vicdrg

Victorian Dog Rescue has produced a Code for Rescue in Victoria, at present only relating to dogs. The draft Code has been endorsed by DRAV and has been sent in total to ten groups in Victoria to read and comment on the initial draft. When the comments have been taken into account it will be available to any other groups to comment. It will then be sent to all councils in Victoria, together with our sheet 'what a good pound does' that will soon be posted on the DRAV facebook page. There is no mandatory code for rescue groups in Victoria. We have been successful in having community fostercare networks incorporated into the Domestic Animals Act and in the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds. We now have access to a Section 84y so we no longer have to leave animals that cannot be vetworked initially to be killed. As more and more pounds are being opened to rescue in Victoria we are being asked to comment on which groups are the 'good guys'. Neither VicDRG nor DRAV wants this role, at this time, as being an arbiter of other groups. The DRAV-prepared section 84y agreement is being widely used in Victoria for use with all groups and sets out that the group concerned will work to the 'highest' standard. This new Code is aimed at a minimum standard, as is the mandatory Government Code for shelters and pounds. It will enable council pounds to ask the right questions and make their own judgements. It is the next step forward. It should also be of assistance to new groups who ae uncertain of what are the expectations of operating with pounds. CFC networks and other rescue groups are now seen in Victoria as a legitimate third arm of companion animal welfare but it is not a free for all and any group that acts like a cowboy affects us all so at least the basic rules need to be clear to all. It will then be up to the Councils to decide with whom they will deal. DRAV is a closed group and does not seek new members, but it is composed of long-term experienced groups who are well aware of the problems that they have faced and will face. It is primarily a lobby and advocacy group for legitimate rescue, and is available to respond to problems and queries from 'new' groups seeking advice.

Community fostercare networks do not have a licence. A community foster care network is one that operates usually from residential premises and obeys the council's regulations. Some councils may make concessions for foster care networks operating in their area but it is not intended for cfc networks to hold dogs or cats beyond those which the council allows. For example if you are in a rural area that allows eight dogs, you can have eight dogs there including your foster dogs. You must not sell animals from your premises or you are no longer a community fostercare network and need to apply to be a domestic animal business. If you are in a residential area you would then need to check whether your zoning allowed this and meet the quite onerous requirements. Those who are aware of the history will know that the Bureau tried to force cfc networks to fall under the DAB umbrella and stated that anyone with foster dogs or cats needed to be a domestic animal business. There was a successful campaign to stop this but anyone who is not acting appropriately according to council regulations or is selling animals from their premises is not a cfc network.

Yes Alkhe. IF you email [email protected] she can supply the topics covered on the days.

A mention that the next training program for existing foster carers or those interested in foster caring will be held at Mckinnon on saturday morning, 29th June and again the following Saturday morning. Intending or existing foster carers for any groups are welcome. Numbers are limited. Underdog Training will be conducting the workshop. For enquiries or to register at this course please contact [email protected]. Both sessions can be attended or they also stand independently. For those that enquired a further First Aid course is planned for later in the year.

Is anyone able to do a property check at Colac pls. If so please PM. Thank you.

There is no code to cover all in victoria. There is a mandatory code of practice for the Management of Shelters and Pounds. There is a mandatory Code for domestic animal business that covers rescue groups that use kennel facilities to house their animals and I imagine this would cover some breed specific rescues running off breed clubs.. There is no mandatory Code for community foster care networks or rescue groups that are not DABS Each state will be different.

You probably also need to be state specific. In Victoria there is a very clear definition between rescue and shelters and a Code that covers shelters but not community fostercare networks or other rescue groups.

I will just have to struggle on Rhonda!!! As mentioned it's been sorted by a genuine person who took the request for what it was

I'm not sure what you are on about Westiemum. There is one Loch in Australia and I asked was there anyone near it. I did not ask for you to search you amazing networks to find someone there. I have found someone to do it who didn't find it necessary to make a meal of it on Dol. I am not sure where courteous and thoughtful and easier came in to it. As stated above if you didn't recognise the name I didn't need your help.

No it wouldn't have helped Westiemum. We are in Melbourne and looking for help outside Melbourne.

Ah sorry keep forgetting people live outside of victoria But if you don't know where it is chances are you are not going to be able to help!!

does anyone live near here

I can't speak for the rescue that Tigger's with .... but usually a dog is adopted to an elderly person with the condition that a family member will take responsibility for the dog if anything happens to the person. And also help out with vet visits etc. An 89 yr old retired doctor I know of, adopted a failed guide dog labrador, as his daughter & son-in-law have stepped up to be the responsible people (in fact, they helped arrange the adoption). We recently rehomed to a lovely 88 year old lady and in fact have with permission posted her on our facebook page. She has three lovely daughters who will fit the little dog into their lifestyle if necessary or she will come back to us. If this is the gentleman I am thinking of our concern is he is in the country and a long way from us if there are problems or we need to become involved. Vets regularly refer senior people on to us who have lost their dog. Mostly they are not internet savvy so we do require that someone become the internet contact point for us and take on that contact role following adoption.

If anyone is available for an urgent property check please do contact us.

Thanks Aphra. But have found a local to do it.

Is anyone able to do a property check here please. Thank you

Are you checking CAR Victoria. Don't forget there is a CAR NSW

I hope you managed to read the text message I sent Marilyn. I wasn't sure if you were around so posted on DOL as well. I was told by another rescue group they were there.

I've been told there are two curly coated retrievers in Geelong Animal Welfare Society. Not Murrays, black. Does anyone have any contacts for these dogs that they can let know to chase this up?

Is anyone in the Childers area (Yarragon) and able to do a quick property check for a working dog. Thank you

That is correct Cami, but please don't get confused between DRAV and the existing law. The definition in the Act is: community foster care network means an organisation that- (a) arranges temporary housing for cats or dogs in private residential premises instead of other premises; and (b) seeks permanent housing for the dogs or cats; Amongst other things that means a hoarder who is not actively seeking to rehome their animals is not a community fostercare network, and that a group operating from private residential premises is both exempt from the restrictions of being a domestic animal business but also subject to the council bylaws for private residences. DRAV has certain standards that its member must meet and some of those are reflected on the page to which you refer. VicDRG met with other rescue groups earlier this year to begin discussing a code that would specify certain standards -nothing a reputable rescue group would have an issue with. That code will be voluntary, and will be published on the DRAV site when completed

It is a best practice code only as Council's struggle to differentiate between groups as well and we are often asked for our opinion on particular groups applying for Section 84ys but don't believe that is our role to comment. VicDRG were hoping to bring in a 'lowest possible acceptable standard' to cater for those groups that are struggling to achieve even this, but it was decided by the majority that it should be a best practice code. It is obviously not a mandatory code which any the Bureau brings in will certainly be. And if rescue doesn't police itself this will surely happen. All the groups who responded to the invitation to attend the meeting, whether they attended or not, will be sent a draft copy. Do we intend to contact the 75 groups or more working in Victoria. No. The Code will be posted on the DRAV website.

[A community fostercare network by its name must have foster carers. That is you should not call yourself a community foster care network if you have two animals in your home that you intend to rehome. You are then a private rescue group. This does not necessarily mean you cannot take an animal from the pound. If you cannot get a Section 84Y with a pound you may be able to adopt vetworked animals from the pound just as any other member of the public can. There is nothing to stop you taking on surrender dogs from whomever you choose, whether as a private rescue or as a community foster care network. Community foster care networks have been recognised in the last amendment to the DAA as distinct from shelters which must be a domestic animal business. This was despite the attempts of the Bureau of Animal Welfare to force cfcns to become domestic animal businesses. As a community foster care network, with foster carers, it is your responsibility to ensure that the council regulations as to numbers and registration of your animals are followed. This is the trade off for not being called a domestic animal business, but a cfcn running from a private residence. Of course everyone is aware that not all groups follow these rules. And the more cfcns that do not, the more at risk they place those that do, as when the government clamps down on cfcns and private rescues everyone will come under a Code so onerous that most will fold. Two Shelters have already stated that community fostercare networks must be regulated. We have only been recognised in the last two years and this has given everyone the opportunity to jump up and call themselves a cfcn. Roughly two or three a week it seems. Ten groups met some months ago to discuss a draft best practice code. This should be in print and with councils in the new year. Those that take dogs and cats with no back up plans will create the same problems as are occurring in Sydney. There is more to rescue than 'saving' the dog or cat from the pound. We are also bemused by the 'shelters' that turn to cfcns and ask them to 'rescue' their dogs and cats. My understanding was that the role of a shelter was to save the dogs and often had lots of donations and bequests to enable them to do this. I would have thought that shelters would be setting up their own extensive foster care programs rather than taking space from cfcns that were dealing with pounds. Pounds have no obligation whatsoever to save any dog. In fact one Victorian pound had on its site quite recently that any animal not claimed was killed. CFCNs are a new resource on the Victorian scene and their role shouldn't be taken for granted nor should CFCNs ignore their responsibility to act in the proper way.