Petshops Hit Back At Calls To Ban Sales Of Pups And Kittens

[toy dog]

THE pet shop industry has countered calls for the Queensland government to ban stores from selling kittens and puppies.

A petition tabled in state parliament on today and signed by 2597 people outlined what it called the "cruel practice" of selling cats and dogs in pet shops.

It says unwanted pets were often put down after spur-of-the-moment purchases and Queensland should follow the lead of other countries that have banned pet shops from selling cats and dogs.

"Animals are often purchased by ill-informed people who later discard their pet when they realise that pet ownership is not as easy or cheap as they thought," the petition says.

"... Your petitioners request the House to ban all pet shops from selling cats and dogs."

In 2008, the Government introduced a code of conduct designed to lower the numbers of unloved pets.

The code encouraged pet shops to ensure animals went only to suitable homes.

Under it, prospective owners were to be talked through the responsibilities of pet ownership and whether a pet matched that person's lifestyle.

It was also aimed at ensuring all cats and dogs were microchipped and desexed before they reached breeding age.

Spokesman for the Pet Industry Association (PIAA) Roger Perkins said a ban on pet stores selling puppies and kittens would be short-sighted.

"Of the total number of dogs sold in Australia, only 10 per cent are sold in pet shops," he said.

"If we want to cut out unethical and inhuman practices we need to look at how breeders are selling illegally over the internet and in newspaper ads.

"There's some rogue operators in the industry and we want to get rid of them."

Mr Perkins said PIAA represented about 40 per cent of the 1200 pet shops in Australia and its members followed a strict code of practice.

"Our members buy responsibly and sell responsibly," he said.

"The average time (animals) are kept in shops is two weeks.

"We strive very hard to make sure puppies are given the right home ... Our members offer a cooling-off period. It may be ... a week. Under our code of conduct they must offer a return policy."

Mr Perkins said it was an inaccurate perception that puppies bought in pet stores were labelled impulse purchases.

"I don't know how many things you buy that cost $800, that you go into a store and just walk out with," he said.

"It's a very considered decision. Often a family will come back two or three times and they will be given very detailed instructions."

He said it was in the pet shop owner's interest to match families to the right dog or cat.

"They want repeat business. The supplies that flow from the purchase of an animal, whether it be food or other items, are an important source of income for the pet shop."

He said introducing compulsory microchipping in all states would help crack down on illegal puppy trading and reduce the number of abandoned animals.

WA, SA and NT do not have compulsory microchipping laws.

Tasmania has recently brought in mandatory microchipping laws which come into effect next July.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/pet-s...s#ixzz0zdsOWMT8

Edited September 15, 2010 by toy dog

[Tilly]

I might believe that if the petshop staff actually knew anything about the breeds they are selling people ...

[Adza]

It just has to be stopped..regardless

The amount of times I watched them tell potential buyers they are from a great breeders and had long outdoor time etc.. sorry don't really believe they are practicing that 'code'

[Sheridan]

I'd like to know what academic research (not their own industry research) has been done on what percentage are sold by pet shops because frankly, that sounds like a fib.

[SparkyTansy]

i agree that 10% sounds like a fib, but by spouting off numbers such as this and pointing out "breeders selling illegally over the internet and in newspaper ads" is only going to put the heat back on registered breeders once again, because no doubt we'll be heaped into the same category as those who do sell multiple animals over the net or in newspapers...

[Nekhbet]

what rubbish. They dont want to let go of a lucrative business. As for who walks in and buys $800 on the spot ... people with a credit card, and we all know those things are easier to get then herpes.

I have not seen ONE pet store be responsible in their homing or care of puppies/kittens even PIAA ones. Same poop different smell. You hire cheap staff, you have a fast turnover and you cannot get dogs from good breeders due to COE in most states. It's money plain and simple.