supply without the APVMA approved label is an offence under the Agvet Code.
The APVMA has had numerous reports of this practise occurring where customers are supplied with single ampoules of treatment with no written instructions for use and have taken the product home and have administered the treatment incorrectly. In some cases treatments designed for topical use have been given orally and those designed for dogs have been administered to cats. Death and/or injury of animals can occur.
NOT BUYING GENUINE PRODUCTS
When any consumer ‘takes a chance’ that the vendor is legitimate they are gambling with their pets’ health and well being. If you are going so far as to treat your animal for whatever ails them then a phone call to validate this seller and the items or checking out the APVMA website is time well spent.
If your seller is not reputable they may not be around long enough should you need to contact them. What are the refund, exchange and satisfaction policies?
Recently a lovely pet carer purchased from an overseas retailer and received a product for overseas climate and was definitely not suitable for her much loved cat so she contacted them and returned the item + postage and return costs. She has not heard from them again and they are no longer accepting her calls.
Budget Pet Products FACTS
- Genuine Australian vendors provide registered products.
- Genuine Australian vendors provide product information.
- Genuine Australian vendors offer customer service including sales, information and support
- Genuine Australian vendors do not shy away from direct questions about expiry dates and authenticity
- Customers have the right to ask and demand genuine products made for Australian conditions.