Last updated: [insert date]
At Jonath’s Animal Kingdom, we aim to make shipping clear, reliable and suitable for the type of products being ordered. This Shipping Policy explains how postage, courier delivery, bulky item freight and livestock transport are handled for online orders.
This policy should be read together with our Delivery Information, Click & Collect, Refunds & Returns Policy and DOA Policy where applicable.
Shipping Options
Available shipping and delivery options will be shown at checkout based on your address, order contents and selected products.
Not all products are suitable for standard postage. Some items may require Click & Collect, local delivery, bulky item freight, specialist courier arrangements or a custom delivery quote.
If you are unsure whether an item can be shipped, please contact Jonath’s Animal Kingdom before placing your order.
Main Shipping Partners
Our main postage partners are:
- Australia Post
- StarTrack
We may use Australia Post or StarTrack for eligible standard parcels, express parcels and suitable packaged goods.
Shipping options, fees and timeframes may vary depending on your location, order size, item weight and the type of products purchased.
Other Freight and Transport Providers
For bulky, fragile, oversized, specialist or livestock-related movements, we may use other transport companies where appropriate.
This may apply to:
- Large aquariums
- Glass tanks
- Reptile enclosures
- Bird cages
- Cabinets
- Bulky habitat equipment
- Heavy substrate or food orders
- Specialist equipment
- Live animals
- Livestock movements
- Items requiring special handling
Any special freight, bulky delivery or livestock transport arrangement will be discussed and agreed with you before it is confirmed.
Items That May Not Be Suitable for Standard Shipping
Some products may not be suitable for standard shipping due to size, weight, fragility, safety, temperature sensitivity, animal welfare requirements or carrier restrictions.
This may include:
- Live animals
- Some birds
- Reptiles
- Live food
- Frozen food
- Aquariums
- Glass tanks
- Large enclosures
- Heating and lighting products
- Fragile aquarium equipment
- Bulky cages
- Heavy products
- Specialist care items
If an item cannot be shipped using the option selected at checkout, we will contact you to arrange an alternative option or provide a refund for the affected item or order.
Live Animals and Livestock Transport
Live animals, including reptiles and some birds, may require special transport arrangements.
Live animal transport is not treated as standard postage and may depend on:
- Species
- Animal welfare requirements
- Weather and temperature
- Your location
- Transport availability
- Legal or permit requirements
- Suitable collection or delivery timing
- Store approval
Where available, live animals may show an option to request a quote or contact the store before purchase.
We reserve the right to delay, refuse, cancel or refund livestock transport where we believe transport conditions are unsuitable or unsafe.
For more information about live animal arrival issues, please refer to our DOA Policy.
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout where standard shipping is available.
Costs may depend on:
- Delivery address
- Parcel weight
- Parcel size
- Carrier rates
- Product type
- Order value
- Special handling requirements
- Freight or livestock transport requirements
Bulky, fragile, oversized or livestock movements may require a separate quote.
Processing Times
We aim to process orders as quickly as possible.
Processing times may vary depending on:
- Product availability
- Store opening hours
- Payment confirmation
- Order volume
- Supplier availability
- Special handling requirements
- Carrier pickup schedules
If an item is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable for standard shipping, we will contact you as soon as possible.
Shipping Timeframes
Shipping timeframes shown at checkout or provided by carriers are estimates only.
Delivery may be affected by:
- Carrier delays
- Public holidays
- Weather events
- Regional or remote delivery routes
- Incorrect address details
- High seasonal demand
- Supplier delays
- Special handling requirements
Jonath’s Animal Kingdom is not responsible for carrier delays once an order has been dispatched, but we will assist where reasonable.
Tracking
Where tracking is available, tracking details may be sent once your order has been dispatched.
Tracking updates are provided by the carrier. There may be delays between dispatch and the first tracking scan.
Address Details
Please ensure your shipping address is correct before placing your order.
Jonath’s Animal Kingdom is not responsible for delays, failed deliveries or additional costs caused by incorrect or incomplete address details.
If you notice an address error after placing your order, contact us immediately. We will do our best to update the order before dispatch, but changes may not be possible once the order has been collected by the carrier.
Authority to Leave
Where available, you may be able to request authority to leave.
If you select authority to leave, the carrier may leave your parcel at the delivery address without a signature.
Jonath’s Animal Kingdom is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged parcels after they have been delivered according to authority to leave instructions.
Damaged, Missing or Incorrect Orders
If your order arrives damaged, missing items or incorrect items, please contact us as soon as possible.
Please provide:
- Order number
- Photos of the item
- Photos of the packaging
- Photos of the shipping label
- A description of the issue
Please keep the item and packaging until the issue has been reviewed, as this may be required for carrier or supplier claims.
For more information, please refer to our Refunds & Returns Policy.
Failed Delivery or Returned Parcels
If a parcel cannot be delivered and is returned to us, we will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Additional fees may apply where redelivery is required due to:
- Incorrect address details
- Failure to collect from a pickup point
- Refused delivery
- No access to the delivery location
- Missed delivery attempts
Click & Collect Alternative
Some items may be better suited to Click & Collect rather than shipping.
This may apply to fragile, bulky, live, frozen or specialist items.
For more information, please refer to our Click & Collect page.
Contact Us About Shipping
If you have questions about shipping, postage, bulky item freight or livestock transport, please contact Jonath’s Animal Kingdom before placing your order.
Jonath’s Animal Kingdom
Email: [insert email]
Phone: [insert phone]
Address: [insert store address]