Privacy Policy

WestVETS Animal and Equine Hospitals and Equine Reproduction Centre Privacy Policy Statement

1. Introduction

At WestVETS, including our businesses known as WestVETS Animal Hospitals and WestVETS Equine Reproduction Centre (referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”), we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Our commitment is to ensure your privacy is respected and to provide transparency about how your personal information is handled in connection with our veterinary services.

Personal information is any information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who can be reasonably identified from the information or opinion. Information or an opinion may be personal information regardless of whether it is true.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Personal Details: Name, contact information (phone number and email address), and residential address.
Pet Information: Details about your pet(s) including medical history, breed, and treatment records.
Financial Information: Payment details for services rendered, including debit and credit card numbers.
Communication Records: Correspondence with us, including emails and phone calls.
Online Activity: Information collected through our website and online store, such as browsing behaviors, purchase history, and technical data (e.g., IP address, device type, browser type, and operating system).

We use cookies on our website. A cookie is a small text file that the website may place on your device to store information. We may use persistent cookies (which remain on your computer even after you close your browser) to store information that may speed up your use of our website for future visits. We may also use session cookies (which no longer remain after you end your browsing session) to help manage the display and presentation of information. You may refuse to use cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, but this may affect the website’s functionality.

3. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information in the following ways:

Directly from You: When you contact us, provide information during appointments, via forms, or through our website.
Through Our Services: When you use our veterinary services, including consultations, treatments, and follow-ups.
Online Store and Website: Through interactions with our online store, website forms, and cookies that track browsing behavior.
From Third Parties: From other healthcare providers, pet shelters, family members, relevant third parties, and publicly available sources.

4. How We Use Your Personal Information

We collect, hold, and use your personal information for the following purposes:

To Provide Services: To deliver veterinary care and related services to your pet.
Billing and Payments: To process payments and manage accounts.
Communication: To inform you about appointments, treatments, and respond to queries or complaints.
Online Interactions: To process orders from our online store and tailor marketing promotions.
Service Improvement: To enhance our services and customer experience.

Opting In or Out of Marketing Communications

Opting In: You may opt in to receive marketing communications when providing your contact details.
Opting Out: If you no longer wish to receive marketing communications, you can opt out at any time by:
- Clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in any marketing email.
- Replying “Stop” to any SMS marketing message.
- Contacting us at admin@westvets.com.au.

5. How We Disclose Your Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information:

To Third-Party Service Providers: Who assist in delivering services (e.g., billing, IT support), under confidentiality agreements.
To Other Healthcare Providers: For coordination of care or referral.
To Online Service Providers: For website and online store operation.
As Required by Law: If required by legal obligations or regulatory requirements.

Your personal information will generally remain in Australia. We will notify you if it is transferred overseas.

6. Pseudonyms and Anonymity

If you choose to use pseudonyms or remain anonymous, we may not be able to provide the full range of our services.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information, including:

Using identity and access management technologies to secure systems.
Requiring employees to comply with internal security policies.
Monitoring and reviewing security practices regularly.

8. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. Contact us for assistance. There is no charge for requesting access, though reasonable costs may apply for large requests.

9. Complaints

If you have concerns about our handling of your personal information, contact us. If unsatisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or call 1300 363 992.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised policy will be posted on our website, or you may obtain a copy by contacting us.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

WestVETS Animal and Equine Hospital and Equine Reproduction Centre
540 Mt Crosby Road, Anstead QLD 4070
Anstead (07) 3202 7300, Marburg (07) 5464 4422
admin@westvets.com.au
www.westvets.com.au

12. Acknowledgement

By using our services and/or sharing your personal information with us, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.