Steve

Every day I become more amazed at the number of times people have a disaster which will temporarily stop them from being able to care properly for their dogs and the amount of people who push them to throw their dogs away without trying to help them. This one in particular is in his 60's and has no family.The dog has been his family. He loves it and without it his life is less meaningful. He has less to get up for in the morning and he cherishes it as much as anyone does a human partner. Its akin to someone coming in and shooting your spouse or one of your kids if you have an accident for these people. It may not make sense to many of us but this is how many people think and feel. This guy didn't mean to get run over and end up stuck in a hospital hundreds of kilometres away from his home and his dog for at least 6 months and the fact that we can play a role in ensuring his dog is safe and living a life similar to that which it is used to, so he has his family to come home to warms my heart. All over the country people are helping us to be a safety net and they may not feel it but they are most definitely appreciated. Kathryn and her family who looked after a dog while its owner came out of a coma and became well enough to look after it again, Sally who looked after two dogs while the owner recovered from a heart attack, madwoofter who has taken bully while openarms battles to find somewhere to live for her children and animals [ Bully is operated on next Monday] are just a few who have been true heroes for these animals and their owners. Albury Dog Rescue [Trish] joins that list. Eukanuba helps us to feed hundreds of dogs and cats every month and we've had one person who blew up her car delivering supplies for us without a minute of complaint. People who should have been getting help themselves giving up their time and resources to help us. People who work several hours 7 days a week to ensure its all coming together putting their families and lives aside. How do you find an appropriate way to say thank you? This is what Im working on now though most of them dont want to be named or recognised - any ideas?

No People shouldn't automatically be classed as uneducated or irresponsible because they own a pet dog.The idea of mandatory desexing interferes with the traditional relationship between veterinarians and their animal patients' owners. The decision to perform surgery on a pet should not be taken over by government and pet owners should have the right to make informed decisions. Risks and benefits vary greatly. 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. Take a good look at this and then tell me I shouldn't have the right to know the risks and make a decision for my dog which I think is best. I love my dogs I see them with almost as much value as I do my human family and some people don't have any human family.I want the right to manage my dogs based on what suits me and what I think is best for them regardless of whether I'm a breeder or not. Advantages of spay or neuter • Eliminates risk of testicular cancer (most are benign in behaviour) • Reduces risk of mammary cancer (if performed before 2.5 years of age) • Reduces risk of pyometra (uterine infection) • Eliminates risk of uterine tumours (given uterus is removed) • Eliminates risk of ovarian cancer • Reduces risk of prostatic hyperplasia and inflammation • Reduces risk of benign perianal tumours in dogs • Reduces urine marking, mounting. May reduce roaming Disadvantages of spay or neuter • Decreased life span • Increases risk of urinary incontinence (in both bitches and dogs) • Increases risk of obesity • Increases risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) • Increases risk of prostatic cancer • Increases risk of bladder cancer • Increases risk of cardiac haemangiosarcoma • Increases risk of splenic haemangiosarcoma in spayed bitches • Increases risk of cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of bile ducts) in spayed bitches • Increases risk of cranial cruciate ligament injury • Increases risk of patellar luxation in small- and medium-sized dogs • Increases risk of adverse vaccine reactions • Increases risk of myasthenia gravis in spayed bitches • Increases risk of pancreatitis in spayed bitches • Increases risk of aggression, fearfulness • Increases cognitive impairment in aged dogs already showing signs of disease • Increases risk of benign perianal tumours in spayed bitches • Increases risk of peri-vulvar dermatitis, vaginitis, cystitis and recurrent urinary tract infections in early-age spayed bitches Loss of testosterone is directly correlated to: heart disease and myocardial infarction, strokes and cardiovascular disease, senile dementia, osteoporosis and hip fracture. In human beings testosterone has an important role in the regulation of normal growth, bone metabolism and body composition. Specifically, testosterone deficiency is an important risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures in men. Men with testosterone deficiency have significant decreases in bone density, particularly in the trabecular bone compartment. Testosterone deficiency has been reported in over half of elderly men with a history of hip fracture. Men with testosterone deficiency also have alterations in body composition that include an increase in body fat. Using quantitative CT scans to assess fat distribution, we have shown that testosterone deficiency is associated with an alteration in site-specific adipose deposition with increased deposits in all areas, particularly in the subcutaneous and muscle areas. Because truncal fat correlates with glucose intolerance and cardiovascular risk, hypogonadism may have important implications with regard to overall health and mortality. In one study, the alteration in skeletal muscle composition was associated with a decrease in muscle strength. Therefore, testosterone deficiency is associated with an enhanced risk for osteoporosis, altered body composition including increases in truncal fat, and, possibly, decreases in muscle performance. Loss of estrogen leads to an acceleration of the bone-degradation process, which in turn results in a loss of bone mass and a raised risk for incurring bone fractures (osteoporosis). Loss of this hormone also causes violent mood swings, irritability, and depression. In human beings, a drop in the production of sexual hormones can have considerable consequences for the emotional world of women. Many menopausal women observe a reduction of their general performance, an increasing forgetfulness, an impaired fine motoricity, and a diminution in their powers of memory and of planned, targeted, flexible and adaptable thought. Furthermore, many women display a tendency towards pronounced fluctuations in their mood, and even massive symptoms of depression. Very recent studies indicate that estrogen deficiency also increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease. The process of aging and the regression of the sexual hormones also involves a degradation of the muscle mass. This results in a deterioration of the coordination of body movements and enhances the tendency for falls. The elasticity of the joints also diminishes. The joints become stiff and painful, especially upon rising in the morning. This is due to the reduction in the production of collagen and a reduced storage of water as a consequence of the estrogen deficiency 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_v...eport_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%20...ort_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

Any one around Mossvale in NSW able to take a 9 year old de - sexed cattle dog for a couple for weeks while the owner finds new dog friendly accommodation? She is easy going, house trained, good with other dogs but chases car wheels. All expenses will be covered. Email [email protected] or phone 0269276707

Sam L won. I don't know her dogz name. Julie

thank You

Once again - Thanks go out to Albury Dog Rescue for their help with trying to find a suitable foster carer for a dog who's owner has had a serious accident. There has been lots of pressure on this guy to surrender his dog as he is currently quadriplegic after being run over and has lost an ear so life is pretty tough. He is stuck in rehab for at least 6 months and prognosis is that he will regain most movement again. He is very distressed at the idea that his dog wont be well looked after and wont be able to come home when he returns from hospital. The people who have been caring for it since his accident have refused to care for it any longer now they know its a longer term thing and the dog is fretting for his owner.The dog has been in kennels now for a week and both dog and owner are not coping with that. Trish from Albury Dog Rescue has been fantastic and is helping us to find a foster carer who we will cover for expenses and support over the next 6 months or so to ensure the dog is safe. :D

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/sha...ogs_salsa_verde Asher Price | Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 03:27 PM Could dog hair help sop up oil threatening to lap up on coastal seashores in the Gulf? Kit Brooking, who runs West End Grooming, a grooming place for pets, tells me she’s planning to send heaps of dog hair to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco nonprofit that makes fur and nylon into oil booms, known as “hairbooms”. “I just thought it was a cool thing, and am spreading word to people who cut hair in town,” she said. “Whether it’s human or dog hair, it’s one thing we can do to help out with the oil spill.” “The usual line from people is, ‘Golly, isn’t there something you can do with [all that hair],” she said. “We’re just pleased we can do something with it.” Matter of Trust has not returned a call for comment. My favorite part of the group’s website is a line in the “Contact Us” page that says “PLEASE DO NOT SEND HAIR, FUR, WASTE WOOL etc. TO THIS ADDRESS.” (Donors are instructed to register before learning where to send their material.) “Thousands of salons mail us hair clippings, swept up off their floors, and the fibers are stuffed into booms or woven into hair mats,” according to Matter of Trust’s website. “We all know about shampooing our oily hair, but it took Phill McCrory, a stylist from Alabama, to realize that hair was also an efficient and abundant material for collecting and containing petroleum spills.”

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yellowgirl are you a foster carer for a rescue group ?

Tickets $1 each or 15 for $10 - Winner drawn Sunday 9th of May at midday. please email [email protected] for bank details and reference number

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When you know better you do better. Fact is the dog is pregnant and clearly there is much to be learned. In my opinion as a registered breeder who has witnessed and helped in 100's of whelpings with dozens of breeds this bitch has been over managed and again I will say. The temp needs to drop to under 37 - you need to observe her shaking as this happens. If you just take her temp 3 times a day and observe her from a distance you will see the drop and the shaking. Low lights, isolation and peace stimulate the hormones which allow her to have her puppies. Its rare for a bitch to eat within 12 hours of labour and its common for them to vomit. This is triggered as part of their survival instincts because if they just go into labour and drop puppies in the wild without being sure they are safe first it would put their lives and that of their puppies at risk. They seek out quiet isolated positions so they don't have to worry about predators or humans getting to them. You can delay or turn off these hormones if you fuss or interfere before you should. Based on what you have described here she may have up to a week to go. While you are waiting and before you get anywhere near your dogs mating again you have much to learn about your breed and what you need to do to ensure you are not breeding puppies which will grow into dogs with less quality of life and cause their owners heartbreak and huge vet bills. You need DNA tests to clear them for PRA because unless you know you may doom your puppies to blindness and you need to have their hearts ,hips and elbows tested at the very minimum. When you sell your puppies you need to be very clear to the people you are selling them to that these are things you have not done and because you cannot say what the potential is for any of your puppies to be affected or carriers of some pretty horrible genetic problems you need to ensure that every single one of them is desexed before it leaves your house and goes to its new home. I would also consider going to a vet who is more experienced with in whelp bitches if you decide to breed again. There is an introduction to canine breeding course which will cost around 100 dollars and will help you to understand and learn some things which are important. This course is available to anyone and it cuts down on time usually spent making mistakes and learning the hard way. http://www.mdba.net.au/index.php?cPath=33_21

We have woodwork competition coming together, sewing, knitting , crocheting ,poetry, writing, photography. We also have lots of businesses handing over all kinds of prize donations and lots of goodies. There has been some talk of putting together a dogzonline community quilt as an entry to the quilting comp with dol members contributing a quilted square if anyone would like to be involved in this.

MDBA Pacers [Prevention of Animal Cruelty In Emergency Response Situations] is an initiative of the Master Dog Breeders and Associates. We are a professional, Australia wide non profit charitable organisation committed to providing quality services to people who own domestic animals (mainly dogs, cats and horses ) when they are in emergency situations as a result of personal or natural disaster. Mothers Day Raffle Earrings Valued at $2600 comes with appraisal certificate. material 14K White gold total item weight 4.1g ~ 0.13oz total gemstone carat weight 3.00ctw ~ 0.10oz earring lock post Gemstone Info: gemstone diamond quantity/ctw 16/0.12ctw ~ 0.024g shape round color I - J Top Crystal. Slightly Tinted White clarity I1 - I2 Visible Natural Characteristics Gemstone Info: gemstone sapphire Known for its Brilliance, Durability and Deep Celestial blue hue. Sapphire is a symbol of Faith and Goodness quantity/ctw 6/2.88ctw ~ 0.576g shape multi-shaped color multicolor Other Info: width 9 mm total item length 27 mm Tickets $1 each or 15 for $10 - Winner drawn Sunday 9th of May at midday. please email [email protected] for bank details and reference number

Another 6 for us.

Thank You.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped! Julie

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Hi there. No news. Nothing happening as yet, no discharge, no contractions. I called the vet yet again and he said give it to tomorrow as her dates are still ok we think going by measurements on the ultrasound. Pearl looks well and is eating. Personally I am anxious now and just want to to begin!!! Thanks for the support. You know what? You need to leave her alone and stop being anxious. She needs to be relaxed and have everything normal. Animals will not labour if they are stressed. If you are stressed then she will be stressed. Put her to bed in a nice dark room and go have a few drinks so her hormones can kick in and let labour happen. Good luck *grin* Yep I agree. In my opinion your temp is too high and you will need it to drop down to under 37.You need to see her shaking them down - shivering. Very few bitches eat once the action is near and some bitches nest and rip up their beds etc for a week or more before the big day. Walk away leave her in a dark room and allow it to happen.

I have in my puppy ads and all over my website- We welcome all inquiries.

Fencing is needed in Victoria but give me the ad and Ill take a look. Julie

You Win Holly's Mummy !

Loss of employment and an injury and subsequent loss of house with an eviction. Financial hardship over several months.They have been living in highly stressful conditions with family in order to keep their animals rather than surrender them.They now have accommodation which will enable them to keep the dogs but in the main the money will be used for a small amount of fencing with the dogs staying in foster care until this is done and food for their animals for a couple of weeks while they settle down. The humans are being helped a bit via welfare agencies but they don't provide help for the animals.

I know that so many of you have been wonderful and helped so much already but we are seeing a huge demand for our help and because we are so new at it all we dont have the funds to be able respond if we don't keep asking for your support. We have had a call for help from a family which owns 4 dogs who have suffered a chain of unexpected events including eviction and with winter coming on they are quite desperate for help in various ways which we are dealing with. We have helped them to find accommodation which will allow them to keep their dogs but they will need some support over the next few weeks to ensure their animals can be looked after and they have a chance of rebuilding their lives. This time we are auctioning a Pacers Saddlebag and any support you could give would be very much appreciated. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 15 for $10 . Raffle closes the 3rd of May. Final day for payment is 5th of May and drawn 5pm the 5th. Please email [email protected] for bank details and a reference number.

I doubt that people who have been critical haven't considered the implications to their criticism and at a guess in the main Id say that what they are hoping for is an implication which at the very least instigates a review of the system and some kind of natural justice and accountability procedure to ensure that ordinary everyday animal owners feel they have the ability to protect their animals and protect themselves. The Independent Commission against corruption didn't herald the end of the Police force or other government departments but it ensured that people at least felt they had rights and an ability to be heard if they felt they had been treated unfairly.The media, and the public accepted that there was a need to introduce something to make these kind of processes more accountable and those in charge to be more open to the possibility that there may be some shonky stuff in the mix. It took exposure and criticism to have that bought about If they are to operate as a police force then they should be the police force or be given the same accountability processes a police force has. Having said that in this case what happened here on the surface could have happened to any rescue group - in fact I had a call about one which was very similar with a person asking what they could do about making the rescue group pay and there have been at least 4 similar cases over the past year or so. In many cases the foster carer is given the animal to look after and they have no rights to determine what treatments, what homes the animal may be placed in, or special privileges as far as first dibs if they want to keep it .Its not their animal and there is no obligation on the rescue group to liaise with , explain to or advise the foster carer about what comes next.when the animal is removed from the foster carer they have no instant rights to keep in the loop or informed. It should be a written apart of the policies of the group so that before a foster carer ever gets near accepting an animal both sides know exactly what is or is not O.K. or expected. These policies have to be in consideration of the fact that some foster carers will not understand if hard decisions have to be implemented . For example a foster carer takes a dog, falls in love with it but there is something wrong with it which will cost thousands of dollars to fix which may not fix it and the rescue vet advice is to put it to sleep or not to go with an op but rather look at management. The foster carer doesn't agree and begins to cause a whole lot of problems thinking they know better what is best for the dog. They want to keep the dog but they also want the rescue group to pay the money to do the treatment they have decided they would like for the dog. When they are told No they get upset . Then you also sometimes get foster carers who turn out to be complete nuts which make you decide they should not be fostering etc. Sometimes of course it matters little what you do or how you do it. If someone is nasty enough or upset enough they will seek media and other methods of spreading the word the rescue group sucks. So back to this case - the reality is that based on what info we have no one can know what really happened and this is a welfare case and not a police issue but its come to a point in society and the animal welfare world where this sort of thing is going to happen and unless the people and the group is conscious of the human aspect and the need to take the human emotions into account when they work through them they are going to be in the firing line and lose public support and foster carers. The main basis of the problem in this case if we assume the horse was ill and did need to be put down to prevent it from suffering stems around the lack of communication and compassion shown to the foster carer. However , based on a myriad of other reported examples which show there is at least a potential for the horse to be put down because it was easier to do that than deal with others issues surrounding the horse and the carer people are suspicious. Be honest - based on the time lines and the report of what happened - as it is reported - most people would consider the horse and the foster carer had been badly treated even if they had never heard a bad thing about them. Because they are not lawfully made to show cause or evidence as to what they say - they can potentially say anything just as any rescue group can. BUT OTHER RESCUE GROUPS ARE NOT ACTING AS A QUASI POLICE FORCE and not accepting billions of dollars in donations to save animals so its only fitting that these should come under more NOT LESS public scrutiny.