Steve

Just a final update on this . We had the quilt hanging in the foyer at the Jika in Melbourne for everyone who attended the awards to admire.Everyone loved it and marvelled at the work that went into it It really is spectacular and it was very humbling to see the care and feelings that were tied up in every single square. It looks great and feels great and Ive no doubt that Jed will be able to cherish it for ever and remember how people were over come with her plight and came together to make such a beautiful memento. Seriously I cant find the words to tell you all how wonderful you are and how well you demonstrated what many of us get from coming here to dogz. A sense of belonging - of community. The quilt was presented to Troy as part of the evening and he was entrusted to ensuring Jed recieved it and it has now been handed over. Rainy - awesome! Thank you Julie

OT Type in osteosarcoma microchip into google search.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree then because I can't think of any circumstances where it would be appropriate not to desex, apart from the one I outlined in my earlier post. Or maybe where a rescued animal is already very old. I think it is unfair to leave a dog entire, with all its natural urges unfulfilled. Desexing helps to eliminate that problem. Perthaps you can outline some reasons why desexing of pets should be optional. Breed, age gender and other variables need to be taken into account. None of the medical literature supports a situation which dictates that a dog should be desexed without these variables being taken into account in consultation with the dog owner and their veterinarian. Our research shows there are both positive and negative results and that there is still much work to do to try allow medical professionals to fully understand all of the potential implications. Male dogs For most male dogs – especially young male dogs there is over whelming evidence to believe that sterilisation will not prevent health problems and that there is in fact greater risk of health problems arising from desexing which far outweigh any health benefits. Positive, sterilisation male dogs: eliminates the small risk (<1%) of dying from testicular cancer; reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders; reduces the risk of perianal fistulas; and may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive). Negative, sterilisation male dogs: If done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis; increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6; triples the risk of hypothyroidism; increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment; triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems; quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer; doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers; increases the risk of orthopaedic disorders; and • increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations. Female dogs For female dogs there may be more health benefits than adverse affects but much is dependent on age a time of spay and breed. Positive, spaying female dogs: If done before 2.5 years of age, greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumours, the most common malignant tumours in female dogs; Nearly eliminates the risk of pyometra, which otherwise would affect about 23% of intact female dogs; pyometra kills about 1% of intact female dogs; reduces the risk of perianal fistulas; and removes the very small risk (0.5%) from uterine, cervical, and ovarian tumours. Negative, spaying female dogs: If done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis; increases the risk of splenic hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 2.2 and cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of >5; this is a common cancer and major cause of death in some breeds; triples the risk of hypothyroidism; increases the risk of obesity by a factor of 1.6-2, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems; causes urinary “spay incontinence” in 4-20% of female dogs; increases the risk of persistent or recurring urinary tract infections by a factor of 3-4; increases the risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis, especially for female dogs spayed before puberty; doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract tumours; increases the risk of orthopaedic disorders; and increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations. References 1. http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/b...vet/neutr.html2 Pollari FL, NEUTERING MALE AND FEMALE DOGS Mary C Wake man dmv 2. Bonnett BN, Bamsey, SC, Meek, AH, Allen, DG (1996) Postoperative complications of elective surgeries in dogs and cats determined by examining electronic and medical records. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 208, 1882-1886 http://veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.co...ract/157/26/829 3 Dorn AS, Swist RA. (1977) Complications of canine ovariohysterectomy. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 13, 720-724 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...dccb85001e9b293 4 Pollari FL, Bonnett BN. Evaluation of postoperative complications following elective surgeries of dogs and cats at private practices using computer records, Can Vet J. 1996 November; 37(11): 672–678 5 Teske E, Naan EC, van Dijk EM, van Garderen E, Schalken JA. Canine prostate carcinoma: epidemiological evidence of an increased risk in castrated dogs. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002 Nov 29;197(1-2):251-5 6 Sorenmo KU, Goldschmidt M, Shofer F, Ferrocone J. Immunohistochemical characterization of canine prostatic carcinoma and correlation with castration status and castration time. Vet Comparative Oncology. 2003 Mar; 1 (1): 48 7 Weaver, AD. Fifteen cases of prostatic carcinoma in the dog. Vet Rec. 1981; 109, 71-75 8 Cohen D, Reif JS, Brodey RS, et al: Epidemiological analysis of the most prevalent sites and types of canine neoplasia observed in a veterinary hospital. Cancer Res 34:2859-2868, 1974 9 Theilen GH, Madewell BR. Tumors of the genital system. Part II. In:Theilen GH, Madewell BR, eds. Veterinary cancer medicine. 2nd ed. Lea and Febinger, 1987:583–600 10 Glickman LT, Glickman N, Thorpe R. The Golden Retriever Club of America National Health Survey 1998-1999 http://www.vet.purdue.edu//epi/golden_retriever_final22.pdf 11 Handbook of Small Animal Practice, 3rd ed 12 Hayes HM Jr, Pendergrass TW. Canine testicular tumors: epidemiologic features of 410 dogs. Int J Cancer 1976 Oct 15;18(4):482-7 13 Ru G, Terracini B, Glickman LT. (1998) Host-related risk factors for canine osteosarcoma. Vet J 1998 Jul;156(1):31-9 14 Cooley DM, Beranek BC, Schlittler DL, Glickman NW, Glickman LT, Waters DJ. Endogenous gonadal hormone exposure and bone sarcoma risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002 Nov;11(11):1434-40 15 Moe L. Population-based incidence of mammary tumours in some dog breeds. J of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 57, 439-443 16 Ferguson HR; Vet Clinics of N Amer: Small Animal Practice; Vol 15, No 3, May 1985 17 MacEwen EG, Patnaik AK, Harvey HJ Oestrogen receptors in canine mammary tumors. Cancer Res., 42: 2255-2259, 1982 18 Schneider, R, Dorn, CR, Taylor, DON. Factors Influencing Canine Mammary Cancer Development and Post-surgical Survival. J Natl Cancer Institute, Vol 43, No 6, Dec. 1969 19 Feinleib M: Breast cancer and artificial menopause: A cohort study. J Nat Cancer Inst 41: 315-329, 1968 20 Dorn CR and Schneider R. Inbreeding and canine mammary cancer. A retrospective study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 57: 545-548, 1976 21 Brodey RS: Canine and feline neoplasia. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 14:309-354, 1970 22 Hayes A, Harvey H J: Treatment of metastatic granulosa cell tumor in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 174:1304-1306, 1979 Page 10 of 12 23 Norris AM, Laing EJ, Valli VE, Withrow SJ. J Vet Intern Med 1992 May; 6(3):145-53 24 Prymak C, McKee LJ, Goldschmidt MH, Glickman LT. Epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, and prognostic characteristics of splenic hemangiosarcoma and splenic hematoma in dogs: 217 cases (1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988 Sep; 193(6):706-12 25 Ware WA, Hopper, DL. Cardiac Tumors in Dogs: 1982-1995. J Vet Intern Med 1999;13:95–103 26 Panciera DL. Hypothyroidism in dogs: 66 cases (1987-1992). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1994 Mar 1;204(5):761-7 27 Panciera DL. Canine hypothyroidism. Part I. Clinical findings and control of thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism. Compend Contin Pract Vet 1990: 12: 689-701. 28 28 Glickman LT, Glickman N, Raghaven M, The Akita Club of America National Health Survey 2000-2001 http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/akita_final_2.pdf 29 Glickman LT, HogenEsch H, Raghavan M, Edinboro C, Scott-Moncrieff C. Final Report to the Hayward Foundation and The Great Dane Health Foundation of a Study Titled Vaccinosis in Great Danes. 1 Jan 2004 http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/great_dane_vaccinosis_fullreport_jan04.pdf 30 Edney AT, Smith PM. Study of obesity in dogs visiting veterinary practices in the United Kingdom. .Vet Rec. 1986 Apr 5;118(14):391-6 31 McGreevy PD, Thomson PC, Pride C, Fawcett A, Grassi T, Jones B. Prevalence of obesity in dogs examined by Australian veterinary practices and the risk factors involved. Vet Rec. 2005 May 28;156(22):695-702 32 Lund EM, Armstrong PJ, Kirk, CA, Klausner, JS. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Obesity in Adult Dogs from Private US Veterinary Practices. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 4, No. 2, 2006 33 Marmor M, Willeberg P, Glickman LT, Priester WA, Cypess RH, Hurvitz AI. Epizootiologic patterns of diabetes mellitus in dogs Am J Vet Res. 1982 Mar;43(3):465-70 34 Moore GE, Guptill LF, Ward MP, Glickman NW, Faunt KF, Lewis HB, Glickman LT. Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs. JAVMA Vol 227, No 7, Oct 1, 2005 35 Thrusfield MV, Holt PE, Muirhead RH. Acquired urinary incontinence in bitches: its incidence and relationship to sterilisation practices.. J Small Anim Pract. 1998. Dec;39(12):559-66 36 Stocklin-Gautschi NM, Hassig M, Reichler IM, Hubler M, Arnold S. The relationship of urinary incontinence to early spaying in bitches. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2001;57:233-6 37 Arnold S, Arnold P, Hubler M, Casal M, and Rüsch P. Urinary Incontinence in spayed bitches: prevalence and breed disposition. European Journal of Campanion Animal Practice. 131, 259-263 38 Thrusfield MV 1985 Association between urinary incontinence and spaying in bitches Vet Rec 116 695 39 Richter KP, Ling V. Clinical response and urethral pressure profile changes after phenypropanolamine in dogs with primary sphincter incompetence. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1985: 187: 605-611 40 Holt PE. Urinary incontinence in dogs and cats. Vet Rec 1990: 127: 347-350 41 Seguin MA, Vaden SL, Altier C, Stone E, Levine JF (2003) Persistent Urinary Tract Infections and Reinfections in 100 Dogs (1989–1999). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Vol. 17, No. 5 pp. 622–631 42 Spain CV, Scarlett JM, Houpt KA. Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs. JAVMA 2004;224:380-387 43 Verstegen-Onclin K, Verstegen J. Non-reproductive Effects of Spaying and Sterilisation: Effects on the Urogenital System. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Non-Surgical Contraceptive Methods for Pet Population Control http://www.acc-d.org/2006%20Symposium%20Docs/Session%20I.pdf 44 Hagman R: New aspects of canine pyometra. Doctoral thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 2004. Page 11 of 12 45.Chastain CB, Panciera D, Waters C: Associations between age, parity, hormonal therapy and breed, and pyometra in Finnish dogs. Small Animal Endocrinal 1999; 9: 8 46 Killingsworth CR, Walshaw R, Dunstan RW, Rosser, EJ. Bacterial population and histologic changes in dogs with perianal fistula. Am J Vet Res, Vol 49, No. 10, Oct 1988 47 Johnston SD, Kamolpatana K, Root-Kustritz MV, Johnston GR, Prostatic disorders in the dog. Anim Reprod. Sci Jul 2;60-61:405-415 48 Dannuccia GA, Martin RB., Patterson-Buckendahl P Ovariectomy and trabecular bone remodeling in the dog. Calcif Tissue Int 1986; 40: 194-199 49 Martin RB, Butcher RL, Sherwood L,L Buckendahl P, Boyd RD, Farris D, Sharkey N,Dannucci G.Effects of ovariectomy in beagle dogs.Bone 1987; 8:23-31 50 Salmeri KR, Bloomberg MS, Scruggs SL, Shille V. Gonadectomy in immature dogs: Effects on skeletal, physical, and behavioral development, JAVMA, Vol 198, No. 7, April 1991 51 Whitehair JG, Vasseur PB, Willits NH. Epidemiology of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993 Oct 1;203(7):1016-9 52 Glickman LT, Airedale Terrier Club of America, Airedale Terrier Health Survey 2000-2001 http://www.vet.purdue.edu//epi/Airedale%20final%20report_revised.pdf 53 53.van Hagen MA, Ducro BJ, van den Broek J, Knol BW. Incidence, risk factors, and heritability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of boxers. Am J Vet Res. 2005 Feb;66(2):307-12 54 B. Vidoni, I. Sommerfeld-Stur und E. Eisenmenger: Diagnostic and genetic aspects of patellar luxation in small and miniature breed dogs in Austria. Wien.Tierarztl.Mschr. (2005) 92, p170 – 181 55 Hart BL. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jul 1;219(1):51-6

Responsible ownership encompasses desexing unless one is a reputable registered breeder. The vast majority of dogs ending up in the Canberra dog pound are not desexed. And it's a bit of a stretch to say that in your experience, pound dogs come from good homes, when in the next breath you say they were given up due to divorce, moving or work commitments. None of those are good reasons for abandoning a dog in my view - they should not be treated as dispensible commodities. Responsible dog ownership encompasses making informed decisions for what is best for your pet in conjunction with your vet. If you choose not to desex that doesnt make you less responsible. Interesting that the vast majority of dogs in the Canberra dog pound are not desexed when mandatory desexing has been in that state for so long. Pound dogs come from all sorts of homes for all sorts of reasons and sometimes people have to choose the lesser of two evils to survive.

Can you tell us how many rescuers have been convicted for animal welfare issues concerning dogs they are attempting to help? I was sorry to see that the ACT activist? promoting the Vic laws on Animal rescures did not answer my question. I have googled everything I can think of to bring up any problems that have happened with Animal Rescuer abusing animals in anyway in Victoria or anywhere in Australia. Can't find a thing. If there is no history of a big problem (or even a small problem) of rescuers abusing animals in their care, then why is the government spending it's time and money on this when there are real problems that need their attention? This doesnt apply to community rescue groups and foster carers who operate from their own residential zoned homes - in fact it appears that those bigger rescue orgs or even smallish ones who have moved out to larger premises so as not to upset the neighbours etc or who have incoporated and have their own small shelters or holding areas will be the hardest hit. The real big boys wont be affected adversely as they already have the facilities and if they have these type of policies in place or wanted these type of policies in place they now get to say - its not our fault its the law. Cuts down their expenses and the need to justify why they do some of what they do. Of course how the dogs will be affected is another matter. But dogs cant vote. There is a history of a problem where private rescue and private foster care dont know when to stop and have been pinged for having too many animals and hoarding - small percentage so its not a big problem though the AVA and RSPCA tell us it is and you can argue that this is covered by laws pertaining to planning and zoning anyway. I could give you dozens of examples and so could anyone active in the rescue world. I know of one right now who has 14 in her home where she has a two dog limit and the conditions deteriorate and vetting requirements etc are skrimped on. Pacers have had to clean up small rescue people who were on the edge of being reported to the RSPCA as well as some breeders. You see dozens of dogs stacked in crates on top of each other in an attempt to save em all and then they get worse and worse about letting them go. About equal figures [breeders and rescue] over 2 years. There are also some who muck it up a bit for a variety of reasons - fact is anyone can decide to "rescue" as long as it is from their own home and they dont need policies or procedures and they can decide anything they want to in order to "save" animals including using and abusing their foster carers. So it appears the people who will be most affected by this are those who already have policies and procedures in place and who run at a reasonable professional level and who are at less risk of over committing and getting it wrong. It is their foster carers who will not be able to hold dogs over a certain period where they can now [because their policies have allowed that] and their costs will escalate due to over servicing with vets etc. I dont have figures but Im guessing there would be a hell of a lot more who will be flying way way under the radar than those which are going to be under this legislation. Do I think this legislation will help to prevent more dogs from suffering ? No way.

O.K. Hang on I found this which seems to settle it all and answer the question. Consultation document – puppy farm legislation amendments Bureau of Animal Welfare Victoria 3 March 2011 30. The definition of an animal shelter is to be amended to mean a premises on which cats and dogs are kept and maintained for the purpose of rehousing. This is to exempt foster care and animal rescue volunteers keeping animals on their private residential premises in compliance with council planning provisions. 31. An amendment is required that defines a ‘community animal foster care organisation’ as an organisation that provides for the housing of cats and or dogs in private residential premises of a person approved by the organisation. 32. In addition an amendment is required that excludes a ‘community animal foster care organisation’ from the definition of an ‘animal shelter’.

Well for me much of how I will view this will pivot on: I'm being told that private rescue and foster carers will not be included in this. I'm assuming part of this is because some groups take the animal straight to the foster carers house rather than via an establishment for housing dogs first. Because there is no establishment [ shelter ] the animal would have to therefore be re homed from the foster carer's home. According to “The Bureau of Animal Welfare Bulletin 43 Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 an animal shelter means any premises maintained for the purpose of providing shelter to, or finding new homes for stray, abandoned or unwanted dogs or cats. People who operate foster care, rescue clubs or pet rescue programs should be considered an animal shelter if their premises are maintained to keep these animals and find new homes for them. If these points of proof are met under this definition these premises must be considered a domestic animal business and must be registered by Council and operate in accord with the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds. Now with breeding mandatory codes its very clear at what point a person who has a litter of puppies becomes a breeder and when they are covered by breeding mandatory code - when they need a licence and when they need planning approvals etc. My question is how many animals can that foster carer take over what period of time before the foster carer's home actually becomes the shelter? Or How is the mandatory code defining those who will and who will not be exempt and not required to operate under a mandatory code whilst they are still involved in the activity of providing shelter to and finding new homes for these animals ? and at what point does someone need a DAB Licence and planning issues cut in ? I have contacted the DPI and a couple of others who should have the answer at their finger tips and the answer will determine our response to this proposal and how we advise our members to ensure they remain within the law. I would rather know now who is and who is not exempt than wait until its all done and dusted and find out what people assumed isnt the case.

Where does it say it has to be mainatined as the Prime purpose of providing shelter to animals? Surely if you are taking in homeless animals some part of your home has to be maintained for the purpose of providing shelter to animals? In fact if you are taking them yourself straight form a pound or the resuce group is taking them out and dropping them off at your home whether you are primarily living there with your family or not you would need some sort of quarantine and sleeping arrangements specifically for these homeless animals. Does this mean if I live on the premises but have a dozen homeless animals Im fostering out back in kennels that I can also say the prime purpose is for people ? At what point are you recognised as a private foster carer or one attached to a welfare group? How do you get your foster dogs? Where are they rehomed from? the whole thing presented as you are interpreting this appears to be designed to deter people from becoming incorporated and operating professionally. Why bother bringing in the laws in the first place - how will they affect the RSPCA or Lost Dogs home except to make what they already do law so people cant sook about max time in care etc and decide not to donate? How is this going to clean up dodgy rescues?

What is a private foster carer? How do they get their animals? Who do they work with? Are you saying that a private foster care can take a dog from the pound straight to their house without any requirement s on them , that they can have them there as long as they want and rehome them from their own home? Isnt the legislation designed to cut down the risk of hoarding? Isnt a foster carer attached to a non private welfare org less likely to be a hoarder and less likely to be getting it wrong? Now Im confused. By the definition posted above animal shelter means any premises maintained for the purpose of providing shelter to, or finding new homes for stray, abandoned or unwanted dogs or cats. People who operate foster care, rescue clubs or pet rescue programs should be considered an animal shelter if their premises are maintained to keep these animals and find new homes for them. If these points of proof are met under this definition these premises must be considered a domestic animal business and must be registered by Council and operate in accord with the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds. Doesnt this mean that the foster carer has now become the shelter?

Sure is - dont suppose your sister might be interested in a bit of pro bono stuff Ive got a million questions for her.

Please provide evidence that the quickest way to cut kill rates is to have a massive desexing program.

Much of how it is read hinges on the definition of a pound or shelter. “The Bureau of Animal Welfare Bulletin 43 includes this : ’Definition of animal shelters and the operation of rescue shelters Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 an animal shelter means any premises maintained for the purpose of providing shelter to, or finding new homes for stray, abandoned or unwanted dogs or cats. People who operate foster care, rescue clubs or pet rescue programs should be considered an animal shelter if their premises are maintained to keep these animals and find new homes for them. If these points of proof are met under this definition these premises must be considered a domestic animal business and must be registered by Council and operate in accord with the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds. Considering 2.8 says - An animal in foster care must not be sold or rehoused from the foster care premises - the animal must be returned to the establishment for the rehoming process. Its difficult to see how anyone in rescue is going to be able to say they are not taking animals onto their property and therefore be able to operate a rescue group without the need for compliance with this code. Basically it appears that 1. anyone who wants to have a private rescue group needs several truck loads of money and land. It means they are going to have to apply for and comply with some pretty heavy planning requirements for their property and regsulations and mandatory codes. Any idea that rescue in Victoria is ever going to be anything other than a business - whether that be for profit or a non profit is out of the question. 2. that foster carers are going to have to agree to having their homes audited for compliance and have some things to do which will chase off many volunteers. 3. It appears that if an animal doesnt go via a shelter [rescue group] on its way into foster care and if it doesnt go out via a shelter[ rescue group] the foster carer would be seen to become the shelter quote - an animal shelter means any premises maintained for the purpose of providing shelter to, or finding new homes for stray, abandoned or unwanted dogs or cats. This would seem to mean that even though now some groups operate by a co ordinator - organise for someone to pick up from a pound or premises and move the animal to the foster carers home without it ever staying at their home for assessment and quarantine,vet exam etc and re home the animal from the foster carers home that this would then mean the foster carers home becomes the shelter??????? 4. It means vets are going to have to play a much more major role in private rescue than they do now which will increase their income but in many areas it appears to me to be a bit over the top. Be careful what you wish for - tougher laws with more power to the RSPCA and council to police them. The fallout for this will be huge and private rescue had better get busy and do some heavy duty fundraising and take a good look at business plans if they are to survive.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news...2-1226032938909 Go Suzette !

yes please!

Itsmeg has offered some but we can always use extras especially coming up for winter. I was looking at making some myself to cover it but Id muck 10 up before I got it right I wish I had have seen this before my clearout and before I visited the markets yesterday. They had them at Berry for $8 each for small dogs and I cleared my excess out and sent them to the Pound a couple of weeks ago. I still have loads of towels to get rid of after clearing out my linen cupboard yet again (it wouldn;t all fit in the new one). Do you need those?? They might be more costly to post though?? yes we do need those - we are happy to cover postage. Ok, will get them to you. Thank you

Well deserved !

Photos are now up on the website - they are only small so If anyone wants some emailed to them please email [email protected] and we will send them to you. Also nominations are now open for the 5th 2011 awards - flyers and nomination forms available from the website www.mdbaawards.net.au

Itsmeg has offered some but we can always use extras especially coming up for winter. I was looking at making some myself to cover it but Id muck 10 up before I got it right I wish I had have seen this before my clearout and before I visited the markets yesterday. They had them at Berry for $8 each for small dogs and I cleared my excess out and sent them to the Pound a couple of weeks ago. I still have loads of towels to get rid of after clearing out my linen cupboard yet again (it wouldn;t all fit in the new one). Do you need those?? They might be more costly to post though?? yes we do need those - we are happy to cover postage.

Nothing in our code of conduct to cover that. If you are concerned about something one of our members may be doing Im happy to discuss this with you to enable me to get more details.

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/domestic-an...ers-and-pounds/

Itsmeg has offered some but we can always use extras especially coming up for winter. I was looking at making some myself to cover it but Id muck 10 up before I got it right

Yep I got them and Ive replied. Sorry - I dont answer Pacers or MDBA stuff over the week end unless its urgent. Julie

We have some small dogs in foster care which need some coats now its getting cooler - could anyone give us a hand with this? They are about maltese size.

All MDBA breeders have to give papers. code of conduct I will register all pups with the breed's registering body unless they are disqualified from registration due to a non recognized colour. I will supply the buyer with the dog's registration papers from my breeds' registrar unless this is not practicable in which case I will provide an endorsed copy to the buyer . I will also clearly state whether the puppy is on limited register or full register (where applicable) and explain the benefits and restrictions of that register. There is nothing stopping anyone from charging more for main or more for dual registration. You have to remember that our members are in all states and several different countries.

Re the article link. How do we fight them when they are able to use any amount of money they want to advocate and wage wars with tax payers money and donations intended for charity work. How do we fight them when they can afford to have legal teams, media teams and promotional people to push their point? Who - which group in this country has the backing to even send out more than a whisper that we dont agree with something they decide to target especially when part of the plan is to divide us. TheIR ability to advocate for one thing or another is enhanced by our money - what a joke free speech for everyone but give one group a louder voice by making the peopel who may oppose them pay for their resources.