Shmurps

Well, on the weekend we had 7 or 8 blue staffy pups through the door. Two of them were not very healthy. Customers in the store were going all gaga over them just because of the colour I could see the owner of one of the pups thinking $$$$$$

Watching it. , Very upsetting.

Done and passed it on.

I agree.I would say around 95% that come into shelters are not desexed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrIp3k5pJQM

Our adopted jack russell is reactive to other dogs. So after seeing a behaviorist, attending obedience classes etc and doing some research I decided to check out greyhounds. To cut a long story short. We went out to GAP with our jack russell and came home with our lovely greyhound. They do absolutely everything together.

Best Friends sell lots of pets. They don't sell puppies and kittens though.

I first saw it on funniest home video, I think it was a jack russell. But since I have been volunteering at a shelter I have seen it a few times. Males and females.

Scary isn't it..Same thing happened to us the other night. Gave Maggie her usual chicken wing, next thing she is doing weird licking and pawing. Checked her mouth etc couldn't see anything. straight to vet and had x-ray. Next morning still not right, check in her mouth again and there was a tiny little cut, back to vet no bone splinter.All good. Vet said shouldn't give chicken wings said to give greenies, I said no. She has had wings for 5 years never been a prob before now.

btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/

There are two things we can get better at: 1. Getting accurate signals from the world. Right now, we take in information from many places, but we're not particularly focused on filtering the information that might be false, and more important, what might be missing. 2. Sorting and ranking information based on importance. We often make the mistake of ranking things as urgent, which aren't, or true, which are false, or knowable, when they're not. Dealing successfully with times of change (like now) requires that you simultaneously broaden your reach, focus on what's important and aggressively ignore things that are both loud and false. Easier said than done. I think this is interesting for the animal welfare industry. There is a lot of information out there. A lot of it is false and/or misleading. Filtering through the information is hard -- but necessary. There is a lot of good information out there that we can learn from -- but we need to be better at listening to the information provided by those who have been successful, and filtering out the info from the loudmouths and naysayers. Banning the sale of pets in pet stores - redux Posted: 16 Jul 2010 02:37 PM PDT Over the past week, one of the biggest discussions (it seems) around the country has been efforts by animal welfare advocates to ban the sale of pets in pet stores. Earlier this week, the Austin Animal Advisory Commission approved a proposal that would ban the sale of pets. The proposal will go before the full council in October. Earlier this week, San Francisco began considering similar policy (although San Francisco's policy would ban the sale of hamsters, gerbils, reptiles, guinea pigs, and birds) and El Paso, TX is also considering such a measure. Proponents of a ban on pet sales in pet stores suggest that ending the sale of pets in these locations would help stop 'puppy mills' -- who they say are the primary supplier of dogs and cats to pet stores. They also believe that by stopping pet sales, it will drive more people to adopting and help solve the problem of an over-abundance of homeless pets. Puppy mills are often a target for animal welfare and animal rights groups as these groups feel that these breeding operations do not take proper care of their animals, keep them in unhealthy conditions and over-breed their animals. The keeping of animals in horrible, unsanitary conditions is already illegal under the national Animal Welfare Act -- however, the USDA admitted recently ina 69 page report that it is not doing a good job of enforcing their own policies. However, this lack of enforcement aside, I think it's fair to look at this from a data-standpoint to see if banning pet sales in pet stores would work to solve the problem. Last year, PetSmart charities did a research study on a variety of topics. From their research, here is where people got their pets from: Family member - 25% Adoption org/shelter - 24% Stray - 19% (8% for dogs, 30% for cats) Purebred breeder - 12% (21% for dogs, 2% for cats) Pet Store - 8% Own litter - 5% Other (undefined) - 7% So pet stores themselves make up only a small percentage of all of the obtained pets in the U.S. And while banning pet stores would possibly lead to an increase in adoptions, adoption isn't the only option and people who would have bought at a pet store may find other options. So let's dig deeper into the report. When people chose not to adopt, here are the reasons they gave for not adopting. Now, admittedly people often make emotional decisions and then rationalize them, so these may not be entirely accurate, but I think this will give us a good guide on why people chose options other than adopting: Org/Shelter did not have the type of dog/cat looking for: 17% I wanted a purbred dog/cat: 13% Don't know what you'll get with a shelter animal: 12% I don't know much about pet adoption: 10% Adoption process is too difficult: 10% Org/Shelters depressing/sad, don't like going there: 7% Not convenient hours: 6% No adoption org close to where I live: 6% Feel that pets from shelters have health problems: 5% Feel that pets from shelters have behavior problems: 4% Feel pet org/shelters have poor customer service: 4% Other: 50% (includes took in a stray, was not planning to get a pet, wanted a puppy, mention of a specific breed, too expensive for adoption fees/pay for spay neuter). There are some that shelters can't do much about (particularly on some of the specific purbred wants/needs) and others that are educational elements shelters have to overcome -- but a good number of the reasons people said they didn't adopt (I bolded them) are completely fixable by the shelters themselves if they would choose to make more adoptor-friendly policies. When you look at the reasons people chose to go to purebred breeders, the top reasons were: I wanted a specific breed: 67% I wanted a pet with known history: 46% I wanted a purbred: 41% It was the most reputable: 19% There are others -- but these are the majors. Many of these may be tough for the shelter/rescue community to overcome (although some of these people could be reached). But since we're talking about pet stores, let's look at why people chose to buy from a pet store: Could get everything pet needs at one place: 44% I wanted a specific breed: 42% It was most convenient: 31% It was least expensive: 14% Shelters could easily take a lot of this market share if they provided more convenient hours for adoptions, worked to secure more convenient off-site adoption spaces, and provided a more 'pet store-like" environment where people could buy everything their pet needs all in one place. My take away is that much of the reason people choose pet stores over things like reputable breeders or adoption has to do with convenience and price - -and much of the reason they choose not to adopt is because of the non-inviting, inconvenient and labor-intensive adoption process. If these shortcomings are not overcome, it seems likely that the shelter/rescue community would gain the available market share even if pet stores were to close down. Currently,the majority of people already say they plan to get their next pet from a shelter or rescue. The reality is that pet stores make up only a small source of all of the obtained pets in the community -- making up only 8% of the newly owned pets (it should also be noted, that some of these animals may have been "adopted" from a pet store that handled adoptions instead of purchased pets and the owner didn't really realize it). From looking at the reasons people choose to buy vs adopt, it sure seems like setting up some form of "retail" location would certainly overcome the majority of the hurdles -- and judging by the success of others that have done so, it sure seems like the case. Meanwhile, if ending 'puppy mills' is the goal, it sure seems as if taking their market share, and pushing the USDA to enforce their current legislation would sure be a more sure-fire route to doing this. I just think the banning pet stores is a bit of a smoke screen for rescues and shelters to try to hide their own shortcoming. I think the pet store bans are completely unnecessary, and a scary trend. Have we done any research in Australia such as above?

Poem mum-and-pup It's lonely here in prison, I dream of sun, of fields, I saw them from a window once, but I don't know how they feel. I've never known a caress, a friend, a bone, a toy, I'd happily companion, a human girl or boy. But some men have decided, with selfishness and greed, that my fate shall be a cage, and for my keep, I'll breed. What should fuel this folly? My kind may bark in vain. We care not for your commerce, and few know of our pain. We're hidden well from justice, for our freedom some may cry. God grant me, please, just one request - Let me play once before I die Jim Willis

Most of them who are breeding lots in rotten conditions don't sell to the public and they don't sell to a pet shop or at least they don't sell most of what they breed to pet shops. Tens of thousands of 8 week old puppies are purchased by agents and sent out via Sydney and Perth to Asian pet shops and no one ever knows who bred them or where they came from. I had no idea this happens.

I needed that..

From the list that went by very quickly, I'd say most have been recalled at some point.

This is my very favorite as well

A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself. Josh Billings.

A dog can express more with his eyes in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours. Author unknown.

The Age; Gary Tippet, July 11, 2010 HOW much is that doggie in the window? The RSPCA says too much, considering it is probably a bitzer cleverly marketed as a designer dog. It has probably come off a puppy factory production line and could be prone to a range of costly health and behavioural problems. About 95 per cent of all puppies sold in pet shops have been bred in puppy factories or farms - large-scale, intensive dog-breeding facilities - and almost half all pet dogs in Australia started their lives in such conditions, the RSPCA claims. The animal welfare body is launching a national campaign from next week calling for a consumer boycott of puppies and dogs sold from pet stores. It also wants the community to avoid buying dogs through the internet and newspaper ads. Allie Jalbert, RSPCA Victoria animal shelters manager, said most people who chose puppies from shops would be horrified to realise they were inadvertently supporting commercial-scale puppy farming. Breeding animals were often kept for their whole lives in pens or cages where minimum standards required only enough room to stand, turn around and lie down. They did not require dogs be socialised, bathed or exercised. ''People need to be mindful of where these puppies are coming from and the horrible conditions in which they are farmed,'' she said. ''We want people to make the choice, pretty much by refusing to buy from these places, to put the industry out of business. It's about highlighting the truth behind these animals in the pet shop windows. ''The public can end this industry by refusing to support it. Every pet shop puppy that's purchased perpetuates this industry.'' But RSPCA president Dr Hugh Wirth admits that might be asking a lot. Research shows that buying animals from pet shops is increasingly popular: in 2003, 17 per cent of animals were bought from shops; over the past 12 months that figure has risen to 53 per cent. More disturbingly, only 37 per cent of the community has concerns about animals being sold in pet shops. ''People are not interested in the background of their puppies, not initially,'' said Dr Wirth. ''What they're anxious about is what they see. This is heart overruling mind: 'There's a beautiful little puppy!' … Quite frankly, it doesn't matter what the breed, all puppies are adorable - and that's the most important factor, you are drawn to the puppy. ''It's only later [they realise], when they have to come along to a vet like me and I've got to break the news to them of what's wrong with that puppy.'' Ms Jalbert said vets and shelters were seeing constant problems with chronically ill or genetically flawed dogs from puppy factories. Lack of social interaction and handling and learned behaviour from mothers made fearful by constant confinement also led to behavioural problems later in a puppy's life, she said. ''The consumer and the animals are the ones suffering while these people who run the factories are cashing in,'' she said. But Roger Perkins, CEO of the Pet Industry Association of Australia, disputed the RSPCA figures. There were about 3.7 million dogs in Australia, but only 10 per cent of dogs were sold through pet shops, he said. ''Nine in 10 people who buy a dog do not buy it from a pet shop, but from animal shelters such as the RSPCA or on the internet or from newspaper ads.'' Mr Perkins said many pet shops chose not to sell dogs or cats, but nonetheless they ''jolly well should'' be allowed to. ''Our view is that it is a far more regulated way to purchase a pet than online or through newspaper ads. ''We support absolutely the RSPCA in terms of the abhorrent conditions in which some animals come out of puppy farms. Like anyone else with any humane interest in the welfare of animals, we abhor that situation,'' he said. ''But there are plenty of very successful puppy farms that ethically breed animals in a controlled environment, where the welfare of the animal is extraordinarily well protected. ''But like any industry, there are some rogues and they're the people we will not support.'' A spokesman for state Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said Victoria already had tough laws to regulate animal breeding and protect the welfare of animals, but the government understood concerns about puppy farms. ''We will consult with the RSPCA and local councils to review enforcement of existing legislation, review codes of practice, and investigate further measures to stamp out puppy farms and encourage responsible breeding,'' he said. The government had not ruled out looking at further controls on pet shop sale of animals.

Just spoke to them. Not true. Ingredients the same. The only thing that has changed is the packaging. Sorry, someone told me pork pies and I panicked.

Haven't heard back yet but Miss Danni is right. It's not a recall.

Just emailed them. Should have thought about that first.

EP canned food will no longer be available in aus because of one ingredient. Does anyone know which ingredient? Can't find any info.

In some schools that have an agricultural focus, the breeding of livestock is a normal part of the curriculum. Teaching good breeding ethics is not new. I believe that responsible dog owners who want to own a top quality purebred dog should be encouraged to be part of th FULL LIFE CYCLE of that dog or bitch, but not on their own. Breeders and owners working together, sharing the dog at those times in the dogs life when the sharing is going to result in improvement or sustainability of a breed. Not putting 2 lesser quality dogs together just because they are of the same breed, and that it seems like a good idea to have a litter of pups. Call me an elitist if you will, but breeding of dogs NEEDS to be about the breeding of GOOD DOGS. There are hundreds of unwanted mutts put to sleep every week in Australia and that pile does not need adding to so there is a place for desexing. The phrase "responsible dog ownership" is widely used and promoted, yet when you look at what is actually look at what is happening within this terminology, there is nothing about the future of the dogs. "Responsible dog ownership" as we know it is mostly about keeping the humans in our "contemporary community" happy. Perhaps "Responsible dog ownership" could have the same holistic approach that is applied to other species of animals and birds. Responsible dog ownership needs to be about ALL of the natural aspects of a dog's life cycle ... there is a lot more to it than desexing a dog and picking up the poo. We are encouraged to put breeding boxes out for possums and some councils string up tubular rope ladders across roads for the possums to use instead of becoming roadkill, so important is the life cycle of a possum; we can pick up glossy brochures at hardware stores telling us on how best to treat and breed garden worms for their entire life cycle; and I can read how the world is coming to an end because we are not caring about the life cycle of the frog as we should and they have all disappeared (but if the writer were to dig a metre downwards in dry weather they would probably find the missing frog hibernating until the rain came) .... No, it is time that we got serious about the life cycle of good dogs and worked towards a future of good healthy dogs, and encourage responsible dog owners to be part of the project, or face a future where the buyer's choice, and the health, of Man's Best Friend will not be as good as it is now. Souff You are a very wise person souff. I especially like the last sentence. I am not very good with words. I tend to get too angry. It's a hard and emotional problem to solve. So I think I shall read and learn.

Nope, wording like that could not be used in legislation as it is subjective and does not speak to the issue of breeding puppies at all. btw, Souff has been in animal rescue places that fit that description; the back room of some retail places also fits that description, not to mention private homes of some "animal lovers" ...... but no, they are not "puppy farms". Souff Very true.