Neil Mitchell 3aw

[Erny]

Only caught the last part of this early today when I jumped in the car. Neil Mitchell 3AW talking about the laws which make it awkward/next to impossible for people to act as foster carers for dogs from pounds. Sounded to me that Neil Mitchell didn't approve of the laws and was intending to look further into them.

Good stuff, Neil.

[Erny]

Listened to the download. He was speaking with Patricia Taylor of Dogs Rescue Australia on the matter. Neil was against the idea of Foster Carers having to register as a Domestic Animal Business and suggested he would possibly take the matter up with the Minister (Joe Helper) when he was expecting to speak with him later in the program.

I didn't catch any more and had my own meeting with Michelle Frazer, who is a Liberal candidate running for the Narre Warren North Seat (Victoria) and who, after having albeit a fairly informal chat, has 'pledged' that she will listen to our dog related issues and concerns and will not just pay us lip service.

Did anyone else catch anything further than this?

Edited November 24, 2010 by Erny

[Sheridan]

Foster carers, sure, but what about the rescues themselves who take the dogs? Do they have to register as a domestic animal business? Seems a trifle daft to me.

[Erny]

Foster carers, sure, but what about the rescues themselves who take the dogs? Do they have to register as a domestic animal business? Seems a trifle daft to me.

I think that comes under the one umbrella, but I'm not sure as it isn't my area of expertise. Point being that it is great to have someone like Neil Mitchell take interest in it and something that is worth nurturing, especially by those in rescue and foster, who would have their ears closer to the ground, fingers more on the pulse, of what is going on and down.

[Natsu chan]

He did interview Joe Helper, and it would have been funny if it wasn't so concerning. He seems to think that it doesn't matter that the law is there because they don't enforce it so that makes it okay! Not that you can expect much, given all the nonsense they've passed over the last four years.

[Steve]

This is the final word questions were asked re small rescue and Foster Carers. Im waiting until after the election to go after this and at the very least see if we can gain some ground for our members.

Quote

Hi Julie,

If your members intend on taking in a dog or 2 to keep for themselves, then the keeping of animals permit and number restrictions come into play.

If your members are taking in the dogs for nurturing and re-homing, by definition they are running a “Shelter”.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 a Shelter must comply with the relevant Code of Practice. End Quote.

It seems its not a new law just a different definition from what I can make out. I cant remember where I saw it now - bugger- but when there was talk earlier about law changes for pounds and shelters I went to look for the definition and thought it only applied to the big boys like RSPCA or Lost Dogs home.

Clearly what happened is that they have done the same to rescue as they have done to Breeders - assume they all have hundreds of animals on their premises and made the code to suit that.

Again its going to come down to whether or not these laws are policed and who by. Council rarely do much to track down small breeders or small rescue and make them do what they could make them do - usually its only after a complaint that either actually are noticed.But Brumby and his opposition have both promised tougher laws and more power to the RSPCA so it could get interesting.

Now this one - is the biggy if foster carers and small rescue are going to be considered shelters and it doesnt quite make sense if foster carers are aslo to be counted as shelters.

The maximum time any animal selected for sale can be held at a shelter is four weeks. At the conclusion of this period, the animal must be euthanased or permanently removed from the facility, for example, by placement in a foster program.

Then of course is the housing requirements. Sort of squashes all ideas of allowing it to live in a home environment and it looks like to rescue a dog its about as costly as it could get.

4.3 Housing facilities

This section contains general requirements for all pounds and shelters.

Housing facilities at animal shelters or pounds include isolation pens for animals with infectious diseases. Isolation facilities must be physically separated by an impervious barrier or a distance of at least 10 metres from other animal accommodation at the shelter or pound. Pounds using the facilities of a veterinary practitioner to treat injured or unhealthy animals will not require isolation pens.

Facilities must have appropriate fire extinguishers or other fire protection.

Note: In totally enclosed buildings where forced ventilation is the only form of air movement, the following is required:

An air change rate of 8-12 changes per hour to prevent the build up of foul odours,

Ventilation devices must avoid draughts and distribute fresh air evenly to all of the boarding areas,

Temperature must be maintained in the range of 18-21o C.

Air recirculation units incorporating effective air cleaning and filtration to ensure the removal of infectious organisms and chemicals,

A back-up and alarm system in case of power failures or breakdown of ventilation and temperature control mechanisms.

a. Housing pens

Housing pens- for the housing of animals in the pound, shelter or holding facility.

Floors of all pens must be constructed of an impervious material and must be sealed and free of cracks. All pens must be able to be secured to prevent accidental escape of animals and must be completely enclosed, having either a solid or wire roof.

Where pens are constructed outdoors, a cyclone wire fence with a lockable gate must encircle each section. Sleeping quarters must be weatherproof. Outside pens and runs must provide the animals with protection from extremes of climate and weather.

Housing facilities for dogs and cats must be physically separated by an impervious barrier.

Dog pens must be constructed of impervious, washable materials optimally curved at the wall/floor junction to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

The line of drainage must not run from pen to pen. Individual drainage outlets must be incorporated in each pen and connected to a completely enclosed drain or pipe. Floors must be graded to the outlet.

An impervious partition one metre high and sealed to the floor must separate all pens and exercise areas. Preferably pens should not be built to face each other as this will increase the noise and spread of diseases between pens. Noise barriers must be used to minimise noise to acceptable levels. Where pens are built facing each other and the drainage line is toward the centre walkway, an impervious partition one metre high must be centrally installed in the walkway to reduce the possibility of the spread of disease into opposite pens during cleaning.

b. Examination, treatment and euthanasia facilities

If the pound or shelter does not have a written agreement with a veterinarian for the use of facilities then a separate first-aid treatment area must be provided with a table which can be readily cleaned and disinfected, lighting and shelving, and first-aid materials including dressings, disinfectants and medicines to treat open wounds. Restricted drugs kept on the premises must be stored in accordance with the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances legislation, and can only be used by or at the specific direction of a veterinarian.

Hot and cold running water must be available.

Euthanasia must be carried out in an area separate from where animals are housed.

4.3.1 Pen sizes

a. Dogs

All adult dogs must be housed one to a pen.

Minimum pen sizes for each dog older than four months

Height of dog at shoulder (cm)

Minimum area (Sq metres)

Minimum width (cm)

Minimum height (cm)

Above 70

3.5

120

180

40 to 70

2.4

100

180

Below 40

1.5

90

180

Note:

1. One third of the area of each pen must be weatherproof and include raised sleeping quarters.

2. Up to four weaned pups (6 - 16 weeks) can be housed in any of the above pens providing that the pups are from the same litter or, if from different litters, at the conclusion of the quarantine period following vaccination. During the quarantine period, compensatory human socialisation should be considered.

b. Cats

Cats must be housed individually in cages or pens constructed of impervious, washable materials during the quarantine period.

Cages used to hold adult cats must be at least 70 cm wide, 70 cm deep and 50 cm high. This size cage can accommodate up to three kittens (less than 12 weeks of age) providing that the kittens are from the same litter or, if from different litters, at the conclusion of the quarantine period following vaccination. During the quarantine period, compensatory human socialisation should be considered. Cats must not be kept in cages of this size for more than eight days.

Cats kept for longer than eight days must be provided with accommodation that meets the following criteria.

Cages that have a minimum floor area of 1.5 square metres and a minimum height of 900 millimetres, or Walk-in modules that have a minimum floor area of 0.8 square metres, a minimum width of 900 millimetres and a minimum height of 1.8 metres. The module must contain at least two levels including raised sleeping quarters. The higher level(s) must be connected to the floor by means of a ramp or pole.

After desexing, vaccination and quarantine, cats may be multiple housed in holding pens. A maximum of eight cats can be held in a pen and each cat must have a floor area of two square metres and an individual sleeping area..

Code of practice for the management of dogs and cats in shelters and pounds

AG1009

Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood

May 2002

Introduction

This Code is made under the provisions of Section 59 of Division 4 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 ("the Act").

The purpose of the Code is to specify the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care which are appropriate to the physical and behavioural needs of dogs and cats housed in shelters and pounds.

The Code and its provisions are to be observed by owners and operators ("the proprietor") of shelters and pounds and by people who work in them. All shelters and pounds must comply with State and Local Government legislation and permits.

The Code is designed to cover all animal welfare shelters and pounds, and includes any holding facilities used by these establishments. Holding facilities for the short term housing of animals prior to transportation to a pound or shelter must comply with this code.

This Code does not apply to wildlife shelters operated by persons holding an authorisation under Section 24A of the Wildlife Act 1975 to establish a shelter for the rehabilitation of native wildlife.

Definitions

Isolation pens are pens for animals with infectious diseases.

Holding pens\facilities are for the short-term housing (less than 24 hours) of dogs or cats prior to transportation to a pound or shelter.

General

1. Staff

1.1 Manager

The proprietor of shelter or pound is responsible for the overall management and conduct of the establishment and for the welfare of the animals therein. Preferably a proprietor should have completed a course in animal care. In particular, the proprietor is responsible for:

the well-being of all animals in the establishment;

the supervision of staff;

the maintenance and collation of records and statistics;

supervision of daily feeding, watering and inspection of all animals;

supervision and examination of animals upon entry;

the overall level of hygiene in the establishment, including the disposal of waste materials;

provision of prompt veterinary attention for animals when required;

developing a plan for an emergency situation.

1.2 The Veterinarian

The proprietor of the establishment must have a written agreement with sufficient veterinarians to be on call for humane euthanasia where an overdose of barbiturate is used and for the treatment of animals other than first aid. The veterinarian is responsible for deciding on a vaccination program for the facility in the event of an outbreak of the following diseases:

Dogs

canine distemper

infectious canine hepatitis

canine parvovirus.

Cats

infectious feline enteritis

calicivirus

herpes virus

This agreement must include the use of the veterinarian’s facilities for the treatment of animals and the provision of isolation pens if the pound or shelter does not have a separate first aid and treatment area or isolation pens.

1.3 Animal Attendants

The proprietor must ensure that animal attendants who work at the shelter or pound are trained and experienced to properly manage the type of animal held. The equivalent of one full - time animal attendant must be employed for every 50 animals housed. Animal attendants are responsible to the Proprietor for,

daily feeding, watering and inspection of all animals,

daily cleaning of facilities, ie. hose out, replace bedding, litter trays, feeding and watering utensils,

reporting to management animals showing any of the following symptoms,

runny nose

runny or inflamed eyes

sepeated sneezing

coughing

vomiting

diarrhoea, especially if bloodstained

lameness

inability to stand or walk

bleeding or swelling of body parts

weight loss

inappetence

apparent pain

fits or staggering

bloating of abdomen

difficulty or inability to urinate or defecate

red or brown coloured urine.

exercising dogs as required by the manager.

1.4 Staff health

Some hazards exist with certain species of animals which are known to harbour disease-causing organisms which can be transmitted to man (zoonoses)

Staff health must be protected by the provision of appropriate work clothing, adequate hand washing facilities and tetanus immunisation. Information must be supplied on disease-causing organisms which can be transmitted to humans (zoonoses) as well as personal hygiene.

All personnel working with cats, especially women of child-bearing age, must be made aware of the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

1.5 The vehicle driver

The driver of an animal shelter or pound vehicle must be an experienced or trained animal attendant, responsible for the following tasks:

the care and welfare of all animals during transport, except where a veterinarian also travels with the consignment;

the hygiene and cleanliness of the vehicle.

2. Handling and treatment of animals

2.1 Capture

Capture methods must be as humane as possible with minimum risk to operators, bystanders and animals. The behaviour of the species concerned must be taken into account when deciding on the methods used. Capture (tranquilliser) guns must not be used.

2.2 Transport

Animals must be transported for the minimum time practicable.

Cats and small dogs may be placed in secure carrying baskets, cages or boxes, large dogs may be restrained but all animals must be physically separated.

Where the pick-up of stray or injured animals is conducted on a shuttle basis the timetable must be based on ensuring minimum time in transit for distressed or injured animals.

Badly injured animals should be euthanased or transported to the nearest point of veterinary attention as soon as possible.

The driver is responsible for the welfare of animals in the vehicle during transportation.

2.3 Handling and treatment

2.3.1 Admission

Every animal admitted to a shelter or pound must be examined by a veterinarian, or by an experienced person, who is responsible for classifying animals into the following categories for attention:

a. Healthy animals

b. Moderately or slightly injured animals - to be given prompt first-aid to relieve pain and preserve life, and held for observation;

c. Severely injured animals, unidentified cats that are wild or uncontrollable or unweaned animals - to be promptly and humanely euthanased.

d. Animals with infectious disease - to be held in isolation pens.

2.3.2 Vaccination

All dogs sold from a pound or shelter must be vaccinated to cover the following diseases:

canine distemper

infectious canine hepatitis

canine parvovirus.

All cats sold from a pound or shelter must be vaccinated to cover the following diseases;

infectious feline enteritis

calicivirus

herpes virus

2.3.3. Quarantine

All vaccinated animals are required to be held in quarantine for certain periods of time before being made available for rehousing (unless previously reclaimed by their owners). Quarantine periods are:

a. Dogs - 8 days. Nil if previously vaccinated, presented with current vaccination certificate and free from infectious disease.

b. Cats - 8 days. Nil if previously vaccinated, presented with a vaccination certificate and free from infectious disease.

At the end of the quarantine period, all animals must again be examined by the proprietor or a veterinarian to assess their suitability for sale. Pounds and shelters should develop and practice standard procedures for assessment of health and temperament in selecting animals for rehousing.

2.3.4 Isolation

All animals confined in isolation pens must be under veterinary supervision and the fate of an animal should be decided by the veterinarian.

2.3.5 Euthanasia

At the conclusion of the mandatory eight days period specified in the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 for stray animals, animals may be euthanased because of disease, injury, temperament, age, unsuitability for sale or in accordance with the Act.

The preferred method of euthanasia is barbiturate overdose, which must be carried out by a veterinarian.

Euthanasia must be preformed in an area that is separated from animal accommodation at the shelter or pound and must not be carried out in view of any other animals.

2.3.6 Maintenance procedures

a. Nutrition

All dogs and cats must be fed at least once a day. Puppies and kittens between three and four months of age require minimum of three feeds a day and between four and six months of age must be fed a minimum of twice daily with a nutritionally balanced diet. The food provided must contain acceptable nutritive values in sufficient quantity to meet appropriate daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal.

All animals must have a permanent supply of fresh, clean water.

Food and water containers must be non spillable and of a design that can be easily cleaned and sterilised and does not cause injury to the animals.

For dogs and weaned puppies, one feeding bowl must be provided per individual animal. For cats, there must be one feeding bowl per adult and one feeding bowl per three kittens (less than 12 weeks).

b. Disinfection and hygiene

An important management requirement is the maintenance of a hygienic facility to prevent buildup of disease causing organisms including viruses and parasitic worm eggs. The establishment is to be clean and hygienic at all times. All pens must be cleaned out at least once per day ( twice daily if inspection shows it is required) by hosing or other appropriate means. All used, contaminated bedding and litter and all uneaten food must be removed prior to hosing. Used litter and uneaten food must be placed in sealed plastic bags for disposal.

Pounds and shelters must have an adequate water supply and must be sewered or on a septic system, or have some other adequate method of disposing of faeces.

Waste disposal must be in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate statutory authority. Use of a trade waste service for collection and disposal of wastes is preferable. Wastes must not be incinerated unless the incinerator is registered with the Environment Protection Authority.

After cleaning, sleeping areas must not be allowed to remain wet.

Cats must be provided with clean litter trays daily and litter trays must be disinfected regularly. Sufficient suitable litter material, such as commercial cat litter, sawdust or shredded paper, must be provided.

Disinfection of pens and cages must be done whenever the pen/cage is vacated or every eighth day with hospital grade disinfectants. Utensils must be rinsed after disinfecting to avoid poisoning. Phenol must not be used for cats. Manufacturer’s instructions for the use of these agents must be followed.

All watering and feeding utensils must be cleaned daily.

Pests including fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes and rodents must be effectively controlled. Chemicals used for pest control must be either prescribed by a registered veterinarian and\or registered by the National Registration Authority (NRA) under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code (Commonwealth) and used only in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

c. Inspection

Animal attendants must inspect every animal daily, noting its general appearance and behaviour.

It is the responsibility of animal attendants at animal shelters and pounds to report any animal that appears sick or injured, or is behaving oddly, to the proprietor or veterinarian as soon as possible. Animals suspected of having an infectious disease should be placed in isolation for treatment by a veterinarian.

d. Exercise

The proprietor of a shelter or a pound that sells dogs may exercise/socialise up to two dogs together following the quarantine period provided that:

(i) the dogs are within a securely fenced area, and

(ii) a person is in the pen with the dogs at all times.

Care must be taken to ensure that dogs being exercised cannot escape and are not in danger of attack or other injury. Dogs must not be walked on roads but confined within the premises for safety reasons.

2.3.7 Rehousing (sale of animals)

All animals sold from a pound or shelter must be wormed, desexed and vaccinated.

Sick, aggressive, pregnant, unweaned, anti-social or deformed animals, or animals with known vices such as excessive barking, fence jumping (dogs) must not be made available for sale.

New owners must be supplied with a vaccination certificate and be given literature about feeding, housing and responsible pet ownership. They should also be encouraged to seek advice about problems with the pets from veterinarians or people with experience in animal care and management.

If an animal is not acceptable to a purchaser because of health or other reasons that are supported by a statement from a veterinarian, excluding accidents within seven days of purchase, pound or shelter proprietors must take the animal back and refund all monies or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee. If an animal is returned within three days for any other reason, the pound or shelter proprietor must refund 75% of the purchase price or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee. If the animal dies or is euthanased as a result of a disease that is traceable to the point of sale, the pound or shelter proprietor must refund the purchase price or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee.

The maximum time any animal selected for sale can be held at a shelter is four weeks. At the conclusion of this period, the animal must be euthanased or permanently removed from the facility, for example, by placement in a foster program.

2.3.8 Public access to pounds and animal shelters serving as pounds

Reasonable periods for public access to pounds and shelters must be provided during working hours and include reasonable times after hours or at weekends. Public access at pounds may be by appointment with the Ranger.

2.3.9 Release of animals to research institutions

Pound animals may only be released to research organisations under the provisions of the Code of practice for the use of animals from municipal pounds in scientific procedures.

3. Responsible pet ownership

Animal shelters and pounds which sell animals should assist in promoting responsible pet ownership in the community by the following methods:

a. Providing new pet owners with advice on pet care and information leaflets about veterinary attention that is required for animals after purchase (such as follow-up vaccination), and current legislation covering the registration of pet animals.

b. Providing prospective buyers with advice on the most suitable type of dog for their environment (consider yard size, exercise requirements, children etc.)

Note: Section 13 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 requires the proprietor of a pound or shelter that sells an unregistered dog or cat to notify the Council where the animal will live of the sale of that animal.

4. Buildings and facilities

4.1 Animal transport vehicles

Vehicles used for the transport of animals must have the following features:

provision for animals to be physically separated and restrained;

no protrusions or sharp edges in the framework, doors, partitions, etc;

a design that is both escape-proof and prevents the protrusion of head and/or limbs of any animal carried;

floors which are strong enough to bear the weight of the animals being transported, and have a non-slip surface to minimise the likelihood of injury;

weatherproof with adequate ventilation of vehicles both when stationary and in motion;

facilities for ease of loading and unloading animals with minimal risk of injury to the animals and humans;

materials and a design that allow for effective cleaning and disinfection.

4.2 Food storage and hygiene

Facilities for the storage and preparation of food must be separate from any animal accommodation. Feed storage facilities in establishments must be vermin proof and available to hold a minimum of five days requirements under peak conditions.

4.3 Housing facilities

This section contains general requirements for all pounds and shelters.

Housing facilities at animal shelters or pounds include isolation pens for animals with infectious diseases. Isolation facilities must be physically separated by an impervious barrier or a distance of at least 10 metres from other animal accommodation at the shelter or pound. Pounds using the facilities of a veterinary practitioner to treat injured or unhealthy animals will not require isolation pens.

Facilities must have appropriate fire extinguishers or other fire protection.

Note: In totally enclosed buildings where forced ventilation is the only form of air movement, the following is required:

An air change rate of 8-12 changes per hour to prevent the build up of foul odours,

Ventilation devices must avoid draughts and distribute fresh air evenly to all of the boarding areas,

Temperature must be maintained in the range of 18-21o C.

Air recirculation units incorporating effective air cleaning and filtration to ensure the removal of infectious organisms and chemicals,

A back-up and alarm system in case of power failures or breakdown of ventilation and temperature control mechanisms.

a. Housing pens

Housing pens- for the housing of animals in the pound, shelter or holding facility.

Floors of all pens must be constructed of an impervious material and must be sealed and free of cracks. All pens must be able to be secured to prevent accidental escape of animals and must be completely enclosed, having either a solid or wire roof.

Where pens are constructed outdoors, a cyclone wire fence with a lockable gate must encircle each section. Sleeping quarters must be weatherproof. Outside pens and runs must provide the animals with protection from extremes of climate and weather.

Housing facilities for dogs and cats must be physically separated by an impervious barrier.

Dog pens must be constructed of impervious, washable materials optimally curved at the wall/floor junction to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

The line of drainage must not run from pen to pen. Individual drainage outlets must be incorporated in each pen and connected to a completely enclosed drain or pipe. Floors must be graded to the outlet.

An impervious partition one metre high and sealed to the floor must separate all pens and exercise areas. Preferably pens should not be built to face each other as this will increase the noise and spread of diseases between pens. Noise barriers must be used to minimise noise to acceptable levels. Where pens are built facing each other and the drainage line is toward the centre walkway, an impervious partition one metre high must be centrally installed in the walkway to reduce the possibility of the spread of disease into opposite pens during cleaning.

b. Examination, treatment and euthanasia facilities

If the pound or shelter does not have a written agreement with a veterinarian for the use of facilities then a separate first-aid treatment area must be provided with a table which can be readily cleaned and disinfected, lighting and shelving, and first-aid materials including dressings, disinfectants and medicines to treat open wounds. Restricted drugs kept on the premises must be stored in accordance with the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances legislation, and can only be used by or at the specific direction of a veterinarian.

Hot and cold running water must be available.

Euthanasia must be carried out in an area separate from where animals are housed.

4.3.1 Pen sizes

a. Dogs

All adult dogs must be housed one to a pen.

Minimum pen sizes for each dog older than four months

Height of dog at shoulder (cm)

Minimum area (Sq metres)

Minimum width (cm)

Minimum height (cm)

Above 70

3.5

120

180

40 to 70

2.4

100

180

Below 40

1.5

90

180

Note:

1. One third of the area of each pen must be weatherproof and include raised sleeping quarters.

2. Up to four weaned pups (6 - 16 weeks) can be housed in any of the above pens providing that the pups are from the same litter or, if from different litters, at the conclusion of the quarantine period following vaccination. During the quarantine period, compensatory human socialisation should be considered.

b. Cats

Cats must be housed individually in cages or pens constructed of impervious, washable materials during the quarantine period.

Cages used to hold adult cats must be at least 70 cm wide, 70 cm deep and 50 cm high. This size cage can accommodate up to three kittens (less than 12 weeks of age) providing that the kittens are from the same litter or, if from different litters, at the conclusion of the quarantine period following vaccination. During the quarantine period, compensatory human socialisation should be considered. Cats must not be kept in cages of this size for more than eight days.

Cats kept for longer than eight days must be provided with accommodation that meets the following criteria.

Cages that have a minimum floor area of 1.5 square metres and a minimum height of 900 millimetres, or Walk-in modules that have a minimum floor area of 0.8 square metres, a minimum width of 900 millimetres and a minimum height of 1.8 metres. The module must contain at least two levels including raised sleeping quarters. The higher level(s) must be connected to the floor by means of a ramp or pole.

After desexing, vaccination and quarantine, cats may be multiple housed in holding pens. A maximum of eight cats can be held in a pen and each cat must have a floor area of two square metres and an individual sleeping area..

5. Records

The proprietor of the establishment shall ensure that the following details are recorded and retained in compliance with the requirements of the Public Records Office:

a. For animals handed in by owners:

species of animal

the name of the animal

contact telephone number and address of the owner or the owner’s nominee

a description of the animal including:

sex and whether the animal is desexed

breed type

colour

age

details of medical, dietary, bathing and grooming requirements

vaccination status

heartworm treatment (dogs)

any behaviour problems

any permanent identification.

reason the animal was handed in.

b. For animals seized under the Act.

species of animal

location where animal was seized

date animal was seized

name and address of person who seized the animal (business address of authorised officers or Council contractors)

reason why animal was seized

a description of the animal including:

sex and whether the animal is desexed

breed type

colour

age

any behaviour problems noted during seizure, eg aggression

any permanent identification.

c. Outcome

fate of animal, including (where appropriate),

name an address of person who claimed the animal

date animal euthanased

date animal sold, name and address of purchaser and municipality where

the animal will be registered.

in the event that the animal is sold

date animal desexed

date animal was vaccinated and matching vaccination certificate.

[sllebasi]

just something to throw into the ring for you guys to consider.

the childcare industry (which i am involved in) has the one group of regulations and acts etc, nationwide, but within this there are subsections which relate directly to the different types of child care that is offered eg long day care, kindegartens, family day care, out of school hours care. Instead of argueing and discussing that you dont want any laws or restrictions, maybe try to convince the lawmakers of specific requirements depending on whether you are a breeder, foster carer, rescue group or boarding kennel.

havent read this post properly yet, will do so later, but its just something i thought of.

[Erny]

It seems its not a new law just a different definition from what I can make out.

I seem to recall someone (Council Officer ??? - not sure as I missed part of it on the radio) saying "yeah, but we haven't fined anyone under this law" (as though he was saying "it's ok. We're the good guys. This law hasn't been exercised." and that this makes it all ok).

Hhhhhmmm .... a bit off to one side, but this makes a bit of a mockery of the "RSPCA had to do it because it is the law" type reason/excuse (other thread - Judy Garde).

Point is, unjust and unfair laws shouldn't exist.

But the Government and also the Organisations that push for and/or support these laws don't seem to care about that.

[Steve]

It seems its not a new law just a different definition from what I can make out.

I seem to recall someone (Council Officer ??? - not sure as I missed part of it on the radio) saying "yeah, but we haven't fined anyone under this law" (as though he was saying "it's ok. We're the good guys. This law hasn't been exercised." and that this makes it all ok).

Hhhhhmmm .... a bit off to one side, but this makes a bit of a mockery of the "RSPCA had to do it because it is the law" type reason/excuse (other thread - Judy Garde).

Point is, unjust and unfair laws shouldn't exist.

But the Government and also the Organisations that push for and/or support these laws don't seem to care about that.

Yes but I think what is going on now is that both sides in Victoria have given the agreement they will give more power to the RSPCA which will in fact give them the ability to police rescue as they will breeders via planning laws and their own policies.

In NSW we have seen rescue and small breeders being told what they needed to operate via the RSPCA and some have not been able to comply. And there is the belief that rescue is sometimes a cover for hoarding. So up until now no one has been in the poo because council were responsible for policing it and they didn't unless there was a complaint.

Its seems a bit shonky to me to join calls for tougher laws when the people who were doing the calling where looking for laws to stop puppies in pet shops and puppy farming to turn it to tougher laws for the very people calling for the laws to be thougher and more power to police planning laws and codes to the RSPCA.

[Natsu chan]

It's a lot more than a bit shonky! It just shouldn't happen.

You would expect that individual foster carers would be exempted or included under the umbrella of the org for which they are fostering but apparently not.

Neil Mitchell is actually fairly reasonable but very persistent so it will be interesting to see what he does.