Opinion Piece In Sydney Morning Herald - Puppy Farms

[Souff]

Most people know about battery farms but many are still willing to buy cage eggs, so how are we even going to start shutting down puppy farms without even having a base level of common knowledge?

People need to know before the situation can be resolved. Media attention gets messages across.

This is one of my problems: NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT A "PUPPY FARM" IS !

How on earth can the general public be expected to know what the difference is between a puppy farmer and an ethical breeder who has numbers of dogs?

Does Derryn Hinch know?

What is Derryn's association with dog breeding?

Who are the speakers who represent the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

Souff

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong .....

Edited August 16, 2010 by Souff

[Souff]

Guest Speakers include

Derryn Hinch

Moira Rayner

Pam,

Who is speaking on behalf of the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

What are Derryn Hinch's credentials as an authority on dogs?

Souff

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong ... would never do

Edited August 16, 2010 by Souff

[chriswiddler]

Most people know about battery farms but many are still willing to buy cage eggs, so how are we even going to start shutting down puppy farms without even having a base level of common knowledge?

People need to know before the situation can be resolved. Media attention gets messages across.

This is one of my problems: NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT A "PUPPY FARM" IS !

How on earth can the general public be expected to know what the difference is between a puppy farmer and an ethical breeder who has numbers of dogs?

Does Derryn Hinch know?

What is Derryn's association with dog breeding?

Who are the speakers who represent the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

Souff

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong .....

A puppy farm is anyone who breeds dogs. It never ceases to amaze me how these ratbags never report a single incidence of cruelty. They want to stop breeding altogether. They have even infiltrated DoL with their toxic slurs on dog owners. The law is there and enforceable, strengthening it to include ordinary breeders under the guise of ending puppy farms will simply make it less enforceable and they can continue to seize and kill harmless family pets with gay abandon as they treat them as disposable commodities. If dog owners and breeders don't unite soon the days of companion animal ownership are coming to an end.

[aussielover]

Not wanting to appear stupid, but who/what is Clifford? I am new to DOL and although have never really been a fan of the RSPCA I am still learning about the depths to which they have sunk.

This was one of the lowest acts the R$PCA have done, poor Clifford a Pitbull never had a chance. Poor Clifford was thrown from a car in Sydney in 2004, emaciated and injured he was taken to the R$PCA the society that claims to care for all creatures great and small.

The R$PCA said please donate as much as you can to help poor Clifford and raised about $3500, then announced this poor dog had suddenly become aggressive or some BS to that effect and PTS poor Clifford and kept the money.

Why was poor Clifford PTS ? Because the R$PCA does not rehome Pitbulls that's why. Shame, Shame, Shame R$PCA.

Why did they not euthanize as soon as they recei ed him, if that is their policy??? :)

Not that I'm saying I agree with the policy (which imo is ridiculous), but why make poor clifford suffer if he was to be PTS anyway?

[Curlybert]

A puppy farm is anyone who breeds dogs. It never ceases to amaze me how these ratbags never report a single incidence of cruelty. They want to stop breeding altogether. They have even infiltrated DoL with their toxic slurs on dog owners. The law is there and enforceable, strengthening it to include ordinary breeders under the guise of ending puppy farms will simply make it less enforceable and they can continue to seize and kill harmless family pets with gay abandon as they treat them as disposable commodities. If dog owners and breeders don't unite soon the days of companion animal ownership are coming to an end.

Which ratbags? And by the way, the only 'toxic slurs' I've seen are yours.

[Julie R]

Guest Speakers include

Derryn Hinch

Moira Rayner

Pam,

Who is speaking on behalf of the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

What are Derryn Hinch's credentials as an authority on dogs?

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong ... would never do

Souff

Hi Souff

I have NO idea, and can not answer your questions, but that is why I will be attending, to find out.

It is a tad worrying what these high profile people who can and do get media attention will have to say and will ALL breeders be put in the same basket, therefore I think it is important for as many breeders of pure bred dogs and ethical breeders regardless of breed attend to see what is said. No good complaining after the event if we are not prepared to attend and find out, hopefully some good suggestions will come from this rally though.

Pam

[Souff]

Guest Speakers include

Derryn Hinch

Moira Rayner

Pam,

Who is speaking on behalf of the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

What are Derryn Hinch's credentials as an authority on dogs?

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong ... would never do

Souff

Hi Souff

I have NO idea, and can not answer your questions, but that is why I will be attending, to find out.

It is a tad worrying what these high profile people who can and do get media attention will have to say and will ALL breeders be put in the same basket, therefore I think it is important for as many breeders of pure bred dogs and ethical breeders regardless of breed attend to see what is said. No good complaining after the event if we are not prepared to attend and find out, hopefully some good suggestions will come from this rally though.

Pam

Pam,

I will be a long way from Melbourne on that day so will not be able to attend.

Perhaps one of the RSPCA's event organisers could explain to people on this site what relevance and authority Mr Hinch has in relation to the breeding of dogs?

Also, perhaps they could also tell us who is going to speak on behalf of those breeders who consider themselves to be acting in the best long term interests, i.e those who are trying to ensure that whole breeds of dog don't get wiped out by the zeal of those who seek to eradicate "puppy farming".

In all things in life BALANCE is required, particularly in nature.

I don't see or hear any balance in the promotion of this event.

Souff

[Julie R]

Guest Speakers include

Derryn Hinch

Moira Rayner

Pam,

Who is speaking on behalf of the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

What are Derryn Hinch's credentials as an authority on dogs?

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong ... would never do

Souff

Hi Souff

I have NO idea, and can not answer your questions, but that is why I will be attending, to find out.

It is a tad worrying what these high profile people who can and do get media attention will have to say and will ALL breeders be put in the same basket, therefore I think it is important for as many breeders of pure bred dogs and ethical breeders regardless of breed attend to see what is said. No good complaining after the event if we are not prepared to attend and find out, hopefully some good suggestions will come from this rally though.

Pam

Pam,

I will be a long way from Melbourne on that day so will not be able to attend.

Perhaps one of the RSPCA's event organisers could explain to people on this site what relevance and authority Mr Hinch has in relation to the breeding of dogs?

Also, perhaps they could also tell us who is going to speak on behalf of those breeders who consider themselves to be acting in the best long term interests, i.e those who are trying to ensure that whole breeds of dog don't get wiped out by the zeal of those who seek to eradicate "puppy farming".

In all things in life BALANCE is required, particularly in nature.

I don't see or hear any balance in the promotion of this event.

Souff

Pity you can't attend, but I didn't realise the rally was being organized by the RSPCA.. are you sure it is?

[chriswiddler]

Guest Speakers include

Derryn Hinch

Moira Rayner

Pam,

Who is speaking on behalf of the legitimate breeders of purebred dogs?

What are Derryn Hinch's credentials as an authority on dogs?

edited cos I spelled Derryn's name wrong ... would never do

Souff

Hi Souff

I have NO idea, and can not answer your questions, but that is why I will be attending, to find out.

It is a tad worrying what these high profile people who can and do get media attention will have to say and will ALL breeders be put in the same basket, therefore I think it is important for as many breeders of pure bred dogs and ethical breeders regardless of breed attend to see what is said. No good complaining after the event if we are not prepared to attend and find out, hopefully some good suggestions will come from this rally though.

Pam

Pam,

I will be a long way from Melbourne on that day so will not be able to attend.

Perhaps one of the RSPCA's event organisers could explain to people on this site what relevance and authority Mr Hinch has in relation to the breeding of dogs?

Also, perhaps they could also tell us who is going to speak on behalf of those breeders who consider themselves to be acting in the best long term interests, i.e those who are trying to ensure that whole breeds of dog don't get wiped out by the zeal of those who seek to eradicate "puppy farming".

In all things in life BALANCE is required, particularly in nature.

I don't see or hear any balance in the promotion of this event.

Souff

I believe that the R$PCA has learnt from PETA and the Humane Society that it's not the message but the messenger that's important. The toxic sludge they spread is more appealing when touted by celebrities. Never mind dogs will suffer even more than at present. Difficult tounderstand how so many are allowed on a dog site given their anti-dog message. They will simply undermine any attempt to fight the legislation.

[Souff]

I didn't realise the rally was being organized by the RSPCA.. are you sure it is?

No, actually it isnt, according to the link that you gave. My apologies are extended to the RSPCA.

Perhaps Pam, you might like to ask the organisers of the rally that that you are promoting to come on to this site and tell us about Mr Hinch's credentials in the area of dog breeding?

Souff

[Souff]

Difficult tounderstand how so many are allowed on a dog site given their anti-dog message. They will simply undermine any attempt to fight the legislation.

Yes, sad as it is, it might be time for Troy and the other mods to consider putting the site back to a breeders site. It has certainly been undermined.

Souff

[Alyosha]

It needs to be part of any public awareness campaign to define what you're talking about. I think the term puppy farm has come into widespread usage due to the commercial production based natures of such establishments. The RSPCA site has this to say on them

Dogs on puppy farms are little more than breeding machines used to make their owners money. Mothers may be continually mated and kept with their puppies in cages and never allowed out to exercise, play, have companionship or even go to the toilet.

Puppy farmers will sell to anyone, wholesale and retail, and by any means, on-line, through pet shops, via newspapers and car boot sales or by using a false house as a ‘shop front'. To avoid supporting puppy farmers the RSPCA strongly recommends not buying a puppy unless you can view the parents and where it was born.

The RSPCA has released a Puppy Farm Discussion Paper and is calling on governments, responsible dog breeders and other groups to help end puppy farming in Australia.

And goes on to say this:

If you're thinking of getting a dog, consider visiting the RSPCA or another reputable rescue organisation first. There are many wonderful animals looking for new loving homes. But if you're seeking a specific breed then you'll need to find a responsible breeder. Check out the RSPCA Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide for some advice on how to go about it.

Their Smart Puppy Buyers Guide seems to give much the same information that is dealt out to newbie dog owners who ask questions on here about how to find a good breeder. It also says this about defining a puppy farm:

PUPPY FARMS

A puppy mill or puppy farm is a mass-production

facility that breeds puppies for profit. The puppies

and their mothers are often kept in very poor

conditions. Breeding animals may be continually

mated and kept with their puppies in cages

and never allowed out to exercise, play, have

companionship or even go to the toilet. Puppies

born in puppy farms often have long-term health

and behavioural problems as a result of poor

housing conditions, poor maternal nutrition and

a lack of adequate socialisation during the crucial

first few weeks of life.

Which seems to quite well defined, and I can't think of any good registered purebred breeders whgo would fit the criteria, nor any that would want to be associated with people who did run a breeding establishment like that.

[Souff]

Thank you Aloysha, that is a very good description of a "puppy farm" and the RSPCA are to be commended for that description.

It would be interesting to know if the organisers of the rally that Pam is promoting will be using the same description.

Souff

[Curlybert]

Difficult tounderstand how so many are allowed on a dog site given their anti-dog message. They will simply undermine any attempt to fight the legislation.

Yes, sad as it is, it might be time for Troy and the other mods to consider putting the site back to a breeders site. It has certainly been undermined.

Souff

Who is undermining what? It's simply not clear who you're talking about. And are you seriously saying there are groups that have 'infiltrated' DOL with an anti-dog message?

Talk about paranoid conspiracy theories - it's really quite bizarre.

[Alyosha]

It will indeed be interesting Souff.

Maybe anyone from DOL that can attend could let us know?

Ensuring that any big, public animal welfare campaign stays sane and free from PETA style hysterics and antics seems somewhat of a challenge. I suppose it's all about engaging average citizens and not overly zealous types.

The worry is anti-breeding sentiments in general (PETA style again) getting mixed in with it, under the anti puppy farm umbrella so to speak.

[Souff]

The worry is anti-breeding sentiments in general (PETA style again) getting mixed in with it, under the anti puppy farm umbrella so to speak.

Anyone who thinks that is not already happening is deluding themselves.

As I said earlier in this thread BALANCE is needed and there needs to be sane, sensible people at this rally to provide that balance, people who can get the message across that there IS A BETTER WAY OF BREEDING DOGS than what happens at puppy farms and that good breeders are NEEDED to PRESERVE dog breeds before gene pools of some breeds in this country reach dangerously low levels.

I am not convinced that either of the speakers mentioned are those people.

Souff

[Julie R]

I didn't realise the rally was being organized by the RSPCA.. are you sure it is?

No, actually it isnt, according to the link that you gave. My apologies are extended to the RSPCA.

Perhaps Pam, you might like to ask the organisers of the rally that that you are promoting to come on to this site and tell us about Mr Hinch's credentials in the area of dog breeding?

Souff

Souff I was not promoting this rally ...... what I was TRYING to do was to make people aware that it is taking place, so they could come along, but hopefully there will be responsible people who care enough about breeding and owning dogs who will make the effort to attend and at least listen and see what these people have to say as it is they who will have the media’s attention, just like Don Burke did a few years ago.

Pointless after the event to say “Oh I wished I had known it was on I would have said this or I would have said that” .... yer well the dog world appears to be full of gunna’s ...... and it is about time people got off theirs bums and starting fighting for their rights and not sitting back and expecting others to do it for them, only to then criticize those who tried. But that old saying, if you don't do anything you can't get criticized, and ain’t that so of so many dog owners and breeders in general.

[Alyosha]

I think you both have a good point. It is a great idea to promote things like this within the dog community, to both responsible breeders and pet owners, as well as within the wider community.

Promoting it here is a great way to get people to attend and make sure that the messages stay right, that it doesn't turn into breeder bashing in general but stays focussed on those greedy individuals who are intent on putting the dollar before the dog.

Edit for spelling - too early, too little coffee...

Edited August 16, 2010 by Alyosha

[Christina]

Politicians jumping on the bandwagon for popularity or not we have enough laws & the RSPCA have enough power to enter, seize & prosecute these places every time.

So why isn't it being done ?

More laws are not the answer if they can't enforce the ones we already have to cover this.

Reminds me of the plain package idiot idea for cigarettes. The government want the huge tax from them, know it won't make any difference but it makes them look good.

Pockets are being lined to someones convenience (& I don't mean just the owners) that's why puppy farms are allowed to operate.

Makes me sick the whole thing.

[chriswiddler]

"If you're thinking of getting a dog, consider visiting the RSPCA or another reputable rescue organisation first. There are many wonderful animals looking for new loving homes. But if you're seeking a specific breed then you'll need to find a responsible breeder. Check out the RSPCA Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide for some advice on how to go about it. "

And there we have it. Competition for the customer's dollar. Let the R$PCA show the parents and where the animal was born!! Lining their own pockets at the dog's expense. If they don't sell they die. Who is the real villain here?