New Code Of Practice For Sale Of Animals In Act

[j]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/people-who-sell-pets-must-adhere-to-code-20131020-2vvav.html

People who sell puppies, kittens or other pets will face fines of up to $11,000 if they fail to adhere to a strict new code of practice.

The ACT's first enforceable Animal Sales Code will come into force on Monday and apply to pet shops, breeders and anybody else who wants to sell a companion animal.

The code will also cover some produce animals, such as backyard poultry, and animals sold as food in restaurants and markets, such as fish.

Under the code, sellers will have to provide hygienic accommodation that meets the needs of animals.

Commercial establishments will be required to employ staff with the experience and knowledge to properly care for the animals they sell.

ACT Territory and Municipal Services Minister and Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury said RSPCA inspectors, police and officers of his department would have the authority to enforce the code.

Mr Rattenbury said the code restricted the sale of animals to people aged over 16 years.

"It's not that we don't want kids under 16 to have pets, it's about having that level of parental engagement and sharing of responsibility,'' he said.

The code was developed by the government's animal welfare advisory committee in consultation with the industry.

"This has actually come as a point of consensus so I think that's a real strength,'' Mr Rattenbury said.

"Not only is it the first time we've seen a mandatory and enforceable code, but it's come up through a process of development that means there's 'buy' into it. That obviously increases its effectiveness.''

The Greens have previously lobbied unsuccessfully to have pet shops banned from selling puppies and kittens.

Mr Rattenbury said members of the public wanted to be confident that animals they purchased had been properly cared for.

"Across the community I think there is a concern of animal welfare. We've seen Woolworths moving away from caged eggs. These sort of large-scale commercial decisions reflect the fact that there is a strong community sentiment for animal welfare to be an important consideration.''

Mr Rattenbury said the government would investigate further reforms, including new regulations for the breeding of cats and dogs.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/people-who-sell-pets-must-adhere-to-code-20131020-2vvav.html#ixzz2iJFJXDqz

Link to the actual code http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/di/2013-223/current/pdf/2013-223.pdf

Edited October 20, 2013 by j

[sandgrubber]

Too bad they couldn't get it together to outlaw selling puppies and kittens in pet stores.

Apart from not selling to people under 16, which seems fine to me, this legislation doesn't look like it will affect responsible dog breeders. I'm glad 'hygenic' isn't defined in a way that excludes house-rearing.

[kelpiecuddles]

Surely these things would already be in the code of practice! I work in a pet store which has a store in the ACT and I'm pretty shocked that this wasn't a requirement already, I've been telling kids for the past 15 years that we aren't allowed to sell animals to anyone under 16 without their parent present LOL

ETA: Just to clarify I wouldn't ever sell a fluffy or feathered pet to someone under 18, but won't even sell a fish to someone who is obviously under 16.

Edited October 21, 2013 by kelpiecuddles

[Guest Wildthing]

This may well have been in a Code Of Practice before (I don't know). However, if it was, it was not an ENFORCEABLE Code like this one is. I have been in rescue for 19 years in the ACT and was part of the public discussions for this new code. There were registered dog breeders, members of the public who were interested in animal welfare present and others at the discussion I went to. I do not know if any other rescuers ever attended any of the other public discussion, but none were at the one I attended. We are required to provide a Care Sheet now, which is something that may not have been done before by anyone. I would not sell to anyone under 18 years old under any conditions as they cannot have the animal chipped in their name on some of the registers. I doubt it will make any difference to the selling of animals via the web site because who is going to police it? DAS do not have enough time, money or staff to police the compulsory desexing laws in the ACT as it is. They rely on members of the public notifying them of the persons name and address. They send a letter giving them 28 days to have the animal desexed or apply for a Permit to Keep an Entire Animal. Those Permits are not easy to obtain. No idea what, if any follow up there is after the 28 days are up. Like all rules and regulations, there are some people who will not give a toss and keep doing what they have always done. None of the people who have the powers to enforce the new Code of Practice can enter your premised without a warrant (if you refuse them entry) They will need very good grounds to obtain a warrant and I doubt one will ever be obtained.

[Steve]

I think it should be under 18 and it seems to me that hobby breeders including those who are back yard breeders are not affected

[Loreley]

I suppose at the very least it is a start, it is enforceable, now all they need to do is accually add the removal of puppy & kitten farms & give TAMS the money and staff to properly police it and we'll be all set

[Diva]

I suppose at the very least it is a start, it is enforceable, now all they need to do is accually add the removal of puppy & kitten farms & give TAMS the money and staff to properly police it and we'll be all set

Are there any puppy farms in the ACT?

[WreckitWhippet]

I suppose at the very least it is a start, it is enforceable, now all they need to do is accually add the removal of puppy & kitten farms & give TAMS the money and staff to properly police it and we'll be all set

Are there any puppy farms in the ACT?

Not that I know of, they are in NSW. The puppy pusher from Hall Markets was NSW based.

[j]

I suppose at the very least it is a start, it is enforceable, now all they need to do is accually add the removal of puppy & kitten farms & give TAMS the money and staff to properly police it and we'll be all set

Are there any puppy farms in the ACT?

No puppy farms in the ACT.

The Animal Welfare Act and associated codes of practice are regulated by the RSPCA, with some support from TAMS

[Diva]

I suppose at the very least it is a start, it is enforceable, now all they need to do is accually add the removal of puppy & kitten farms & give TAMS the money and staff to properly police it and we'll be all set

Are there any puppy farms in the ACT?

Not that I know of, they are in NSW. The puppy pusher from Hall Markets was NSW based.

Thanks, that is what I thought. It would be hard not to notice a large scale farm in the ACT.

[Guest Wildthing]

There is someone that has several created breeds of dogs in the ACT near the airport. Not sure how they advertise, but I spoke to a man who had purchased a puppy from him. From memory it was a Jug, but this man also told me there were several other breeds available! That was in July this year.

We did used to have a registered cat breeder kitten farming, but they have retired. They managed to export 30 cats/kittens in a 12 month period as well as supply the local Australian market. I have had some of their cats in rescue.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Wildthing

[Steve]

This doesn't stop puppy farms anyway it just tells them what they have to do to comply. The more you regulate the more larger commercial breeder's turn up - too bad they havent worked that out yet. They had enough already if they just policed it.

[sandgrubber]

In general, I find it sad that the rights of animals are seen so much as a question of sanitation, and that socialization is so widely ignored.

Dogs are social animals. They are not sanitary beasts. I doubt that the humans who first cooperated with and domesticated dogs would be considered sanitary, and dogs were probably part of their waste disposal system. My guess is that unsanitary upbringing slightly increases puppy mortality, and greatly strengthens immune systems.

Seems to me that the farm dog who finds shelter under some grubby attempt at a dog house or corner of a barn, but is allowed to run free, leads a much happier life than the sanitary crate trained dog who never goes off leash.