Aphra

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/313912/Domestic_animal_guidelines.pdf

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/313912/Domestic_animal_guidelines.pdf

I'd like new legislation to be based on evidence, current research and verifiable numbers, not mythology and replications of tired models of pet management which haven't changed in 60 years. Most owned pets (> 90%) are desexed. There are years of research validating this. The population of cats in pounds is maintained by unowned cats. Only the smallest percentage of the nation's pets end up in pounds and around 3/4 of them make it out alive, through reclamation or rehoming. There isn't an increasing epidemic of unwanted animals. National impound rates have been dropping steadily since around 2008. The biggest reason for pet surrenders to pounds is not being able to find rental housing that will take pets. If just 15% of people looking for a pet chose a rescue or pound pet, we'd pretty much stop the killing of healthy pets. Most people are already responsible pet owners - Australians collectively spend billions a year on looking after their pets and donating to animal charities. Puppy farms are an ill in, and of themselves, but they don't contribute significantly to the population of unwanted pets. We will always need pounds and shelters - just as we'll always need social services or gaols. Life isn't perfect. Mandatory desexing doesn't work - low-cost, easily accessed desexing does. Instead of increasingly punitive and restrictive legislation which makes life harder for ordinary people, we need evidence-based legislation focused on the real issues. Those farmers living in the 79% of Queensland which is drought declared are not taking their dogs to the pound because they are irresponsible. They are doing it because they have had to sell or shoot their stock and can barely afford to feed heir kids. No amount of finger-wagging education about responsible ownership is going to change the fact it hasn't rained for a decade. On the other hand, the truly irresponsible don't give a toss about your humane education or legislation, they're going to keep on dropping litters of half-starved puppies in the drop-bin. And wouldn't we rather they surrendered those puppies to the pound than abandoning them or leaving them to die? We need: Compassionate intervention programs which help keep pets out of pounds and support owners to keep and care for their pets properly (vide Team Dog). Support for renters and the elderly to find appropriate, pet friendly housing. Better pounds focused on looking after pets, keeping them healthy, reuniting them with owners or finding them new homes. Pound reform would be the single most useful change we could make. Programs which encourage and reward people who adopt rescue or shelter pets (such as the year of free registration some Victorian councils offer rescue pets). Pet management programs which are created in consultation with the community so that responsible management of a community's pets is shared and rewarded. The Calgary model is a good example. Enforcement of existing laws rather creating new and unenforceable ones. TNR, at least for urban cats. Managed colonies reduce in size. Trapping and killing cats is neither humane nor effective at reducing numbers. Encourage ethical breeders (registered or not) to breed healthy, good-tempered pets for families. Pet friendly urban design. Evidence-based policy. Commercial dog breeding legislation which focuses on the real issues such as socialisation and staff/pet ratios rather than pettifogging details. Just for a start. If you want to read the evidence, this page keeps track of the research and the numbers. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tail-Piece-Animal-Rescue-Research-Advocacy-and-Discussion/202698576569651

He's only young too by the looks of him. I have a very old Anatolian - they're great dogs but I think a lot depends on the lines. I've rescued from Somersby, they were good to deal with.

I wrote this a while ago - it might help. http://blackhobyah.net/11-rules-for-a-successful-adopter/

I have a full time job - when I put a phone number on the site I got constant phone calls during the day. Probably 70% of inquiries are of the "is this dog still available?" ilk, which can be easily handled by email. For people who need more information or a longer conversation I call them. I try and get back to people, but there's one of me and dozens of emails and it can take a fair chunk of time to answer each of them individually.

Ah yes, Bill Shorten who thinks a dog is a front end loader, "Oh there's no question, you don't need these... You just don't need an animal which has a three tonne pressure on its teeth as a household pet, I can't see the case for it." Luckily companion animal management is a state issue.

In the run-up to the November Victorian state election the Labor party announced that they would review Victoria's BSL legislation if they won government. Yesterday they made good on their promise, introducing two new amendment bills into Parliament. One bill declares a moratorium on killing any dogs currently held by councils under the restricted breed legislation and the proposing the review. The results of the review are to be tabled by 30th September. The bills are about to undergo a second reading and if supported will mean that, at least until September, no more dogs will be killed just because of how they look. http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/moratorium-on-restricted-dog-breed-euthanasia

I had one pup with parvo who cost me almost $2500. If I'd had a sick litter that would have easily hit $8000. I have a litter of puppies I'm planning on charging a bit more for because I really need to recoup some costs just to stay sustainable - I fund the rescue myself and don't ask for donations. I'm with Steve on this one, However, not answering your questions and blocking you are probably not a good sign. I suppose it depends on how you asked the question though. The problem can be with social media that if you are narky, that can sometimes trigger the trolls and a simple question becomes a hate thread. It might not be anything sinister, if could just be a case of galloping self-righteousness. There's a bit of a tendency for rescue groups to be pretty good at the animal part, but totally pants at the other bits such as communication and marketing. So the group you are talking about might be above-board in their rescuing but are playing the hero card and cracking the sads about being questioned. And I'm totally with Steve on this one, rescues should be more business-like. http://blackhobyah.net/five-vital-skills-for-rescuers/

How bulk is bulk? I order them by the boxful from the Woodend butcher every week.

I posted this a while ago, which suggests that there is a more virulent strain: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=339737072865800&id=202698576569651 Also, in terms of new treatments, there is this, but it's gone very quiet, so I don't know how much progress is really being made. I've been keeping an eye on it hoping that it would be available. http://www.avianax.com/#!animal-health/c1udk

The enquiry into the LDH is overdue. Because whatever people do or how ever they behave with their pets, shelters should be safe places for them. We'd never say that because some parents treat their children badly, childrens homes should be allowed to hurt children. We shouldn't be punishing the pets for the faults of their owners. But I do take exception to the idea that people are behaving badly. I've spent the last three evenings running statistics from the Lost Dogs Home, the Victoria RSPCA, and just for fun, NSW pound numbers, the AWL in QLD and the Geelong Animal Welfare Society. Because as I was running the figures from the LDH's annual report I found something really interesting. Of the total number of dogs going into the LDH, the public are pulling 84% of them out again. There is a 68% reclaim rate for dogs, added to that the numbers of dogs adopted and thanks to the public, 3/4 of the dogs that go into the LDH make it out again. That the LDH chooses to kill 46% of the unclaimed dogs is down to them. The Victorian RSPCA reclaim/adoption rate is 84% (of total dog intake), across NSW 72% of pound dogs are reclaimed/rehomed or released to rescue. The latest research (2013) says that 78% of dogs and 91% of cats are desexed. The public are already doing a pretty good job of looking after pets, it's about time the pound system stepped up to the plate. Once you look at the figures it's so frustrating because it wouldn't take a huge effort by pounds and shelters to improve the kill rate enormously without much effort. if the LDH would just post photos of found pets on a website they'd improve their reclaim rate, but they have consistently refused to do so.

It's part of the site's layout. The side bar with the donations button appears to right of every page on the Pet Rescue site, not just the animals for adoption.

I know nothing of the group, but how quiet DOL has got. Once upon a day a posting like this would have lead to a multiple-page meltdown, but now, everyone is all "meh". :laugh:

And of course, the people who send you really abrupt or even rude messages don't really waste your time because they take themselves out of the running. Always a blessing if you have multiple enquiries for the one dog!

I think there are two things going on here. There are lots of pets looking for homes so people often apply for several dogs at a time. It's frustrating to contact someone to be told, "I've just adopted a dog from someone else", but it's just how it goes. Pet Rescue advices people to contact the rescue group and make sure the dog is still available before they make the application, which explains those inquiries. I also think people like to make contact before they submit an application, just to see if there are people at the other end. :-) Some, if not most, rescue groups can be terrible at getting back to people, so you can't blame adopters for hedging their bets. I link to my enquiry from from the listing and about 50% of people fill that out immediately and the other 50% want to make contact. Some people like to read lots of information and look for it, others just don't read it - I suspect that is related to people's preferred learning and communication styles. Possibly we should think about how we can structure pet profiles so they have hooks for all kinds of learners. Maybe the lead image could have some text straight up which gives some clues "I need lots of exercise" or whatever? Visual people might never get past the photo, so that might help them? For most people getting a new pet is a serious experience, they're dealing with strangers and they have lots of choice. Although they often don't read the whole profile, I also think they're looking for reassurance, a bit more information and a sense of who they're dealing with. People put a lot of trust in rescue groups and I think it's sensible of them to get a sense of who you are. I do get frustrated at having to answer the same questions over and over again, but I try to remember that I do this every day, my adopters may be getting into the process for the first time and need a bit of hand holding. If this is all new to them, they may not even know much about navigating around Pet Rescue to pick up on the group profile and other information. I don't have a phone number listed on my Pet Rescue listings though - I work full time and just can't handle taking lots of calls at work.

Thanks for that Janie - that's really useful. This makes interesting reading. http://www.diseasewatchdog.org/public/documents/published_research/Risk%20factors%20for%20death%20from%20canine%20parvoviral-related%20disease%20in%20Australia.pdf

I got two news alerts in my feeds this morning. This one: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2450388/animal-helpers-cry-out-for-more-help/?cs=203 And then this one: http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/2448348/reprieve-for-rspca-but-still-bound-to-go-to-the-dogs/?cs=12 Uh huh.

For your information: The Victorian Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program, Round 3 is open for applications. The 1.6 million dollar Animal Welfare Fund provides grants each year (over 4 years), to Victorian non-government, not-for-profit organisations that improve the welfare of animals. These include animal shelters, organisations promoting responsible animal ownership education, community cat or dog foster care networks, and groups that provide relief facilities and services during an emergency. Online applications for grant funding in 2014 / 2015 open today (21st July 2014), and close at 5pm on 22nd August 2014. Information about the Program, including online applications, can be accessed from the following link or call 136 186: www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/community-and-education/animal-welfare-fund-Aaa-grants-program

SADS must have been one of the very first rescue groups in Victoria, if not in the country. I adopted my first dog (as an adult) from them, going on for 25 years ago - they were founded in 1985. Up until a few years ago all their dogs were in foster care and they worked very hard to build a shelter which opened in 2006. I have no affiliation with them other than having a adopted a dog from them many years ago, but I am an admirer of their work and philosophy. So although its not an ideal situation for an old dog, he will be safe with SADS until he finds a home.

Fascinating and hopeful. http://dogtime.com/researchers-may-have-stumbled-upon-cure-for-parvovirus.html

I wish I received enough in donations to afford boozy lunches and holidays! Can't get too legless on a couple of bags of dog food.

This is Oscar and Harry on their first night in their new home. Note the new mattress and Ikea rat toy. :) They are a gorgeous pair and in beautiful condition. They are so sprightly and active you'd never think they were a pair of senior dudes. Their new family is already smitten with them - they went off to work with their new mum today, so I imagine they're going to spend the whole day being made a fuss off. Many thanks to the RSPCA Somersby for being willing to give them a chance and to gillbear for looking out for them. Whatever time they have left (and by the looks of them it will be a good while!), they'll be much loved, happy pugs.

The owner should contact the rescue in question and ask them about it. That should be the first port of call. Mistakes sometimes happen and a good rescue will make what reparation they can. By asking for advice on this forum before talking to the rescue in question, you're basically making the point that they are either unethical or incompetent which is hardly fair. I'd be very upset if I were the rescue and found that instead of talking to us about the situation you chose to make a public display. If it turns out that the rescue is unethical, incompetent or unwilling to make reparation, then you might have a case for going public. Mistakes can happen to anyone, and unless there is a consistent pattern of behaviour, chances are its a genuine error and the group will be more than happy to try and solve the problem.