Puppy Mills On The 7.30 Report

[Loving my Oldies]

What caught my ear was something Meg Dobson said.

Extract from 7.30 Report Transcript:

MEG DOBSON: Quite lucrative. Yep, it's lucrative for everybody involved. It's lucrative for the shires, for the breeders, for the vets, for the dog food chain and the pet shops as the end result.

I wonder what she meant by this [the emboldened words]?

I wonder how much money goes out in brown paper bags to keep people quiet about BBY and puppy farms?

[Nekhbet]

The shires would be making money from multiple dog permits, registration for each dog etc. If a farmer has a few hundred dogs then multiply that my the rego price.

[Mystiqview]

Mother Moocher:

It is lucrative for the shires as they will be charging a kennel license fee for those establishments. Looking at Banksia Park saying they had 800 breeding females and a number of studs (forget the number). But look at what a 900-1000 kennel license... That would equate to tens of thousands in kennel license fees for the shires where the establishments are located in.

[Schnauzerlover]

I watched this report with great saddness. Yet again another media report that shows the greed of humans. To me it is no different to a concentration camp. AN animals version of a concentration camp

[Loving my Oldies]

The shires would be making money from multiple dog permits, registration for each dog etc. If a farmer has a few hundred dogs then multiply that my the rego price.

Mother Moocher:

It is lucrative for the shires as they will be charging a kennel license fee for those establishments. Looking at Banksia Park saying they had 800 breeding females and a number of studs (forget the number). But look at what a 900-1000 kennel license... That would equate to tens of thousands in kennel license fees for the shires where the establishments are located in.

Thanks for that, didn't get that far in my thinking . Yet again, money over morals . So bloody sad.

[justin19801]

Once again the dog killers and anti-pet activists come out smelling like roses when they're all pools from the same swamp as the puppy mills. Be careful what you ask for as it will come true.

[SchnauzerBoy]

Good show and hopefully seen by many.

I've posted the web link to my FB account.... I suggest others do the same to make sure EVERYONE sees this.

Thanks for posting it up.

[Cosmolo]

It saddens me that there is not more focus on the puppies critical period of development AND the dogs need for social contact- leaves it wide open for the puppy farms to say their dogs have shelter, food and water so they're all good.

[Nekhbet]

that is all the law requires cosmolo. The laws let dogs be treated like livestock as well.

[Loving my Oldies]

It saddens me that there is not more focus on the puppies critical period of development AND the dogs need for social contact- leaves it wide open for the puppy farms to say their dogs have shelter, food and water so they're all good.

I have highlighted this in my response to the ABC.

I hope everyone who is disgusted with Steve Austin's comments is writing to him and those who have used his business and were contemplating using his business state that they will be taking their business elsewhere.

I have just gone to his website and sent the following:

Your appearance on the ABC report on Puppy Farming has made the scales fall off a lot of eyes, Steve Austin.

On the dog forum I frequent, not a single person has a good word to say about your statements on this program.

People who have given you their custom will no longer do so and people who were contemplating using your boarding service and training services will be going elsewhere.

As I will be. I was going to go up to your place at Dural with a little rescue dog I have, but I will certainly be going elsewhere.

It is a sad day when a person with your background says:

"I prefer them not to be in the window, certainly, but as long as they are looked after correctly - water, clean, etcetera - I don't see any major issues in it."

The cynic in me thinks: yes, he doesn't see any harm in it because some people who buy these poor puppies will hopefully come to him to try to solve their behaviour issues because the little dogs have not had proper socialisation with people or other dogs at the crucial time in their lives: puppyhood.

I am totally and absolutely disgusted and very sad.

[BJean]

Skruffy n Flea, I looked at Pet Resorts for my guys and I would not touch it.

The kennels are old and dark, the dogs are kenneled with dogs they don't know over night :p

It needs to be bulldozed and started again.

By all means take a look and then you know but I was just so disapointed at the place.

Try Calabash, it is 5 minutes up the road. Mine are going there next week and lots of my customers send their dogs and cats there. (They have the best cat run, wish I could have it at home)

Not from what I saw and I have used this kennel for a few years with both the previous owners prior to Steve and Vickie taking over and then again a few times with Steve and Vickie as the owners. I always found these kennels to be light, roomy and clean, so am surprised in your assessment of them. I understand your concern about other dogs being in same kennel as your own, but whilst not ideal, this is quite a common practice for boarding kennels during their busy times.

If this is common practise for some kennels, it would explain why some refuse to take certain breeds or large dogs etc -

kind of hard to cut corners and put multiple dogs in together, if a few clients have their precious pets killed or maimed.

I would NEVER accept my dog sharing a keenel with another unknown dog(s), just so the boarding kennel can take on more clients than they have the capacity for.

Edited March 31, 2010 by lilli

[sandgrubber]

Once again the dog killers and anti-pet activists come out smelling like roses when they're all pools from the same swamp as the puppy mills. Be careful what you ask for as it will come true.

I'd say they're from different swamps. From an animal-rights perspective, puppy farming is more or less the same thing as factory farming of pigs. I've never bonded with a pig, so they don't have strong emotional resonance for me, but from all I know, they are as intelligent and emotional as dogs and deserve to be treated as sentient beings, and in objective terms, they are correct.

As a pedigree breeder, I'm not proud that the animal rights people are on the ball -- spying, photographing, documenting cruelty -- and the pedigree world is merely reflecting on what the ABC puts on. I don't think we are making a good showing. Are there any militant pedigree breeders? Or even effective activists? MDBA is doing something . . . and their efforts need to be appreciated. But I don't see anyone being organised and aggressive in combatting puppy mills. We need to do better.

[VeeJay]

OH MY GOD - Does Steve Austin truly believe in what he is saying.

If he does - he is SERIOUSLY misinformed or delirious.

Puppies bought in pet shops aren't the animals that eventually end up at the pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS HE SERIOUS????????

And pet shops don't encourage the stimulus for impulse buying. WHAT An ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!!!!

Where the hell does he think that all the hundreds and hundreds of innocent animals that are euthanized on a regular basis come from???? :p

From the paper, from home breeders - what does he think puppy and kitten mills are for God's sake!

Perhaps there should be a TV report on what actually happens at the RSPCA and council shelters, and how many very healthy and innocent creatures end their life due to the factor that they are no longer cute pups or kittens or perhaps their purchase was not thought out properly or prepared for.

We, in volunteer pet rescue, are constantly working to raise the necessary money that is so desperately needed from very few sponsors in order to rescue these animals from death row, find a caring foster family and finally find them a forever home.

Animals are not ornaments, trophies or handbags and do not deserve to be displayed in any shop window.

STEVE AUSTIN - You and others like you should be ashamed!

[ellies mum]

OH MY GOD - Does Steve Austin truly believe in what he is saying.

If he does - he is SERIOUSLY misinformed or delirious.

Puppies bought in pet shops aren't the animals that eventually end up at the pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS HE SERIOUS????????

And pet shops don't encourage the stimulus for impulse buying. WHAT An ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!!!!

Where the hell does he think that all the hundreds and hundreds of innocent animals that are euthanized on a regular basis come from???? :p

From the paper, from home breeders - what does he think puppy and kitten mills are for God's sake!

Perhaps there should be a TV report on what actually happens at the RSPCA and council shelters, and how many very healthy and innocent creatures end their life due to the factor that they are no longer cute pups or kittens or perhaps their purchase was not thought out properly or prepared for.

We, in volunteer pet rescue, are constantly working to raise the necessary money that is so desperately needed from very few sponsors in order to rescue these animals from death row, find a caring foster family and finally find them a forever home.

Animals are not ornaments, trophies or handbags and do not deserve to be displayed in any shop window.

STEVE AUSTIN - You and others like you should be ashamed!

couldnt have said it better myself...

[Chocolatelover]

Since I doubt that the laws are going to change anytime soon to stop selling/breeding companion animals like pieces of meat, I think the key is public education. And I felt that the story didn't really make people aware that they should put a lot more thought and effort into buying their pets.

A bit off topic but I read an article once about the dancing bears in greece. Because they brought in so much money for the tourism industry the powers that be were never going to stop it. So the animal activists began educating the potential tourists and people began to boycott because of the extreme cruelty that these bears were subject to (and still are in some countries). Today there are no dancing bears in Greece.

I really believe in the power of the people and if people would just stop buying their pets from these people then there is no money to be made.

I am astounded by the number of people that have no idea about puppy mills or mass farming of dogs and cats. I have that "Where does my puppy come from" poster on my fridge and most people who read it say they had no idea. My T-shirt that says "The 10 top reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered were just killed in a shelter" is pretty effective too :p

So I felt a bit disappointed that the program almost attempted to show "two sides to the story". And since the problem is that a vast majority of people still believe that if you want to buy a pet you go to a "pet" shop, I thought they maybe could have presented alternatives about where to source your family pet - that is, rescue or ethical breeder. I realise the "ethical" part is not so easy to come by but it may have got people doing a bit of research. I felt it lacked that *shock* factor to make people really sit up and take notice. And then to have people on the show condoning or excusing what is going on is just so wrong in my opinion.

Still any awareness is good so hopefully it will contribute to spreading the word

[sandgrubber]

posted twice . . . more trouble with my browser, sorry, please delete

Edited March 31, 2010 by sandgrubber

[Loving my Oldies]

OH MY GOD - Does Steve Austin truly believe in what he is saying.

If he does - he is SERIOUSLY misinformed or delirious. ;)

Puppies bought in pet shops aren't the animals that eventually end up at the pound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS HE SERIOUS????????

And pet shops don't encourage the stimulus for impulse buying. WHAT An ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!!!!

Where the hell does he think that all the hundreds and hundreds of innocent animals that are euthanized on a regular basis come from???? ;)

From the paper, from home breeders - what does he think puppy and kitten mills are for God's sake!

Perhaps there should be a TV report on what actually happens at the RSPCA and council shelters, and how many very healthy and innocent creatures end their life due to the factor that they are no longer cute pups or kittens or perhaps their purchase was not thought out properly or prepared for.

We, in volunteer pet rescue, are constantly working to raise the necessary money that is so desperately needed from very few sponsors in order to rescue these animals from death row, find a caring foster family and finally find them a forever home.

Animals are not ornaments, trophies or handbags and do not deserve to be displayed in any shop window.

STEVE AUSTIN - You and others like you should be ashamed! :D

And you are, of course, putting this in an email to Steve Austin? Please do.

[BJean]

I really believe in the power of the people and if people would just stop buying their pets from these people then there is no money to be made.

I am astounded by the number of people that have no idea about puppy mills or mass farming of dogs and cats. I have that "Where does my puppy come from" poster on my fridge and most people who read it say they had no idea. My T-shirt that says "The 10 top reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered were just killed in a shelter" is pretty effective too

If people want to desex their pets, that's great - if they feel it is the best thing for their pet and their circumstance.

Emotional black mail should not be used to push people into making a decision about their pet (s).

Edited March 31, 2010 by lilli

[Chocolatelover]

I really believe in the power of the people and if people would just stop buying their pets from these people then there is no money to be made.

I am astounded by the number of people that have no idea about puppy mills or mass farming of dogs and cats. I have that "Where does my puppy come from" poster on my fridge and most people who read it say they had no idea. My T-shirt that says "The 10 top reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered were just killed in a shelter" is pretty effective too

If people want to desex their pets, that's great - if they feel it is the best thing for their pet and their circumstance.

Emotional black mail should not be used to push people into making a decision about their pet (s).

The cold hard facts are that over 250000 companion animals are PTS every year because their aren't enough good homes but people just keep producing puppies and kittens. If it stops people thinking that they'll have a litter to "calm their dog down", "let their children experience the wonders of life" or just because "she's such a nice dog" then that's good enough for me. People need to know and accept that if they bring more kittens and puppies into the world then they are responsible for them.

I don't see it as emotional blackmail - dog savvy people that choose not to desex their pet but keep them contained and don't add to the unwanted pet population probably wouldn't feel "emotionally blackmailed" as they do the right thing. I have heard people suggest that people dropping their pet off to an animal shelter should be made to watch them be PTS - is that emotional black mail or making them accept the consequences of their actions? If we don't do anything because we might make the poor humans feel bad then what hope is there?

[samoyedman]

I really believe in the power of the people and if people would just stop buying their pets from these people then there is no money to be made.

I am astounded by the number of people that have no idea about puppy mills or mass farming of dogs and cats. I have that "Where does my puppy come from" poster on my fridge and most people who read it say they had no idea. My T-shirt that says "The 10 top reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered were just killed in a shelter" is pretty effective too

If people want to desex their pets, that's great - if they feel it is the best thing for their pet and their circumstance.

Emotional black mail should not be used to push people into making a decision about their pet (s).

The cold hard facts are that over 250000 companion animals are PTS every year because their aren't enough good homes but people just keep producing puppies and kittens. If it stops people thinking that they'll have a litter to "calm their dog down", "let their children experience the wonders of life" or just because "she's such a nice dog" then that's good enough for me. People need to know and accept that if they bring more kittens and puppies into the world then they are responsible for them.

I don't see it as emotional blackmail - dog savvy people that choose not to desex their pet but keep them contained and don't add to the unwanted pet population probably wouldn't feel "emotionally blackmailed" as they do the right thing. I have heard people suggest that people dropping their pet off to an animal shelter should be made to watch them be PTS - is that emotional black mail or making them accept the consequences of their actions? If we don't do anything because we might make the poor humans feel bad then what hope is there?

Yep. We have a massive over-supply of pets available so its common sense to get them desexed.

If the advertising/promotion of this fact has to be sensationalised a little to reinforce this point, I don't really consider that 'emotional blackmail'.