Puppy Farms Under Fire In New Policy

[DMA]

Hi everyone. This following article about Dr Harry, PIAA, the Govt Taskforce, & a deal struck with the RSPCA was in the Newcastle Herald this morning. No mention whatsoever about rescue groups nor animal shelters like Wyong, Muswellbrook, nor any of the Sydney ones or anyone else's for that matter.

Puppy farms under fire in new policy

BY MICHELLE HARRIS

07 Mar, 2012 04:00 AM

"DODGY" puppy farms might find it harder to sell their animals to pet stores, as part of a new move to ensure shops source dogs only from breeders who meet animal welfare standards.

The Pet Industry Association of Australia said yesterday its member stores would from October sell only puppies from association-approved breeders, whose operations were subject to an independent audit by a veterinarian each year.

As well, any dog bought from one of the member stores would be saved from euthanasia and rehomed in the event its owner abandoned it, through a partnership with the RSPCA.

The new policy was launched at the NSW Parliament in Sydney yesterday, with television vet Dr Harry Cooper on hand to speak in support.

He said Australians had a great affiliation with animals, and the association's approach would microchip puppies at birth, allowing consumers to make an informed choice about where they bought their pet.

Also speaking in support was Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell, who heads the state government's Companion Animal taskforce, which was established last year and involves industry groups.

Mr Cornwell, who runs a veterinarian practice at Cardiff, said the association's approach would help stamp out cruel breeding practices.

The taskforce was also looking at new measures and would make recommendations this year about potential changes to laws.

As we all know, because pet shops don't desex, they are indeed part of the problem. They can "vet" their puppies & kittens as much as they like, but whilst they continue to sell such animals undesexed, unwanted litters will always take place which mean to say they get dumped. And then there's still the impulse buying around Christmas & all the usual things pounds, shelters, & rescue groups have to deal with.

Now comments at the Herald are allowed. Please send them a message that WE, & not pet shops, are the answer... please follow this link & leave your comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

[Gracco]

A couple of things that have shocked me on my return to Australia are the amount of puppy warehouse type superstores open every day of the year & the amount they charge for puppies that are essentially cross bred mutts. Bichootzu & Shoodle puppies for $800-$900 for example.

[DMA]

A couple of things that have shocked me on my return to Australia are the amount of puppy warehouse type superstores open every day of the year & the amount they charge for puppies that are essentially cross bred mutts. Bichootzu & Shoodle puppies for $800-$900 for example.

Sad isn't it, especially when a dog from a rescue group will cost you somewhere between $300-380 & is microchipped, vaccinated, health checked, desexed, & registered... whilst for that $800-900 the pup will be microchipped & possibly nothing else...

[sas]

So the RSPCA are going to save them are they? With their 50% kill rate in most of their shelters?

[Cat]

So the RSPCA are going to save them are they? With their 50% kill rate in most of their shelters?

This confuses me as well. Are they going to ask every time an animal is surrendered if it came from a pet store and if so it is ok? I don't see how they are going to manage that if they don't have enough room now?

eta...obviously not going to work for animals that are picked up and not claimed.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Cat

[mita]

What should be talked about is puppy farming.....as a technique, not just a place.

Someone who breeds from a few dogs in a backyard, but who fails to develop them as socialised companion animals, and sells them as a commercial undertaking, is puppy farming.

Someone who has big numbers, kept in pristine conditions, with good food & vet care.....but also fails to develop dogs & puppies as socialised companions, is also puppy farming.

I can't see any reference to the key research about socialisation of both adult dogs & puppies being highlighted in this 'new approach' by PIAA in NSW.

Yet, that links with what happens to dogs later. Puppies from breeding places that don't provide for it, are more likely to be dumped.

Providing adequate socialisation doesn't fit into a commercially profitable breeding business.

Neither does this 'new approach' pick up on another vital piece of research.

A major reason extracted from people surrendering dogs to pounds & shelters was that 'the dog had not lived up to their expectations'.

Which means what those people had in their heads when they bought a puppy, did not match with the reality of actually living with it. In some cases, that could be an owner acquiring a breed not suitable for their lifestyle and means to provide.

So screening of potential owners at Point of Sale is critical.....& matching owners with a breed likely to fit lifestyle.....& counselling about the realities of life with dogs (toilet training, barking, expenses, adequate fencing.....huge list)....& providing support as new owners deal with reality.

Pet shops do not have the means or staff with expertise to do all that. Besides, being a commercial enterprise, they sell to the person who hands over the money. And that's the end of it.

I'm appalled that RSPCA NSW is coming in on this.....while the above research is available. Both were carried out by UQ in Q'ld.

In contrast, RSPCA Q'ld, in a newsletter February 2011, advised people looking for puppies to go to a good breeder (my definition is one who provides socialisation/screening/counselling) or to the RSPCA Shelters or ethical Rescues.

The Companion Animal Taskforce in NSW appears to be firmly headed in a commercial direction.

Yet the most critical aspects of puppies/dogs becoming companion animals that 'stick' in homes, are not compatible with the present commercial setting.

Edited March 7, 2012 by mita

[DMA]

Good points guys. Please tell the Herald, if you haven't already, as you can leave comments: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/puppy-farms-under-fire-in-new-policy/2479660.aspx

[mita]

I'm not a NSW resident, but people are welcome to use any points.

[DMA]

I'm not a NSW resident, but people are welcome to use any points.

Oh the Newcastle Herald won't worry. They don't check for location ;)

[tdierikx]

The number of PIAA accredited stores and "breeders" is so small, it's barely going to make an impact whatever they say they are going to do... IMHO it's all fluff...

T.

[mita]

The number of PIAA accredited stores and "breeders" is so small, it's barely going to make an impact whatever they say they are going to do... IMHO it's all fluff...

T.

I agree about the smallness of the numbers.

But the critical thing is that this NSW Government-appointed Committee should be expected to have research about the breeding & sale of dogs/puppies at the centre of what they're doing.

This is doubly so, given that RSPCA NSW is supporting it. It's taken as gospel, by the public, that a state's RSPCA is the peak spokesperson re animal welfare.

The problem is that this NSW PIAA-Government Committee-RSPCA alliance, is setting out ways to breed and sell dogs which will be taken as an OK model on how to do it.

While it leaves out reference to the 2 key areas shown to be related to dogs 'sticking' or not, as companion dogs in homes.

Socialisation & reality-checking/screening/follow- up services offered.....at Point of Sale.

Is there any group in NSW that argues that breeding & sale of puppies should be evidence-based, if it's to be a welfare model ?