Information required on Dogs NSW…….

Dogs NSW have contacted their members to object to an Option proposed in the NSW animal welfare Taskforce 2012, an Option they themselves recommended, being an integral member of that Taskforce.

Click here to understand what’s going on….

To be specific, they support Breeder Licencing for non Dogs NSW members, and want an EXEMPTION for themselves ( cynical us believe this would drive more membership applications, but that’s another matter).

They want “self-regulation”.: From their paper to members:

“Dogs NSW Breeders already have in place a well regulated system which provides for; 

 • Education and Training prior to the granting of a Breeder’s Prefix 
• Proof of Residential Address verifying actual location of approved breeding premises 
• Compulsory Microchipping prior to registration 
• Availability of the Limited Register to restrict breeding of surplus animals 
• A Code of Ethics which sets the highest standards in breeding practises and commits all Registered Breeders 
to compliance with all relevant legislation 
• A regulated investigation and inquiry program to deal with breaches of our Code 
• A traceable Membership Number which can be used in puppy advertisements 
The  Taskforce  proposal  has  the  potential  to  add  a  further  tier  of  registration  on  Dogs  NSW  Breeders 
which would  undoubtedly bring with it unnecessary and unjustifiable further regulation and costs. Dogs 
NSW Members need to be one voice in opposing it. “

DRP Comment:

We think this is as good a time as any to reveal cracks in their “well regulated system” and breaches of their Code, and breaches of their “regulated investigation program” on breaches of their code,  which we are told that they often ignore.

Action you can take: 

If you have information, direct experience, or evidence, please post your story in the comments section below. We will never reveal your name or email details – all is confidential. Please, only FACTS and information, no exaggerations! We don’t want a legal letter from Dogs NSW ……..

And if they ARE squeaky clean, then that’s OK too!

Undercover pet shop investigation

In late 2010 Animal Liberation Campaign Co-ordinator Jacqueline Dalziell took a position as a employee in a well known Sydney pet shop. Over a 3 month period she took observations and filmed breaches of the Code of Practice.

The TV report was screened on Today Tonight  and can be viewed on COMPANION ANIMAL NEWS click here

( Please nb to click at the bottom to go direct to some other Animal Liberation pet shop diary stories.)

In February 2011 she presented this report to the RSPCA NSW:

RSPCA Report

Location: XXXX

Store Owner: XXXXXXX (DRP note: this store is one of a well known  large chain of  Pet Stores across the country)

In efforts to expose how animals suffer in pet stores, this year I took a job working undercover in a XXXX store. I worked approximately 2-3 shifts (approx. 6-8 hours) per week, for approximately three months. I was hired having no formal qualifications in animal care. I recorded everything I saw and heard.

How to initiate change at your local Council pound

10 strategies for change at your local Council pound – an action list you can use.

If you are a volunteer worker or rescue volunteer at a Council Pound and are concerned about circumstances there, here are some practical things you can do.

News from NSW:What results from the NSW Code of Practice for Pet Shops?

The NSW Code of Practice for Pet Shops was introduced in August 2008 to much fanfare by the NSW DPI.

We are all asking: so what are the results of the COP? How has it benefitted aninimals in pet shops?

How much does a pet shop make from live animals?

We were told by one of our readers that a tradesman attended their house for some work recently.

It transpires that his brother owns Warriewood Pet Shop in Sydneys northern suburbs.  He confided that the brother makes over $40,000 pa from sales of live animals….

DRP Comment and actions you can take:

There are many pet shops who have decided that they will not sell puppies and kittens from breeders ( some help rehome homeless animals from pounds or rescue groups – a practice we strongly support). We need to support these pet shops. Pet Shop Stars here..

There are many of us who will not spend a cent in pet shops that sell animals, go here to download feedback cards for pet stores you will not support. I wonder how much business pet shops selling animals ( not homeless animals) are losing because we go elsewhere?

News from Queensland: RSPCA strategy in Queensland

 Personal communication from Mark Townend, CEO RSPCA Qlnd. May 2010

 “I have mentioned this before but the main reason for euthanasia of dogs is behaviour – especially in regard to those that are not trained and socialised early in life.

At our new facility at Wacol, we will have the opportunity to ramp up in Qld the areas of Animal Training and Behaviour. As from July this year, with a new budget in place we will be launching a new Behaviour Helpline Service in Qld.

 Generally, my aim is to instigate a RSPCA nationally accredited animal training service that would be reasonably sustainable and implemented right across the country.

News from Victoria:Puppy Farm Awareness Day, Melbourne, 19th September

Puppy Farm Awareness Day is designed to raise awareness of puppy farming in Australia. Many people are unaware that this cruel industry is alive and well in this country and each year hundreds are duped into paying, sometimes thousands of dollars for an unhealthy farmed pup.

News from WA:Companion Animal Action Group Western Australia

Press release: The formation of the COMPANION ANIMAL ACTION GROUP WESTERN AUSTRALIA (CAAGWA); Mon, 19 Apr 2010

“Dear fellow Companion Animal Carers
We are writing to you out of our deep concern for the growing crisis of unwanted pets in Western Australia.    We are a nation of cat and dog lovers and yet we have a national annual figure of 250,000 euthanized pets.   Clearly this is unacceptable and we would like to take action to address this appalling statistic.  
Like you, we are witness to the trauma of discarded animals being passed from pound to rescue facility and many not even given this opportunity due to insufficient capacity and under-resourcing of pounds and shelters.   Rescued dogs and cats spend varying lengths of time incarcerated through no fault of their own.    The lucky ones find loving forever homes but so many, don’t.   Rescue facilities do their best to care for these animals and in most cases, are reliant on public support – not only for funding, but for care of the animals.  We would like to assist these facilities as part of our addressing the root causes of the problem of unwanted pets.

 The COMPANION ANIMAL ACTION GROUP WESTERN AUSTRALIA (CAAGWA) is the name we have chosen to undertake coverage of the multitude of issues we would like to address over a period of time.  Our immediate aim is to form a Committee of compassionate carers representing a variety of organisations throughout Western Australia.  

News from the US – more cities ban pet shop sales of animals

No pups for sale? Cities ban pet shops

Movement aims to curb puppy mills, spur shelter adoptions

	Annalysia Romero, 9, watches two dogs play in an open room at the Animal Humane New Mexico’s adoption center in Albuquerque on May 25, 2010. Since  retail pet sales have been banned in Albuquerque, animal adoptions at city shelters have risen 23 percent.
Craig Fritz / for msnbc.com

By Rebecca Dube ;May 27, 2010

Buying an adorable puppy or kitten at your local pet store may become a thing of the past, if more American cities join a small but growing movement to ban retail pet sales.

Can we believe anything that comes out of PIAA?

Open letter to PIAA

To Janine Yeates, Member Liaison Officer PIAA, June 12, 2010

We write in connection with your recent “press release” and to point out some things you really do need to be thinking about.

“The Pet Industry Association is deeply concerned with unethical practices from either breeders or retailers.  Its Members are required to meet a Code of Practice and we believe strongly they are best placed to ensure that satisfactory industry standards are controlled and maintained.”

Your comment above is an insult to the thousands of pound and shelter staff and volunteers and volunteer rescue workers across the country who work tirelessly 24/7 in efforts to save the lives of animals who’s only fault is that they were born into a system that is encouraged to a significant degree by the pet industry to produce more and more animals. You must know that the supply chain is badly skewed towards over supply.

Your comment: …. “industry statistics suggest that the problem is not nearly as widespread as welfare groups and animal liberation officers would have us believe”.. is equally an insult to the pound and shelter staff, volunteers and rescue workers around the country.

Your industry has known about this for a long time