~Anne~

Wow, the panda shep looks lovely.

It looks diseased.

Not sure. It does appear to be very pink tinged but I can't see the eyes. Really? I've never liked the colouring in any dog really. and a cross bred. That is subjective and dependant on what is considered a cross breed. In the US, they now have Pugs of this colour that have a long ancestoral lineage. I agree however that the original dog that started the line must have been corssed as there is no such colour in the Pug, nor is there white or any other alleged rare or new colour.

Brindle and white Pugs

yes this was my initial issue, if there is no evidence of abuse then how can they investigate but then i got thinking...what if joe blogs doesnt know what he is looking at? and who should be gathering information? if it was a child abuse situation (i am talking about years ago when i worked in that field) a notification is received, the notification is assessed and if the notification information falls within the guidelines an investigation is started. this got me thinking what is the rspca process? i know they investigate animal abuse and neglect but what guidelines/criteria do they follow? This is from their site; The RSPCA is opposed to puppy factories and outraged that this intensive farming of companion animals continues. It is unfortunate that our Inspectors have no power to stop them operating. However, there are legal requirements as to how these puppy factories should operate. Council officers are the legal authority responsible for inspecting these operations to ensure compliance with the code of practice for breeding establishments. RSPCA Inspectors also conduct inspections when cruelty complaints are received. Although this is obviously not an official 'policy or guideline' document, it would seem that there needs to be a complaint made about cruelty. I would assume that you would have to have witnessed this cruelty or that the indications of cruelty (like crying or whimpering dogs, bodies etc or whatever) are evident. In the OPs case, it doesn't appear there was any evidence at all.

TM - the indicators here are not evidence enough for serious concern though. Everything you have described and the OP described does not make an animal abuser. No-one likes a puppy farm, however, like it or lump it there are puppy farms where the animlas are very well cared for. You can't throw accusations around without any evidence to back them up. The OP felt concern, she reported it. End of story. Instead, even though there is no evidence of abuse, she continued to make assumptions and accusations and she reported them another 2 times even though she was again going by an assumption and a possible false accusation in that the RSPCA didn't check out her complaint. Once it is in the hands of the RSPCA, I would assume it becomes a confidential matter between the RSPCA and the person they are investigating. If you report suspected child absue, you are not given a follow-up on what DOCS found when they invesitgated your complaint. It is a privacy issue.

Maybe, maybe not. I will never knock anyone who is concerned over animal welfare though. We need everyone to be concerned. In a perfect world people would care enough about animals to ensure that there would be no animal abuse, no animals living in squalor or starving. Unfortunately it's not a perfect world and these things happen, far too often, it is reported on the news far too often. The OP cared enough to want to know that the animals on these premises are OK. I don't think they should be 'drawn and quartered' for caring. I think the main problem is that the RSPCA are accountable to no-one and have lost their way...lost the direction that they started with. I don't think the OP was being drawn and quartered for caring though. The OP was arguing against common sense and logic.

I keep reading these kinds of statements but have never seen evidence of there being a number of strains and the vaccine only covering a certain number. Can you provide a source for this? I'm repeating what numerous different vets have told me about the KC vaccine over the last 8 years or so. I have no reason not to believe them, they have all been good vets and I have entrusted my dogs and foster dogs lives with them. I think from memory there are 38 strains and the vaccination only covers two. I guess it's a bit like the many strains of the human influenza virus, the annual vaccine covers one or two of the many strains one could succumb to. Your Dr is the best source for more information there. :D I wasn't disputing it. I was asking for a reference is all. I believe that most people misinterpret the infomration given by Vets. Dogs are vaccinated against bordetella. Bordetella is 1 factor in kennel cough and it is bacteria based. Dogs are vaccinated against this and the vaccine will either prevent this dog developing the infectiom, or it will lessen the symptoms of bordatella in an inefected dog. Most dogs who develop kennel cough also are infected with several other things that make up 'kennel cough', and these are viruses. These viruses may also include parainfluenza. We also vaccinate against parainfluenza. As for 'strains' and the fact that there is defined number and a defined number that the vaccine protects agains I am not so sure. Hopefully someone who has knowledge, like Rappie, can explain it all because it is very confusing.

I keep reading these kinds of statements but have never seen evidence of there being a number of strains and the vaccine only covering a certain number. Can you provide a source for this?

I totally agree. The image that dog breeders (and rescuers) should be going broke for thier hobby or love, is stupid at best. There is a danger though that the focus on money over-rides the good intentions.

I'd ask the Vets you currently have if they know of anyone in that area they could recommend.

But that's the point, you don't know if it is a 'large scale breeding facility'. In fact, what is a 'large scale breeding facility'. Five dogs? Ten dogs? 20 dogs? I say predjudiced because your reaction that these people in believing they are not caring for their dogs is based on your thought of 'large scale means lack of care'. It is like looking at a woman in a hijab and assuming she is a terrorist. As I said, you have no evidence, just your predjudiced assumptions.

If they are too lazy to remove the sign long after the pups are gone is an indication that perhaps they are too lazy to look after the dogs adequately...besides which...would you want to be hassled by people dropping by wanting to buy a pup when you no longer have any? or is it convenient for the simple reason that their name can be jotted down in preparation for the very next litter which may be just around the corner? Wow, that's an assumption if I've ever heard one. I am too lazy sometimes to make vacuum my floors, does that mean in your eyes I am too lazy to look after my dogs adequately. Again, your idea of 'people dropping by and hassling to buy a pup' is an assumption in two ways - 1. that is a hassle and 2. that people drop by in sufficient numbers. I had a website, it was available 24/7 and available to far more people than a roadside sign. I wasn't drowning in email enquiries. I did receive quite a good number, but I liked this as it afforded me a waiting list. Thses people might also work via a waiting list. Who knows, as I said, everything your are saying is illogical or an assumption based on your predjudice.

Who is to say that they're just a tad lazy and leave the signs out long after the pups are sold, so it seems there are lots of puppies for sale. Although I understand why you might feel concern, you are barking up a tree of assumptions based on your emotional reaction to what you perceive is wrong. Assumptions and predjudices are dangerous. Unless you have evidence of cruelty or neglect, leave it alone.

Pugs also make woo woo sounds. I love it, it is so cute.

I have a Dyson and Pugs. Pugs are notorious for shedding. The Dyson works well... I even use it on one of them. I only use it on one of them because the others run away.

Wow, looks like loads of fun. I can even see a face and a Pug (with a gorgeous big ribbon) that I recognise! Star looks fab (and so does Nat)

Vet scans dog, chip details come up on computer screen, Vet contacts dog owner. They can do it right there in front of you although due to privacy regs, you would not be given access to viewing the details on the screen. The database is a computer based database so it can be accessed 24/7/

Perhaps crate him? That way he can't race outside and disturb the others. Although, if he is used to going to the toilet when he likes, as mine do, becuase of a dog door then suddenyl crating him might not be appropriate for him.

Mine would report me to Docs if I tried to walk them in inclement weather...............

I have a 10 year old Dane and a Allergic Dog who runs hot - there are many different reasons why someone would want to keep their dogs comfortable. Who cares anyway if people chooses too, certainly no effect on you. If people want to provide temperature comfort to their dogs then so be it, why would you look down your nose at them. Interesting take on it Sas. Perhaps you should chill a little though. Who is looking down their nose at anyone? Your seemingly "over reaction" to my comments would make one think you are sensitive to how people perceive you and the way you care for your dogs though.

Boronia, can you let her know I'll call past around 12ish.

I do. ;) Good thing is that I am off work tomorrow too so I have loads of time to pick them up. I might even drop into the Leagues Club across the road while I am at it.

It is probably useless as nothing can really be done, but it might be worhtwhile tracking down the owner or breeder and lettin gthem know some dirtbag is trying to scam mooney form people using their certificates. Breeders shoul dnever put copies of papers on their websites.

Ooooh, good detective work Julie!