Kissindra

Fairfield is not your standard pound/shelter as most people think of them. They are and were able to keep seizure dogs away from other impounded or for sale animals by dint of being a large facility with numerous kennel set ups and buildings. You'd have to enquire as to what the rational is behind bringing them in, I'd find it hard to conclude it's a case of ignorance of socialisation periods and immune systems given the number of qualified behaviourists and vets on staff so I would think there is some other factors.

nope, when it involves seized animals that are part of an ongoing court case it has nothing to do with de-sexing - they CANNOT be desexed in this situation, the RSPCA does not own them, they remain entire until such time as the previous owner signs them over or a court orders that the RSPCA have ownership of them. It makes it an extra challenge to place them well in foster care. That said - all the article says is that they are in foster together for the first 6 weeks before coming back to be weaned and seperated - this does not provide enough information to say for sure that they don't stay at the shelter for at least two weeks before going out again to foster care - if you'd like to find out for sure contact the RSPCA with your question. In any case - big time happy tears in this household, cause our foster gal never has to go back there and wont be used again as a breeding machine :laugh:

oh it's nice to know I'm not the only one who thought the same re: the new laws - can't comment absolutely without reading them in full, but the article "cheery picking" doesn't sound all that promising :D

Sandgrubber they are used as bait dogs, to get the fighting dogs going and also used to train the dogs that do fight because they are helpless types of dogs that generally are not good at fighting, so the dogs in training win and learn to kill. there are some sick people out there, the last fighting ring that was closed down in Western Sydney 18 months ago, were found to have cages of small dogs and and medium sized dogs that were used for this purpose, Bait dogs are a marketing tool used by groups to scare people into donating to them. There is over a century of memoirs published by former dogfighters when it was all but legal and not one mentions the use of a bait dog. Fighting dogs are schooled not baited, the latter will not withstand a dog biting back. Unfortunately as the gangs have taken over dogfighting in the US the use of bait dogs has become a self-fulfilling prophesy, as it's exponents wanted it to be as the gangs believe what the racketeers are saying. If they were using bait dogs they wouldn't be stealing PBs. The last thing the poor owners need to imagine is their harmless family pet being torn apart when there is NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT. re: the logan area targetting of Husky and Malamute PB and cross dogs, the warnings came from purebred breeders, local council animal management and yes there was a brief statement from the RSPCA but no calls for money from anyone. At the time of the first report the figure of purebred huskies believed stolen in the area was at 7 and the breed social club had been made aware that individuals involved in a dog fighting/breeding ring had been caught trying to get a hold of two Huskies from a shelter. Nobody wanted money, what they wanted was owners to be aware that certain breeds were being targeted for theft and connections to dog fighting rings had been made, so they could take appropriate steps to keep their dogs safe from theft.

cheers for the facebook link, I've become a fan :D

bones here too :D

I do think they choose, the GSD's I grew up with were very firmly Mum's dogs - that said my childhood was full of grand adventures, running about the countryside with GSD following along by our side but I could tell they were more bonded with her (which did miff me somewhat :D) and when not on adventures they would stick by Mum. There was a definitely difference in their response to her that even a child could pick up on.

It's not just small/medium dogs though - last year huskies and mals (and crosses of these breeds) we being targeted in connection with dog fight baiting in the logan area.

MM covered things nicely. If I was a staff member I'd be utterly relieved to see the problems highlighted in the media, and I'd want it to continue until council pull their heads out. Blacktown council don't have to look far for sollutions - there are plenty of good examples to follow in other councils but the change wont happen until council either grow a concience or are forced via public oppinion and pressure to lift their game.

have to say I do worry about this a lot. I think it is becomming more common in many parts of Australia ;)

I understand the sentiment GP but it would be the height of stupidity to 1. Tresspass 2. tresspass in an unsafe environment littered with trash and hazards. 3. go into the territory of a dog whom you know is not socialised with humans. 4. let that dog out with no access to equipment such as a catchers pole, in the hope you can keep control of it, risking a serious attack (which could see the dog put down). 5. risk the dog getting away from you and possibly causing an accident or injury to others(which could also see the dog put down). not all dogs will realise you are there to help them, not all dogs are friendly and in effect it isn't a sollution at all as all the owners have to do is front up to council and pay to get their dog back - nobody will check their yard before giving the dog back and the one who stands to get into trouble would be the person trespassing! Why would council take complaints seriously if flycow was caught out doing the wrong thing? Better to follow procedure if you want a higher chance of a good outcome long term!

yes those activities would come under "non conformation competitions'. I'm trying to convince a friend of mine to take some pics - I would but I just don't have a decent camera

I wouldn't count out the RSPCA program, but I'd put in a stipulation that if foster care could not be found in a set period of time then specific funds should be used to transport them to another RSPCA shelter where foster care IS available. I wouldn't imagine it would be an issue given they tranfer dogs readily between shelters and states in order to increase adoption chances.

this is great guys - keep the info comming and more piccies definately :D Has anyone got any info on some of the better budget brands like Bonnie ect? Did anyone find it was false economy because they ended up feeding more?

awww YAY! So lovely to hear Good on you Chloe :D

Hi all, A friend of mine is looking to adopt another dog, she has a preference for big boofheads and would like to have a "ballpark" figure for weekly costs including monthly treatments, food and possibly insurance costs. If anyone could help me out with getting some figures for her I'd really appreciate it - oh and if you could post a pic of your gorgeous boof that would be great - just cause I'm a sucker for them too

I have one of those OH's I pretend to listen to "technogarb" and he pretends he's interested in "dogstuff" it's called "techno-babble" in our house ;)

congrats all, especially nice to see Jane win her category

would be a fun table to be at

oh gosh, I need more sleep - my first thought was "you vaccum your cat?"

posting posting posting...RAWHIDE!

There was a Shiatsu listed on gumtree a week or so ago, god I laughed!

bless, he has a fantastic sense of humour, your OH

hasn't Dogs QLD not long created a new possition primarily targeted at liasing with the RSPCA amoung others? I believe from memory it is an ex board member who has stepped down from the board to fill this possition. It was publicised in Dog World, January and February I think - seems to me this is the logical person to contact with concerns for those in QLD.

Interesting, though I did wince a little at the name choice.