Steve Austin's Website
http://www.petresortsaustralia.com.au/PETR...s/c_contact.jsp
ANKC Judges
Mr STEVE AUSTIN
Remains active in judging and competing in field trials, throughout Australia.
PIAA
I called the PIAA head office (Sydney - 02 9659 5811) and confirmed :
Anyone can join PIAA and become a PIAA member. You are then bound by their Code of Ethics (the welfare stuff) which as you know is a crock.
For PIAA groomers, boarding kennels, breeders etc, if you are a PIAA member, you can then apply to be PIAA Accredited.
What this is in reality is :
You undergo an audit, which you must pass, when you first sign up to be accredited. Then you are subject to an audit every three years by an independent auditer (QLD) who do a 'mystery shop' on you. You also receive a %discount on Insurance.
NO DIFFERENCE or change to the Code of Ethics applied to a PIAA Member or a PIAA Accredited member. The only difference in being accreddited is the 'business' side ie you are are subject to OH & S, Workcover, staff training etc.
By their estimates there are approximately 2,500 pet stores in Australia. 350 of them are PIAA and of the 350, only 10 are accredited. Whether PIAA accredited or not, it makes NO DIFFERENCE to how the animals are treated from a welfare perspective. Total of approximately 10 PIAA accredited pet shops in Australia and a total 20 approximately accredited commercial pet wholesalers in Australia. The figure of 20 includes cats, dogs, reptiles, fish etc. Also bear in mind that the accredited commercial pet wholesalers in Australia may already be members of other associations ie Dogs Victoria etc.
Below is ANKC Code of Ethics - this applies to all states and all ANKC registered breeders ie me with Dogs Victoria
26. A member shall not:
.1 Sell or dispose of a dog to a commercial pet wholesaler or retail pet shop unless they are accredited by the Pet Industry Association of Australia Limited (PIAA).
Steve Austin
http://www.govegan.com.au/puppies/?p=280
http://www.govegan.com.au/puppies/?p=278
ACA/Banksia Park
http://www.govegan.com.au/puppies/?p=267
http://www.govegan.com.au/puppies/?p=208
http://www.govegan.com.au/puppies/?p=242
As a responsible and registered ANKC breeder/exhibitor and one involved in rescue/rehoming, I will be writing to complain to the ANKC re section 26.1 and Steve Austin. I DO NOT WISH TO BE ASSOCAITED IN THE ANKC WITH THE LIKES OF THE STEVE AUSTINS' IN A BODY I PAY A MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR.